title: Spontaneous conversion of first onset atrial fibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We studied all patients admitted to hospital with first onset atrial fibrillation (AF) to determine the probability of spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm and to identify factors predictive of such a conversion.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed charts of 438 consecutive patients admitted to hospital with first onset AF from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2009. The patients were divided into two groups, recent onset AF defined as AF < 48 h or longer lasting AF, defined as AF > 48 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spontaneous conversion occurred in 54% (n = 203; 95% confidence interval: 49-59%). In the group with first onset AF < 48 h, spontaneous conversion occurred in 77%, compared with 36% in the group with first onset AF > 48 h. Logistic regression analysis identified duration of AF as a highly significant predictor of spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm (odds ratio 5.9; 95% confidence interval: 4.0-8.6, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spontaneous conversion occurred in 54%, increasing to 77% when AF had persisted less than 48 h.
authors: Geriatric Department, Roskilde Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark. soerenli@hotmail.com
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Lindberg
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Hansen
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents