Published online before print May 27, 2003, doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000072767.89944.6E
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Circulation. 2003;107:2920.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.
Clinical Investigation and Reports |
Temporal Relations of Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure and Their Joint Influence on Mortality
The Framingham Heart Study
From the Framingham Heart Study (all authors), Framingham, Mass; Cardiology Division (T.J.W.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Sections of Cardiology (D.L., R.S.V., E.J.B.), Preventive Medicine (M.G.L., D.L., R.S.V., J.M.M., W.B.K., E.J.B.), Neurology (P.A.W.), and General Internal Medicine (J.M.M.), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (D.L.), Bethesda, Md; and Department of Mathematics (R.B.D.), Boston University, Boston, Mass.
Correspondence to Dr Emelia Benjamin, Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt Wayte Ave, Suite #2, Framingham, MA 01702-5827. E-mail emelia{at}bu.edu
 |
Abstract |
|---|
 Top Abstract IntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
Background— Atrial fibrillation (AF) and congestive heart failure (CHF) frequently occur together, but there is limited information regarding their temporal relations and the combined influence of these conditions on mortality.
Methods and Results— We studied participants in the Framingham Study with new-onset AF or CHF. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models with time-dependent variables were used to evaluate whether mortality after AF or CHF was affected by the occurrence and timing of the other condition. Hazard ratios (HRs) were adjusted for time period and cardiovascular risk factors. During the study period, 1470 participants developed AF, CHF, or both. Among 382 individuals with both conditions, 38% had AF first, 41% had CHF first, and 21% had both diagnosed on the same day. The incidence of CHF among AF subjects was 33 per 1000 person-years, and the incidence of AF among CHF subjects was 54 per 1000 person-years. In AF subjects, the subsequent development of CHF was associated with increased mortality (men: HR 2.7; 95% CI, 1.9 to 3.7; women: HR 3.1; 95% CI, 2.2 to 4.2). Similarly, in CHF subjects, later development of AF was associated with increased mortality (men: HR 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.1; women: HR 2.7, 95% CI, 2.0 to 3.6). Preexisting CHF adversely affected survival in individuals with AF, but preexisting AF was not associated with adverse survival in those with CHF.
Conclusions— Individuals with AF or CHF who subsequently develop the other condition have a poor prognosis. Additional studies addressing the pathogenesis, prevention, and optimal management of the joint occurrence of AF and CHF appear warranted.
Key Words: arrhythmia • fibrillation, atrial • heart failure • mortality
|
Introduction |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
Atrial fibrillation (AF) and congestive heart failure (CHF) have been called the "two new epidemics of cardiovascular disease."1 Both conditions are responsible for substantial economic cost, morbidity, and mortality. These conditions also disproportionately affect the elderly, the incidence of each doubling for every successive decade of age.2,3 Hence, the burden associated with these disorders is expected to grow as the population ages.
An important feature of AF and CHF is their propensity to coexist, in part because they share antecedent risk factors, but also because one may directly predispose to the other.4,5 It is widely perceived that the combination of these conditions carries a worse prognosis than either alone. Thus, medical and mechanical therapies aimed at treating this combination have gained increasing attention.6,7 The data regarding the joint prognosis of AF and CHF are conflicting, however. For instance, AF has been reported to have a deleterious,8–10 neutral,11,12 or beneficial13,14 impact on survival among patients with CHF.
Disparities among prior studies may reflect a focus on prevalent rather than incident disease,9,11,12 varying durations of AF and CHF,8,10,11 and the characteristics of different referral populations.8,11,13 The joint time course of AF and CHF and the sequence in which they occur may have a marked influence on prognosis; however, to our knowledge, this has not been studied in a general population. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to characterize the joint epidemiology of AF and CHF in a large, community-based cohort that has been monitored for decades.
|
Methods |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
Subjects
The selection criteria and study design of the Framingham Heart Study have been described elsewhere.15,16 The original cohort has been followed up with biennial examinations since 1948. The offspring cohort was initiated in 1971 and has been examined quadrennially. All protocols are approved by the Boston Medical Center Institutional Review Board.
We studied individuals with new-onset AF or CHF between 1948 and 1995, excluding those with a history of AF or CHF at the time of study entry (n=30). We excluded participants whose first event occurred after 1995 (n=279) to ensure that follow-up was long enough to allow the occurrence of a second event. We also restricted analyses to individuals ≥50 years old, because both conditions were rare in younger individuals. Participants were followed up through 1998.
Clinical Evaluation
Medical history, physical examination, and electrocardiography were routinely administered at each Framingham Heart Study examination.15,16 Baseline risk factor data were derived from the closest examination cycle at or before the initial condition.
Records were obtained for all medical encounters related to cardiovascular disease and were adjudicated by a committee of 3 investigators. AF was diagnosed if AF or atrial flutter was present on an ECG obtained from the Framingham clinic or outside hospital or physician chart. The ECG interpretation of AF was confirmed by 1 of 2 Framingham Study cardiologists. The diagnosis of CHF was based on clinical criteria that have been in use since the study’s inception. The presence of 2 major or 1 major and 2 minor criteria was used to establish a diagnosis of CHF. Major criteria included paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea or orthopnea, distended neck veins, rales, radiographic cardiomegaly, pulmonary edema, third heart sound, increased venous pressure, hepatojugular reflux, and weight loss on diuretic therapy. Minor criteria were ankle edema, night cough, dyspnea on exertion, hepatomegaly, pleural effusion, pulmonary vascular redistribution, decrease in vital capacity, and tachycardia.
On the basis of review of hospitalization records, physician office records, and information from the Framingham clinic visit, a date of onset was assigned to all new AF or CHF events. If individuals presented with AF and CHF on the same day, the events were considered concurrent and the same date was assigned to both events. For individuals developing AF, CHF was referred to as the comorbid condition and vice versa.
