title: Investigation of the optimal treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation in Japan.
abstract: The Japanese Rhythm Management Trial for Atrial Fibrillation (J-RHYTHM study) is a randomized comparative evaluation of rate control and rhythm control, both combined with antithrombotic therapy, as therapeutic strategies for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study differs from the earlier AFFIRM and RACE studies in that it has a composite primary end-point representing mortality and also physical/psychological disablement (total mortality, symptomatic cerebral infarction, systemic embolism, major bleeding, hospitalization for heart failure requiring intravenous administration of diuretics, and patient disablement). Patients' will to change the therapeutic strategy to the other is also considered as an end-point representing disablement under the assigned strategy. The secondary end-point includes quality of life scores and the efficacy and safety of drugs used in treating AF. The J-RHYTHM study emphasizes patient-reported experience and perception of AF-specific disablement, and the safety of antiarrhythmics available in Japan; it will follow 2600 patients treated at more than 150 sites in Japan for a 3-year period.
authors.affiliation: J-RHYTHM Clinical Trial Center, The Cardiovascular Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Yoshifusa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aizawa
authors.forename: Hirotsugu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Atarashi
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Tohru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohe
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okumura
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kamakura
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumagai
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kurachi
authors.forename: Itsuo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kodama
authors.forename: Yukihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Koretsune
authors.forename: Tetsunori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saikawa
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sugi
authors.forename: Haruaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakaya
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fukatani
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mitamura
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamazaki
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents