Progression of AF less likely with rhythm control strategy

Progression of AF less likely with rhythm control strategy

Progression of AF less likely with rhythm control strategy: Progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) can be defined as a change from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to persistent/permanent atrial fibrillation. Progression of AF is less likely if a rhythm control strategy is pursued [1]. This information is from RecordAF (REgistry on Cardiac Rhythm disORDers Assessing the Control of Atrial Fibrillation) a worldwide prospective registry of atrial fibrillation. More than two thousand and one hundred patients were followed up for one year. The chance for progression of atrial fibrillation was only eleven percent in the rhythm control group while it was twenty six percent in the rate control group (P<0.001).

Progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) occurred in 318 of the 2137 patients (15%) over one year. The associations with progression were higher age and diastolic blood pressure, coronary artery disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) and heart failure.

Independent predictors for progression of AF were history of heart failure (P < .0001), history of hypertension (P < .01) and rhythm control strategy (P < .0001).

Consecutive eligible patients with recent onset atrial fibrillation were studied. Choice regarding allocation to rate or rhythm control was decided by patient/physician.

Reference

1. Cees B De Vos, Günter Breithardt, A John Camm, Paul Dorian, Peter R Kowey, Jean-Yves Le Heuzey, Lisa Naditch-Brûlé, Eric N Prystowsky, Peter J Schwartz, Christian Torp-Pedersen, William S Weintraub, Harry J Crijns. Progression of atrial fibrillation in the REgistry on Cardiac rhythm disORDers assessing the control of Atrial Fibrillation cohort: clinical correlates and the effect of rhythm-control therapy. Am Heart J. 2012 May;163(5):887-93.