Statistical Analyses
Among participants with AF or CHF, incidence rates for developing the comorbid condition were calculated. Cumulative incidence curves were derived using the Kaplan-Meier methods (truncated at 10 years of follow-up for display) to depict the development of CHF after AF and AF after CHF.
The joint influence of AF and CHF on mortality was analyzed using sex-specific Cox proportional hazards models, with the development of the comorbid condition modeled as a time-dependent variable. Hence, we examined whether survival after AF was affected by the occurrence of CHF in those who were initially free of CHF and vice versa. In a second set of analyses, we examined whether survival after AF or CHF was affected by the preexistence of the comorbid condition. The comorbid condition was treated as a categorical predictor, and the reference group consisted of those who were free of the comorbid condition at the time of the index diagnosis. Thus, we evaluated if survival after CHF was affected by a prior diagnosis of AF or AF diagnosed on the same day and vice versa.
All models were adjusted for the following covariates: age, time period, prior or concurrent myocardial infarction, history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, diabetes, valvular disease on physical examination, ECG left ventricular hypertrophy, systolic blood pressure, use of antihypertensive therapy, and smoking. Time period (1948 to 1969, 1970 to 1979, 1980 to 1989, 1990 or later) was included in the model to account for possible secular trends in mortality after AF or CHF. All models were stratified for age (<75 and ≥75 years old).
Secondary analyses were performed excluding subjects prescribed antiarrhythmics or anticoagulants for the index AF episode and excluding subjects with atrial flutter. We also tested time period interaction terms to evaluate whether the influence of comorbid AF or CHF differed in the 1990s compared with earlier decades.
|
Results |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
Subject Characteristics and Sequence of Events
Between 1948 and 1995, 1470 participants developed AF, CHF, or both. Characteristics of subjects at the time of their initial event are shown in Table 1. The mean follow-up was 5.6 years (5061 person-years) after the development of AF and 4.2 years (3823 person-years) after the development of CHF. The proportion of subjects dead at the end of follow-up was 86%.
|
A total of 382 participants developed both AF and CHF. Of these, 38% had AF first, 41% had CHF first, and 21% had both disorders diagnosed on the same day (Figure 1). Among those who had AF and CHF diagnosed on the same day, 7 (9%) had a myocardial infarction within the preceding 15 days.
|
Incidence Rates for Developing the Comorbid Condition
Of the 921 subjects diagnosed with AF, 238 (26%) had a prior or concurrent diagnosis of CHF and 144 (16%) developed it subsequently. Among those free of CHF at AF onset, the unadjusted incidence of CHF was 33 per 1000 person-years. Of 931 subjects diagnosed with CHF, 223 (24%) had prior or concurrent AF and 159 (17%) developed AF subsequently. The unadjusted incidence of AF, for those free of AF at CHF onset, was 54 per 1000 person-years. The cumulative incidence curves for the development of CHF after AF and AF after CHF are shown in Figures 2 and 3
, respectively.
|
|
Impact of Developing the Comorbid Condition on Mortality
We used multivariable models to evaluate the impact of CHF on mortality in AF subjects, restricting our analyses to those who were free of CHF at the time of AF diagnosis (Table 2). The subsequent development of CHF (time-dependent variable) was associated with a multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio for mortality of 2.7 (95% CI, 1.9 to 3.7) in men and 3.1 (95% CI, 2.2 to 4.2) in women.
|
Similarly, we examined the impact of AF on mortality in CHF subjects, restricting our analyses to those who were free of AF at the time of CHF diagnosis (Table 2). The development of subsequent AF (time-dependent variable) was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio for mortality of 1.6 (95% CI, 1.2 to 2.1) in men and 2.7 (95% CI, 2.0 to 3.6) in women.
Impact of Prior Diagnosis of the Comorbid Condition on Mortality
Additional multivariable analyses were performed to examine the influence of a prior diagnosis of the comorbid condition (Table 2). We estimated separate hazard ratios corresponding to whether the comorbid condition was diagnosed previously or on the same day as the index condition (with subjects without the comorbid condition as the reference group). In AF subjects, prior CHF and concurrent CHF were associated with increased mortality (Table 2). For men with AF, unadjusted median survival times for those with prior CHF, concurrent CHF, or no CHF (at the time of AF diagnosis) were 1.4, 2.1, and 6.6 years, respectively. Corresponding survival times in women were 1.8, 3.5, and 5.0 years.
In CHF subjects, neither prior AF nor concurrent AF was associated with increased mortality after multivariable adjustment (Table 2). Median unadjusted survival times for men with prior AF, concurrent AF, or no AF (at the time of CHF diagnosis) were 2.0, 2.1, and 1.7 years, respectively. For women, corresponding survival times were 2.1, 3.5, and 3.4 years.
Secondary Analyses
Results were similar in secondary analyses excluding subjects on antiarrhythmic therapy or anticoagulant therapy for the index AF or subjects with atrial flutter (data not shown). In women only, the adverse influence of incident CHF on AF mortality was less in the 1990s compared with earlier decades (P=0.016 for interaction). In men, there was marginal evidence of a stronger influence of incident AF on CHF mortality in the 1990s (P=0.047 for interaction).
|
Discussion |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
The goal of this study was to examine the complex relations between AF and CHF using observations from a large, prospective community-based cohort. We provide new information regarding the joint incidence of AF and CHF in the community. We also demonstrate that the temporal sequence of AF and CHF is important to consider when estimating the relative risk of mortality associated with having both conditions. For those with either AF or CHF, the development of the second condition has a deleterious impact on survival.
