Skip Navigation

European Heart Journal 2001 22(20):1852-1923; doi:10.1053/euhj.2001.2983
Copyright © 2001 by the European Society of Cardiology.
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Task Force Report

Guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation. A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines and Policy Conferences (Committee to develop guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation) developed in collaboration with the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology

References

  1. Bellet S. Clinical Disorders of the Heart Beat. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1971.
  2. Prystowsky EN, Katz AM. Atrial fibrillation. Topol ES. Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven; 1998. p. 1827–1861
  3. Levy S, Breithardt G, Campbell RW. Atrial fibrillation: current knowledge and recommendations for management. Eur Heart J. 1998;19:1294–1320[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  4. Jais P, Haissaguerre M, Shah DC. A focal source of atrial fibrillation treated by discrete radiofrequency ablation. Circulation. 1997;95:572–576[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  5. Allessie MA, Konings KT, Kirchhof CJ. Mapping of atrial fibrillation. Olsson SB, Allessie MA, Campbell RW. Atrial Fibrillation: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies. Armonk: Futura Publ; 1994. p. 37–49
  6. Levy S, Novella P, Ricard P, Paganelli F. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a need for classification. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 1995;6:69–74[ISI][Medline]
  7. Sopher SM, Camm AJ. Therapy for atrial fibrillation: control of the ventricular response and prevention of recurrence. Coron Artery Dis. 1995;6:106–114[ISI][Medline]
  8. Levy S. Classification system of atrial fibrillation. Curr Opin Cardiol. 2000;15:54–57[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  9. Gallagher MM, Camm J. Classification of atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 1998;82:18N–28N[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  10. Kopecky SL, Gersh BJ, McGoon MD. The natural history of lone atrial fibrillation: a population-based study over three decades. N Engl J Med. 1987;317:669–674[Abstract]
  11. Feinberg WM, Cornell ES, Nightingale SD. Relationship between prothrombin activation fragment F1.2 and international normalized ratio in patients with atrial fibrillation. Stroke. 1997;28:1101–1106[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  12. Ostranderld JR, Brandt RL, Kjelsberg MO, Epstein FH. Electrocardiographic findings among the adult population of a total natural community, Tecumseh, Michigan. Circulation. 1965;31:888–898[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  13. Flegel KM, Shipley MJ, Rose G. Risk of stroke in non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation [published erratum appears in Lancet 1987; 1: 878]. Lancet. 1987;1:526–529[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  14. Wolf PA, Abbott RD, Kannel WB. Atrial fibrillation as an independent risk factor for stroke: the Framingham Study. Stroke. 1991;22:983–988[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  15. Furberg CD, Psaty BM, Manolio TA, Gardin JM, Smith VE, Rautaharju PM. Prevalence of atrial fibrillation in elderly subjects (the Cardiovascular Health Study). Am J Cardiol. 1994;74:236–241[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  16. Kannel WB, Abbott RD, Savage DD, McNamara PM. Coronary heart disease and atrial fibrillation: the Framingham Study. Am Heart J. 1983;106:389–396[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  17. Psaty BM, Manolio TA, Kuller LH. Incidence of and risk factors for atrial fibrillation in older adults. Circulation. 1997;96:2455–2461[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  18. Go AS, Hylek EM, Phillips KA. Prevalence of diagnosed atrial fibrillation in adults: national implications for rhythm management and stroke prevention: the AnTicoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA) Study. JAMA. 2001;285:2370–2375[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  19. Evans W, Swann P. Lone auricular fibrillation. Br Heart J. 1954;16:189–194[Medline]
  20. Brand FN, Abbott RD, Kannel WB, Wolf PA. Characteristics and prognosis of lone atrial fibrillation: 30-year follow-up in the Framingham Study. JAMA. 1985;254:3449–3453[Abstract]
  21. Levy S, Maarek M, Coumel P. Characterization of different subsets of atrial fibrillation in general practice in France: the ALFA study. Circulation. 1999;99:3028–3035[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  22. Murgatroyd FD, Gibson SM, Baiyan X. Double-blind placebo-controlled trial of digoxin in symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 1999;99:2765–2770[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  23. Wolf PA, Abbott RD, Kannel WB. Atrial fibrillation: a major contributor to stroke in the elderly: the Framingham Study. Arch Intern Med. 1987;147:1561–1564[Abstract]
  24. Krahn AD, Manfreda J, Tate RB, Mathewson FA, Cuddy TE. The natural history of atrial fibrillation: incidence, risk factors, and prognosis in the Manitoba Follow-Up Study. Am J Med. 1995;98:476–484[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  25. Benjamin EJ, Levy D, Vaziri SM, D'Agostino RB, Belanger AJ, Wolf PA. Independent risk factors for atrial fibrillation in a population-based cohort: the Framingham Heart Study. JAMA. 1994;271:840–844[Abstract]
  26. Pedersen OD, Bagger H, Kober L, Torp-Pedersen C. Trandolapril reduces the incidence of atrial fibrillation after acute myocardial infarction in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Circulation. 1999;100:376–380[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  27. Crijns HJ, Tjeerdsma G, De Kam PJ. Prognostic value of the presence and development of atrial fibrillation in patients with advanced chronic heart failure. Eur Heart J. 2000;21:1238–1245[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  28. Arch Intern Med. 1994;154:1449–1457[Abstract]
  29. Hart RG, Halperin JL. Atrial fibrillation and thromboembolism: a decade of progress in stroke prevention. Ann Intern Med. 1999;131:688–695[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  30. Feinberg WM, Seeger JF, Carmody RF, Anderson DC, Hart RG, Pearce LA. Epidemiologic features of asymptomatic cerebral infarction in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Arch Intern Med. 1990;150:2340–2344[Abstract]
  31. Kempster PA, Gerraty RP, Gates PC. Asymptomatic cerebral infarction in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. Stroke. 1988;19:955–957[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  32. Circulation. 1991;84:527–539[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  33. Petersen P, Madsen EB, Brun B, Pedersen F, Gyldensted C, Boysen G. Silent cerebral infarction in chronic atrial fibrillation. Stroke. 1987;18:1098–1100[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  34. Wolf PA, Dawber TR, Thomas HE Jr., Kannel WB. Epidemiologic assessment of chronic atrial fibrillation and risk of stroke: the Framingham Study. Neurology. 1978;28:973–977[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  35. Carson PE, Johnson GR, Dunkman WB, Fletcher RD, Farrell L, Cohn JN. The influence of atrial fibrillation on prognosis in mild to moderate heart failure: the V-HeFT Studies. Circulation. 1993;87:VI-102–10[Medline]
