Increase in regional cerebral saturation after elective electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is only transient and without beneficial effects on neuropsychological functioning: cerebral saturation during electrical cardioversion

We aimed to confirm the positive association between a successful electrical cardioversion (ECV) and increase in SctO 2 and investigated whether this increase is persisting or not. Secondary, the influence of a successful ECV on the neuropsychological function and the association with SctO 2 was assessed as well. SctO 2 was measured continuously during elective ECV using near-infrared spectroscopy. Measurements started before induction of sedation and ended 15 min after awakening. A second measurement took place 4 to 6 weeks after ECV. To assess neuropsychological functioning, patients performed standardized neuropsychological tests before ECV and at follow-up and were compared to healthy volunteers as control group. SctO 2 was measured in 60 patients during elective ECV. ECV was successful in 50 AF patients, while in ten patients sinus rhythm was not obtained. SctO 2 increased immediately after successful ECV in 50 patients (1% (− 5 to 4); p = 0.031), but not after unsuccessful ECV in 10 patients (− 1% (− 5;3); p = 0.481). This SctO 2 change was positively correlated with the instant change in blood pressure (R 2 = 0.391; p = 0.004). At follow-up, SctO 2 values were no longer increased. Nevertheless, successful ECV improved the patient’s quality of life but did not influence neuropsychological functioning at follow-up. A transient, instant SctO 2 increase was observed after successful ECV. This temporary increase in SctO 2 did not influence the neuropsychological functioning of the patients. Though, the quality of life of patients with a successful ECV improved.