title: Is rate control better than rhythm control for atrial fibrillation in older high-risk patients?
abstract: Mortality with atrial fibrillation is similar with rhythm control and rate control treatment. However, adverse drug events and hospitalizations are more frequent with rhythm control therapy. Rate control therapy for atrial fibrillation should be the primary treatment strategy for an older high-risk population, but should not be extrapolated to younger and healthier patients (eg, patients with lone atrial fibrillation). These findings are consistent with another smaller study of patients with recurrent persistent atrial fibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, USA. joseph.saseen@uchsc.edu
authors.forename: Joseph J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Saseen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D014859:Warfarin