  36. Dries DL, Exner DV, Gersh BJ, Domanski MJ, Waclawiw MA, Stevenson LW. Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk for mortality and heart failure progression in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a retrospective analysis of the SOLVD trials: Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998;32:695–703[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  37. Feinberg WM, Blackshear JL, Laupacis A, Kronmal R, Hart RG. Prevalence, age distribution, and gender of patients with atrial fibrillation: analysis and implications. Arch Intern Med. 1995;155:469–473[Abstract]
  38. Bharti S, Lev M. Histology of the normal and diseased atrium. Falk RH, Podrid PJ. Atrial Fibrillation: Mechanism and Management. New York: Raven Press; 1992. p. 15–39
  39. Guiraudon CM, Ernst NM, Yee R, Lein GJ. The pathology of drug resistant lone atrial fibrillation in eleven surgically treated patients. Kingma JH, Van Hernel NM, Lie KI. Atrial Fibrillation: A Treatable Disease?. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publ; 1992. p. 41–57
  40. Frustaci A, Chimenti C, Bellocci F, Morgante E, Russo MA, Maseri A. Histological substrate of atrial biopsies in patients with lone atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 1997;96:1180–1184[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  41. Dittrich HC, Pearce LA, Asinger RW. Left atrial diameter in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: an echocardiographic study. Am Heart J. 1999;137:494–499[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  42. Li D, Fareh S, Leung TK, Nattel S. Promotion of atrial fibrillation by heart failure in dogs: atrial remodeling of a different sort. Circulation. 1999;100:87–95[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  43. Maixent JM, Paganelli F, Scaglione J, Levy S. Antibodies against myosin in sera of patients with idiopathic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 1998;9:612–617[ISI][Medline]
  44. Moe GK, Abildskov JA. Atrial fibrillation as a self sustaining arrhythmia independent of focal discharge. Am Heart J. 1959;58:59–70[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  45. Rensma PL, Allessie MA, Lammers WJ, Bonke FI, Schalij MJ. Length of excitation wave and susceptibility to reentrant atrial arrhythmias in normal conscious dogs. Circ Res. 1988;62:395–410[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  46. Scherf D, Romano FJ, Terranova R. Experimental studies on auricular flutter and auricular fibrillation. Am Heart J. 1948;36:241[CrossRef][ISI]
  47. Scherf D, Schaffer AI, Blumfeld S. Mechanism of flutter and fibrillation. Arch Intern Med. 1953;91:241–251
  48. Haissaguerre M, Jais P, Shah DC. Spontaneous initiation of atrial fibrillation by ectopic beats originating in the pulmonary veins. N Engl J Med. 1998;339:659–666[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  49. Chen SA, Tai CT, Yu WC. Right atrial focal atrial fibrillation: electrophysiologic characteristics and radiofrequency catheter ablation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 1999;10:328–335[ISI][Medline]
  50. Spach MS, Barr RC, Jewett PH. Spread of excitation from the atrium into thoracic veins in human beings and dogs. Am J Cardiol. 1972;30:844–854[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  51. Nathan H, Eliakim M. The junction between the left atrium and the pulmonary veins: an anatomic study of human hearts. Circulation. 1966;34:412–422[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  52. Zipes DP, Knope RF. Electrical properties of the thoracic veins. Am J Cardiol. 1972;29:372–376[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  53. Cheung DW. Electrical activity of the pulmonary vein and its interaction with the right atrium in the guinea-pig. J Physiol (Lond). 1981;314:445–456[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  54. Cheung DW. Pulmonary vein as an ectopic focus in digitalis-induced arrhythmia. Nature. 1981;294:582–584[CrossRef][Medline]
  55. Paes DA, Bohm CM, de Paula CM, Paes DC. The cardiac muscle in the pulmonary vein of the rat: a morphological and electrophysiological study. J Morphol. 1975;145:409–433[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  56. Moe GK, Abildskov JA. Observations on the ventricular dysrhythmia associated with atrial fibrillation in the dog heart. Circ Res. 1964;4:447–460
  57. Allessie MA, Lammers WJ, Bonke FI, Hollen J. Experimental evaluation of Moe's multiple wavelet hypothesis of atrial fibrillation. Zipes DP, Jalife J. Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmias. New York: Grune & Stratton; 1985. p. 265–276
  58. Cox JL, Canavan TE, Schuessler RB. The surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation, II: intraoperative electrophysiologic mapping and description of the electrophysiologic basis of atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1991;101:406–426[Abstract]
  59. Konings KT, Kirchhof CJ, Smeets JR, Wellens HJ, Penn OC, Allessie MA. High-density mapping of electrically induced atrial fibrillation in humans. Circulation. 1994;89:1665–1680[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  60. Skanes AC, Mandapati R, Berenfeld O, Davidenko JM, Jalife J. Spatiotemporal periodicity during atrial fibrillation in the isolated sheep heart. Circulation. 1998;98:1236–1248[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  61. Kumagai K, Khrestian C, Waldo AL. Simultaneous multisite mapping studies during induced atrial fibrillation in the sterile pericarditis model: insights into the mechanism of its maintenance. Circulation. 1997;95:511–521[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  62. Gray RA, Pertsov AM, Jalife J. Incomplete reentry and epicardial breakthrough patterns during atrial fibrillation in the sheep heart. Circulation. 1996;94:2649–2661[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  63. Dorostkar PC, Cheng J, Scheinman MM. Electroanatomical mapping and ablation of the substrate supporting intraatrial reentrant tachycardia after palliation for complex congenital heart disease. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1998;21:1810–1819[CrossRef][Medline]
  64. Konings, KTS, Mapping of electrically induced atrial fibrillation in humans [thesis], University of Limberg, Maastricht, Netherlands, 1999
  65. Ricard P, Levy S, Trigano J. Prospective assessment of the minimum energy needed for external electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 1997;79:815–816[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  66. Wijffels MC, Kirchhof CJ, Dorland R, Allessie MA. Atrial fibrillation begets atrial fibrillation: a study in awake chronically instrumented goats. Circulation. 1995;92:1954–1968[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  67. Attuel P, Pellerin D, Gaston J. Latent atrial vulnerability: new means of electrophysiologic investigations in paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias. Attuel P, Coumel P, Janse MJ. The Atrium in Health and Disease. Mount Kisco: Futura Publ; 1989. p. 81–94
  68. Franz MR, Karasik PL, Li C, Moubarak J, Chavez M. Electrical remodeling of the human atrium: similar effects in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1997;30:1785–1792[Abstract]
  69. Olsson SB, Cotoi S, Varnauskas E. Monophasic action potential and sinus rhythm stability after conversion of atrial fibrillation. Acta Med Scand. 1971;190:381–387[ISI][Medline]
  70. Yue L, Feng J, Gaspo R, Li GR, Wang Z, Nattel S. Ionic remodeling underlying action potential changes in a canine model of atrial fibrillation. Circ Res. 1997;81:512–525[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  71. Fareh S, Benardeau A, Thibault B, Nattel S. The T-type Ca(2+) channel blocker mibefradil prevents the development of a substrate for atrial fibrillation by tachycardia-induced atrial remodeling in dogs. Circulation. 1999;100:2191–2197[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  72. Tieleman RG, De Langen C, Van Gelder IC. Verapamil reduces tachycardia-induced electrical remodeling of the atria. Circulation. 1997;95:1945–1953[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  73. Daoud EG, Marcovitz P, Knight BP. Short-term effect of atrial fibrillation on atrial contractile function in humans. Circulation. 1999;99:3024–3027[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  74. Elvan A, Wylie K, Zipes DP. Pacing-induced chronic atrial fibrillation impairs sinus node function in dogs: electrophysiological remodeling. Circulation. 1996;94:2953–2960[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  75. Manios EG, Kanoupakis EM, Mavrakis HE, Kallergis EM, Dermitzaki DN, Vardas PE. Sinus pacemaker function after cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation: is sinus node remodeling related with recurrence? J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2001;12:800–806[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  76. White CW, Kerber RE, Weiss HR, Marcus ML. The effects of atrial fibrillation on atrial pressure-volume and flow relationships. Circ Res. 1982;51:205–215[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  77. Edwards BS, Zimmerman RS, Schwab TR, Heublein DM, Burnett JC Jr. Atrial stretch, not pressure, is the principal determinant controlling the acute release of atrial natriuretic factor. Circ Res. 1988;62:191–195[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  78. Spach MS. Nonuniform anisotropic cellular coupling as a basis for reentrant arrhythmias. DiMarco JP, Prystowsky EN. Atrial Arrhythmias: State of the Art. Armonk: Futura Publ; 1995. p. 123–147
  79. Misier AR, Opthof T, van Hemel NM. Increased dispersion of ‘refractoriness’ in patients with idiopathic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1992;19:1531–1535[Abstract]
  80. Cosio FG, Palacios J, Vidal JM, Cocina EG, Gomez-Sanchez MA, Tamargo L. Electrophysiologic studies in atrial fibrillation: slow conduction of premature impulses: a possible manifestation of the background for reentry. Am J Cardiol. 1983;51:122–130[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  81. Cox JL, Boineau JP, Schuessler RB, Jaquiss RD, Lappas DG. Modification of the maze procedure for atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation, I: rationale and surgical results. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1995;110:473–484[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  82. Cox JL, Jaquiss RD, Schuessler RB, Boineau JP. Modification of the maze procedure for atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation, II: surgical technique of the maze III procedure. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1995;110:485–495[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  83. Elvan A, Pride HP, Eble JN, Zipes DP. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atria reduces inducibility and duration of atrial fibrillation in dogs. Circulation. 1995;91:2235–2244[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  84. Klingenheben T, Gronefeld G, Li YG, Hohnloser SH. Heart rate variability to assess changes in cardiac vagal modulation prior to the onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with and without structural heart disease. ANE. 1999;4:19–26
  85. Chen SA, Hsieh MH, Tai CT. Initiation of atrial fibrillation by ectopic beats originating from the pulmonary veins: electrophysiological characteristics, pharmacological responses, and effects of radiofrequency ablation. Circulation. 1999;100:1879–1886[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  86. Coumel P, Attuel P, Leclercq JF, Friocourt P. Atrial arrhythmias of vagal or catecholaminergic origin: comparative effects of beta-blocker treatment and the escape phenomenon [in French]. Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss. 1982;75:373–387[ISI][Medline]
  87. Prystowsky EN. Tachycardia-induced tachycardia: a mechanism of initiation of atrial fibrillation. DiMarco JP, Prystowsky EN. Atrial Arrhythmias: State of the Art. Armonk: Futura Publ; 1995. p. 123–149
  88. Hurwitz JL, German LD, Packer DL. Occurrence of atrial fibrillation in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia due to atrioventricular nodal reentry. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1990;13:705–710[CrossRef][Medline]
  89. Brugada J, Mont L, Matas M, Navarro-Lopez F. Atrial fibrillation induced by atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. Am J Cardiol. 1997;79:681–682[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  90. Prystowsky EN. Atrioventricular node reentry: physiology and radiofrequency ablation. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1997;20:552–571[CrossRef][Medline]
  91. Mazgalev T, Dreifus LS, Bianchi J, Michelson EL. Atrioventricular nodal conduction during atrial fibrillation in rabbit heart. Am J Physiol. 1982;243:H754–60[ISI][Medline]
  92. Page RL, Wharton JM, Prystowsky EN. Effect of continuous vagal enhancement on concealed conduction and refractoriness within the atrioventricular node. Am J Cardiol. 1996;77:260–265[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  93. Lagendorf R, Pick AL, Katz LN. Ventricular response in atrial fibrillation: role of concealed conduction in the AV junction. Circulation. 1965;32:69–75[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  94. Page RL, Tang AS, Prystowsky EN. Effect of continuous enhanced vagal tone on atrioventricular nodal and sinoatrial nodal function in humans. Circ Res. 1991;68:1614–1620[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  95. Van Den Berg MP, Crijns HJ, Haaksma J, Brouwer J, Lie KI. Analysis of vagal effects on ventricular rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation. Clin Sci (Colch). 1994;86:531–535[Medline]
