A Cardioversion and Renal Dysfunction Cascade: Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation, Acute Kidney Injury, and Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

A 62-year-old woman with hypertension presented with progressively worsening shortness of breath due to acute decompensated heart failure with atrial fibrillation in rapid ventricular response. During admission, she was managed with diuretics, goal-directed medical therapy for heart failure with successful DCCV (Direct current cardioversion) for first episode atrial fibrillation. However, one day after discharge, the patient presented with a recurrence of dyspnea with atrial fibrillation in rapid ventricular response and a reduction in urine output with elevated serum creatinine. In this case report, we describe the syndrome of acute kidney injury following cardioversion for atrial fibrillation known as AFCARD (Atrial Fibrillation Cardioversion Associated with Renal Dysfunction), highlight its incidence and reflect on renal dysfunction subserving the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after successful DCCV.