For patients with normal hearts, there is no hemodynamic compromise with atrial fib. However, for patients with reduced pumping function of the heart that causes CHF, the atrial contraction may be important to maintain an adequate cardiac output. If your mother hasn't been treated with this medication, it may be worth a try and then cardioversion could be reattempted after a sufficient quantity of medication is given. If she has already failed to stay in sinus rhythm with cordarone and cardioversion, then there really aren't any other good options. I hope you find this information useful.
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