  96. Gouaux JL, Ashman R. Auricular fibrillation with aberration simulating ventricular paroxysmal tachycardia. Am Heart J. 1947;34:366–373[CrossRef][ISI]
  97. Klein GJ, Bashore TM, Sellers TD, Pritchett EL, Smith WM, Gallagher JJ. Ventricular fibrillation in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1979;301:1080–1085[Abstract]
  98. Chen PS, Prystowsky EN. Role of concealed and supernormal conductions during atrial fibrillation in the preexcitation syndrome. Am J Cardiol. 1991;68:1329–1334[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  99. Dreifus LS, Haiat R, Watanabe Y, Arriaga J, Reitman N. Ventricular fibrillation: a possible mechanism of sudden death in patients and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Circulation. 1971;43:520–527[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  100. Prystowsky EN, Benson DW Jr., Fuster V. Management of patients with atrial fibrillation: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Subcommittee on Electrocardiography and Electrophysiology, American Heart Association. Circulation. 1996;93:1262–1277[Free Full Text]
  101. Naito M, David D, Michelson EL, Schaffenburg M, Dreifus LS. The hemodynamic consequences of cardiac arrhythmias: evaluation of the relative roles of abnormal atrioventricular sequencing, irregularity of ventricular rhythm and atrial fibrillation in a canine model. Am Heart J. 1983;106:284–291[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  102. Clark DM, Plumb VJ, Epstein AE, Kay GN. Hemodynamic effects of an irregular sequence of ventricular cycle lengths during atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1997;30:1039–1045[Abstract]
  103. Brookes CI, White PA, Staples M. Myocardial contractility is not constant during spontaneous atrial fibrillation in patients. Circulation. 1998;98:1762–1768[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  104. Upshaw CB Jr. Hemodynamic changes after cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation. Arch Intern Med. 1997;157:1070–1076[Abstract]
  105. Van Den Berg MP, Tuinenburg AE, van Veldhuisen DJ, De Kam PJ, Crijns HJ. Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in the setting of mild to moderate heart failure. Int J Cardiol. 1998;63:63–70[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  106. Morillo CA, Klein GJ, Jones DL, Guiraudon CM. Chronic rapid atrial pacing: structural, functional, and electrophysiological characteristics of a new model of sustained atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 1995;91:1588–1595[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  107. Ausma J, Wijffels M, Thone F, Wouters L, Allessie M, Borgers M. Structural changes of atrial myocardium due to sustained atrial fibrillation in the goat. Circulation. 1997;96:3157–3163[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  108. Sanfilippo AJ, Abascal VM, Sheehan M. Atrial enlargement as a consequence of atrial fibrillation: a prospective echocardiographic study. Circulation. 1990;82:792–797[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  109. Gosselink AT, Crijns HJ, Hamer HP, Hillege H, Lie KI. Changes in left and right atrial size after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: role of mitral valve disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1993;22:1666–1672[Abstract]
  110. Mitusch R, Garbe M, Schmucker G, Schwabe K, Stierle U, Sheikhzadeh A. Relation of left atrial appendage function to the duration and reversibility of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 1995;75:944–947[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  111. Manning WJ, Silverman DI, Katz SE. Impaired left atrial mechanical function after cardioversion: relation to the duration of atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1994;23:1535–1540[Abstract]
  112. Packer DL, Bardy GH, Worley SJ. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy: a reversible form of left ventricular dysfunction. Am J Cardiol. 1986;57:563–570[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  113. Grogan M, Smith HC, Gersh BJ, Wood DL. Left ventricular dysfunction due to atrial fibrillation in patients initially believed to have idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol. 1992;69:1570–1573[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  114. Philips E, Levine SA. Auricular fibrillation without other evidence of heart disease: a cause of reversible heart failure. Am J Med. 1949;7:478–489[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  115. Kieny JR, Sacrez A, Facello A. Increase in radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction after cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Eur Heart J. 1992;13:1290–1295[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  116. Shinbane JS, Wood MA, Jensen DN, Ellenbogen KA, Fitzpatrick AP, Scheinman MM. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy: a review of animal models and clinical studies. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1997;29:709–715[Abstract]
  117. Halperin JL, Hart RG. Atrial fibrillation and stroke: new ideas, persisting dilemmas. Stroke. 1988;19:937–941[Free Full Text]
  118. Bogousslavsky J, Van Melle G, Regli F, Kappenberger L. Pathogenesis of anterior circulation stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: the Lausanne Stroke Registry. Neurology. 1990;40:1046–1050[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  119. Miller VT, Rothrock JF, Pearce LA, Feinberg WM, Hart RG, Anderson DC. Ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation: effect of aspirin according to stroke mechanism. Neurology. 1993;43:32–36[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  120. Kanter MC, Tegeler CH, Pearce LA. Carotid stenosis in patients with atrial fibrillation: prevalence, risk factors, and relationship to stroke in the Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation Study. Arch Intern Med. 1994;154:1372–1377[Abstract]
  121. Aschenberg W, Schluter M, Kremer P, Schroder E, Siglow V, Bleifeld W. Transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography for the detection of left atrial appendage thrombus. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1986;7:163–166[Abstract]
  122. Mugge A, Kuhn H, Nikutta P, Grote J, Lopez JA, Daniel WG. Assessment of left atrial appendage function by biplane transesophageal echocardiography in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation: identification of a subgroup of patients at increased embolic risk. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1994;23:599–607[Abstract]
