Table 1.
Guideline recommendations | Supported citations |
---|---|
Selection of antithrombotic therapy should be based on the risk of thromboembolism irrespective of whether the AF pattern is paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent (167–170). | 167. New oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: impact of gender, heart failure, diabetes mellitus and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (27). PMID: 23253272 168.
Distribution and risk profile of paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent atrial fibrillation in routine clinical practice: insight from the real-life global survey evaluating patients with atrial fibrillation international registry (28). PMID: 22787011 169. Efficacy and safety of dabigatran compared to warfarin in patients with paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent atrial fibrillation: results from the RE-LY (Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulation Therapy) study (29). PMID: 22361407 170. Prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation: current strategies and future directions (30). PMID: 25534093 |
Control of the ventricular rate using a beta blocker or nondihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist is recommended for patients with paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent AF (267–269). | 267. Ventricular rate control in chronic atrial fibrillation during daily activity and programmed exercise: a crossover open-label study of five drug regimens (31). PMID: 9973007 268. Efficacy of oral diltiazem to control ventricular response in chronic atrial fibrillation at rest and during exercise (32). PMID: 3805530 269. The Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) study: approaches to control rate in atrial fibrillation (33). PMID: 15063430 |
Intravenous administration of a beta blocker or nondihydropyridine calcium channel blocker is recommended to slow the ventricular heart rate in the acute setting in patients without preexcitation. In hemodynamically unstable patients, electrical cardioversion is indicated (270–273). | 270. Efficacy and safety of esmolol vs propranolol in the treatment of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias: a multicenter double-blind clinical trial (34). PMID: 3904379 271. A placebo-controlled trial of continuous intravenous diltiazem infusion for 24-hour heart rate control during atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter: a multicenter study (35). PMID: 1894861 272. Intravenous diltiazem is superior to intravenous amiodarone or digoxin for achieving ventricular rate control in patients with acute uncomplicated atrial fibrillation (36). PMID: 19487941 273. Esmolol versus verapamil in the acute treatment of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (37). PMID: 2564725 |