2012 focused update of the ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation: an update of the 2010 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation. Developed with the special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association. Management of Newly Detected Atrial Fibrillation: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians Left atrial appendage closure with the Watchman device in patients with a contraindication for oral anticoagulation: the ASAP study (ASA Plavix Feasibility Study With Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technology). Efficacy and safety of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure to prevent thromboembolic events in atrial fibrillation patients with high stroke and bleeding risk Does left atrial appendage closure with a cardiac plug system reduce the stroke risk in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients? A single-center case series. Early safety and efficacy of percutaneous left atrial appendage suture ligation: results from the U.S. transcatheter LAA ligation consortium. 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. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction and atrial fibrillation in older people in the community--a need for screening? Morbidity and mortality in 229 elderly patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. A five-year follow-up. Atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure: Role of catheter ablation therapies. Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation during mitral-valve surgery. Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in congestive heart failure. Left atrial appendage closure followed by 6 weeks of antithrombotic therapy: a prospective single-center experience. Transesophageal Echocardiography To Assess Embolic Risk in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Risk factors for stroke in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation: a case-control study. Pathophysiologic correlates of thromboembolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: I. Reduced flow velocity in the left atrial appendage (The Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation [SPAF-III] study). Cardioversion Guided by Transesophageal Echocardiography: The ACUTE Pilot Study: A Randomized, Controlled Trial Rhythm control versus rate control for atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Previous Intracerebral Hemorrhage. Outcomes of Medicare Beneficiaries Undergoing Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation Complex Left Atrial Appendage Morphology and Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus Formation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Atrial fibrillation and risk of clinical events in chronic heart failure with and without left ventricular systolic dysfunction: results from the Candesartan in Heart failure-Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity (CHARM) program. Initial worldwide experience with the WATCHMAN left atrial appendage system for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. Ventricular pacing vs dual chamber pacing in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation after atrioventricular node ablation: open randomized study. Results of a Minimally Invasive Surgical Pulmonary Vein Isolation and Ganglionic Plexi Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Single-Center Experience With 12-Month Follow-Up
ACCF : American College of Cardiology Foundation ACCP : American College of Chest Physicians ACS : acute coronary syndrome ACT : Atrial arrhythmia Conversion Trial ADONIS : American – Australian – African trial with DronedarONe In atrial fibrillation or flutter for the maintenance of Sinus rhythm AF : atrial fibrillation AHA : American Heart Association AND ROMEDA : ANtiarrhythmic trial with DROnedarone in Moderate-to-severe congestive heart failure Evaluating morbidity DecreAse APHRS : Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society aPTT : activated partial thromboplastin time ARB : angiotensin-receptor blocker ARISTOTLE : Apixaban for Reduction In STroke and Other ThromboemboLic Events in atrial fibrillation ATHENA : A placebo-controlled , double-blind , parallel arm Trial to assess the efficacy of dronedarone 400 mg b.i.d . for the prevention of cardiovascular Hospitalization or death from any cause in patiENts with Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter ATRIA : AnTicoagulation and Risk factors In Atrial fibrillation AVERROES : Apixaban VErsus acetylsalicylic acid ( ASA ) to Reduce the Rate Of Embolic Stroke in atrial fibrillation patients who have failed or are unsuitable for vitamin K antagonist treatment AVRO : A prospect i ve , r and omized , double-blind , Active-controlled , superiority study of Vernakalant vs. amiodarone in Recent Onset atrial fibrillation b.i.d : bis in die ( twice daily ) b.p.m . : beats per minute CABANA : Catheter ABlation vs . ANtiarrhythmic drug therapy for Atrial fibrillation CABG : coronary artery bypass graft CAP : Continued Access to Protect AF CHA2DS2-VASc : Congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction Hypertension , Age ≥75 ( doubled ) , Diabetes , Stroke (doubled)-Vascular disease , Age 65–74 , Sex category ( female ) CHADS2 : Congestive heart failure , Hypertension , Age ≥75 , Diabetes , Stroke ( doubled ) CI : confidence interval CRAFT : Controlled R and omized Atrial Fibrillation Trial CrCl : creatinine clearance DAFNE : Dronedarone Atrial FibrillatioN study after Electrical cardioversion DIONYSOS : R and omized Double blind trIal to evaluate efficacy and safety of drOnedarone ( 400 mg b.i.d . ) vs . amiodaroNe ( 600 mg q.d . for 28 daYS , then 200 mg qd thereafter ) for at least 6 mOnths for the maintenance of Sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation EAST : Early treatment of Atrial fibrillation for Stroke prevention Trial EHRA : European Heart Rhythm Association ECG : electrocardiogram EMA : European Medicines Agency ERATO : Efficacy and safety of dRonedArone for The cOntrol of ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation EURIDIS : EURopean trial In atrial fibrillation or flutter patients receiving Dronedarone for the maIntenance of Sinus rhythm FAST : atrial Fibrillation catheter Ablation vs . Surgical ablation Treatment FDA : Food and Drug Administration Flec-SL : Flecainide Short-Long trial HAS-BLED : Hypertension , Abnormal renal/liver function , Stroke , Bleeding history or predisposition , Labile INR , Elderly , Drugs/alcohol concomitantly HF-PEF : heart failure with preserved ejection fraction HF-REF : heart failure with reduced ejection fraction HR : hazard ratio HRS : Heart Rhythm Society ICH : intracranial haemorrhage INR : international normalized ratio i.v . : intravenous J-RHYTHM : Japanese RHYTHM management trial for atrial fibrillation LAA : left atrial appendage LoE : level of evidence LVEF : left ventricular ejection fraction MANTRA-PAF : Medical ANtiarrhythmic Treatment or Radiofrequency Ablation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation NICE : National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence NOAC : novel oral anticoagulant NSAID : non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NYHA : New York Heart Association OAC : oral anticoagulant or oral anticoagulation o.d . : omni die ( every day ) PALLAS : Permanent Atrial fibriLLAtion outcome Study using dronedarone on top of st and ard therapy PCI : percutaneous coronary intervention PREVAIL : Prospect i ve R and omized EVAluation of the LAA closure device In patients with atrial fibrillation v s. Long-term warfarin therapy PROTECT AF : WATCHMAN LAA system for embolic PROTECTion in patients with Atrial Fibrillation PT : prothrombin time RAAFT : Radio frequency Ablation Atrial Fibrillation Trial RE-LY : R and omized Evaluation of Long-term anticoagulant therapY with dabigatran etexilate ROCKET-AF : Rivaroxaban Once daily oral direct factor Xa inhibition Compared with vitamin K antagonism for prevention of stroke and Embolism Trial in atrial fibrillation RRR : relative risk reduction TE : thromboembolism TIA : transient ischaemic attack t.i.d . : ter in die ( three times daily ) TOE : transoesophageal echocardiogram TTR : time in therapeutic range VKA : vitamin K antagonist Guidelines summarize and evaluate all currently available evidence on a particular issue with the aim of assisting physicians in selecting the best management strategy for an individual patient suffering from a given condition , taking into account the impact on Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia in adults . It is more common as patients age ; the prevalence is 1 % among those younger than age 60 years and increases to more than 8 % in those older than age 80 years . When data are adjusted for age , men are affected more often than women . Cardiac conditions associated with the development of atrial fibrillation are hypertension , rheumatic mitral valve disease , coronary artery disease , and congestive heart failure . Noncardiac causes include hyperthyroidism , hypoxic pulmonary conditions , surgery , and alcohol intoxication . Patients with atrial fibrillation may have symptoms of hemodynamic compromise , such as irregular palpitations and lightheadedness , or more vague symptoms , such as malaise , but may be asymptomatic . Patients with atrial fibrillation are at increased risk for thromboembolic disease . The purpose of this guideline is to make recommendations on the pharmacologic management of newly detected atrial fibrillation in primary care . The target patient population is adult patients with first-detected atrial fibrillation , defined as the presence of symptoms or electrocardiographic evidence of atrial fibrillation . The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association has recommended using first-detected atrial fibrillation regardless of whether it is symptomatic or self-limited , recognizing that there can be uncertainty about the duration of the episode and about previous undetected episodes ( 1 ) . This guideline does not apply to patients with postoperative or postmyocardial infa