Practice patterns among United States cardiologists for managing adults with atrial fibrillation (from the AFFECTS...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Clinical Trials
• Atrial Fibrillation Management

Background:

• Current atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment guidelines exist from major cardiology organizations.
• Landmark clinical trials have recently influenced AF treatment strategies.
• The AFFECTS Registry examines real-world AF treatment practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess current atrial fibrillation treatment strategies employed by US cardiologists.
• To evaluate treatment patterns in the context of established clinical guidelines.
• To analyze initial treatment choices (rhythm vs. rate control) in diverse AF patient populations.

Main Methods:

• The study enrolled 1,461 patients in the AFFECTS Registry.
• Initial treatment strategies were categorized as rhythm or rate control.
• Treatment patterns were analyzed based on AF type (paroxysmal vs. persistent) and patient demographics.

Main Results:

• Rhythm control was the initial strategy for 64% of all patients, and 67% of those with paroxysmal AF.
• Rhythm control assignment decreased with increasing patient age.
• Most patients received guideline-adherent antiarrhythmic drug prescriptions, with low rates of serious adverse events.

Conclusions:

• Community treatment patterns reveal a preference for rhythm control in atrial fibrillation, particularly in younger patients.
• The majority of AF patients in the registry had minimal structural heart disease or uncomplicated hypertension.
• Treatment strategies generally aligned with 2001 and 2006 guideline recommendations for antiarrhythmic drug use.