Study of ECG-derived atrial fibrillatory rate for prediction of the outcome of cardioversion of short duration atrial fibrillation (CASAF)

Aims: The present study aimed at testing the hypothesis that atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) is predictive of sinus rhythm maintenance after electrical cardioversion. Methods and results: The study comprised 32 patients admitted for cardioversion of atrial fibrillation of short duration (mean duration 3.8 ± 7.7 days). AFR was estimated using frequency power spectrum analysis of QRST-cancelled ECG. At six-weeks follow-up 22% of the patients had relapsed to AF. The pre-cardioversion mean AFR of those was 332 ± 64 fpm compared to 378 ± 59 fpm among patients maintaining sinus rhythm (p = 0.12). Conclusion: AFR was not predictive of sinus rhythm maintenance in patients of short duration AF undergoing cardioversion. This is in stark contrast with the earlier reported findings. Clinical trial registration: NCT02112318 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).