title: [Search for an optimal therapy of patients with atrial fibrillation (results of many years of comparison of three treatment strategies).].
abstract: Patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation (n=465, mean age 59.4+/-3.8 years) received controlled therapy for 7.4+/-1.6 years. Group 1 comprised 306 patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation who after restoration of sinus rhythm received antiarrhythmic therapy aimed at prevention of recurrences and repetitive cardioversions. Group 2 consisted of 67 similar patients who did not receive continuous antiarrhythmic therapy. Therapy of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (group 3, n=92) included heart rate slowing drugs and anticoagulants. Group 1 was characterized by lowest rate of complications and all cause mortality, and best quality of life. There were more nonfatal strokes in group 2. All cause mortality in group 2 was 15% (p<0.05). Highest rate of nonfatal strokes, and deaths due to chronic heart failure was observed in group 3. All cause mortality in this group was 22.8% (p<0.001 vs group 1).
authors.affiliation: Kuban State Medical Academy; Krasnodar City Center of Critical Medicine; Regional Diagnostic Center.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kanorskiĭ
authors.forename: I V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Medvedeva
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mel'nik
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Shevelev
authors.forename: Iu S
authors.initials: IuS
authors.lastname: Kanorskaia
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation; D004554:Electric Countershock; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants