Comparison of rate versus rhythm control for atrial fibrillation in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (from the AFFIRM Study).

Publication/Presentation Date

7-15-2007

Abstract

Optimal treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is not well defined. It is unclear if sinus rhythm is of greater benefit in patients with significantly reduced ejection fraction (EF) than in patients with normal or mildly depressed LV function. The Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) study compared 2 treatment strategies: "rhythm control," attempting to maintain sinus rhythm, principally with antiarrhythmic drugs, and "rate control," allowing AF to persist or recur while controlling the ventricular rate. We sought to determine if rhythm control was superior to rate control for patients in the AFFIRM study with various degrees of LV dysfunction. The present study analyzed outcome data of 3,032 subjects from the AFFIRM study with LV dysfunction by 3 EF strata: 40% to 49%, 30% to 39%, and

Volume

100

Issue

2

First Page

247

Last Page

252

ISSN

0002-9149

Disciplines

Cardiology | Medical Sciences | Medical Specialties | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

17631079

Department(s)

Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine Faculty

Document Type

Article

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