Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of participants (N=108).

Characteristics		Sinus rhythm (n=56)	Persistent AFa (n=52)	P value
Demographics
	Age (years), mean (SD)	58 (14.78)	66.56 (13.17)	.002
	Female, n (%)	26 (46)	19 (37)	.30
	Body mass index (kg/m2), mean (SD)	24.44 (2.88)	25.98 (3.97)	.02
Medical history
	Heart failure, n (%)	2 (4)	12 (23)	.006
	Hypertension, n (%)	29 (52)	35 (67)	.10
	Diabetes mellitus, n (%)	15 (27)	17 (33)	.50
	Previous stroke/SEb/TIAc, n (%)	4 (7)	9 (17)	.19
	Coronary artery disease, n (%)	25 (45)	19 (37)	.39
	Vascular disease, n (%)	31 (55)	37 (71)	.09
	COPDd, n (%)	1 (2)	3 (6)	.56
	Renal dysfunction, n (%)	2(4)	8 (15)	.07
	Hepatic dysfunction, n (%)	0	2 (4)	.23
	Sleep apnea, n (%)	2 (4)	6 (12)	.22
	Hyperthyroidism, n (%)	1 (2)	4 (8)	.32
	Current smoking, n (%)	16 (29)	17 (33)	.64
	Current drinking, n (%)	13 (21)	11 (23)	.80
	CHA2DS2-VASce score, median (IQRf)	2 (1-3.75)	3 (2-5)	.003
	HAS-BLEDg score, median (IQR)	1 (0-2)	2 (1-2)	.005
Medications, n (%)
	Oral anticoagulant	10 (18)	40 (77)	<.001
	Antiplatelet drug	15 (27)	23 (44)	.06
	Calcium channel blockers	17 (30)	13 (25)	.54
	ACEI/ARBh	21 (38)	16 (31)	.46
	Diuretic	5 (9)	13 (25)	.03
	Digoxin	3 (5)	11 (21)	.02
Antiarrhythmic drug, n (%)
	Class I	6 (11)	2 (4)	.32
	Beta blocker	27 (48)	34 (65)	.07
	Class III	3 (5)	20 (38)	<.001
	Class IV	3 (5)	3 (6)	>.99

^aAF: atrial fibrillation.

^bSE: systemic arterial embolism.

^cTIA: transient ischemic attack.

^dCOPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

^eCHA₂DS₂-VASc: congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke (doubled), vascular disease, age 65-74, female sex.

^fIQR: interquartile range.

^gHAS-BLED: hypertension, abnormal renal function, abnormal liver function, stroke, bleeding, labile INR, age >65 years, drugs or alcohol.

^hACEI/ARB: angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor, angiotensin receptor blockers.