rct ion atrial fibrillation , patients with class IV heart failure , patients already taking antiarrhythmic drugs , or patients with valvular disease . The target physician audience is internists and family physicians dedicated to primary care . This guideline is based on the accompanying background paper by McNamara and colleagues ( 2 ) and on the evidence report Management of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation ( 3 ) , which was produced by the Johns Hopkins Evidence -based Practice Center under contract to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality ( AHRQ ) , Rockville , Maryl and . The American Academy of Family Physicians ( AAFP ) and the American College of Physicians ( ACP ) created this guideline in collaboration . The Joint AAFP/ACP Panel review ed the evidence and developed and grade d the recommendations ( Table 1 ) . The guideline was then approved by both organizations . The guideline makes recommendations in the following areas : rate control versus rhythm control , stroke prevention and anticoagulation , electrical cardioversion versus pharmacologic cardioversion , the role of transesophageal echocardiography in guiding therapy , and maintenance therapy . Table 1 . The Guyatt Approach to Grading Recommendations * Section 1 : Rate Control versus Rhythm Control One of the fundamental questions in the management of atrial fibrillation is whether to attempt cardioversion . The answer to this question depends on whether rate control or rhythm control provides more effective protection from thromboembolic events , improved mortality , better relief of symptoms , or improved quality of life . Another significant clinical question is whether certain population s , such as women , patients with hypertension or congestive heart failure , or young people with structurally healthy hearts , have better outcomes with one or the other strategy . Four studies have compared rate control with rhythm control . The study sample s have generally involved older patients ( > 65 years of age ) , and women and younger patients with healthy hearts and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation have not been well represented ( 5 ) . The Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management ( AFFIRM ) trial compared rhythm control versus rate control , and use of anticoagulation was recommended in both arms ( 6 ) . More than 4000 patients who were at least 65 years of age or who had at least 1 risk factor for stroke or death , such as hypertension , diabetes , previous stroke , or poor ventricular function , were followed for a mean of 3.5 years . Slightly more than one third of the patients were enrolled after their first episode of atrial fibrillation , and more than 90 % had had their qualifying episode within the previous 6 weeks . In more than two thirds of patients , the qualifying episode lasted at least 2 days . The average patient age was 70 years . Sixty-one percent of patients were men , and 89 % were white . Seventy-one percent of patients had hypertension , 38 % had coronary heart disease , 18 % had previously had failure of antiarrhythmic therapy , and 12 % had no apparent heart disease ( lone atrial fibrillation ) . Patients were r and omly assigned to rate or rhythm control , and their physicians chose the specific therapies ( pharmacologic first , then nonpharmacologic if needed ) . Anticoagulation was continued indefinitely in the rate-control group and was encouraged in the rhythm-control group but could be stopped at the physician 's discretion if sinus rhythm had been maintained for at least 4 , and preferably 12 , consecutive weeks with antiarrhythmic therapy . The prevalence of sinus rhythm in the rhythm-control group was 82 % , 73 % , and 63 % at 1 , 3 , and 5 years , respectively . The prevalence of sinus rhythm in the rate-control group was 34.6 % at 5 years . The primary end point in the AFFIRM trial , overall mortality , was not statistically significantly different between the groups . However , the rhythm-control strategy was associated with a higher risk for death than the rate-control strategy among older patients , those without congestive heart failure , and those with coronary disease .  Rates of stroke also did not differ between groups ; 70 % of all strokes occurred in patients who had stopped receiving anticoagulation or who had subtherapeutic international normalized ratios ( < 2.0 ) . More hospitalizations were reported in the rhythm-control group ( P < 0.001 ) . Another recent study , the RAte Control versus Electrical cardioversion for persistent atrial fibrillation ( RACE ) study , r and omly assigned patients to receive aggressive rhythm control or rate control ( 7 ) . This was a smaller study , involving 522 patients ( mean age , 68 years ) . Sixty-four percent of patients were men , 49 % had hypertension , and 27 % had coronary artery disease . All patients had persistent atrial fibrillation lasting less than 1 year and had had at least 1 previous electrical cardioversion ( a maximum of 2 previous cardioversions was permitted for study inclusion ) . The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular mortality , heart failure , thromboembolic complications , bleeding , pacemaker implantation , and severe side effects of antiarrhythmic drugs . Again , no difference was seen between groups in the primary composite end point . As in the AFFIRM study , most of the strokes occurred in patients whose anticoagulation had been halted or patients whose international normalized ratio was subtherapeutic ( < 2.0 ) . In post hoc analysis , a benefit for rate control over rhythm control was seen in patients with hypertension and in women . Since this was a post hoc analysis , these results will need to be confirmed by further studies . Of note , despite an aggressive treatment protocol , at the end of follow-up only 39 % of the patients in the rhythm-control group were in sinus rhythm . The Pharmacological Intervention in Atrial Fibrillation ( PIAF ) trial r and omly assigned 252 patients 18 to 75 years of age with new-onset or permanent symptomatic atrial fibrillation ( mean duration of atrial fibrillation , approximately 4 months ) to rate control with diltiazem or aggressive conversion ( many times if necessary ) and maintenance therapy with amiodarone ( 8) . The primary end point of the study was improvement in symptoms related to atrial fibrillation . After 1 year of follow-up , relief of symptoms was similar in both groups , as were quality -of-life measures . Walking distance was improved in the rhythm-control group , but hospital admissions were more frequent in this group . Although final results are not yet available , preliminary reports of the Strategies of Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation ( STAF ) trial have been presented ( 9 ) . Patients were r and omly assigned to receive anticoagulation for 3 weeks before conversion and for 4 weeks after attempted conversion , with antiarrhythmic therapy to maintain sinus rhythm , or to long-term anticoagulation and rate control . ( Patients included in this study had at least 1 previous conversion attempt . ) After more than 1.5 years of follow-up , no difference was seen between the groups in rates of the primary end points of death , stroke , transient ischemic attacks , cardiopulmonary resuscitation , or thromboembolism . Of interest , only 40 % of patients in the rhythm-control group were still in sinus rhythm at 1 year , and all primary end points occurred in patients in atrial fibrillation , even in the rhythm-control group . This result has created speculation about whether fewer events would have occurred if anticoagulation had been continued indefinitely in the conversion group . It also suggests that despite aggressive rhythm management , a substantial number of patients can not maintain sinus rhythm . In general , the trial sample s were older and male and had risk factors for stroke , such as hypertension , congestive heart failure , and coronary disease . Certain subgroups of patients with atrial fibrillation , such as younger patients with healthy hearts or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation , were not well represented in the trials . Therefore , it is not certain whether these subgroups of patients may benefit from more aggressive rhythm control or rate control . Recommendation 1 : Rate control with chronic anticoagulation is the recommended strategy for the majority of patients with atrial fibrillation . Rhythm control has not been shown to be superior to rate control ( with chronic anticoagulation ) in reducing morbidity and mortality and may be inferior in some patient subgroups to rate control . Rhythm OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage ( LAA ) closure in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation ( AF ) patients ineligible for warfarin therapy . BACKGROUND The PROTECT AF ( Watchman Left Atrial Appendage System for Embolic Protection in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation ) trial demonstrated that LAA closure with the Watchman device ( Boston Scientific , Natick , Massachusetts ) was noninferior to warfarin therapy . However , the PROTECT AF trial only included patients who were c and i date s for warfarin , and even patients r and omly assigned to the LAA closure arm received concomitant warfarin  for 6 weeks after Watchman implantation . METHODS A multicenter , prospect i ve , nonr and omized study was conducted of LAA closure with the Watchman device in 150 patients with nonvalvular AF and CHADS₂ ( congestive heart failure , hypertension , age ≥75 years , diabetes mellitus , and prior stroke or transient ischemic attack ) score ≥1 , who were considered ineligible for warfarin . The primary efficacy endpoint was the combined events of ischemic stroke , hemorrhagic stroke , systemic embolism , and cardiovascular/unexplained death . RESULTS The mean CHADS₂ score and CHA₂DS₂-VASc ( CHADS₂ score plus 2 points for age ≥75 years and 1 point for vascular disease , age 65 to 74 years , or female sex ) score were 2.8 ± 1.2 and 4.4 ± 1.7 , respectively . History of hemorrhagic/bleeding tendencies ( 93 % ) was the most common reason for warfarin in eligibility . Mean duration of follow-up was 14.4 ± 8.6 months . Serious procedure- or device-related safety events occurred in 8.7 % of patients ( 13 of 150 patients ) . All-cause stroke or systemic embolism occurred in 4 patients ( 2.3 % per year ) : ischemic stroke in 3 patients ( 1.7 % per year ) and hemorrhagic stroke in 1 patient ( 0.6 % per year ) . This ischemic stroke rate was less than that expected ( 7.3 % per year ) based on the CHADS₂ scores of the patient cohort . CONCLUSIONS LAA closure with the Watchman device can be safely performed without a warfarin transition , and is a reasonable alternative to consider for patients at high risk for stroke but with contraindications to systemic oral anticoagulation . ( ASA Plavix Feasibility Study With Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technology [ ASAP ] ; NCT00851578 ) Aims The r and omized PROTECT AF trial demonstrated non-inferiority of left atrial appendage ( LAA ) closure to oral anticoagulation with warfarin . Current guidelines give a class IIb recommendation for LAA closure . We evaluated the efficacy and safety of LAA closure in a consecutive series of non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients with contraindications to long-term oral anticoagulation or at high bleeding risk . Methods and results 101 consecutive non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients ( age 74.7 ± 7.5 years ) at high risk for stroke ( CHA2DS2-VASc Score 4.4 ± 1.6 ) and high bleeding risk ( HAS-BLED Score 4.2 ± 1.3 ) received LAA closure with either the Watchman closure device ( n = 38 ) or the Amplatzer cardiac plug ( n = 63 ) . Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel was recommended for 3–6 months after device implantation , followed by long-term antiplatelet therapy with aspirin . No anticoagulation was given after device implantation . Mean follow-up was 400 days . One patient ( 1 % ) experienced a transient ischemic attack , and two patients ( 2 % ) suffered from ischemic stroke . While on recommended antiplatelet therapy , bleeding occurred in 12/101 patients ( 12 % ) . Bleeding was significantly reduced with 3 compared with 6 months dual antiplatelet therapy ( 3.0 vs. 16.2 % , p < 0.05 ) while ischemic or thrombotic events were similar . Conclusion Left atrial appendage closure in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and high risk for stroke and bleeding events effectively prevented stroke and reduced cerebral ischemic events compared to expected stroke rate according to CHA2DS2-VASc Score . Dual antiplatelet therapy for 3 months reduced the rate of bleeding events compared to 6 months therapy with no increase of thrombotic events BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and it is associated with an increased stroke risk , due mainly to cardiac embolism from the left atrial appendage ( LAA ) . Percutaneous LAA closure is a method to reduce stroke risk in AF without using anticoagulant agents . In this study we report data from an Italian experience with the LAA occluder Amplatzer Cardiac Plug ( ACP ) device ( Aga Medical Corporation , Plymouth , MN , USA ) . METHODS The study was design ed to evaluate the safety of LAA closure using ACP and the efficacy of the procedure in preventing strokes during a 1-year follow-up . Patients with permanent or paroxysmal AF , high stroke risk , and contraindication to warfarin therapy were selected for the procedure . RESULTS The LAA closure was attempted in 37 patients and succeeded in 34 cases ( 91.9 % ) . Four patients experienced serious complications ( one cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis , two device embolizations , one low-rate response AF requiring artificial pacing ) . During a 1-year follow-up , ischemic stroke occurred in one of 34 patients , result ing in a stroke rate of 2.94 % ; thus there was a stroke rate reduction of 50.2 % and 26.5 % compared to the expected stroke rate , according to CHADS2 and CHA2 DS2 VASc score . None of the patients who received ACP experienced major bleeding during the follow-up . CONCLUSION LAA closure using ACP is a relatively feasible procedure which can be performed by highly experienced operators to reduce stroke rate in patients with AF , high stroke risk , and contraindication to oral anticoagulants BACKGROUND Transcatheter left atrial appendage ( LAA ) ligation may represent an alternative to oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation . OBJECTIVES This study sought to assess the early safety and efficacy of transcatheter ligation of the LAA for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation . METHODS This was a retrospective , multicenter study of consecutive patients undergoing LAA ligation with the Lariat device at 8 U.S. sites . The primary endpoint was procedural success , defined as device success ( suture deployment and < 5 mm leak by post-procedure transesophageal echocardiography ) , and no major complication at discharge ( death , myocardial infa rct ion , stroke , Bleeding Academic Research Consortium bleeding type 3 or greater , or cardiac surgery ) . Post-discharge management was per operator discretion . RESULTS A total of 154 patients were enrolled .  Median CHADS2 score ( congestive heart failure , hypertension , age ≥ 75 years , diabetes mellitus , prior stroke , transient ischemic attack , or thromboembolism [ doubled ] ) was 3 ( interquartile range : 2 to 4 ) . Device success was 94 % , and procedural success was 86 % . A major complication occurred in 15 patients ( 9.7 % ) . There were 14 major bleeds ( 9.1 % ) , driven by the need for transfusion ( 4.5 % ) . Significant pericardial effusion occurred in 16 patients ( 10.4 % ) . Follow-up was available in 134 patients at a median of 112 days ( interquartile range : 50 to 270 days ) : Death , myocardial infa rct ion , or stroke occurred in 4 patients ( 2.9 % ) . Among 63 patients with acute closure and transesophageal echocardiography follow-up , there were 3 thrombi ( 4.8 % ) and 13 ( 20 % ) with residual leak . CONCLUSIONS In this initial multicenter experience of LAA ligation with the Lariat device , the rate of acute closure was high , but procedural success was limited by bleeding . A prospect i ve r and omized trial is required to adequately define clinical efficacy , optimal post-procedure medical therapy , and the effect of operator experience on procedural safety OBJECTIVE This study undertook to determine if the presence of atrial fibrillation in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic left ventricular dysfunction was associated with increased mortality and , if so , whether the increase could be attributed to progressive heart failure or arrhythmic death . BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation is a common condition in heart failure with the potential to impact hemodynamics and progression of left ventricular systolic dysfunction as well as the electrophysiologic substrate for arrhythmias . The available data do not conclusively define the effect of atrial fibrillation on prognosis in heart failure . METHODS A retrospective analysis of the Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction Prevention and Treatment Trials was conducted that compared patients with atrial fibrillation to those in sinus rhythm at baseline  for the risk of all-cause mortality , progressive pump-failure death and arrhythmic death . RESULTS The patients with atrial fibrillation at baseline , compared to those in sinus rhythm , had greater all-cause mortality ( 34 % vs. 23 % , p < 0.001 ) , death attributed to pump-failure ( 16.7 % vs. 9.4 % , p < 0.001 ) and were more likely to reach the composite end point of death or hospitalization for heart failure ( 45 % vs. 33 % , p < 0.001 ) , but there was no significant difference between the groups in arrhythmic deaths . After multivariate analysis , atrial fibrillation remained significantly associated with all-cause mortality ( relative risk [ RR ] 1.34 , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] 1.12 to 1.62 , p=0.002 ) , progressive pump-failure death ( RR 1.42 , 95 % CI 1.09 to 1.85 , p=0.01 ) , the composite end point of death or hospitalization for heart failure ( RR 1.26 , 95 % CI 1.03 to 1.42 , p=0.02 ) , but not arrhythmic death ( RR 1.13 ; 95 % CI 0.75 to 1.71 ; p=0.55 ) . CONCLUSIONS The presence of atrial fibrillation in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction is associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality , largely explained by an increased risk for pump-failure death . These data suggest that atrial fibrillation is associated with progression of left ventricular systolic dysfunction BACKGROUND Heart failure and stroke are major causes of morbidity and mortality in older people .  Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors improve symptoms and survival in left ventricular systolic dysfunction . Anticoagulants are effective in stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation with aspirin being a less effective alternative . OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction , health services utilisation and prescribing of diuretics and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in left ventricular systolic dysfunction , and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation and anti-platelet/thrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation in older people in the community . METHODS 500 subjects were drawn by two-stage r and om sampling from 5,002 subjects aged 70 years and over living at home . Subjects were screened for atrial fibrillation and left ventricular systolic dysfunction using electrocardiography and echocardiography . RESULTS The population prevalence amongst older people of left ventricular systolic dysfunction was 9.8 % and of atrial fibrillation 7.8 % . More than two-thirds of those with left ventricular systolic dysfunction were not on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors . Of those in atrial fibrillation , 35 % were taking aspirin , 24 % were taking warfarin and 41 % were on neither aspirin nor warfarin . Nearly 90 % of older people in the community have had contact with their general practitioner over the past year , and over half of those with left ventricular systolic dysfunction have had contact with hospital-based services over the past 2 years . CONCLUSIONS Left ventricular systolic dysfunction is under-treated in older people in the community . Despite the high level of contact with hospital and community-based services , the majority of those with systolic left ventricular dysfunction are not on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and a significant proportion of those in atrial fibrillation are not on any treatment for stroke prevention BACKGROUND In the elderly the impact of atrial fibrillation on mortality and morbidity is substantial . Oral anticoagulant therapy reduces the risk of stroke by 70 % ; nevertheless , it remains largely underused . We evaluated , in a community prospect i ve study , the factors associated with embolic events and death and the feasibility of oral anticoagulant therapy managed by general practitioners . METHODS We enrolled at the Trieste Cardiovascular Center 229 patients aged > or = 65 years with non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation . At baseline , each patient underwent a transesophageal echocardiography and received instructions about oral anticoagulation . Patients were regularly followed by their general practitioner and finally evaluated at the Center . RESULTS At baseline , the mean age was 73 years , 14 % of patients were free of heart disease , 27 % had had a previous embolic event , and 33 % had an atrial thrombus . After a 5-year follow-up , 85 % of the patients had been admitted to hospital , 17 % had suffered an embolic event , and 35 % were dead . Diabetes and the presence of a low flow in the left atrial appendage were predictive of embolic events . Heart failure , spontaneous echocontrast and aortic plaques were predictive of death . Anticoagulant therapy increased from 14 to 34 % but the incidence of major bleeding did not change . The patients on anticoagulant therapy at follow-up constituted the group with the worst cardiovascular profile and embolic rate , but had a lower death rate ( 19 % ) compared with those on antiplatelet therapy ( 32 % ) and with those without antithrombotic therapy ( 67 % ) . The hospitalization rates were respectively 78 , 83 and 100 % . CONCLUSIONS In a group of elderly patients followed by their general practitioner with the support of a specialized cardiologic unit , oral anticoagulant therapy was well tolerated and associated with a significant decrease in mortality and hospitalization Atrial fibrillation ( AF ) represents the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia in patients with heart failure ( HF ) . AF in HF patients is associated with worsening of symptoms and also results in a substantial increase in mortality . Although HF patients in sinus rhythm have a better outcome than patients with AF , several r and omized studies investigating pharmacological rhythm control versus rate control have shown no advantage of one strategy over the other in terms of patient outcomes . Catheter-based ablation therapy is a newer therapeutic option with a rapidly evolving and changing role in the management of this arrhythmia . In the present review , the authors discuss the epidemiology , pathophysiology and prognostic significance of AF in patients with HF . Exclusively addressed are studies investigating catheter-based ablation for rhythm-control and rate-control therapies in the management of AF in HF patients BACKGROUND Among patients undergoing mitral-valve surgery , 30 to 50 % present with atrial fibrillation , which is associated with reduced survival and increased risk of stroke .  Surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation has been widely adopted , but evidence regarding its safety and effectiveness is limited . METHODS We r and omly assigned 260 patients with persistent or long-st and ing persistent atrial fibrillation who required mitral-valve surgery  to undergo either surgical ablation ( ablation group ) or no ablation ( control group ) during the mitral-valve operation . Patients in the ablation group underwent further r and omization to pulmonary-vein isolation or a biatrial maze procedure . All patients underwent closure of the left atrial appendage . The primary end point was freedom from atrial fibrillation at both 6 months and 12 months ( as assessed by means of 3-day Holter monitoring ) . RESULTS More patients in the ablation group than in the control group were free from atrial fibrillation at both 6 and 12 months ( 63.2 % vs. 29.4 % , P<0.001 ) . There was no significant difference in the rate of freedom from atrial fibrillation between patients who underwent pulmonary-vein isolation and those who underwent the biatrial maze procedure ( 61.0 % and 66.0 % , respectively ; P=0.60 ) . One-year mortality was 6.8 % in the ablation group and 8.7 % in the control group ( hazard ratio with ablation , 0.76 ; 95 % confidence interval , 0.32 to 1.84 ; P=0.55 ) . Ablation was associated with more implantations of a permanent pacemaker than was no ablation ( 21.5 vs. 8.1 per 100 patient-years , P=0.01 ) . There were no significant between-group differences in major cardiac or cerebrovascular adverse events , overall serious adverse events , or hospital readmissions . CONCLUSIONS The addition of atrial fibrillation ablation to mitral-valve surgery significantly increased the rate of freedom from atrial fibrillation at 1 year among patients with persistent or long-st and ing persistent atrial fibrillation , but the risk of implantation of a permanent pacemaker was also increased . ( Funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research ; Clinical Trials.gov number , NCT00903370 . ) BACKGROUND Congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation often coexist , and each adversely affects the other with respect to management and prognosis . We prospect ively evaluated the effect of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation on left ventricular function in patients with heart failure . METHODS We studied 58 consecutive patients with congestive heart failure and a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 45 percent who were undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation .  We selected as controls 58 patients without congestive heart failure who were undergoing ablation for atrial fibrillation , matched according to age , sex , and classification of atrial fibrillation . We evaluated the patients ' left ventricular function and dimensions , symptom score , exercise capacity , and quality of life at baseline and at months 1 , 3 , 6 , and 12 . RESULTS After a mean ( + /-SD ) of 12+/-7 months , 78 percent of the patients with congestive heart failure and 84 percent of the controls remained in sinus rhythm ( P=0.34 ) ( 69 percent and 71 percent , respectively , were in sinus rhythm without the administration of antiarrhythmic drugs ) . The patients with congestive heart failure had significant improvement in left ventricular function ( increases in the ejection fraction and fractional shortening of 21+/-13 percent and 11+/-7 percent , respectively ; P<0.001 for both comparisons ) , left ventricular dimensions ( decreases in the diastolic and systolic diameters of 6+/-6 mm and 8+/-7 mm , respectively ; P=0.03 and P<0.001 , respectively ) , exercise capacity , symptoms , and quality of life . The ejection fraction improved significantly not only in patients without concurrent structural heart disease ( 24+/-10 percent , P<0.001 ) and those with inadequate rate control before ablation ( 23+/-10 percent , P<0.001 ) , but also in those with coexisting heart disease ( 16+/-14 percent , P<0.001 ) and adequate rate control before ablation ( 17+/-15 percent , P<0.001 ) . CONCLUSIONS Restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm by catheter ablation without the use of drugs in patients with congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation significantly improve cardiac function , symptoms , exercise capacity , and quality of life BACKGROUND Currently , 2 different left atrial appendage ( LAA ) closure systems are available for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation but comparative data are lacking . OBJECTIVES To prospect ively compare procedural data and patient outcome for 2 contemporary LAA closure systems and to investigate an alternative antithrombotic treatment regimen in high-risk patients . METHODS Patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation , with high risk for stroke , and who either had contraindication or were not willing to accept oral anticoagulation were prospect ively enrolled . Watchman ( Boston Scientific , Natick , MA ; group A ) or Amplatzer Cardiac Plug ( St Jude Medical , Minneapolis , MN ; group B ) devices were implanted . All patients received antithrombotic therapy for 6 weeks . After repeat transesophageal echocardiography , patients were switched to aspirin . RESULTS Eighty patients were enrolled . There was no statistical difference in patient characteristics in groups A and B : CHA2DS2VASC score : 4.1 ± 1.5 versus 4.5 ± 1.8 ; HASBLED score : 3.1 ± 1.1 versus 3.1 ± 1.1 , respectively . LAA closure was achieved in 78 of 80 patients ( 98 % ) ( group A : 38 of 40 [ 95 % ] vs group B : 40 of 40 [ 100 % ] ) . There was no difference in procedure time ( group A : 48 ± 16 minutes vs group B : 47 ± 15 minutes ; P = .69 ) and fluoroscopy time ( group A : 6.0 ± 4.7 minutes vs group B : 7.3 ± 4.4 minutes ; P = .25 ) . Major complications included 1 air embolism and delayed tamponade in each group . After 6 weeks , 1 device dislodgment and 4 device-related thrombi were detected . Ninety-four percent of the patients ( 73 of 77 ) were switched to aspirin after 6 weeks . During a median follow-up of 364 days ( Q1-Q3 : 283 - 539 days ) , no systemic embolism occurred , but 3 patients died ( heart failure : n = 2 ; bleeding : n = 1 ) . CONCLUSIONS Implantation of both LAA closure devices can be performed with high success rates in high-risk patients . Postprocedural 6 weeks antithrombotic therapy followed by aspirin therapy needs to be confirmed in a larger study Transesophageal echocardiography visualizes the left atrium and its appendage and is more sensitive than transthoracic echocardiography for diagnosing thrombi of the left atrium and the left atrial appendage and spontaneous echocardiographic contrast of the left atrium [ 1 - 3 ] . The left atrium and especially the left atrial appendage are the presumed sites of thrombus formation and sources of arterial emboli in patients with atrial fibrillation [ 4 ] . Patients with atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke or embolism were shown to have a higher prevalence of thrombi of the left atrium or the left atrial appendage , a higher prevalence of spontaneous echocardiographic contrast , and a larger left atrial appendage than patients with no history of stroke or embolism [ 2 , 5 , 6 ] . However , whether these abnormalities are predictors for stroke or embolism remains controversial [ 7 , 8 ] . Furthermore , no studies have determined whether transesophageal echocardiography helps to assess risk for stroke or embolism in out patients with atrial fibrillation who have no history of stroke or embolism or whether transesophageal echocardiography is useful in the decision to initiate anticoagulation . We therefore performed a prospect i ve , multicenter study of out patients with atrial fibrillation who had not recently had stroke . We sought to determine whether thrombi of the left atrium or the left atrial appendage , spontaneous echocardiographic contrast , and size of the left atrial appendage are associated with stroke or embolism . Our hypothesis was that patients with thrombi of the left atrium or the left atrial appendage , spontaneous echocardiographic contrast , and enlargement of the left atrial appendage have a higher rate of stroke or embolism than do patients without these abnormalities . The baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of our study sample have been reported elsewhere [ 9 ] . Methods Patient Recruitment Our study was conducted in Austria and Slovakia . At the beginning of the study , general practitioners and internists from surrounding participating centers were informed about the study and were asked to refer patients who had constant or intermittent atrial fibrillation . At each patient 's first visit , a cardiologist recorded baseline data , associated illnesses , clinical characteristics ( definitions of which are listed in Appendix 2 ) , and the cause of atrial fibrillation . A 12-lead electrocardiogram was recorded on 2 separate days . We excluded patients with prosthetic valves and those who were already receiving anticoagulation . Current therapy with aspirin was not an exclusion criterion . Patients who had mitral valve stenosis or had recently had stroke were excluded because anticoagulation was indicated for such conditions . For the definition of recent stroke , we chose a cutoff value of 1 year because a previous study reported that the risk for recurrent stroke was increased in patients who had had an ischemic event in the previous year [ 10 ] . Echocardiography For transthoracic echocardiography , 2.5- or 3.5-MHz probes were used . For M-mode measurements , we applied the recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography [ 11 ] . M-mode measurements were performed on-line and were documented on printouts . Regional wall-motion and valvular abnormalities were recorded . In patients without regional wall-motion abnormalities , left ventricular systolic function was assessed by calculation of left ventricular fractional shortening . For transesophageal echocardiography , biplane 5-MHz probes were used in 64 % of the patients and monoplane 5-MHz probes were used in 36 % . After local anesthesia with lidocaine spray was administered , the probe was introduced into the nonse date d patients , who lay on their left side . The entire study was recorded on S-VHS videotapes . The cardiac chambers and valves were investigated by using all obtainable views [ 12 , 13 ] . Special care was taken to visualize the whole cavity of the left atrium and its appendage from different planes , with the tip of the probe slightly flexed . The size of the left atrial appendage was measured off-line . A frame that best visualized the left atrial appendage with respect to its orifice , extension , and delineation of borders was selected just before the QRS complex . The length of the left atrial appendage was defined as the distance between the limbus of the left superior pulmonary vein and the apex of the left atrial appendage ; the width of the left atrial appendage was defined as the longest distance between the lateral and ventricular left atrial appendage wall , measured in a line perpendicular to the course of the left atrial appendage curvature ; and the left atrial appendage area was defined as described elsewhere [ 14 ] . For the assessment of intra- and interobserver deviations , left atrial appendage size was measured 1 year after the initial measurement in 20 r and omly selected video recordings by the same observer and in 60 r and omly selected video recordings by three observers from different centers . A thrombus of the left atrium or left atrial appendage was considered definite if at least three of the following five criteria were present : clear borders , echogenicity different from that of surrounding structures , independent mobility , longest diameter greater than 15 mm , and evidence of thrombus in more than one imaging plane [ 15 ] . A second observer from a different center review ed video recordings to confirm diagnosis of thrombus of the left atrium or left atrial appendage . A thrombus was considered probable if only two criteria were present or if the observers disagreed . Spontaneous echocardiographic contrast was diagnosed in the presence of dynamic smoke-like echoes within the left atrium or left atrial appendage with a characteristic swirling motion that was distinct from white noise artifact [ 16 ] . When spontaneous echocardiographic contrast was suspected , the gain setting s were decreased in a stepwise manner to exclude artifact caused by excessive gain . The compression and gain controls were then adjusted to ensure the best possible visualization . Spontaneous echocardiographic contrast was not quantified . A second observer from a different center checked the diagnosis of spontaneous echocardiographic contrast by review ing all video recordings . When the observers disagreed about the presence or absence of spontaneous echocardiographic contrast , the decision made at the time of examination was chosen . This was done because spontaneous echocardiographic contrast was not always visible on review of the video recordings . Outcome Events Primary events were stroke and embolism that extended to viscera or extremities . Stroke was defined as acute onset of a focal neurologic deficit that lasted more than 24 hours and was consistent with a vascular event . Severity and subtypes of stroke were assessed according to established criteria [ 17 ] . Embolism extending to viscera or extremities was defined as a sudden onset of pain that was associated with typical findings on Doppler ultrasonography , angiography , surgery , or autopsy . Secondary events were the need for anticoagulation during follow-up in patients who were primarily receiving aspirin and death not caused by stroke or embolism . Death not caused by stroke or embolism was classified as cardiac or noncardiac on the basis of information from the treating physician and the patient 's family . Follow-up Visits took place 3 , 6 , 12 , 18 , and 24 months after study entry . After a follow-up period of at least 2 years ( ending in February 1994 ) , it was evident that the number of primary outcome events was low . We therefore prolonged the follow-up period and planned further visits , one to be held in 1994 and one to be held in 1995 . Patients who were unwilling or unable to attend the visits were contacted by telephone . Medical records were obtained for patients who had been admitted to a hospital . If a patient had died , an autopsy report or death certificate was obtained . Treatment and Ethical Considerations Although our study was design ed to be observational , we recommended antithrombotic treatment to the patients because of ethical considerations . Because patients with thrombi of the left atrium or left atrial appendage are considered to have a high risk for embolism , we recommended that they receive anticoagulation . The target range for the international normalized ratio was 2.0 to 3.0 , and the treating physicians monitored the ratio [ 5 , 18 ] . We recommended that the remaining patients receive aspirin , 160 mg/d , because preliminary data indicated that aspirin reduces the risk for stroke or embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation [ 19 ] . The institutional review board of the participating centers approved the study . Patients were informed about the background and the procedures of the trial , and informed consent was obtained according to the rules of each center . Statistical Analysis For baseline data , group comparisons were done by analysis of variance for normally distributed data and by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test for data that were not normally distributed . If appropriate , we used the Scheffe post hoc test . The Wilk-Shapiro test was used to check for normality . Contingency table methods , including the chi-square test and the Fisher exact test , were used to analyze categorical data . We used the Cox proportional-hazards model to obtain estimates of relative risk and 95 % CIs for all univariate and multivariate analyses of time-to-event data . All tests were two-sided . The level of significance assumed was an level of 0.05 . We used SAS software ( SAS Institute , Cary , North Carolina ) for analyses . Role of Funding Sources The funding sources had no role in the collection , analysis , or interpretation of the data ; did not review the manuscript at any time ; and were not involved in su bmi tting the paper for publication . Results Patients Patients were