Table 2.
Overview of Atrial Fibrillation Characteristics and Treatment Stratified by Successful and Unsuccessful Pharmacological Cardioversion
| Variable | Whole Population (N=450) | Successful Cardioversion (N=314) | Unsuccessful Cardioversion (N=136) | P Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EHRA class | 3 (2–3) | 3 (2–3) | 2.5 (2–3) | 0.445a |
| CHA2DS2‐VASc [pts] | 3 (2–4) | 3 (2–4) | 3 (1–4) | 0.952a |
| History of PVI | 28 (6.2%) | 22 (7.0%) | 6 (4.4%) | 0.278b |
| Heart rate, bpm | 120.7±24.9 | 122.8±24.1 | 115.9±26.1 | 0.009c |
| Heart rate >130 bpm | 162 (36.0%) | 118 (37.6%) | 44 (32.3%) | 0.203b |
| Duration of AF episode, h | 10 (5–24) | 9 (4–19) | 12 (6–24) | 0.007a |
| AF episode >48 h | 54 (12.0%) | 26 (8.3%) | 28 (20.6%) | 0.001b |
| Persistent AF | 18 (4.0%) | 4 (1.3%) | 14 (10.3%) | 0.001b |
| TEE | 14 (3.1%) | 7 (2.2%) | 7 (5.1%) | 0.101b |
| Chronic oral anticoagulation | 310 (68.9%) | 208 (66.2%) | 102 (75.0%) | 0.038b |
| VKA | 98 (21.8%) | 63 (20.1%) | 35 (25.7%) | 0.178b |
| NOAC | 212 (47.1%) | 145 (46.2%) | 67 (49.3%) | 0.538b |
| Urgent hospital admission | 161 (35.8%) | 98 (31.2%) | 63 (46.3%) | 0.002b |
| Hospitalization time, d | 1 (1–2) | 1 (1–2) | 1 (1–3) | 0.010a |
| Successful cardioversion | 314 (69.8%) | ··· | ··· | ··· |
| Medications used for pharmacological cardioversion | ||||
| Amiodarone | 210 (46.7%) | 140 (44.6%) | 70 (51.5%) | 0.179b |
| Propafenone | 42 (9.3%) | 33 (10.5%) | 9 (6.6%) | 0.192b |
| Antazoline | 109 (24.2%) | 93 (29.6%) | 16 (11.8%) | 0.0001b |
| Amiodarone+antazoline | 53 (11.8%) | 29 (9.2%) | 24 (17.6%) | 0.011b |
| Propafenone+antazoline | 13 (2.9%) | 6 (1.9%) | 7 (5.1%) | 0.060b |
| Amiodarone+propafenone | 18 (4.0%) | 11 (3.5%) | 7 (5.1%) | 0.414b |
| Amiodarone+propafenone+antazoline | 5 (1.1%) | 2 (0.6%) | 3 (2.2%) | 0.145b |
| Overall antazoline use | 180 (40.0%) | 130 (41.4%) | 50 (36.8%) | 0.438b |
| Amiodarone—total dose, mg | 600 (300–750) | 600 (400–750) | 450 (300–600) | 0.008a |
| Propafenone—total dose, mg | 140 (70–210) | 140 (70–150) | 140 (70–300) | 0.047a |
| Antazoline—total dose, mg | 200 (100; 300) | 200 (100; 200) | 200 (200; 300) | 0.028a |
| Additional β‐blocker administration | 156 (34.7%) | 102 (32.5%) | 54 (39.7%) | 0.149b |
| Potassium IV | 281 (62.4%) | 198 (63.1%) | 83 (61.0%) | 0.567b |
AF indicates atrial fibrillation; bpm, beats per minute; EHRA, European Heart Rhythm Association; IV, intravenous; NOAC, non‐VKA oral anticoagulants; PVI, pulmonary vein isolation; SD, standard deviation; TEE, transesophageal echocardiography; VKA, vitamin K antagonists.
a
Mann‐Whitney U test.
b
Chi‐squared test.
c
Student t test.