Participants
Individuals undergoing synchronised DC cardioversion for atrial
arrhythmias at Cork University Hospital in Cork, Ireland were approached
for participation in this study. A total of 73 individuals (59 men, 14
women) agreed to participate in the study. Inclusion criteria included
all subjects greater than 18 years of age who were undergoing
synchronised DC cardioversion for an atrial arrhythmia. This included
both elective and non-elective admissions and included patients with
atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and focal atrial tachycardia.
Exclusion criteria included a myocardial infarction within the past
month, coronary artery bypass grafting within the past month,
cardioversion for a ventricular arrhythmia, and any recent shocks by an
implantable internal cardioverter defibrillator. All procedures
conformed to the Declaration of Helsinki and were approved by the
Clinical Research Ethics Committee at University College Cork. Written
and informed consent was obtained from all participants.