XXXX for maintenance of sinus rhythm after conversion of @entity955 in the setting of a dilated left atrium.

@entity1 @entity2643 @entity296 @entity5126 @entity955 @entity340
Previous reports suggest that the finding of left atrial (LA) dilatation (greater than 45 mm) by echocardiography identifies @entity1 not likely to maintain sinus rhythm after conversion of @entity955 ( @entity955 ). However, these studies antedate the availability of @entity2643 , an antiarrhythmic agent that reportedly is effective in @entity1 with @entity955 in whom other drug therapy has failed. To analyze the relation between LA size and the ability to maintain sinus rhythm with @entity2643 therapy, 28 @entity1 , aged 32 to 87 years (mean 61), with an LA dimension greater than 45 mm (range 46 to 78, mean 57) were studied. Thirteen @entity1 (46%) had @entity340 , 10 (36%) dilated @entity296 and 5 (18%) miscellaneous disorders. In 25 @entity1 (89%) @entity5126 therapy had failed. After therapy with @entity2643 , sinus rhythm returned in all @entity1 and was maintained. Therapy was judged completely successful in 10 @entity1 (alive and still in sinus rhythm with at least 1 year of follow-up), partially successful in 11 (maintaining sinus rhythm for at least 6 months before a change in status) and failed in 7. Completely successful therapy was accomplished in 9 of 18 @entity1 with an LA dimension between 46 and 60 mm, but in only 1 of 10 @entity1 with an LA dimension greater than 60 mm (p less than 0.05). Thus, @entity1 with LA dimensions between 46 and 60 mm who are significantly compromised by @entity955 can often be maintained in sinus rhythm with @entity2643 therapy. However, in @entity1 with larger LA dimensions. @entity955 is likely to return despite aggressive antiarrhythmic therapy with @entity2643 , a drug with potentially serious side effects.