Our findings regarding the poor prognosis associated with AF and CHF are consistent with those of most8–10 but not all11,12 prior studies with >200 subjects. However, prior studies have been based on referral populations8,12 or retrospective analyses of randomized trial cohorts.9 Subjects in these studies have been predominantly male, with a mean age in the 50s and a high prevalence of idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Thus, they are not representative of individuals with AF or CHF in the community, who tend to be elderly and have a higher prevalence of hypertension.3,17 Furthermore, follow-up in most studies was less than a decade, which limited their ability to analyze incident AF or CHF events.
Interaction of AF and CHF
The reported prevalence of AF in various CHF series ranges from 13% to 27%.8,11,12,17,18 However, a single prevalence estimate may understate the overall frequency with which AF and CHF occur in the same individual. For instance, among 931 Framingham Study participants diagnosed with CHF, 223 (24%) had prior or concurrent AF. Another 159 (17%) had AF subsequently, however, so that the total proportion of CHF subjects with AF at some time was 41%. Similarly, 42% of AF subjects had CHF at some point during their lifetime.
Because all subjects in our study were free of AF and CHF at baseline, we had the opportunity to examine the chronology of these events. Interestingly, AF preceded CHF about as often as CHF preceded AF. In one fifth of subjects with AF and CHF, it was unclear which was the initial event, because both conditions were noted for the first time on the same day.
Several mechanisms may explain why AF and CHF occur together and may underlie the variability in their presentations. Animal studies and case reports indicate that AF with rapid ventricular response can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy.5 In addition, the loss of atrial transport may predispose to CHF by causing a fall in cardiac output.19 Conversely, CHF may predispose to AF via acutely increased atrial filling pressures and atrial dilatation.6 Chronically, CHF causes atrial fibrosis and regional conduction abnormalities, which may provide a substrate for AF initiation.4 Furthermore, the sympathetic activation seen in chronic CHF may contribute to electrophysiologic changes, such as a shortened atrial refractory period, that promote AF.20 A single event (such as myocardial infarction) may precipitate both AF and CHF. Additionally, common risk factors could influence both atrial and ventricular remodeling and predispose to subclinical left atrial and left ventricular dysfunction that can culminate in overt AF and CHF.
Impact of Developing the Comorbid Condition on Mortality
Although it is recognized that individuals with AF are at increased risk of death, prospective data regarding the predictors of mortality in AF are limited.21 We found that incident CHF had an adverse impact on prognosis in AF independently of other cardiovascular diagnoses and risk factors.
In contrast, the impact of AF on CHF mortality has been examined extensively but remains controversial. Carson et al11 studied CHF patients in the V-HeFT trials and found that baseline AF was not related to overall mortality or sudden death. Another study, however, reported that AF was associated with increased mortality in the SOLVD trials.9 AF was also an independent predictor of mortality among patients in the AVID registry, most of whom had CHF or left ventricular dysfunction.22 Studies based on CHF patients at transplant centers have reached conflicting conclusions.8,12 Two studies have even reported that AF has a beneficial impact on prognosis in CHF.13,14
We found that the development of new AF in individuals with CHF was associated with increased mortality. Our focus on subjects with new-onset AF and CHF (an incidence cohort) rather than subjects with prevalent disease may explain differences with prior studies. Several biases may occur in prevalence cohorts. The sickest subjects are less likely to be sampled, which may lead to survival bias.19 The apparent influence of AF is also confounded by disease duration, with AF being associated with more longstanding disease. Furthermore, prevalence studies are likely to underestimate of the overall impact of AF, because a substantial proportion of CHF patients are free of AF at baseline but develop it during follow-up. Two recent studies examined the impact of incident AF in CHF, with one suggesting an adverse effect19 and the other finding no effect.23 Both studies, however, were based on a small number of incident AF cases and had limited power to examine mortality. It is also possible that variability in treatment and the adequacy of ventricular rate control in AF could contribute to differences between studies.
The adverse impact of AF in CHF patients is most likely multifactorial. The development of AF may be a marker of deterioration of ventricular function or increased neurohormonal activation. Alternately, AF may play a causal role via loss of atrial transport, accelerated ventricular response, or thromboembolism.9,19
Impact of Prior Diagnosis of the Comorbid Condition on Mortality
We also examined the impact of a prior diagnosis of the comorbid condition on survival. Prior CHF had an adverse impact on prognosis in AF. However, antecedent AF was not a significant predictor of mortality in subjects with CHF. It is possible that the high mortality associated with CHF in the community overwhelmed the modest influence of preexisting AF, particularly after adjustment for other cardiovascular conditions.
Strengths and Limitations
The strengths of this investigation included the focus on incident AF and CHF cases with time-dependent models, routine ascertainment of antecedent risk factors, and uniform diagnostic criteria for AF and CHF. The large sample size allowed the use of sex-specific multivariable analyses. Furthermore, the availability of 5 decades of longitudinal data permitted complete follow-up (to time of death) on nearly all subjects.
Several limitations should be acknowledged. The unavailability of echocardiographic data during the first 3 decades of the study restricted us from drawing conclusions regarding the mechanism of heart failure (for instance, the presence of systolic versus diastolic dysfunction). Also, we did not distinguish between chronic and paroxysmal AF; the prognosis of these conditions may differ. The use of antiarrhythmic therapy for ventricular arrhythmias was not accounted for in these analyses. However, use of these medications was uncommon.
It is important to emphasize that treatment for AF and CHF has changed substantially in the last decade. These changes may have contributed to improved survival after CHF.24 We found some evidence in women that the adverse impact of CHF after AF may have been less in the 1990s compared with earlier time periods. However, this result should be regarded as exploratory, because this was a secondary analysis and the probability value was not highly significant. Additionally, treatment has continued to evolve since our last year of follow-up (1998). Accordingly, much of the experience in this cohort represents the natural history of AF and CHF before the advent of contemporary therapies.
Clinical Implications
Because AF and CHF frequently occur together, there has been interest in understanding whether interventions to address this combination may favorably impact prognosis.25 For instance, it has been speculated that restoring sinus rhythm may improve survival in patients with AF and CHF. The value of this strategy is unproven in AF26 and has not been studied prospectively in CHF,18 although enrollment for a mortality trial of patients with both conditions is presently underway.7
Prior observational and treatment studies have focused on individuals with already established AF and CHF. Our study underscores the potential importance of intervening at an earlier stage in the clinical course of these patients. In individuals with AF or CHF alone, the development of the second condition carries a particularly poor prognosis. This finding raises the possibility that prophylactic therapies to reduce the incidence of the second condition in high-risk patients with AF or CHF may confer clinical benefit.19,25,27 In light of the increasing burden of both conditions and the availability of new therapies, additional studies addressing the pathogenesis, prevention, and optimal management of the joint occurrence of AF and CHF seem warranted.
|
Acknowledgments |
|---|
This study was supported by National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute grants N01-HC-25195, 5RO1-NS-17950, and K24 HL-04334-01A1. Dr Wang is a recipient of an American College of Cardiology/Merck Adult Cardiology Fellowship Award. Dr Kannel was supported in part by the Servier Amerique Visiting Scientist Program.
Received January 21, 2003; revision received March 20, 2003; accepted March 24, 2003.
|
References |
|---|
|
TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionReferences |
|---|
1. Braunwald E. Shattuck lecture: cardiovascular medicine at the turn of the millennium. Triumphs, concerns, and opportunities. N Engl J Med. 1997; 337: 1360–1369.
2. Kannel WB, Belanger AJ. Epidemiology of heart failure. Am Heart J. 1991; 121: 951–957.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
3. Benjamin EJ, Levy D, Vaziri SM, et al. Independent risk factors for atrial fibrillation in a population-based cohort: the Framingham Heart Study. JAMA. 1994; 271: 840–844.
4. Li D, Fareh S, Leung TK, et al. Promotion of atrial fibrillation by heart failure in dogs: atrial remodeling of a different sort. Circulation. 1999; 100: 87–95.
5. Shinbane JS, Wood MA, Jensen DN, et al. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy: a review of animal models and clinical studies. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1997; 29: 709–715.[Abstract]
6. Crijns HJ, van den Berg MP, van Gelder IC, et al. Management of atrial fibrillation in the setting of heart failure. Eur Heart J. 1997; 18 (suppl C): C45–C49.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
7. Rationale and design of a study assessing treatment strategies of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure: the Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure (AF-CHF) trial. Am Heart J. 2002; 144: 597–607.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
8. Middlekauff HR, Stevenson WG, Stevenson LW. Prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation in advanced heart failure: a study of 390 patients. Circulation. 1991; 84: 40–48.
9. Dries DL, Exner DV, Gersh BJ, et al. 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. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998; 32: 695–703.
10. Aronow WS, Ahn C, Kronzon I. Prognosis of congestive heart failure after prior myocardial infarction in older persons with atrial fibrillation versus sinus rhythm. Am J Cardiol. 2001; 87: 224–225.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
11. Carson PE, Johnson GR, Dunkman WB, et al. The influence of atrial fibrillation on prognosis in mild to moderate heart failure: the V-He FT VA Cooperative Studies Group. Circulation. 1993; 87: VI102–VI110.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
12. Mahoney P, Kimmel S, DeNofrio D, et al. Prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation in patients at a tertiary medical center referred for heart transplantation because of severe heart failure. Am J Cardiol. 1999; 83: 1544–1547.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
13. Takarada A, Kurogane H, Hayashi T, et al. Prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation in dilated cardiomyopathy. Jpn Heart J. 1993; 34: 749–758.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
14. Convert G, Delaye J, Beaune J, et al. Prognosis of primary non-obstructive cardiomyopathies [in French]. Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss. 1980; 73: 227–237.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
15. Dawber TR, Meadors GF, Moore FEJ. Epidemiological approaches to heart disease: the Framingham Study. Am J Public Health. 1951; 41: 279–286.
16. Kannel WB, Feinleib M, McNamara PM, et al. An investigation of coronary heart disease in families: the Framingham offspring study. Am J Epidemiol. 1979; 110: 281–290.
17. Senni M, Tribouilloy CM, Rodeheffer RJ, et al. Congestive heart failure in the community: a study of all incident cases in Olmsted County, Minnesota, in 1991. Circulation. 1998; 98: 2282–2289.
18. Deedwania PC, Singh BN, Ellenbogen K, et al. Spontaneous conversion and maintenance of sinus rhythm by amiodarone in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation: observations from the veterans affairs congestive heart failure survival trial of antiarrhythmic therapy (CHF-STAT). The Department of Veterans Affairs CHF-STAT Investigators. Circulation. 1998; 98: 2574–2579.
19. Pozzoli M, Cioffi G, Traversi E, et al. Predictors of primary atrial fibrillation and concomitant clinical and hemodynamic changes in patients with chronic heart failure: a prospective study in 344 patients with baseline sinus rhythm. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998; 32: 197–204.
20. Yu WC, Chen SA, Chiang CE, et al. Effect of high intensity drive train stimulation on dispersion of atrial refractoriness: role of autonomic nervous system. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1997; 29: 1000–1006.[Abstract]
21. Benjamin EJ, Wolf PA, D’Agostino RB, et al. Impact of atrial fibrillation on the risk of death: the Framingham Heart Study. Circulation. 1998; 98: 946–952.
