Background: Detailed analysis of signal-averaged P waves (SAPW) can provide insights into atrial electrophysiology. Abbreviated dosing of verapamil prior to cardioversion improves outcome at 1 week postcardioversion. The mechanism by which verapamil manifests benefit is uncertain. We hypothesized the SAPW would reflect any change in atrial electrophysiologic substrate afforded by verapamil when compared with controls.
Methods: We investigated 23 patients attending external cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) (6 female; mean age 68 years). Patients were randomized to verapamil 240 mg daily in three divided doses 3 days before cardioversion and 1 week after, or usual medication. SAPW recordings were performed during sinus rhythm (SR) immediately after cardioversion, at 24 hours and 1 week.
Results: The groups were comparable in terms of age, gender, left atrial size, and duration of AF. Eight of nine patients prescribed verapamil maintained SR at 1 week postcardioversion compared with 6 of 14 controls (P = 0.027). SAPW spectral analysis delivered higher energy for patients prescribed verapamil (median (IQ range)); 40.8 (33.4-95.1) versus 25.7 (19.0-38.0) for energy within 20-150 Hz, P20 (microV(2)x s; P = 0.03). There was no difference in P-wave duration (PWD) or root mean square of the terminal 30 ms between the two groups. Early reinitiation occurred in patients with significantly lower P-wave energy 19.6 (12.9-24.6) versus 39.9 (24.0-47.0) (P = 0.017).
Conclusions: Verapamil 240 mg daily for 3 days prior to cardioversion and 1 week after reduces early recurrence of AF. The SAPW observations indicate change in atrial electrophysiologic substrate might be responsible for benefit afforded by verapamil.