Should every patient with atrial fibrillation have the rhythm converted to sinus rhythm?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common atrial tachyarrhythmia. Consideration for the potential conversion of atrial fibrillation and the subsequent maintenance of sinus rhythm may be related to underlying pathology. Typically, extra cardiac factors such as thyroid hyperactivity help to determine initial therapy. Intrinsic cardiac factors may also influence the clinician's decision regarding potential cardioversion and maintenance of sinus rhythm. Some acute events such as pericarditis and the effects of cardiac trauma may resolve and result in spontaneous restoration of sinus rhythm. Other cardiac events such as acute myocardial infarction with or without atrial ischemia, valvular disease, and others may result in the precipitation of atrial fibrillation. The major reasons to consider cardioversion, either medically or electrically, are ventricular rate control, hemodynamic improvement, sense of well being, and the avoidance of embolism. Certain clinical situations (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) require urgent restoration of sinus rhythm in light of the potential for extremely rapid ventricular rates. It has been suggested that all antiarrhythmic drug administration should be initiated in the hospital setting, but the brief period of drug administration in an inpatient setting does not protect the patient from potential, late-onset proarrhythmic events. Both antiarrhythmic drug therapy and electric cardioversion are useful for restoration of sinus rhythm in both acute and chronic atrial fibrillation. The most important negative aspect of drug conversion of atrial fibrillation may be the potential development of a proarrhythmic drug effect. Although controversial, conversion (medical or electrical) is probably indicated in every patient with the first episode of persistent atrial fibrillation, even if the patient is asymptomatic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)