What the study found
The authors report that electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation were both effective during pregnancy, with reported success rates of 89.7% and 97.5%, respectively. They conclude that both treatments are safe and effective options in this setting.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say these treatments remain underused because of persistent but unfounded safety concerns. They suggest that delayed rhythm control may lead to hemodynamic compromise, which they describe as a risk for maternal cardiovascular instability and fetal distress.
What the researchers tested
The paper presents an illustrative case of recurrent pregnancy-associated arrhythmia that did not respond to standard therapies, including radiofrequency ablation and electrical cardioversion. The authors also conducted a structured narrative review using Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed, and assessed study quality with Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools.
What worked and what didn't
In the review, 19 studies involving 58 patients reported electrical cardioversion, and 44 studies involving 159 patients reported catheter ablation during pregnancy. Electrical cardioversion restored sinus rhythm in 89.7% of cases, while catheter ablation did so in 97.5% of cases; the cardioversion group included 5 preterm deliveries and 2 maternal-fetal deaths, while the ablation group included 2 preterm deliveries and no maternal-fetal mortality.
What to keep in mind
The available clinical evidence was described as largely coming from case reports. The abstract does not provide detailed limitations beyond that scope, so the findings should be read as based on a relatively small body of reported cases.
Key points
- Electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation were both reported to restore sinus rhythm during pregnancy.
- Reported success rates were 89.7% for electrical cardioversion and 97.5% for catheter ablation.
- The cardioversion group included 5 preterm deliveries and 2 maternal-fetal deaths.
- The catheter ablation group included 2 preterm deliveries and no maternal-fetal mortality.
- The review covered 19 cardioversion studies and 44 catheter ablation studies.
- The evidence base was described as largely case reports.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Cardioversion and ablation were reported effective during pregnancy
- Authors:
- Wentao Li, Jianyu Hu, Haiqi Song, Xiang Fang, Lu Liu, Liang Zhang, H Wang, Liu R, Rui Zeng
- Institutions:
- Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Sichuan University, Sichuan University, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University
- Publication date:
- 2026-06-24
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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