recruited between January 1990 and February 1992 . Of the 474 PURPOSE R and omized controlled trials have demonstrated that anticoagulant therapy is very effective at preventing stroke among patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation . However , these trials have reported too few strokes for powerful risk factor analysis . Observational studies may provide additional information . The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors in a larger number of patients with stroke and nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation , using case-control methodology . PATIENTS AND METHODS We identified all patients discharged from one hospital over an 8-year period who met our case definition of nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation and ischemic stroke ( n = 134 ) , and compared them with contemporaneous control subjects who were discharged with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation without stroke ( n = 131 ) . RESULTS Cases and controls were similar in terms of duration of atrial fibrillation ; proportion with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ; percentage with a past medical history of angina , myocardial infa rct ion , congestive heart failure , diabetes , or smoking ; and mean left atrial size . In contrast , cases were significantly older than controls ( 78.5 versus 74.8 years , p = 0.002 ) and more likely to have a history of hypertension ( 55 % versus 38 % , p = 0.0093 ) . The relative odds for stroke was 1.91 for patients with hypertension , 1.73 for patients older than 75 years , and 3.26 for patients with both factors . CONCLUSIONS Our analysis suggests that age and hypertension should be considered when deciding upon long-term anticoagulant therapy to prevent stroke in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation Stroke associated with atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is mainly due to embolism of thrombus formed during stasis of blood in the left atrial appendage ( LAA ) . Pathophysiologic correlates of appendage flow velocity as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography ( TEE ) in patients with AF have not been defined . To evaluate the hypothesis that reduced velocity is associated with spontaneous echocardiographic contrast and thrombus in the LAA and with clinical embolic events , we measured LAA flow velocity by TEE in 721 patients with nonvalvular AF entering the Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation ( SPAF-III ) study . Patient features , TEE findings , and subsequent cardioembolic events were correlated with velocity by multivariate analysis . Patients in AF during TEE displayed lower peak ante grade ( emptying ) flow velocity ( Anu(p ) ) than those with intermittent AF in sinus rhythm during TEE ( 33 cm/s vs 61 cm/s , respectively , P < .0001 ) . Anu(p ) < 20 cm/s was associated with dense spontaneous echocardiographic contrast ( P < .001 ) , appendage thrombus ( P < .01 ) , and subsequent cardioembolic events ( P < .01 ) . Independent predictors of Anu(p ) < 20 cm/s included age ( P = .009 ) , systolic blood pressure ( P < .001 ) , sustained AF ( P = .01 ) , ischemic heart disease ( P = .01 ) , and left atrial area ( P = .04 ) . Multivariate analysis found both Anu(p ) < 20 cm/s ( relative risk 2.6 , P = .02 ) and clinical risk factors ( relative risk 3.3 , P = .002 ) independently associated with LAA thrombus . LAA Anu(p ) is reduced in AF and associated with spontaneous echocardiographic contrast , appendage thrombus , and cardioembolic stroke . Systolic hypertension and aortic atherosclerosis , independent clinical predictors of stroke in patients with AF , also correlated with LAA Anu(p ) . Our results support the role of reduced LAA Anu(p ) in the generation of stasis , thrombus formation , and embolism in patients with AF , although other mechanisms also contribute to stroke A trial fibrillation is characterized by a lack of organized electrical and mechanical atrial activity that results in an irregular heartbeat and increased risks for congestive heart failure , thromboembolism , and death [ 1 - 3 ] . Since 1962 , direct-current cardioversion has been used to restore sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation [ 4 ] . However , successful cardioversion , with the sudden resumption of sinus rhythm , is itself associated with an increased risk for embolic stroke , which can result when thrombi in the left atrial appendage are dislodged [ 5 - 12 ] . Transesophageal echocardiography ( TEE ) is an excellent method with which to detect thrombi in the left atrial appendage [ 13 - 19 ] . Its use has therefore been proposed as a way to allow cardioversion to be done earlier and more safely than would be possible with conventional therapy , which consists of a total of 7 weeks of treatment with warfarin [ 14 - 23 ] . Recent studies [ 15 - 19 ] indicate that TEE-guided cardioversion with short-term anticoagulation therapy may have several advantages over the conventional approach . These advantages include a decreased risk for embolism , which results from the avoidance of cardioversion in patients who have thrombi in the left atrial appendage [ 15 ] ; a decreased risk for bleeding , which occurs because anticoagulation therapy can be briefer [ 19 ] ; greater initial conversion to and long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm , which result from doing cardioversion earlier [ 18 , 19 ] ; and greater cost-effectiveness , which results from the decreased incidence of embolic stroke [ 17 ] . The ACUTE ( Assessment of Cardioversion Using Transesophageal Echocardiography ) Pilot Study was a multicenter , r and omized clinical trial design ed to compare TEE-guided cardioversion with conventional management of cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation who have cardioversion [ 19 ] . The study had two objectives : to assess the general feasibility of a TEE-guided approach to cardioversion and to determine the general safety of the TEE-guided approach by comparing its clinical outcome with those of conventional management . Methods Patient Selection Patients who were c and i date s for electrical cardioversion were eligible for inclusion if they had atrial fibrillation , or atrial flutter with a history of atrial fibrillation , lasting longer than 2 days . Patients were excluded if they had received anticoagulant therapy for more than 7 days , had required urgent cardioversion as a result of hemodynamic instability , had had a cardioembolic event within the previous month , had contraindications to TEE or warfarin , were women with childbearing potential in whom pregnancy could not be excluded , were unable to give informed consent , or were unable to return for a follow-up visit . Our study protocol was approved by the institutional review boards at all clinical sites , and all patients provided written informed consent in advance . Study Protocol Patients who met the inclusion criteria were r and omly assigned to receive either a  conventional or a  TEE-guided approach to cardioversion .  R and omization was done using presealed , opaque envelopes that were computer generated and distributed to each clinical site ( Figure 1 ) . R and om assignments were stratified by site and were generated in blocks of six . Figure 1 . The ACUTE ( Assessment of Cardioversion Using Transesophageal Echocardiography ) study protocol . The conventional approach to cardioversion was that recommended by the American College of Chest Physicians : 3 weeks of therapeutic warfarin therapy , then cardioversion , then 4 weeks of warfarin therapy , and then a follow-up examination at the end of the 4 weeks [ 23 ] . Prothrombin times were monitored regularly , and the target international normalized ratio ( INR ) was 2 to 3 . If assigned to the TEE group , patients began receiving anticoagulation therapy at their initial visit . The goal was to have patients therapeutically anticoagulated ( therapeutic anticoagulation was defined as a partial thromboplastin time 1.5 to 2.5 times control values or an INR of 2.0 to 3.0 ) at the time of and after the planned cardioversion , for a total of 4 weeks of therapy . The initial choice of antithrombotic agent was determined by whether the patient was an inpatient or an outpatient at the time of r and omization : Heparin was used for in patients ; warfarin was administered to out patients . Transesophageal echocardiography , with subsequent cardioversion within 24 hours , was then scheduled as soon as stable therapeutic anticoagulation was assured . For example , if a patient was hospitalized and intravenous heparin therapy was administered , TEE was done as soon as a stable therapeutic partial thromboplastin time could be documented ( for 24 to 36 hours ) ; subsequent cardioversion was done if the presence of a thrombus was excluded . A 4- to 5-day overlap of warfarin therapy and intravenous heparin therapy was often necessary to maintain adequate anticoagulation after cardioversion . If the patient was to be managed as an outpatient , warfarin therapy was initiated on the day of study enrollment , and TEE and subsequent possible cardioversion were scheduled for at least 5 to 7 days later . Again , cardioversion was done when the patient was therapeutically anticoagulated , and all patients received maintenance therapy with warfarin for 4 weeks after cardioversion [ 15 ] . In the TEE group , cardioversion was done immediately after or within 24 hours of TEE because of the potential for thrombus formation in the period between TEE and cardioversion . If thrombi were detected in the left or right atrial appendages or atrial cavities , cardioversion was postponed and the patient received warfarin therapy for 4 weeks . After 4 weeks , TEE was repeated and , if no thrombus was detected , cardioversion was done . If a thrombus was still present , another 4-week course of warfarin therapy was administered and cardioversion was not done [ 15 ] . Clinical Outcomes Our feasibility outcomes were frequency of cardioversion , frequency of cardioversion occurring as scheduled , time to cardioversion , and time to sinus rhythm . Our