[Electrical conversion of atrial fibrillation. Superior effects of biphasic transthoracic method when compared with the conventional monophasic method].
Can biphasic electrical conversion of atrial fibrillation replace the standard monophasic method? This report reviews factors facilitating the electrical conversion of atrial fibrillation and describes a clinical trial, showing superior effects of biphasic versus monophasic electrical conversion of atrial fibrillation. We conclude that the most important factors for successful electrical conversion of atrial fibrillations are 1) a biphasic impulse, 2) low transthoracic impedance and 3) a short history of atrial fibrillation.