scholarly journals Timing of cardioversion in atrial fibrillation: the sooner the better?

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_L) ◽  
pp. L41-L43
Author(s):  
Piera Capranzano ◽  
Valeria Calvi
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
Treatment Pathway ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Wait And See ◽  
Costs Of Treatment ◽  
Spontaneous Conversion

Abstract Management of recent-onset (<36 h) atrial fibrillation (AF) in the emergency room is highly variable, particularly concerning the type and timing of cardioversion, and the logistics of the treatment pathway. In clinical practice, it is fairly common for patients with recent-onset AF an attempt at re-establishing sinus rhythm, either with electric or pharmacologic cardioversion, as soon as feasible. Nonetheless, a ‘wait-and-see’ approach, and potentially delayed cardioversion, could represent a valid alternative to early cardioversion, considering that, often, in recent-onset AF, sinus rhythm is re-established spontaneously, thus repealing the need for active cardioversion, hence avoiding the possible risks of treatment. These concepts form the rationale for a recent multicentric randomized trial, Rate Control vs. Electrical Cardioversion Trial 7 – Acute Cardioversion vs. Wait and See (RACE 7 ACWAS), comparing the efficacy of delayed cardioversion, within 48 h from symptoms onset, in case of lack of spontaneous conversion, with early cardioversion in symptomatic patients with recent-onset AF. In patients presenting to the emergency department with recent-onset, symptomatic AF, a wait-and-see approach was non-inferior to early cardioversion in maintaining the sinus rhythm at 4 weeks. Nonetheless a system employing a delayed cardioversion strategy increases the costs of treatment, complicates the treatment pathway, and could represent a psychological burden for the patients. Accordingly, delayed cardioversion could not represent a practical choice for many hospitals with limited resources and without an adequate outpatient organization.

scholarly journals On-Demand Mobile Health Infrastructure for Remote Rhythm Monitoring within a Wait-and-See Strategy for Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation: TeleWAS-AF

Cardiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Nikki A.H.A. Pluymaekers ◽  
Rachel M.J. van der Velden ◽  
Astrid N.L. Hermans ◽  
Monika Gawalko ◽  
Saskia Buskes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Care Process ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Wait And See ◽  
Rhythm Monitoring

Recently, we introduced the TeleCheck-AF approach, an on-demand mobile health (mHealth) infrastructure using app-based heart rate and rhythm monitoring for 7 days, to support long-term atrial fibrillation (AF) management through teleconsultation. Herein, we extend the mHealth approach to patients with recent-onset AF at the emergency department (ED). In the proposed TeleWAS-AF approach, on-demand heart rate and rhythm monitoring are used to support a wait-and-see strategy at the ED. All stable patients who present to the ED with recent-onset symptomatic AF and who are able to use mHealth solutions for heart rate and rhythm monitoring are eligible for this approach. Patients will receive both education on AF and instructions on the use of the mHealth technology before discharge from the ED. A case coordinator will subsequently check whether patients are able to activate the mHealth solution and to perform heart rate and rhythm measurements. Forty hours after AF onset, the first assessment teleconsultation with the physician will take place, determining the need for delayed cardioversion. After maximal 7 days of remote monitoring, a second assessment teleconsultation may occur, in which the rhythm can be reassessed and further treatment strategy can be discussed with the patients. This on-demand mHealth prescription increases patient involvement in the care process and treatment decision-making by encouraging self-management, while avoiding excess data-load requiring work-intensive and expensive data management. Implementation of the TeleWAS-AF approach may facilitate the management of AF in the ED and reduce the burden on the ED system, which enhances the capacity for health care utilization.

scholarly journals Conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm and rate control by digoxin in comparison to placebo

1997 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 643-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Jordaens ◽  
J. Trouerbach ◽  
P. Calle ◽  
R. Tavernier ◽  
E. Derycke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Rate Control

