Table 1.

Rhythm‐ and Rate‐Control Trials

Trial (Year)	No. of Patients	Primary Outcome Measure	Primary Results
PIAF (2000)	252	Symptomatic improvement (palpitations, dyspnea, dizziness)	76 patients in rate control, 70 patients in rhythm control; P = 0.317
AFFIRM (2002)	4060	All‐cause mortality	25.9% in rate control, 26.7% in rhythm control; P = 0.08
RACE (2002)	522	Composite endpoint (CV death, CHF hospitalization, thromboembolic complications, severe hemorrhage, pacemaker implantation, SAE)	17.2% in rate control, 22.6% in rhythm control; P = 0.11
STAF (2003)	200	Composite endpoint (stroke/TIA, systemic embolism, CPR)	10 events in rate control, 9 events in rhythm control; P = 0.99
HOT CAFÉ (2004)	205	Composite endpoint (death, thromboembolic complications, intracranial or other major bleeding)	OR: 1.98 (95% CI: 0.28–22.3); P = 0.71
AF CHF (2008)	1376	Cardiovascular death	25% in rate control, 27% in rhythm control; P = 0.59

Abbreviations: AF CHF, Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure; AFFIRM, Atrial Fibrillation Follow‐Up Investigation of Rhythm Management; CHF, congestive heart failure; CI, confidence interval; CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation; CV, cardiovascular; HOT CAFÉ, How to Treat Chronic Atrial Fibrillation; OR, odds ratio; PIAF, Pharmacological Intervention in Atrial Fibrillation; RACE, Rate Control Versus Electrical Cardioversion for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Study; SAE, serious adverse event; STAF, Strategies of Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation; TIA, transient ischemic attack.