TABLE 1.
Baseline Patient Characteristics
| LLTS (n = 20) | Control (n = 20) | p Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, yrs | 60.9 ± 7.8 | 62.9 ± 9.8 | 0.48 |
| Male | 15 (75) | 11 (55) | 0.18 |
| Duration of AF, yrs | 6.6 ± 4.9 | 5.5 ± 4.3 | 0.48 |
| Hypertension | 15 (75) | 15 (75) | 1.00 |
| Diabetes | 1 (5) | 5 (25) | 0.08 |
| Coronary artery disease | 3 (15) | 4 (20) | 0.68 |
| Obstructive sleep apnea | 8 (40) | 7 (35) | 0.74 |
| Left ventricular ejection fraction, % | 61.7 ± 7.3 | 60.8 ± 6.1 | 0.66 |
| Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score | 1.5 ± 0.9 | 2.2 ± 1.3 | 0.06 |
| CHA2DS2-VASc score | 0.43 | ||
| 0 | 3 (15) | 2 (10) | |
| 1 | 7 (35) | 4 (20) | |
| ≥2 | 10 (50) | 14 (70) | |
| Beta-blockers | 11 (55) | 12 (60) | 0.75 |
| ACE-I/ARB | 7 (35) | 11 (55) | 0.20 |
| Statin | 6 (30) | 8 (40) | 0.51 |
| New oral anticoagulant agents | 12 (60) | 15 (75) | 0.31 |
| Amiodarone | 1 (5) | 1 (5) | 1.00 |
| Other antiarrhythmic agents | 12 (60) | 14 (70) | 0.49 |
| Left atrial diameter, mm | 42.5 ± 9.1 | 43.3 ± 6.9 | 0.77 |
| Left atrial volume index, ml/m2 | 27.7 ± 12.9 | 23.9 ± 6.3 | 0.46 |
| Left ventricular hypertrophy | 13 (65) | 14 (70) | 0.74 |
| Heart rate, beats/min | 63.1 ± 13.0 | 63.8 ± 10.7 | 0.86 |
| AH interval, ms | 99.1 ± 30.1 | 99.5 ± 30.9 | 0.97 |
| Direct current cardioversion | 11 (55) | 9 (45) | 0.75 |
| Discomfort threshold, V | 29.1 ± 10.4 | 28.3 ± 9.0 | 0.87 |
| Threshold for slowing heart rate, V | 39.8 ± 25.7 | 33.5 ± 20.2 | 0.42 |
Values are n (%) or mean SD.
ACE-I = angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor; AF = atrial fibrillation; AH = atrial His; ARB = angiotensin receptor blocker; LLTS = low-level tragus stimulation.