  123. Chimowitz MI, DeGeorgia MA, Poole RM, Hepner A, Armstrong WM. Left atrial spontaneous echo contrast is highly associated with previous stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation or mitral stenosis. Stroke. 1993;24:1015–1019[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  124. Manning WJ, Leeman DE, Gotch PJ, Come PC. Pulsed Doppler evaluation of atrial mechanical function after electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1989;13:617–623[Abstract]
  125. Grimm RA, Stewart WJ, Maloney JD. Impact of electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation on left atrial appendage function and spontaneous echo contrast: characterization by simultaneous transesophageal echocardiography. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1993;22:1359–1366[Abstract]
  126. Fatkin D, Kelly RP, Feneley MP. Relations between left atrial appendage blood flow velocity, spontaneous echocardiographic contrast and thromboembolic risk in vivo. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1994;23:961–969[Abstract]
  127. Daniel WG, Nellessen U, Schroder E. Left atrial spontaneous echo contrast in mitral valve disease: an indicator for an increased thromboembolic risk. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1988;11:1204–1211[Abstract]
  128. Hwang JJ, Ko FN, Li YH. Clinical implications and factors related to left atrial spontaneous echo contrast in chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Cardiology. 1994;85:69–75[ISI][Medline]
  129. Pop GA, Meeder HJ, Roelandt JR. Transthoracic echo/Doppler in the identification of patients with chronic non-valvular atrial fibrillation at risk for thromboembolic events. Eur Heart J. 1994;15:1545–1551[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  130. Li YH, Lai LP, Shyu KG, Hwang JJ, Kuan P, Lien WP. Clinical implications of left atrial appendage flow patterns in nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. Chest. 1994;105:748–752[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  131. Mitusch R, Lange V, Stierle U, Maurer B, Sheikhzadeh A. Transesophageal echocardiographic determinants of embolism in nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. Int J Card Imaging. 1995;11:27–34[ISI][Medline]
  132. Black IW, Chesterman CN, Hopkins AP, Lee LC, Chong BH, Walsh WF. Hematologic correlates of left atrial spontaneous echo contrast and thromboembolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1993;21:451–457[Abstract]
  133. Stoddard MF, Dawkins PR, Prince CR, Ammash NM. Left atrial appendage thrombus is not uncommon in patients with acute atrial fibrillation and a recent embolic event: a transesophageal echocardiographic study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1995;25:452–459[Abstract]
  134. Manning WJ, Silverman DI, Waksmonski CA, Oettgen P, Douglas PS. Prevalence of residual left atrial thrombi among patients with acute thromboembolism and newly recognized atrial fibrillation. Arch Intern Med. 1995;155:2193–2198[Abstract]
  135. Gustafsson C, Blomback M, Britton M, Hamsten A, Svensson J. Coagulation factors and the increased risk of stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Stroke. 1990;21:47–51[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  136. Heppell RM, Berkin KE, McLenachan JM, Davies JA. Haemostatic and haemodynamic abnormalities associated with left atrial thrombosis in non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation. Heart. 1997;77:407–411[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  137. Lip GY. Hypercoagulability and haemodynamic abnormalities in atrial fibrillation (comment). Heart. 1997;77:395–396[Free Full Text]
  138. Al-Saady NM, Davies MJ, Luddington LA. Tissue factor and von Willebrand factor expressions increased in the atrial tissue of the fibrillating atrium (Abstr). Circulation. 2000;100:I-285
  139. Mitusch R. Detection of a hypercoagulable state in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and the effect of anticoagulant therapy. Thromb Haemost. 1996;75:219–223[ISI][Medline]
  140. Lip GY, Lip PL, Zarifis J. Fibrin D-dimer and beta-thromboglobulin as markers of thrombogenesis and platelet activation in atrial fibrillation: effects of introducing ultra-low-dose warfarin and aspirin. Circulation. 1996;94:425–431[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  141. Lip GY, Lowe GD, Rumley A, Dunn FG. Fibrinogen and fibrin D-dimer levels in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: evidence for intermediate elevated levels of intravascular thrombogenesis. Am Heart J. 1996;131:724–730[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  142. Asakura H, Hifumi S, Jokaji H. Prothrombin fragment F1+2 and thrombin-antithrombin III complex are useful markers of the hypercoagulable state in atrial fibrillation. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 1992;3:469–473[ISI][Medline]
  143. Sohara H, Amitani S, Kurose M, Miyahara K. Atrial fibrillation activates platelets and coagulation in a time-dependent manner: a study in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1997;29:106–112[Abstract]
  144. Oltrona L, Broccolino M, Merlini PA, Spinola A, Pezzano A, Mannucci PM. Activation of the hemostatic mechanism after pharmacological cardioversion of acute nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 1997;95:2003–2006[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  145. Yamamoto K, Ikeda U, Seino Y. Coagulation activity is increased in the left atrium of patients with mitral stenosis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1995;25:107–112[Abstract]
  146. Peverill RE, Harper RW, Gelman J, Gan TE, Harris G, Smolich JJ. Determinants of increased regional left atrial coagulation activity in patients with mitral stenosis. Circulation. 1996;94:331–339[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  147. Fukazawa H, Yamamoto K, Ikeda U, Shimada K. Effect of mitral regurgitation on coagulation activity in atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 1998;81:93–96[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  148. Asinger RW, Koehler J, Pearce LA. Pathophysiologic correlates of thromboembolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, II: dense spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (The Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation BRACESPAF-IIIBRACEO study). J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 1999;12:1088–1096[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  149. Goldman ME, Pearce LA, Hartz RG. Transesophageal echocardiographic correlates of clinical risk of thromboembolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, I: reduced flow velocity in the left atrial appendage. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2000;12:1080–1087[ISI]
