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The effect of rate versus rhythm control strategy on the left ventricular function in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: results of one year follow-up
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Abstract
Methods and Results: The study group consisted of 205 patients (F/M 71/134; mean age 60.8 ± 11.2 years), including 101 patients randomized to the rate control approach (Group I) and 104 patients randomized to sinus rhythm (SR) restoration with DC cardioversion and subsequent antiarrhythmic drug treatment (Group II). Mean duration of AF was 231.8 ± 112.4 days. At the end of follow-up (12 months), SR was present in 64% of patients in Group II. Echocardiographic examination was performed at a baseline and at 2 and 12 months. The comparison of the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter revealed no difference within and between groups (50.8 ± 5.6 mm vs. 52.2 mm ± 6.8 mm at a baseline and 50.0 ± 6.0 vs. 52.0 ± 7.4 mm at 12 months, respectively). Overall, the fractional shortening of the left ventricle increased during the follow-up. Thus, the initial significant difference between groups (32.8 ± 6.6% vs. 29.9 ± 6.9%, p < 0.005) became insignificant at 12 months (35.6 ± 7.4% vs. 31.3 ± 7.3%).
Conclusions: We found no significant difference regarding the left ventricular morphology and function between the rate and rhythm control strategies in patients with persistent AF.
Abstract
Methods and Results: The study group consisted of 205 patients (F/M 71/134; mean age 60.8 ± 11.2 years), including 101 patients randomized to the rate control approach (Group I) and 104 patients randomized to sinus rhythm (SR) restoration with DC cardioversion and subsequent antiarrhythmic drug treatment (Group II). Mean duration of AF was 231.8 ± 112.4 days. At the end of follow-up (12 months), SR was present in 64% of patients in Group II. Echocardiographic examination was performed at a baseline and at 2 and 12 months. The comparison of the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter revealed no difference within and between groups (50.8 ± 5.6 mm vs. 52.2 mm ± 6.8 mm at a baseline and 50.0 ± 6.0 vs. 52.0 ± 7.4 mm at 12 months, respectively). Overall, the fractional shortening of the left ventricle increased during the follow-up. Thus, the initial significant difference between groups (32.8 ± 6.6% vs. 29.9 ± 6.9%, p < 0.005) became insignificant at 12 months (35.6 ± 7.4% vs. 31.3 ± 7.3%).
Conclusions: We found no significant difference regarding the left ventricular morphology and function between the rate and rhythm control strategies in patients with persistent AF.
Keywords
atrial fibrillation; left ventricular function; rhythm control; rate control; echocardiography
About this articleTitle
The effect of rate versus rhythm control strategy on the left ventricular function in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: results of one year follow-up
Journal
Issue
Vol 13, No 4 (2006): Folia Cardiologica
Pages
331-337
Published online
2006-04-24
Page views
574
Article views/downloads
826
DOI
10.5603/cj.21819
Bibliographic record
Folia Cardiol 2006;13(4):331-337.
Keywords
atrial fibrillation
left ventricular function
rhythm control
rate control
echocardiography
Authors
Marcin Szulc
Dariusz A. Kosior
Mariusz Jasik
Beata Wożakowska-Kapłon
Marianna Janion
Daniel Rabczenko
Grzegorz Opolski
