Table 1.
Baseline Characteristics of the 2 Randomized Groups (Control and Intervention Groups)
| Variables | Control Group (N=16) | Induction Group (N=29) | P Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, y | 58 (IQR, 15) | 62 (IQR, 12.8) | 0.104 |
| Female sex | 5 (31%) | 7 (24%) | 0.429 |
| BMI, kg/m2 | 25.8 (IQR, 5.2) | 26.4 (IQR, 7.2) | 0.749 |
| Paroxysmal AF | 7 (44%) | 14 (49%) | 0.509 |
| Months in AF | 36 (IQR, 96) | 54 (IQR, 93) | 0.778 |
| Number of DC conversions/patient with persistent AF | 4.2±2.2 | 4.9±3.9 | 0.627 |
| Hereditya | 9 (56%) | 10 (35%) | 0.109 |
| Hypertension | 9 (56%) | 9 (31%) | 0.091 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 (6%) | 2 (7%) | 0.715 |
| Heart failureb | 0 | 2 (7%) | 0.283 |
| CKD (GFR <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2) | 4 (25%) | 3 (10%) | 0.194 |
| SVT | 1 (6%) | 3 (10%) | 0.644 |
| TIA | 2 (13%) | 1 (3%) | 0.244 |
| CHA2DS2VASc | 2 (IQR, 3) | 1 (IQR, 2) | 0.203 |
| β‐Blocker | 10 (66%) | 17 (59%) | 0.799 |
| AAD | 4 (25%) | 14 (48%) | 0.127 |
| Amiodarone | 3 (19%) | 6 (21%) | 0.876 |
| Flecainide | 3 (19%) | 7 (24%) | 0.677 |
| Dronedarone | 0 | 1 (3%) | 0.453 |
| ACEi or ARB | 7 (44%) | 7 (24%) | 0.174 |
| Aldosterone receptor antagonist | 0 | 2 (6.9%) | 0.283 |
| Other diuretics | 3 (19%) | 4 (14%) | 0.661 |
| Statins | 3 (19%) | 10 (35%) | 0.265 |
| HR baseline, bpm | 59±13 | 60±12 | 0.871 |
| Procedural time, minute | 187±35 | 199±43 | 0.338 |
| Fluoroscopy time, minute | 20.8±9.6 | 21.1±6.4 | 0.893 |
| Fluoroscopy dose, cGycm2 | 2260 (IQR, 3061) | 1521 (IQR, 1567) | 0.245 |
| Total delivered RF energy, J | 65 427±19 669 | 65 209±22 493 | 0.974 |
| Complications | 0 | 1 (3%) | 0.453 |
| Primary successful procedure | 16 (100%) | 27 (93%) | 0.283 |
| EF (biplane) | 63±4 | 61±5 | 0.348 |
Normally distributed variables are presented as mean values±SD, nonparametric variables are presented as median values with IQR, and categorical data are presented as counts and percentages. Results from t tests for normally distributed variables, chi‐squared for categorical variables, and Mann‐Whitney U for nonparametric variables are presented, and P<0.05 is considered statistically significant. AAD indicates antiarrhythmic drugs; ACEi, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor; AF, atrial fibrillation; ARB, angiotensin‐2 receptor blocker; BMI, body mass index; CHA2DS2VASc, congestive heart failure, hypertension, age >75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke, vascular disease, female sex; CKD, chronic kidney disease; EF, ejection fraction; GFR, glomerular filtration rate; HR, heart rate; IQR, interquartile range; N, number of patients; SD, standard deviation; SVT, supraventricular tachycardia; TIA, transient ischemic attack.
First‐degree relatives with AF.
EF <50%.