  150. Blackshear JL, Pearce LA, Hart RG. Aortic plaque in atrial fibrillation: prevalence, predictors, and thromboembolic implications. Stroke. 1999;30:834–840[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  151. Collins LJ, Silverman DI, Douglas PS, Manning WJ. Cardioversion of nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation: reduced thromboembolic complications with 4 weeks of precardioversion anticoagulation are related to atrial thrombus resolution. Circulation. 1995;92:160–163[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  152. Hwang JJ, Shyu KG, Hsu KL, Chen JJ, Kuan P, Lien WP. Significant mitral regurgitation is protective against left atrial spontaneous echo contrast formation, but not against systemic embolism. Chest. 1994;106:8–12[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  153. Movsowitz C, Movsowitz HD, Jacobs LE, Meyerowitz CB, Podolsky LA, Kotler MN. Significant mitral regurgitation is protective against left atrial spontaneous echo contrast and thrombus as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 1993;6:107–114[Medline]
  154. Blackshear JL, Pearce LA, Asinger RW. Mitral regurgitation associated with reduced thromboembolic events in high-risk patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 1993;72:840–843[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  155. Hart RG, Pearce LA, Miller VT. Cardioembolic vs. noncardioembolic strokes in atrial fibrillation: frequency and effect of antithrombotic agents in the Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation studies. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2000;10:39–43[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  156. Zabalgoitia M, Halperin JL, Pearce LA, Blackshear JL, Asinger RW, Hart RG. Transesophageal echocardiographic correlates of clinical risk of thromboembolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998;31:1622–1626[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  157. Dreslinski GR, Frohlich ED, Dunn FG, Messerli FH, Suarez DH, Reisin E. Echocardiographic diastolic ventricular abnormality in hypertensive heart disease: atrial emptying index. Am J Cardiol. 1981;47:1087–1090[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  158. Frohlich ED, Apstein C, Chobanian AV. The heart in hypertension [published erratum appears in N Engl J Med 1992; 327: 1768]. N Engl J Med. 1992;327:998–1008[ISI][Medline]
  159. Schmieder RE, Martus P, Klingbeil A. Reversal of left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized double-blind studies. JAMA. 1996;275:1507–1513[Abstract]
  160. Cushman M, Psaty BM, Macy E. Correlates of thrombin markers in an elderly cohort free of clinical cardiovascular disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1996;16:1163–1169[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  161. Hursting MJ, Stead AG, Crout FV, Horvath BZ, Moore BM. Effects of age, race, sex, and smoking on prothrombin fragment 1.2 in a healthy population. Clin Chem. 1993;39:683–686[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  162. Lowe GD, Rumley A, Woodward M. Epidemiology of coagulation factors, inhibitors and activation markers: the Third Glasgow MONICA Survey, I: illustrative reference ranges by age, sex and hormone use. Br J Haematol. 1997;97:775–784[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  163. Hart RG, Pearce LA, McBride R, Rothbart RM, Asinger RW. Factors associated with ischemic stroke during aspirin therapy in atrial fibrillation: analysis of 2012 participants in the SPAF I-III clinical trials. Stroke. 1999;30:1223–1229[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  164. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 1993;3:181–188
  165. Ann Intern Med. 1992;116:1–5[ISI][Medline]
  166. Ann Intern Med. 1992;116:6–12[ISI][Medline]
  167. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158:1316–1320[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  168. Yoshida M, Nakamura Y, Higashikawa M, Kinoshita M. Predictors of ischemic stroke in non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation. Int J Cardiol. 1996;56:61–70[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  169. Stollberger C, Chnupa P, Kronik G. Transesophageal echocardiography to assess embolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Ann Intern Med. 1998;128:630–638[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  170. Tsai LM, Lin LJ, Teng JK, Chen JH. Prevalence and clinical significance of left atrial thrombus in nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. Int J Cardiol. 1997;58:163–169[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  171. Rathore SS, Berger AK, Weinfurt KP. Acute myocardial infarction complicated by atrial fibrillation in the elderly: prevalence and outcomes. Circulation. 2000;101:969–974[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  172. Brugada R, Tapscott T, Czernuszewicz GZ. Identification of a genetic locus for familial atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:905–911[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  173. Coumel, P, Neural aspects of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, Falk, RHPodrid, PJ, Atrial Fibrillation: Mechanisms and Management, New York, Raven Press, 1992, 109, 25
  174. Ganiats TG, Browner DK, Dittrich HC. Comparison of Quality of Well-Being scale and NYHA functional status classification in patients with atrial fibrillation: New York Heart Association. Am Heart J. 1998;135:819–824[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  175. Hamer ME, Blumenthal JA, McCarthy EA, Phillips BG, Pritchett EL. Quality-of-life assessment in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Am J Cardiol. 1994;74:826–829[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  176. Dorian P, Paquette M, Newman D, Green MS, Talajic M, Roy D. Quality of life improves following treatment in the Canadian Trial of Atrial Fibrillation (Abstr). Circulation. 1999;100:I-502
  177. Greenbaum RA. Oral dofetilide improves quality of life: an EMERALD substudy (Abstr). Circulation. 1999;100:I-493
  178. Am J Cardiol. 1997;79:1198–1202[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  179. Hohnloser SH, Kuck KH, Lilienthal J. Rhythm or rate control in atrial fibrillation: Pharmacological Intervention in Atrial Fibrillation (PIAF): a randomised trial. Lancet. 2000;356:1789–1794[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  180. Marshall HJ, Harris ZI, Griffith MJ, Holder RL, Gammage MD. Prospective randomized study of ablation and pacing versus medical therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: effects of pacing mode and mode-switch algorithm. Circulation. 1999;99:1587–1592[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  181. Natale A, Zimerman L, Tomassoni G. AV node ablation and pacemaker implantation after withdrawal of effective rate-control medications for chronic atrial fibrillation: effect on quality of life and exercise performance. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1999;22:1634–1639[CrossRef][Medline]