Pharmacologic cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

EP Europace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 854-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian S deSouza ◽  
Mina Tadrous ◽  
Theresa Sexton ◽  
Roshanak Benabbas ◽  
Guy Carmelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
English Language ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Review ◽  
Placebo Control ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Onset Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract Aims We sought to identify the most effective antidysrhythmic drug for pharmacologic cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and results We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to March 2019, limited to human subjects and English language. We also searched for unpublished data. We limited studies to randomized controlled trials that enrolled adult patients with AF ≤ 48 h and compared antidysrhythmic agents, placebo, or control. We determined these outcomes prior to data extraction: (i) rate of conversion to sinus rhythm within 24 h, (ii) time to cardioversion to sinus rhythm, (iii) rate of significant adverse events, and (iv) rate of thromboembolism within 30 days. We extracted data according to PRISMA-NMA and appraised selected trials using the Cochrane review handbook. The systematic review initially identified 640 studies; 30 met inclusion criteria. Twenty-one trials that randomized 2785 patients provided efficacy data for the conversion rate outcome. Bayesian network meta-analysis using a random-effects model demonstrated that ranolazine + amiodarone intravenous (IV) [odds ratio (OR) 39.8, 95% credible interval (CrI) 8.3–203.1], vernakalant (OR 22.9, 95% CrI 3.7–146.3), flecainide (OR 16.9, 95% CrI 4.1–73.3), amiodarone oral (OR 10.2, 95% CrI 3.1–36.0), ibutilide (OR 7.9, 95% CrI 1.2–52.5), amiodarone IV (OR 5.4, 95% CrI 2.1–14.6), and propafenone (OR 4.1, 95% CrI 1.7–10.5) were associated with significantly increased likelihood of conversion within 24 h when compared to placebo/control. Overall quality was low, and the network exhibited inconsistency. Probabilistic analysis ranked vernakalant and flecainide high and propafenone and amiodarone IV low. Conclusion For pharmacologic cardioversion of recent-onset AF within 24 h, there is insufficient evidence to determine which treatment is superior. Vernakalant and flecainide may be relatively more efficacious agents. Propafenone and IV amiodarone may be relatively less efficacious. Further high-quality study is necessary.

scholarly journals Recent advances in rhythm control for atrial fibrillation

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Bond ◽  
Brian Olshansky ◽  
Paulus Kirchhof
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Pulmonary Vein ◽  
Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Rhythm Control ◽  
Management Problem ◽  
Recent Trial ◽  
Control Therapy

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a difficult management problem. The restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm—rhythm control therapy—can markedly improve symptoms and haemodynamics for patients who have paroxysmal or persistent AF, but some patients fare well with rate control alone. Sinus rhythm can be achieved with anti-arrhythmic drugs or electrical cardioversion, but the maintenance of sinus rhythm without recurrence is more challenging. Catheter ablation of the AF triggers is more effective than anti-arrhythmic drugs at maintaining sinus rhythm. Whilst pulmonary vein isolation is an effective strategy, other ablation targets are being evaluated to improve sinus rhythm maintenance, especially in patients with chronic forms of AF. Previously extensive ablation strategies have been used for patients with persistent AF, but a recent trial has shown that pulmonary vein isolation without additional ablation lesions is associated with outcomes similar to those of more extensive ablation. This has led to an increase in catheter-based technology to achieve durable pulmonary vein isolation. Furthermore, a combination of anti-arrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation seems useful to improve the effectiveness of rhythm control therapy. Two large ongoing trials evaluate whether a modern rhythm control therapy can improve prognosis in patients with AF.

Do Restoring and Maintaining Sinus Rhythm Have a Beneficial Effect on Secondary Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation? A Pilot Study

Angiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 916-920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cenk Conkbayir ◽  
Zerrin Yigit ◽  
Refika Hural ◽  
Murat Ugurlucan ◽  
Didem Melis Oztas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Secondary Prevention ◽  
Sinus Rhythm ◽  
Beneficial Effect ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Recurrent Stroke ◽  
Rhythm Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Echocardiographic Examination ◽  
Ischemic Attack

We aimed to determine whether attempts to restore and maintain sinus rhythm will reduce recurrent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients (n = 245) between March 1998 and May 2002 with AF who had an ischemic stroke including transient ischemic attack 1 to 12 months before transesophageal echocardiographic examination and had been followed for 3 years were retrospectively reviewed. Cardioversion was attempted in 130 patients; 117 (90%) patients were successfully cardioverted (rhythm control group). The 13 patients who could not be cardioverted and 115 patients who did not undergo cardioversion were assigned to the rate control group. Age, gender, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, mitral valve disease, and left atrial diameter were similar in both groups. The rhythm control group included 56 patients (48.7%) who were still in sinus rhythm after 3 years. During follow-up, there were 2 embolic events (3.4%) and 2 deaths (3.4%) in the rhythm control group, whereas 18 embolic events (14.6%) and 18 deaths (14.6%) occurred in the rate control group ( P = .049 and P = .049, respectively). Restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm seems to have a beneficial effect on secondary prevention of stroke in patients with AF.

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