Search

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of 3 months vs. 18 months of amiodarone treatment after atrial fibrillation (AF) conversion in patients who experienced the first episode of persistent AF., Methods: We included 51 patients who experienced the first episode of persistent AF receiving amiodarone (600 mg) daily for 4-6 weeks. If AF persisted, electrical cardioversion (ECV) was performed. All patients received amiodarone (200 mg daily) for 3 months and then were randomized to amiodarone (Group I) or placebo (Group II) and followed for 15 months. The control group comprised 9 untreated patients undergoing ECV. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using a Bayesian model., Results: Eighteen months after AF reversion, 22 (81.5%) patients in Group I, 13 (54.2%) patients in Group II, and 1 (11.1%) patient in the control group remained in sinus rhythm. No differences were found between Group I patients who required ECV and Group II patients. Sinus rhythm was preserved in all Group I patients when it was achieved during amiodarone administration. Limiting adverse effects occurred in 3 (11.1%) patients in Group I., Conclusions: In patients regaining sinus rhythm after the first episode of persistent AF, a 3-month amiodarone treatment after reversion is a reasonable option for rhythm control.

With the advent of the computer as an educational tool, new avenues have been opened in the teaching of biology. The development of instructional techniques using a variety of mathematical models has assisted and stimulated the study of genetics, particularly that of populations. This article refers to an instructional program by simulation of the genetic drift phenomenon, which enables the student to utilize results that would otherwise take a long time to observe. The authors feel that this teaching method is the only efficient way to teach the phenomenon, since its very complexity makes it very difficult to explain in the postgraduate classroom or through the conventional practical task. The program is being used in a graduate course in genetics; however it is felt that it can be applied to other health sciences fields and adopted to the levels of understanding of the students.