Key result
Rate control matches rhythm control for major AF outcomes, though ablation improves sinus rhythm maintenance.
Why the study?
Atrial fibrillation is increasingly prevalent in Asia, and optimal strategies for rate versus rhythm control require review given new treatment options including catheter ablation.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Offers practical pearls on rate-rhythm decisions for Asian AF patients; leaves open need for contemporary RCTs in local subgroups.
Atrial fibrillation is an epidemic in Asia that is increasingly prevalent. Apart from stroke risk stratification and management of anticoagulation, physicians managing this group of patients also need to determine an optimal strategy in terms of rate or rhythm control. With new techniques of catheter ablation to maintain patients in sinus rhythm, patients with atrial fibrillation now have more options for treatment, on top of pharmacological methods. This paper aims to review the current evidence for rate and rhythm control in both general patients and subgroups of interest commonly encountered in clinical practices such as obesity, heart failure and thyroid disease.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Huang et al. (2017) conducted a review in Atrial fibrillation. Rate and rhythm control strategies was evaluated. Rate control is not inferior to pharmacological rhythm control for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in atrial fibrillation, though catheter ablation improves sinus rhythm maintenance in symptomatic patients.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: