[Value of esophageal stimulation for decreasing XXXX ].

@entity1 @entity956 @entity5069 @entity955
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of trans-esophageal atrial stimulation in decreasing @entity956 . 31 @entity1 , aged between 26 and 86 years, underwent 38 esophageal stimulations between August 1986 and April 1987. Esophageal stimulation was carried out with a device delivering major stimuli (10 to 20 ms) as well as high voltages (10 to 20 volts). A bipolar probe of permanent intracardiac stimulation was placed behind the left atrium, via a trans-esophageal approach under ECG guidance. Stimulations were carried out at a slightly faster rhythm than that of the @entity956 , for 1 to 30 seconds with a progressive increase of the stimulation frequency (280 to 960 impulses/min) until either a sinus rhythm or an @entity955 was obtained. A sinus rhythm was obtained immediately (21 times out of 38; 55.3%) and at the 24th hour after temporary @entity955 in 8 additional @entity1 (21%). The reduction percentage at 24 hours was therefore 76.3 p. cent. In 6 @entity1 (15.8%), esophageal stimulation failed and in 3 additional @entity1 , after @entity955 , there was either relapse into @entity5069 , or persistence of @entity955 at the 24th hour. Esophageal stimulation was well tolerated in all cases. There were no local or rhythm complications. In conclusion, trans-esophageal atrial stimulation appears to be effective, easy to implement, economical and well tolerated. Its primary use to decrease @entity956 seems justified, permitting to avoid in 75 p. cent of the time, recourse to intracardiac atrial stimulation or external shock.