22. Wyse DG, Love JC, Yao Q, et al. Atrial fibrillation: a risk factor for increased mortality: an AVID registry analysis. J Intervent Cardiol Electrophysiol. 2001; 5: 267–273.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
23. Crijns HJ, Tjeerdsma G, de Kam PJ, et al. Prognostic value of the presence and development of atrial fibrillation in patients with advanced chronic heart failure. Eur Heart J. 2000; 21: 1238–1245.
24. Levy D, Kenchaiah S, Larson MG, et al. Long-term trends in the incidence of and survival with heart failure. N Engl J Med. 2002; 347: 1397–1402.
25. Stevenson WG, Stevenson LW. Atrial fibrillation in heart failure. N Engl J Med. 1999; 341: 910–911.
26. Wyse DG, Waldo AL, DiMarco JP, et al. A comparison of rate control and rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2002; 347: 1825–1833.
27. Torp-Pedersen C, Moller M, Bloch-Thomsen PE, et al. Dofetilide in patients with congestive heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction. Danish Investigations of Arrhythmia and Mortality on Dofetilide Study Group. N Engl J Med. 1999; 341: 857–865.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  R J Shelton, A L Clark, K Goode, A S Rigby, T Houghton, G C Kaye, and J G F Cleland A randomised, controlled study of rate versus rhythm control in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and heart failure: (CAFE-II Study) Heart, June 1, 2009; 95(11): 924 - 930. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. Anter, M. Jessup, and D. J. Callans Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure: Treatment Considerations for a Dual Epidemic Circulation, May 12, 2009; 119(18): 2516 - 2525. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. Nieuwlaat, L. W. Eurlings, J. G. Cleland, S. M. Cobbe, P. E. Vardas, A. Capucci, J. L. Lopez-Sendon, J. G. Meeder, Y. M. Pinto, and H. J.G.M. Crijns Atrial fibrillation and heart failure in cardiology practice: reciprocal impact and combined management from the perspective of atrial fibrillation: results of the Euro Heart Survey on atrial fibrillation. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., May 5, 2009; 53(18): 1690 - 1698. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Schmitt, G. Duray, B. J. Gersh, and S. H. Hohnloser Atrial fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction: a systematic review of the incidence, clinical features and prognostic implications Eur. Heart J., May 1, 2009; 30(9): 1038 - 1045. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. P. Ricci, A. Quesada, J. Almendral, F. Arribas, C. Wolpert, P. Adragao, M. Zoni-Berisso, X. Navarro, T. DeSanto, A. Grammatico, et al. Dual-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators reduce clinical adverse events related to atrial fibrillation when compared with single-chamber defibrillators: a subanalysis of the DATAS trial Europace, May 1, 2009; 11(5): 587 - 593. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Conen, U. B. Tedrow, B. A. Koplan, R. J. Glynn, J. E. Buring, and C. M. Albert Influence of Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure on the Risk of Incident Atrial Fibrillation in Women Circulation, April 28, 2009; 119(16): 2146 - 2152. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Kaab, D. Darbar, C. van Noord, J. Dupuis, A. Pfeufer, C. Newton-Cheh, R. Schnabel, S. Makino, M. F. Sinner, P. J. Kannankeril, et al. Large scale replication and meta-analysis of variants on chromosome 4q25 associated with atrial fibrillation Eur. Heart J., April 1, 2009; 30(7): 813 - 819. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Arenal, T. Datino, L. Atea, F. Atienza, E. Gonzalez-Torrecilla, J. Almendral, L. Castilla, P. L. Sanchez, and F. Fernandez-Aviles Dominant frequency differences in atrial fibrillation patients with and without left ventricular systolic dysfunction Europace, April 1, 2009; 11(4): 450 - 457. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Genovesi, M. G. Valsecchi, E. Rossi, D. Pogliani, I. Acquistapace, V. De Cristofaro, A. Stella, and A. Vincenti Sudden death and associated factors in a historical cohort of chronic haemodialysis patients Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., March 16, 2009; (2009) gfp104v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. Fatema, M. E. Barnes, K. R. Bailey, W. P. Abhayaratna, S. Cha, J. B. Seward, and T. S.M. Tsang Minimum vs. maximum left atrial volume for prediction of first atrial fibrillation or flutter in an elderly cohort: a prospective study Eur J Echocardiogr, March 1, 2009; 10(2): 282 - 286. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. A. Koplan, A. J. Kaplan, S. Weiner, P. W. Jones, M. Seth, and S. A. Christman Heart failure decompensation and all-cause mortality in relation to percent biventricular pacing in patients with heart failure is a goal of 100% biventricular pacing necessary? J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 27, 2009; 53(4): 355 - 360. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. W H Fung, G. W K Yip, and C.-M. Yu Does atrial fibrillation preclude biventricular pacing? Heart, July 1, 2008; 94(7): 826 - 827. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Gasparini, A. Auricchio, M. Metra, F. Regoli, C. Fantoni, B. Lamp, A. Curnis, J. Vogt, C. Klersy, and for the Multicentre Longitudinal Observational Stu Long-term survival in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy: the importance of performing atrio-ventricular junction ablation in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation Eur. Heart J., July 1, 2008; 29(13): 1644 - 1652. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Rivero-Ayerza, W. Scholte op Reimer, M. Lenzen, D. A.M.J. Theuns, L. Jordaens, M. Komajda, F. Follath, K. Swedberg, and J. G.F. Cleland New-onset atrial fibrillation is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in hospitalized heart failure patients: results of the EuroHeart Failure Survey Eur. Heart J., July 1, 2008; 29(13): 1618 - 1624. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K Khadjooi, P W Foley, S Chalil, J Anthony, R E A Smith, M P Frenneaux, and F Leyva Long-term effects of cardiac resynchronisation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation Heart, July 1, 2008; 94(7): 879 - 883. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. M. Ferreira, P. Adragao, D. M. Cavaco, R. Candeias, F. B. Morgado, K. R. Santos, E. Santos, and J. A. Silva Benefit of cardiac resynchronization therapy in atrial fibrillation patients vs. patients in sinus rhythm: the role of atrioventricular junction ablation Europace, July 1, 2008; 10(7): 809 - 815. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Hippisley-Cox, C. Coupland, Y. Vinogradova, J. Robson, R. Minhas, A. Sheikh, and P. Brindle Predicting cardiovascular risk in England and Wales: prospective derivation and validation of QRISK2 BMJ, June 28, 2008; 336(7659): 1475 - 1482. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. Roy, M. Talajic, S. Nattel, D. G. Wyse, P. Dorian, K. L. Lee, M. G. Bourassa, J. M. O. Arnold, A. E. Buxton, A. J. Camm, et al. Rhythm Control versus Rate Control for Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure N. Engl. J. Med., June 19, 2008; 358(25): 2667 - 2677. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. Rusinaru, L. Leborgne, M. Peltier, and C. Tribouilloy Effect of atrial fibrillation on long-term survival in patients hospitalised for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction Eur J Heart Fail, June 1, 2008; 10(6): 566 - 572. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G.-R. Li, H.-B. Wang, G.-W. Qin, M.-W. Jin, Q. Tang, H.-Y. Sun, X.-L. Du, X.-L. Deng, X.-H. Zhang, J.-B. Chen, et al. Acacetin, a Natural Flavone, Selectively Inhibits Human Atrial Repolarization Potassium Currents and Prevents Atrial Fibrillation in Dogs Circulation, May 13, 2008; 117(19): 2449 - 2457. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. Freestone, F. Gustafsson, A. Y. Chong, P. Corell, C. Kistorp, P. Hildebrandt, and G. Y. H. Lip Influence of Atrial Fibrillation on Plasma Von Willebrand Factor, Soluble E-Selectin, and N-Terminal Pro B-type Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Systolic Heart Failure Chest, May 1, 2008; 133(5): 1203 - 1208. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Buck, M. Rienstra, A. H. Maass, W. Nieuwland, D. J. Van Veldhuisen, and I. C. Van Gelder Cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation: importance of new-onset atrial fibrillation and total atrial conduction time Europace, May 1, 2008; 10(5): 558 - 565. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. A. Lutomsky, T. Rostock, A. Koops, D. Steven, K. Mullerleile, H. Servatius, I. Drewitz, D. Ueberschar, T. Plagemann, R. Ventura, et al. Catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation improves cardiac function: a prospective study on the impact of atrial fibrillation ablation on left ventricular function assessed by magnetic resonance imaging Europace, May 1, 2008; 10(5): 593 - 599. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Asbach, M. Olschewski, T. S. Faber, M. Zehender, C. Bode, and M. Brunner Mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation has significantly decreased during the last three decades: 35 years of follow-up in 1627 pacemaker patients Europace, April 1, 2008; 10(4): 391 - 394. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. S. Taggar, F. Marin, and G. Y.H. Lip Mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation: improving or not? Europace, April 1, 2008; 10(4): 389 - 390. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B G. Svealv, E L Olofsson, and B Andersson Ventricular long-axis function is of major importance for long-term survival in patients with heart failure Heart, March 1, 2008; 94(3): 284 - 289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. Laurent, G. Moe, X. Hu, B. Holub, H. Leong-Poi, J. Trogadis, K. Connelly, D. Courtman, B. H. Strauss, and P. Dorian Long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce atrial vulnerability in a novel canine pacing model Cardiovasc Res, January 1, 2008; 77(1): 89 - 97. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. Padeletti, P. Pieragnoli, V. Jentzen, and A. Schuchert The comorbidity of atrial fibrillation and heart failure: a challenge for electrical therapies Eur. Heart J. Suppl., December 1, 2007; 9(suppl_I): I81 - I86. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Nieuwlaat, L. W. Eurlings, A. Capucci, and H. J.G.M. Crijns Atrial fibrillation in the 'real world': undecided issues Eur. Heart J. Suppl., December 1, 2007; 9(suppl_I): I122 - I128. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H.-R. Neuberger, C. Mewis, D. J. van Veldhuisen, U. Schotten, I. C. van Gelder, M. A. Allessie, and M. Bohm Management of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure Eur. Heart J., November 1, 2007; 28(21): 2568 - 2577. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Fatkin, R. Otway, and J. I. Vandenberg Genes and Atrial Fibrillation: A New Look at an Old Problem Circulation, August 14, 2007; 116(7): 782 - 792. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Miyasaka, M. E. Barnes, R. C. Petersen, S. S. Cha, K. R. Bailey, B. J. Gersh, G. Casaclang-Verzosa, W. P. Abhayaratna, J. B. Seward, T. Iwasaka, et al. Risk of dementia in stroke-free patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation: data from a community-based cohort Eur. Heart J., August 2, 2007; 28(16): 1962 - 1967. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Jahangir, V. Lee, P. A. Friedman, J. M. Trusty, D. O. Hodge, S. L. Kopecky, D. L. Packer, S. C. Hammill, W.-K. Shen, and B. J. Gersh Long-Term Progression and Outcomes With Aging in Patients With Lone Atrial Fibrillation: A 30-Year Follow-Up Study Circulation, June 19, 2007; 115(24): 3050 - 3056. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. C Lang and D. M Mancini Non-cardiac comorbidities in chronic heart failure Heart, June 1, 2007; 93(6): 665 - 671. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. M. De Ferrari, C. Klersy, P. Ferrero, C. Fantoni, D. Salerno-Uriarte, L. Manca, P. Devecchi, G. Molon, M. Revera, A. Curnis, et al. Atrial fibrillation in heart failure patients: Prevalence in daily practice and effect on the severity of symptoms. Data from the ALPHA study registry Eur J Heart Fail, May 1, 2007; 9(5): 502 - 509. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. L. Ngaage, H. V. Schaff, C. J. Mullany, T. M. Sundt III, J. A. Dearani, S. Barnes, R. C. Daly, and T. A. Orszulak Does preoperative atrial fibrillation influence early and late outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting? J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., January 1, 2007; 133(1): 182 - 189. