Cited by 4,405Atrial Fibrillation Management and OutcomesAcute Ischemic Stroke ManagementCardiac pacing and defibrillation studies

A comparison of rate control and rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation

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The AFFIRM Investigators·2002·New England Journal of Medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are two approaches to the treatment of atrial fibrillation: one is cardioversion and treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs to maintain sinus rhythm, and the other is the use of rate-controlling drugs, allowing atrial fibrillation to persist. In both approaches, the use of anticoagulant drugs is recommended. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, multicenter comparison of these two treatment strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation and a high risk of stroke or death. The primary end point was overall mortality. RESULTS: A total of 4060 patients (mean [+/-SD] age, 69.7+/-9.0 years) were enrolled in the study; 70.8 percent had a history of hypertension, and 38.2 percent had coronary artery disease. Of the 3311 patients with echocardiograms, the left atrium was enlarged in 64.7 percent and left ventricular function was depressed in 26.0 percent. There were 356 deaths among the patients assigned to rhythm-control therapy and 310 deaths among those assigned to rate-control therapy (mortality at five years, 23.8 percent and 21.3 percent, respectively; hazard ratio, 1.15 [95 percent confidence interval, 0.99 to 1.34]; P=0.08). More patients in the rhythm-control group than in the rate-control group were hospitalized, and there were more adverse drug effects in the rhythm-control group as well. In both groups, the majority of strokes occurred after warfarin had been stopped or when the international normalized ratio was subtherapeutic. CONCLUSIONS: Management of atrial fibrillation with the rhythm-control strategy offers no survival advantage over the rate-control strategy, and there are potential advantages, such as a lower risk of adverse drug effects, with the rate-control strategy. Anticoagulation should be continued in this group of high-risk patients.

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. [3]3. Waldo AL. Management of atrial fibrillation: the need for AFFIRMative action. Am J Cardiol 1999;84:698-700.
  2. [15]15. Falk RH. Atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med 2001;344:1067-78. [
  3. [16]16. Erra- tum, N Engl J Med 2001;344:1876.]
  4. [33]33. Cox JL, Ad N, Palazzo T, et al. Current status of the maze procedure for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000; 12:15-9.

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Authors
The AFFIRM Investigators
Corresponding author
The AFFIRM Investigators
Venue
New England Journal of Medicine
Published
2002-12-05
Volume
347
Issue
23
Pages
1825-1833
ISSN
  • 0028-4793 (ISSN-L)
  • 1533-4406
OpenAlex
W2110253
Cited by
4,405
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 87 · 2025: 96 · 2024: 128 · 2023: 121 · 2022: 129 · 2021: 145 · 2020: 141 · 2019: 132 · 2018: 124 · 2017: 131 · 2016: 156 · 2015: 174 · 2014: 210 · 2013: 227 · 2012: 253
FWCI
152.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • New England Journal of Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (n01hc055139-000)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (N01-HC-55139)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Acute Ischemic Stroke Management
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac pacing and defibrillation studies
Keywords
atrial fibrillation, rate control, rhythm control, cardioversion, antiarrhythmic drugs, anticoagulation, warfarin, stroke prevention, mortality, adverse drug reactions, hospitalization
MeSH terms
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists, Aged, Amiodarone, Anti-Arrhythmia Agents, Atrial Fibrillation, Calcium Channel Blockers, Combined Modality Therapy, Electric Countershock, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Male, Survival Analysis, Catheter Ablation, Cross-Over Studies, Stroke

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