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document
Short-term amiodarone therapy after reversion of persistent atrial fibrillation reduces recurrences at 18 months . BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of 3 months vs. 18 months of amiodarone treatment after atrial fibrillation ( AF ) conversion in patients who experienced the first episode of persistent AF . METHODS We included 51 patients who experienced the first episode of persistent AF receiving amiodarone ( 600 mg ) daily for 4-6 weeks . If AF persisted , electrical cardioversion ( ECV ) was performed . All patients received amiodarone ( 200 mg daily ) for 3 months and then were randomized to amiodarone ( Group I ) or placebo ( Group II ) and followed for 15 months . The control group comprised 9 untreated patients undergoing ECV . Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using a Bayesian model . RESULTS Eighteen months after AF reversion , 22 ( 81.5 % ) patients in Group I , 13 ( 54.2 % ) patients in Group II , and 1 ( 11.1 % ) patient in the control group remained in sinus rhythm . No differences were found between Group I patients who required ECV and Group II patients . Sinus rhythm was preserved in all Group I patients when it was achieved during amiodarone administration . Limiting adverse effects occurred in 3 ( 11.1 % ) patients in Group I . CONCLUSIONS In patients regaining sinus rhythm after the first episode of persistent AF , a 3-month amiodarone treatment after reversion is a reasonable option for rhythm control .
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Intervention_Pharmacological
Short-term amiodarone therapy
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Intervention_Pharmacological
amiodarone
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Intervention_Pharmacological
amiodarone
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Intervention_Physical
electrical cardioversion ( ECV )
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Intervention_Pharmacological
amiodarone
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Intervention_Pharmacological
amiodarone
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Intervention_Control
placebo
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Intervention_Physical
ECV
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Intervention_Physical
ECV
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Intervention_Pharmacological
amiodarone
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Outcome_Physical
recurrences
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Outcome_Other
effectiveness
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Outcome_Physical
remained in sinus rhythm .
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Outcome_Physical
Sinus rhythm
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Outcome_Adverse-effects
Limiting adverse effects
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Participant_Condition
persistent atrial fibrillation
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Participant_Sample-size
51
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Participant_Condition
persistent AF