  182. Brignole M, Menozzi C, Gianfranchi L. Assessment of atrioventricular junction ablation and VVIR pacemaker versus pharmacological treatment in patients with heart failure and chronic atrial fibrillation: a randomized, controlled study. Circulation. 1998;98:953–960[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  183. Kay GN, Ellenbogen KA, Giudici M. The Ablate and Pace Trial: a prospective study of catheter ablation of the AV conduction system and permanent pacemaker implantation for treatment of atrial fibrillation. J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 1998;2:121–135[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  184. Marshall HJ, Harris ZI, Griffith MJ, Gammage MD. Atrioventricular nodal ablation and implantation of mode switching dual chamber pacemakers: effective treatment for drug refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Heart. 1998;79:543–547[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  185. Brignole M, Gianfranchi L, Menozzi C. Assessment of atrioventricular junction ablation and DDDR mode-switching pacemaker versus pharmacological treatment in patients with severely symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a randomized controlled study. Circulation. 1997;96:2617–2624[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  186. Bubien RS, Knotts-Dolson SM, Plumb VJ, Kay GN. Effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation on health-related quality of life and activities of daily living in patients with recurrent arrhythmias. Circulation. 1996;94:1585–1591[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  187. Wood MA, Brown-Mahoney C, Kay GN, Ellenbogen KA. Clinical outcomes after ablation and pacing therapy for atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis. Circulation. 2000;101:1138–1144[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  188. Anselme F, Saoudi N, Poty H, Douillet R, Cribier A. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of common atrial flutter: significance of palpitations and quality-of-life evaluation in patients with proven isthmus block. Circulation. 1999;99:534–540[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  189. Lee SH, Tai CT, Yu WC. Effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation on quality of life in patients with atrial flutter. Am J Cardiol. 1999;84:278–283[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  190. Gage BF, Cardinalli AB, Owens DK. The effect of stroke and stroke prophylaxis with aspirin or warfarin on quality of life. Arch Intern Med. 1996;156:1829–1836[Abstract]
  191. Protheroe J, Fahey T, Montgomery AA, Peters TJ. The impact of patients' preferences on the treatment of atrial fibrillation: observational study of patient based decision analysis. BMJ. 2000;320:1380–1384[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  192. Kerr CR, Boone J, Connolly SJ. The Canadian Registry of Atrial Fibrillation: a noninterventional follow-up of patients after the first diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 1998;82:82N–5N[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  193. Kannel WB, Abbott RD, Savage DD, McNamara PM. Epidemiologic features of chronic atrial fibrillation: the Framingham study. N Engl J Med. 1982;306:1018–1022[Abstract]
  194. Cuddy TE, Connolly SJ. Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Can J Cardiol. 1996;12:9A–11A
  195. Manning WJ, Silverman DI, Gordon SP, Krumholz HM, Douglas PS. Cardioversion from atrial fibrillation without prolonged anticoagulation with use of transesophageal echocardiography to exclude the presence of atrial thrombi. N Engl J Med. 1993;328:750–755[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  196. Krahn AD, Klein GJ, Kerr CR. How useful is thyroid function testing in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation? Arch Intern Med. 1996;156:2221–2224[Abstract]
  197. Gillis AM, Klein GJ, MacDonald RG. Investigation of the patient with atrial fibrillation. Can J Cardiol. 1996;12:12A–13A[Medline]
  198. Seward JB, Khandheria BK, Freeman WK. Multiplane transesophageal echocardiography: image orientation, examination technique, anatomic correlations, and clinical applications. Mayo Clin Proc. 1993;68:523–551[ISI][Medline]
  199. Agmon Y, Khandheria BK, Gentile F, Seward JB. Echocardiographic assessment of the left atrial appendage. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1999;34:1867–1877[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  200. Pearson AC, Labovitz AJ, Tatineni S, Gomez CR. Superiority of transesophageal echocardiography in detecting cardiac source of embolism in patients with cerebral ischemia of uncertain etiology. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1991;17:66–72[Abstract]
  201. Klein AL, Grimm RA, Murray RD. Use of transesophageal echocardiography to guide cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2001;344:1411–1420[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  202. Leung DY, Black IW, Cranney GB, Hopkins AP, Walsh WF. Prognostic implications of left atrial spontaneous echo contrast in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1994;24:755–762[Abstract]
  203. Manning WJ, Silverman DI, Keighley CS, Oettgen P, Douglas PS. Transesophageal echocardiographically facilitated early cardioversion from atrial fibrillation using short-term anticoagulation: final results of a prospective 4.5-year study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1995;25:1354–1361[Abstract]
  204. Klein AL, Grimm RA, Black IW. Cardioversion guided by transesophageal echocardiography: the ACUTE Pilot Study: a randomized, controlled trial: Assessment of Cardioversion Using Transesophageal Echocardiography. Ann Intern Med. 1997;126:200–209[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  205. Black IW, Fatkin D, Sagar KB. Exclusion of atrial thrombus by transesophageal echocardiography does not preclude embolism after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: a multicenter study. Circulation. 1994;89:2509–2513[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  206. Borgeat A, Goy JJ, Maendly R, Kaufmann U, Grbic M, Sigwart U. Flecainide versus quinidine for conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. Am J Cardiol. 1986;58:496–498[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  207. Suttorp MJ, Kingma JH, Lie AH, Mast EG. Intravenous flecainide versus verapamil for acute conversion of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or flutter to sinus rhythm. Am J Cardiol. 1989;63:693–696[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  208. Suttorp MJ, Kingma JH, Jessurun ER, Lie AH, van Hemel NM, Lie KI. The value of class IC antiarrhythmic drugs for acute conversion of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or flutter to sinus rhythm. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1990;16:1722–1727[Abstract]