clinical safety outcomes were clinical ly apparent ischemic stroke , transient ischemic attack , systemic embolization , deaths related to cardioversion or episodes of bleeding , and detected episodes of clinical hemodynamic instability ( worsening congestive heart failure or hypotension ) that rendered the patient unable to complete the protocol . Other outcome variables were the prevalence of thrombi , the number of patients without thrombi who had early cardioversion , and the immediate and follow-up rhythms after cardioversion . These outcomes were assessed for as long as 4 weeks after cardioversion but for no longer than 8 weeks after r and omization . In the patients who did not have cardioversion and who spontaneously reverted to sinus rhythm , the variables were assessed at 4 weeks after spontaneous reversion . Study Organization and Procedures The administrative organization of the pilot study is described in the Appendix . Echocardiographic Examination Conventional transthoracic echocardiography was done in both study groups using commercially available equipment . In the TEE group , TEE was done according to st and ard techniques using phased-array biplane or multiplane transducers [ 24 - 26 ] . Complete transesophageal echocardiographic examination was done , and special attention was paid to imaging the left and right atria and left and right atrial appendages to assess the presence or absence of thrombi and spontaneous echo contrast . Echocardiographic Data Analysis Two-dimensional directed M-mode transthoracic echocardiography was used to derive the left ventricular septal and posterior wall thicknesses and the end-diastolic , end-systolic , and left atrial dimensions . Ejection fraction was calculated using st and ard techniques [ 27 , 28 ] . The maximal left atrial and right atrial areas were planimetered on-line , and the severity of mitral regurgitation was qualitatively grade d from 0 to 4 + by using color-flow mapping [ 29 ] . A thrombus was considered to be present if a mass detected in the appendage or body of the atrium appeared to be distinct from the underlying endocardium , was not caused by pectinate muscles , and was detected in more than one imaging plane . The presence or absence of spontaneous echo contrast was analyzed and defined as dynamic intracavitary echoes with a characteristic swirling pattern distinct from artifact . The degree of spontaneous echo contrast was categorized independently as absent , mild , or severe [ 30 , 31 ] . Quality Control Measures St and ard definitions of echocardiographic measurements were available to all of the clinical centers as part of a pilot operations manual . Echocardiograms at each clinical center were interpreted locally by a single physician who was highly experienced in echocardiography . Videotapes that showed the results of the first five echocardiographic examinations and all videotapes that showed thrombi were forwarded from the clinical centers to a central laboratory and overread by three experienced review ers for consensus [ 19 ] . Electrical Cardioversion Cardioversion was done by using the st and ard method of Lown and associates [ 4 ] with an initial energy of at least 40 J for atrial flutter and 200 J for atrial fibrillation . Statistical Analysis Summaries of clinical , echocardiographic , and outcome data are expressed as means or frequencies with 95 % CIs . Data that were not normally distributed were log-transformed and presented as geometric means . Outcomes were compared for the TEE and conventional therapy groups , for patients with and without thrombus ( in the TEE group only ) , and for patients in the TEE and conventional therapy groups who had cardioversion . These analyses were done using the t-test for independent groups for continuous variables and the Fisher exact test for categorical variables . StatXact ( Cytel Software , Cambridge , Massachusetts ) was used to compute binary CIs ; SAS BACKGROUND It is common practice to restore and maintain sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure . This approach is based in part on data indicating that atrial fibrillation is a predictor of death in patients with heart failure and suggesting that the suppression of atrial fibrillation may favorably affect the outcome . However , the benefits and risks of this approach have not been adequately studied . METHODS We conducted a multicenter , r and omized trial comparing the maintenance of sinus rhythm ( rhythm control ) with control of the ventricular rate ( rate control ) in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35 % or less , symptoms of congestive heart failure , and a history of atrial fibrillation . The primary outcome was the time to death from cardiovascular causes . RESULTS A total of 1376 patients were enrolled ( 682 in the rhythm-control group and 694 in the rate-control group ) and were followed for a mean of 37 months . Of these patients , 182 ( 27 % ) in the rhythm-control group died from cardiovascular causes , as compared with 175 ( 25 % ) in the rate-control group ( hazard ratio in the rhythm-control group , 1.06 ; 95 % confidence interval , 0.86 to 1.30 ; P=0.59 by the log-rank test ) . Secondary outcomes were similar in the two groups , including death from any cause ( 32 % in the rhythm-control group and 33 % in the rate-control group ) , stroke ( 3 % and 4 % , respectively ) , worsening heart failure ( 28 % and 31 % ) , and the composite of death from cardiovascular causes , stroke , or worsening heart failure ( 43 % and 46 % ) . There were also no significant differences favoring either strategy in any predefined subgroup . CONCLUSIONS In patients with atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure , a routine strategy of rhythm control does not reduce the rate of death from cardiovascular causes , as compared with a rate-control strategy . ( Clinical Trials.gov number , NCT00597077 . BACKGROUND Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure ( LAAC ) may be considered in patients with atrial fibrillation and contraindication for long-term anticoagulation . This study aim ed to assess the safety and efficacy of LAAC followed by single antiplatelet therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and previous spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage ( ICH ) . METHODS In this explorative , prospect i ve , single-center study , consecutive patients who underwent LAAC because of previous spontaneous ICH over a period of 4 years were analyzed . Risks of ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic complications were estimated using the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores , respectively . Single antiplatelet therapy was given for at least 6 months post implantation . Clinical follow-up included cardiological evaluations at 1 , 3 , 6 , and 12 months , and neurological evaluations at 3 and 12 months . RESULTS A total of 46 patients  underwent LAAC with a mean follow-up of 12 ± 7 months . The observed annual rate of ischemic stroke was 4.35 % compared with an expected rate of 7.23 % according to the mean risk of the population based on CHA2DS2-VASc score , which translated into a 40 % risk reduction . The observed annual rate of major bleeding was 4.35 % compared with an expected rate of 8.05 % according to the mean risk of the population based on HAS-BLED score , which translated into a 46 % risk reduction . CONCLUSIONS LAAC followed by single antiplatelet therapy is feasible as an alternative to oral anticoagulation in high-risk patients with previous ICH , with an acceptable periprocedural risk . Longer follow-up in a larger number of patients will be needed to establish the effectiveness of LAAC relative to direct oral anticoagulants Background — Atrial fibrillation is common among older persons .  Catheter ablation is increasingly used in patients for whom medical therapy has failed . Methods and Results — We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries ≥65 years of age who underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation between July 1 , 2007 , and December 31 , 2009 . The main outcome measures were major complications within 30 days and mortality , heart failure , stroke , hospitalization , and repeat ablation within 1 year . A total of 15 423 patients underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation . Mean age was 72 years ; 41 % were women ; and > 95 % were white . For every 1000 procedures , there were 17 cases of hemopericardium requiring intervention , 8 cases of stroke , and 8 deaths within 30 days . More than 40 % of patients required hospitalization within 1 year ; however , atrial fibrillation or flutter was the primary discharge diagnosis in only 38.4 % of cases . Eleven percent of patients underwent repeat ablation within 1 year . Renal impairment ( hazard ratio , 2.07 ; 95 % confidence interval , 1.66–2.58 ) , age ≥80 years ( hazard ratio , 3.09 ; 95 % confidence interval , 2.32–4.11 ) , and heart failure ( hazard ratio , 2.54 ; 95 % confidence interval , 2.07–3.13 ) were major risk factors for 1-year mortality . Advanced age was a major risk factor for all adverse outcomes . Conclusions — Major complications after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation were associated with advanced age but were fairly infrequent . Few patients underwent repeat ablation . R and omized trials are needed to inform risk-benefit calculations for older persons with drug-refractory , symptomatic atrial fibrillation Background —In patients with atrial fibrillation ( AF ) , most thrombus forms in the left atrial appendage ( LAA ) . However , the relation of LAA morphology with LAA thrombus is unknown . Methods and Results —We prospect ively enrolled 633 consecutive patients who were c and i date s for catheter ablation for symptomatic drug-resistant AF .  