Real-World Outcomes of a Rhythm Control Strategy for Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (<50%)

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The effectiveness of a rhythm control strategy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF Methods: The study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 80 patients with concurrent AF and reduced LVEF who underwent rhythm control therapy between March 2015 and December 2021. Results: The patients had an average age of 63.6 years and an initial LVEF of 34.3%. Sinus rhythm was restored using anti-arrhythmic drugs (38, 47.5%) or electrical cardioversion (42, 52.5%). Over a follow-up period of 53.0 months, AF recurred in 65% of patients, with 57.7% undergoing catheter ablation. Significant improvements were noted in LVEF (from 34.3% to 55.1%, p p Conclusions: In real-world settings, a rhythm control strategy proves to be feasible and effective for improving LVEF and reducing BNP levels in AF patients with reduced LVEF.

Keywords

• atrial fibrillation
• brain natriuretic peptide
• left ventricular ejection fraction
• rhythm control