  209. Platia EV, Michelson EL, Porterfield JK, Das G. Esmolol versus verapamil in the acute treatment of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Am J Cardiol. 1989;63:925–929[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  210. Capucci A, Lenzi T, Boriani G. Effectiveness of loading oral flecainide for converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm in patients without organic heart disease or with only systemic hypertension. Am J Cardiol. 1992;70:69–72[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  211. Capucci A, Boriani G, Rubino I, Della CS, Sanguinetti M, Magnani B. A controlled study on oral propafenone versus digoxin plus quinidine in converting recent onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. Int J Cardiol. 1994;43:305–313[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  212. Azpitarte J, Alvarez M, Baun O. Value of single oral loading dose of propafenone in converting recent-onset atrial fibrillation: results of a randomized, double-blind, controlled study. Eur Heart J. 1997;18:1649–1654[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  213. Kochiadakis GE, Igoumenidis NE, Solomou MC, Kaleboubas MD, Chlouverakis GI, Vardas PE. Efficacy of amiodarone for the termination of persistent atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 1999;83:58–61[ISI][Medline]
  214. Galve E, Rius T, Ballester R. Intravenous amiodarone in treatment of recent-onset atrial fibrillation: results of a randomized, controlled study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1996;27:1079–1082[Abstract]
  215. Falk RH, Pollak A, Singh SN, Friedrich T. Intravenous dofetilide, a class III antiarrhythmic agent, for the termination of sustained atrial fibrillation or flutter. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1997;29:385–390[Abstract]
  216. Norgaard BL, Wachtell K, Christensen PD. Efficacy and safety of intravenously administered dofetilide in acute termination of atrial fibrillation and flutter: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am Heart J. 1999;137:1062–1069[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  217. Peuhkurinen K, Niemela M, Ylitalo A, Linnaluoto M, Lilja M, Juvonen J. Effectiveness of amiodarone as a single oral dose for recent-onset atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 2000;85:462–465[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  218. Kerin NZ, Faitel K, Naini M. The efficacy of intravenous amiodarone for the conversion of chronic atrial fibrillation: amiodarone vs quinidine for conversion of atrial fibrillation. Arch Intern Med. 1996;156:49–53[Abstract]
  219. Zehender M, Hohnloser S, Muller B, Meinertz T, Just H. Effects of amiodarone versus quinidine and verapamil in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation: results of a comparative study and a 2-year follow-up. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1992;19:1054–1059[Abstract]
  220. Donovan KD, Power BM, Hockings BE, Dobb GJ, Lee KY. Intravenous flecainide versus amiodarone for recent-onset atrial fibrillation. Am J Cardiol. 1995;75:693–697[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  221. Bertini G, Conti A, Fradella G. Propafenone versus amiodarone in field treatment of primary atrial tachydysrhythmias. J Emerg Med. 1990;8:15–20[CrossRef][Medline]
  222. Hou ZY, Chang MS, Chen CY. Acute treatment of recent-onset atrial fibrillation and flutter with a tailored dosing regimen of intravenous amiodarone: a randomized, digoxin-controlled study. Eur Heart J. 1995;16:521–528[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  223. Opolski G, Stanislawska J, Gorecki A, Swiecicka G, Torbicki A, Kraska T. Amiodarone in restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation after unsuccessful direct-current cardioversion. Clin Cardiol. 1997;20:337–340[ISI][Medline]
  224. Noc M, Stajer D, Horvat M. Intravenous amiodarone versus verapamil for acute conversion of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. Am J Cardiol. 1990;65:679–680[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  225. Tieleman RG, Gosselink AT, Crijns HJ. Efficacy, safety, and determinants of conversion of atrial fibrillation and flutter with oral amiodarone. Am J Cardiol. 1997;79:53–57[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  226. Sedgwick ML, Lip G, Rae AP, Cobbe SM. Chemical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation with intravenous dofetilide. Int J Cardiol. 1995;49:159–166[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  227. Torp-Pedersen C, Moller M, Bloch-Thomsen PE. Dofetilide in patients with congestive heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction. N Engl J Med. 1999;341:857–865[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  228. Lindeboom JE, Kingma JH, Crijns HJ, Dunselman PH. Efficacy and safety of intravenous dofetilide for rapid termination of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Am J Cardiol. 2000;85:1031–1033[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  229. Botto GL, Bonini W, Broffoni T. Regular ventricular rhythms before conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1994;17:2114–2117[CrossRef][Medline]
  230. Botto GL, Capucci A, Bonini W. Conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm using a single oral loading dose of propafenone: comparison of two regimens. Int J Cardiol. 1997;58:55–61[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  231. Donovan KD, Dobb GJ, Coombs LJ. Reversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm by intravenous flecainide. Am J Cardiol. 1991;67:137–141[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  232. Barranco F, Sanchez M, Rodriguez J, Guerrero M. Efficacy of flecainide in patients with supraventricular arrhythmias and respiratory insufficiency. Intensive Care Med. 1994;20:42–44[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  233. Baldi N, Russo VA, Lenti V. Relation between plasma levels and efficacy of flecainide and propafenone for treatment of atrial fibrillation of recent onset. New Trends Arrhythmias. 1993;9:899–906
  234. Stambler BS, Wood MA, Ellenbogen KA. Antiarrhythmic actions of intravenous ibutilide compared with procainamide during human atrial flutter and fibrillation: electrophysiological determinants of enhanced conversion efficacy. Circulation. 1997;96:4298–4306[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  235. Guo GB, Ellenbogen KA, Wood MA, Stambler BS. Conversion of atrial flutter by ibutilide is associated with increased atrial cycle length variability. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1996;27:1083–1089[Abstract]
  236. Volgman AS, Carberry PA, Stambler B. Conversion efficacy and safety of intravenous ibutilide compared with intravenous procainamide in patients with atrial flutter or fibrillation. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998;31:1414–1419[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  237. Vos MA, Golitsyn SR, Stangl K. Superiority of ibutilide (a new class III agent) over dl-sotalol in converting atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. Heart. 1998;79:568–575[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  238. Stambler BS, Wood MA, Ellenbogen KA, Perry KT, Wakefield LK, VanderLugt JT. Efficacy and safety of repeated intravenous doses of ibutilide for rapid conversion of atrial flutter or fibrillation. Circulation. 1996;94:1613–1621[Abstract/