LETTER
Thromboembolism after Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation
Tsung O. Cheng, MD
1 December 1997 | Volume 127 Issue 11 | Page 1039
TO THE EDITOR:
I read with interest the report on the risk for thromboembolism associated with conversion to sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation lasting less than 48 hours [1]. Despite the authors' finding that such patients had a low likelihood of cardioversion-related clinical thromboembolism, the authors recommended that anticoagulation with intravenous heparin be initiated on hospital admission for all patients with atrial fibrillation. This recommendation would extend to patients whose clinically estimated duration of atrial fibrillation is less than 48 hours. I wonder why the authors did not believe in their own data.
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Author and Article Information
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George Washington University Medical Center; Washington, DC 20032
1. Weigner MJ, Caulfield TA, Danias PG, Silverman DI, Manning WJ. Risk for clinical thromboembolism associated with conversion to sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation lasting less than 48 hours. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:615-20.
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