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T Date, T Yamane, K Inada, S Matsuo, S Miyanaga, K Sugimoto, K Shibayama, I Taniguchi, and S Mochizuki Plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentrations in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation Heart, November 1, 2006; 92(11): 1623 - 1627. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. L. Ngaage, H. V. Schaff, S. A. Barnes, T. M. Sundt III, C. J. Mullany, J. A. Dearani, R. C. Daly, and T. A. Orszulak Prognostic implications of preoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement: is there an argument for concomitant arrhythmia surgery? Ann. Thorac. Surg., October 1, 2006; 82(4): 1392 - 1399. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. M. Okin, K. Wachtell, R. B. Devereux, K. E. Harris, S. Jern, S. E. Kjeldsen, S. Julius, L. H. Lindholm, M. S. Nieminen, J. M. Edelman, et al. Regression of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy and decreased incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension. JAMA, September 13, 2006; 296(10): 1242 - 1248. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Writing Committee Members, V. Fuster, L. E. Ryden, D. S. Cannom, H. J. Crijns, A. B. Curtis, K. A. Ellenbogen, J. L. Halperin, J.-Y. Le Heuzey, G. N. Kay, et al. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: full text: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on practice guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2001 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation) Developed in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society Europace, September 1, 2006; 8(9): 651 - 745. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H Okura, Y Takada, T Kubo, K Iwata, S Mizoguchi, H Taguchi, I Toda, J Yoshikawa, and K Yoshida Tissue Doppler-derived index of left ventricular filling pressure, E/E', predicts survival of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation Heart, September 1, 2006; 92(9): 1248 - 1252. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Fuster, L. E. Ryden, D. S. Cannom, H. J. Crijns, A. B. Curtis, K. A. Ellenbogen, J. L. Halperin, J.-Y. Le Heuzey, G. N. Kay, J. E. Lowe, et al. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation--Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2001 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation) Developed in Collaboration With the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 15, 2006; 48(4): 854 - 906. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Fuster, L. E. Ryden, D. S. Cannom, H. J. Crijns, A. B. Curtis, K. A. Ellenbogen, J. L. Halperin, J.-Y. Le Heuzey, G. N. Kay, J. E. Lowe, et al. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2001 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation) Developed in Collaboration With the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 15, 2006; 48(4): e149 - e246. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. S. Steinberg Desperately Seeking a Randomized Clinical Trial of Resynchronization Therapy for Patients With Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 15, 2006; 48(4): 744 - 746. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Gasparini, A. Auricchio, F. Regoli, C. Fantoni, M. Kawabata, P. Galimberti, D. Pini, C. Ceriotti, E. Gronda, C. Klersy, et al. Four-Year Efficacy of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy on Exercise Tolerance and Disease Progression: The Importance of Performing Atrioventricular Junction Ablation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 15, 2006; 48(4): 734 - 743. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Fuster, L. E. Ryden, D. S. Cannom, H. J. Crijns, A. B. Curtis, K. A. Ellenbogen, J. L. Halperin, J.-Y. Le Heuzey, G. N. Kay, J. E. Lowe, et al. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2001 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation): Developed in Collaboration With the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society Circulation, August 15, 2006; 114(7): e257 - e354. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Fuster, L. E. Ryden, D. S. Cannom, H. J. Crijns, A. B. Curtis, K. A. Ellenbogen, J. L. Halperin, J.-Y. Le Heuzey, G. N. Kay, J. E. Lowe, et al. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation--Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2001 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation): Developed in Collaboration With the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society Circulation, August 15, 2006; 114(7): 700 - 752. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authors/Task Force Members, V. Fuster, L. E. Ryden, D. S. Cannom, H. J. Crijns, A. B. Curtis, K. A. Ellenbogen, J. L. Halperin, J.-Y. Le Heuzey, G. N. Kay, et al. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation executive summary: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on practice guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2001 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) Developed in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society Eur. Heart J., August 2, 2006; 27(16): 1979 - 2030. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. D. Smit, P. F.H.M. Van Dessel, M. Rienstra, W. Nieuwland, A. C.P. Wiesfeld, E. S. Tan, R. L. Anthonio, D. J. Van Veldhuisen, and I. C. Van Gelder Atrial fibrillation predicts appropriate shocks in primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients. Europace, August 1, 2006; 8(8): 566 - 572. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. J. van Veldhuisen, H. Aass, D. El Allaf, P. H.J.M. Dunselman, L. Gullestad, M. Halinen, J. Kjekshus, L. Ohlsson, H. Wedel, J. Wikstrand, et al. Presence and development of atrial fibrillation in chronic heart failure: Experiences from the MERIT-HF Study Eur J Heart Fail, August 1, 2006; 8(5): 539 - 546. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Miyasaka, M. E. Barnes, B. J. Gersh, S. S. Cha, K. R. Bailey, W. P. Abhayaratna, J. B. Seward, and T. S.M. Tsang Secular Trends in Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1980 to 2000, and Implications on the Projections for Future Prevalence Circulation, July 11, 2006; 114(2): 119 - 125. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
