The shocking lack of significant increases in high sensitivity troponin values after cardioversion

Abstract Background and introduction Cardioversion is commonly used to terminate cardiac arrhythmias. Some previous reports have suggested that cardioversion results in myocardial injury as evidenced by increased levels of cardiac troponin. However, many of these studies were done years ago with les...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European heart journal 2020-11, Vol.41 (Supplement_2)
Main Authors: Lobo, R, White, R.D, Donato, L.J, Cha, Y.M, Melduni, R.M, Jaffe, A.S
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Abstract Background and introduction Cardioversion is commonly used to terminate cardiac arrhythmias. Some previous reports have suggested that cardioversion results in myocardial injury as evidenced by increased levels of cardiac troponin. However, many of these studies were done years ago with less sensitive troponin assays and monophasic waveform defibrillators. Purpose To determine if external direct current (DC) cardioversion with biphasic rectilinear waveform shocks results in myocardial injury as assessed by high sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and I (hs-cTnI). Methods Patients scheduled for elective DC cardioversion for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter were recruited. Plasma samples for measurement of hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI were obtained pre-cardioversion and as late as feasible but at least 6 hours post-cardioversion [median of 9 (7–11) hours]. Results A total of 96 patients were recruited. One patient was excluded because the pre-cardioversion sample was hemolysed. Median (25th–75th interquartile range) cumulative energy delivered was 121.6J (62.4–277.4J) and median highest energy individual shock was 121.0J (62.1–146.2J). A total of 39 (41.1%) patients received more than 1 shock, 23 (24.2%) patients received a cumulative energy of 300J or higher and 5 (5.3%) patients received a cumulative energy of 1,000J or more. The median pre-cardioversion hs-cTnT value was 11.48 (7.19–18.38) ng/L and the median hs-cTnI value was 5.1 (2.0–9.4) ng/L. Median post-cardioversion hs-cTnT value were 12.46 (7.98–20.28) ng/L and hs-cTnI value were 6.3 (3.5–10.0) ng/L. Wilcoxon-Signed ranks test showed a statistically significant change between the pre-and-post cardioversion hs-cTnT values (Z=−4.237, p
ISSN:0195-668X
1522-9645
DOI:10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0553