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

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 42 of the 42 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

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
DOI 10.1056/nejmoa021328
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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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  1. Narasimham C, 1998, J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, 9, S146
  2. Miller MR, 2000, J Fam Pract, 49, 1033
  3. 10.2307/2281868 · DOI · Paper page
  4. 10.1001/archinte.147.9.1561 · DOI · Paper page

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Metadata

Authors
The AFFIRM Investigators
Corresponding author
The AFFIRM Investigators
Venue
New England Journal of Medicine
Publisher
Massachusetts Medical Society
Published
2002-12-05
Volume
347
Issue
23
Pages
1825-1833
ISSN
  • 0028-4793 (ISSN-L)
  • 1533-4406
DOI
10.1056/nejmoa021328
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 › Clinical Neurology › 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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