U. C. Hoppe, J. M. Casares, H. Eiskjaer, A. Hagemann, J. G.F. Cleland, N. Freemantle, and E. Erdmann Effect of Cardiac Resynchronization on the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Severe Heart Failure Circulation, July 4, 2006; 114(1): 18 - 25. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Gy. Papp, P. Pollesello, A. F. Varro, and A. S. Vegh Effect of Levosimendan and Milrinone on Regional Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Arrhythmias in Dogs Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, June 1, 2006; 11(2): 129 - 135. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. G. Olsson, K. Swedberg, A. Ducharme, C. B. Granger, E. L. Michelson, J. J.V. McMurray, M. Puu, S. Yusuf, M. A. Pfeffer, and on behalf of the CHARM Investigators 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 J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., May 16, 2006; 47(10): 1997 - 2004. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Miyasaka, M. E. Barnes, B. J. Gersh, S. S. Cha, K. R. Bailey, W. Abhayaratna, J. B. Seward, T. Iwasaka, and T. S.M. Tsang Incidence and mortality risk of congestive heart failure in atrial fibrillation patients: a community-based study over two decades Eur. Heart J., April 2, 2006; 27(8): 936 - 941. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Rienstra, I. C. Van Gelder, V. E. Hagens, N. J.G.M. Veeger, D. J. Van Veldhuisen, H. J.G.M. Crijns, and for the RACE Investigators Mending the rhythm does not improve prognosis in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: a subanalysis of the RACE study Eur. Heart J., February 1, 2006; 27(3): 357 - 364. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. T. Ellinor, A. F. Low, and C. A. MacRae Reduced apelin levels in lone atrial fibrillation Eur. Heart J., January 2, 2006; 27(2): 222 - 226. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Ahmed and G. J. Perry Incident atrial fibrillation and mortality in older adults with heart failure Eur J Heart Fail, December 1, 2005; 7(7): 1118 - 1121. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Nieuwlaat, A. Capucci, A. J. Camm, S. B. Olsson, D. Andresen, D. W. Davies, S. Cobbe, G. Breithardt, J.-Y. Le Heuzey, M. H. Prins, et al. Atrial fibrillation management: a prospective survey in ESC Member Countries: The Euro Heart Survey on Atrial Fibrillation Eur. Heart J., November 2, 2005; 26(22): 2422 - 2434. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. V. Naccarelli Antiadrenergic Therapy in the Control of Atrial Fibrillation Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, October 1, 2005; 10(4_suppl): S33 - S43. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Zimetbaum An Argument for Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Circulation, June 14, 2005; 111(23): 3150 - 3156. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. J. Gersh, T. S.M. Tsang, M. E. Barnes, and J. B. Seward The changing epidemiology of non-valvular atrial fibrillation: the role of novel risk factors Eur. Heart J. Suppl., May 1, 2005; 7(suppl_C): C5 - C11. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. T. Ellinor, A. F. Low, K. K. Patton, M. A. Shea, and C. A. MacRae Discordant atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide levels in lone atrial fibrillation J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 4, 2005; 45(1): 82 - 86. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Sondhi, J. R. Goffin, B. J. Cohen, J. B. Wong, and S. G. Pauker DEALE-ing with Lung Cancer and Heart Failure Med Decis Making, January 1, 2005; 25(1): 82 - 94. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. J.V. McMurray and M. A. Pfeffer The year in heart failure J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., December 21, 2004; 44(12): 2398 - 2405. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L.-F. Hsu, P. Jais, P. Sanders, S. Garrigue, M. Hocini, F. Sacher, Y. Takahashi, M. Rotter, J.-L. Pasquie, C. Scavee, et al. Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Congestive Heart Failure N. Engl. J. Med., December 2, 2004; 351(23): 2373 - 2383. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T.-J. Cha, J. R. Ehrlich, L. Zhang, and S. Nattel Atrial Ionic Remodeling Induced by Atrial Tachycardia in the Presence of Congestive Heart Failure Circulation, September 21, 2004; 110(12): 1520 - 1526. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Dobrev, T. Christ, and U. Ravens Muscarinic subtype-2 receptor autoantibodies: actors or bystanders in human atrial fibrillation? Eur. Heart J., July 1, 2004; 25(13): 1091 - 1092. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. S. Chen, N. F. Marrouche, Y. Khaykin, A. M. Gillinov, O. Wazni, D. O. Martin, A. Rossillo, A. Verma, J. Cummings, D. Erciyes, et al. Pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with impaired systolic function J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 17, 2004; 43(6): 1004 - 1009. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Saoudi Pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation in low ejection fraction patients: the market is growing! J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 17, 2004; 43(6): 1010 - 1012. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Levy and W. B. Kannel Postoperative atrial fibrillation and mortality: do the risks merit changes in clinical practice? J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 3, 2004; 43(5): 749 - 751. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. R. Folkeringa, H.J.G.M. Crijns, and D.J. Van Veldhuisen Prognosis of Atrial Fibrillation in Congestive Heart Failure Circulation, January 20, 2004; 109 (2): e11 - e11. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Sanders, J. B. Morton, N. C. Davidson, S. J. Spence, J. K. Vohra, P. B. Sparks, and J. M. Kalman Electrical Remodeling of the Atria in Congestive Heart Failure: Electrophysiological and Electroanatomic Mapping in Humans Circulation, September 23, 2003; 108(12): 1461 - 1468. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. C. Daubert Introduction to atrial fibrillation and heart failure: a mutually noxious association Europace, January 1, 2003; 5(s1): S1 - S4. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
I. Savelieva and A. John Camm Atrial fibrillation and heart failure: natural history and pharmacological treatment Europace, January 1, 2003; 5(s1): S5 - S19. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Padeletti, N. Musilli, M. C. Porciani, A. Colella, L. Di Biase, G. Ricciardi, P. Pieragnoli, A. Michelucci, and G. Gensini Atrial fibrillation and cardiac resynchronization therapy: the MASCOT study Europace, January 1, 2003; 5(s1): S49 - S54. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||