Transesophageal echocardiography ( TEE ) was performed to assess LAA thrombus . LAA structure was assessed by 3-dimensional TEE . LAA orifice area , depth , volume , and number of lobes were measured on reconstructed 3-dimensional images . Clinical characteristics and echocardiographic measures were compared to determine variables predicting LAA thrombus . Excluded were 69 ( 10.9 % ) patients who met the exclusion criteria . Finally , this study comprised 564 patients , of whom LAA thrombus was observed in 36 ( 6.4 % ) patients . Multivariate analysis revealed CHADS2 ( Congestive heart failure , Hypertension Age>75 , Diabetes mellitus and prior Stroke or transient ischemic attack ) score ( P=0.002 ) , left ventricular ejection fraction ( P=0.01 ) , degree of spontaneous echo contrast ( P=0.02 ) , left atrial volume ( P=0.02 ) , and number of LAA lobes ( P<0.001 ) to be independently associated with thrombus formation . Most patients with LAA thrombus ( 32/34 , 94.4 % ) had ≥3 LAA lobes , whereas LAA thrombus was observed in only 2 ( 0.7 % ) of 296 patients with 1 or 2 lobes . LAA volume significantly decreased in patients maintaining sinus rhythm after catheter ablation ( P=0.0009 ) . Number of LAA lobes did not change in any patient . Conclusions —Complex LAA morphology characterized by an increased number of LAA lobes was associated with the presence of LAA thrombus independently of clinical risk and blood stasis . This study suggests that LAA morphology might be a congenital risk factor for LAA thrombus formation in patients with AF OBJECTIVES We assessed the risk of adverse cardiovascular ( CV ) outcomes associated with atrial fibrillation ( AF ) in the C and esartan in Heart failure- Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity ( CHARM ) program , which enrolled patients with chronic heart failure ( CHF ) and a broad range of ejection fractions ( EFs ) . BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of adverse CV outcomes in patients with CHF and reduced EF . The risk of AF in patients with CHF and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction ( PEF ) is unknown . METHODS A total of 7,599 patients with symptomatic CHF were r and omized to c and esartan or placebo . Patients were divided by baseline EF ( < or = 40 % or > 40 % ) in low or preserved EF groups . Major outcomes were cardiovascular death or hospitalization for worsening heart failure , and all-cause mortality . Median follow-up was 37.7 months . RESULTS A total of 670 ( 17 % ) patients in the low EF group and 478 ( 19 % ) in the PEF group had AF at baseline . Atrial fibrillation predicted a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality regardless of baseline EF . Patients with AF and low EF had the highest absolute risk for adverse CV outcomes . However , AF was associated with greater relative increased risk of the major outcomes in patients with PEF than in patients with low EF : hazard ratio 1.72 ( 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] 1.45 to 2.06 ) versus 1.29 ( 95 % CI 1.14 to 1.46 ) , respectively . The same was true for the risk of all-cause mortality . C and esartan was associated with similar treatment effects regardless of baseline rhythm . CONCLUSIONS Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of CV outcomes in patients with CHF and either reduced EF or PEF . C and esartan improved outcomes similarly regardless of baseline rhythm OBJECTIVES This study assessed the feasibility of implanting a device in the left atrial appendage ( LAA ) in patients with atrial fibrillation ( AF ) to prevent thromboembolic stroke . BACKGROUND Meta-analyses confirmed that in cases of left atrial thrombus in nonrheumatic AF patients approximately 90 % of them are in the LAA . METHODS The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage System ( Atritech Inc. , Plymouth , Minnesota ) is a nitinol device implanted percutaneously to seal the LAA . Patients were followed by clinical and transesophageal echocardiography at 45 days and 6 months with annual clinical follow-up thereafter . RESULTS Sixty-six patients underwent device implantation . Mean follow-up was 740 + /- 341 days . At 45 days , 93 % ( 54 of 58 ) devices showed successful sealing of LAA according to protocol . Two patients experienced device embolization , both successfully retrieved percutaneously . No embolizations occurred in 53 patients enrolled after modification of fixation barbs . There were 2 cardiac tamponades , 1 air embolism , and 1 delivery wire fracture ( first generation ) with surgical explantation but no long-term sequelae for the patient . Four patients developed a flat thrombus layer on the device at 6 months that resolved with additional anticoagulation . Two patients experienced transient ischemic attack , 1 without visible thrombus . There were 2 deaths , neither device related . Autopsy documented a stable , fully endothelialized device 9 months after implantation . No strokes occurred during follow-up despite > 90 % of patients with discontinuation of anticoagulation . CONCLUSIONS Preliminary data suggest LAA occlusion with the WATCHMAN System to be safe and feasible . A r and omized study is ongoing comparing oral anticoagulation with percutaneous closure AIM To compare ventricular rate responsive ( VVIR ) pacing with dual chamber rate responsive ( DDDR ) pacing and antiarrhythmic drugs for the treatment of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation after atrioventricular node ablation . METHODS One hundred two patients with persistent atrial fibrillation eligible for the atrioventricular node ablation were r and omly assigned to the therapy with either VVIR pacemaker ( n=52 ) or DDDR pacemaker and antiarrhythmic drugs ( n=50 ) . After ablation , patients in both pacing groups were assigned to take anticoagulant therapy . The primary end point was stroke or death from cardiovascular causes . RESULTS After a mean follow-up of 26.6+/-9.5 months , there was no difference in the stroke or death rates between patients with VVIR pacing ( 6 or 5.2 % per year ) and those with DDDR pacing and antiarrhythmic drugs ( 6 or 5.9 % per year , P=0.930 ) . The observed rates of death from all causes , hospitalization for heart failure , and myocardial ischemia were similar in the two patient groups . There was a significantly lower rate of development of permanent atrial fibrillation in patients with DDDR pacing and antiarrhythmic drugs , with a reduction in absolute risk by 56 % and relative risk by 64 % ( 32 % vs 88 % ; P<0.001 ) . CONCLUSION With respect to cardiovascular death and morbidity , VVIR pacing is not inferior to DDDR pacing and antiarrhythmic drugs for the treatment of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation after atrioventricular node ablation and may be considered as an appropriate therapy for such patients Background —The Cox Maze procedure for treatment of medically refractory atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is limited by its complexity and requirement for cardiopulmonary bypass . Long-term follow-up and success using criteria established by the Heart Rhythm Society/European Heart Rhythm Association/European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society consensus statement have not been reported for surgical AF ablation . We describe the results of using a thorascopic approach and radiofrequency energy to perform bilateral pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial ganglionic plexi ablation for treatment of AF . Methods and Results —Forty-five ( 33 paroxysmal ; 12 persistent ) consecutive patients underwent thorascopic bilateral radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation , ganglionic plexi ablation , ligament of Marshall ablation , and left atrial appendage exclusion by a single surgeon . Forty-three patients were prospect ively followed without antiarrhythmic drugs for a minimum of 1 year with a 30-day continuous event monitor or pacemaker interrogation at 6 and 12 months . Failure was defined as any atrial tachyarrhythmia of > 30 seconds ’ duration occurring > 90 days after surgery . Mean follow-up was 516±181 days ( 202 to 858 days ) . Twenty-eight ( 65 % ) patients had no atrial tachyarrhythmia > 30 seconds by 1 year , and 15 ( 35 % ) patients had atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrences by 1 year . Eight of 15 patients with recurrent AF had catheter ablation result ing in elimination and /or reduction of AF episodes in 7 of 8 patients . Four of 15 patients had AF elimination or reduction with antiarrhythmic drugs alone . Three patients did not benefit from surgery and received rate control only . There were no deaths ; 1 phrenic nerve injury and 2 pleural effusions were the only major complications . Conclusions —The single procedure success at 1-year follow-up for surgical pulmonary vein isolation and ganglionic plexi ablation is 65 % . Atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrences after surgery are usually responsive to catheter ablation and /or antiarrhythmic drugs
RECENT FINDINGS Several r and omized control trials and systematic review s demonstrate the safety and efficacy of atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction .
In multiple trials , these patients have shown clinical benefit from atrial fibrillation ablation including improved left ventricular systolic function , quality of life , and clinical heart failure symptoms .
SUMMARY Atrial fibrillation ablation in heart failure patients remains well tolerated with an overall efficacy comparable to atrial fibrillation ablation in patients without heart failure .
There is consistent evidence for the clinical benefit of atrial fibrillation ablation in heart failure patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and limited evidence for atrial fibrillation ablation in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction .
Currently , there is insufficient data regarding the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage closure devices in heart failure patients
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure experience an increased morbidity and mortality from the hemodynamic consequences of atrial fibrillation and an increased stroke risk .
Consequently , there has been increased attention to procedural alternatives to pharmacologic rhythm control and anticoagulation for stroke prevention .
This review aims to evaluate the evidence for atrial fibrillation ablation and left atrial appendage closure in heart failure patients .