A comparison of early versus delayed elective electrical cardioversion for recurrent episodes of persistent atrial fibrillation: A multi-center study

Efficacy and safety of dronedarone by atrial fibrillation history duration: Insights from theATHENAstudy

“…[10][11][12] Early treatment of AF has been shown to benefit patients by reducing the risk of AF progression. [13][14][15][16][17] Earlier electrical cardioversion, for example, has been shown to reduce time spent in AF, improve symptoms, and delay onset of a subsequent AF episode. 16 On the other hand, effective treatment may be more difficult in patients with a long AF history, which is associated with a greater disease burden.…”

“…[13][14][15][16][17] Earlier electrical cardioversion, for example, has been shown to reduce time spent in AF, improve symptoms, and delay onset of a subsequent AF episode. 16 On the other hand, effective treatment may be more difficult in patients with a long AF history, which is associated with a greater disease burden. 4,5,18 Here, we report for the first time, the efficacy and safety of an AAD in patients with AF/AFL by duration of their disease An association between extended AF/AFL history and AF progression has been reported.…”

“…Understanding the importance of the timing of initiating AAD therapy is becoming increasingly relevant, especially with the development of new technologies that have the potential to detect AF at an early stage 10‐12 . Early treatment of AF has been shown to benefit patients by reducing the risk of AF progression 13‐17 . Earlier electrical cardioversion, for example, has been shown to reduce time spent in AF, improve symptoms, and delay onset of a subsequent AF episode 16 .…”

2020 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)

“…245 In case of AF recurrence after cardioversion in patients with persistent AF, an early re-cardioversion may prolong subsequent duration of sinus rhythm. 561 Non-emergency cardioversion is contraindicated in the presence of known LA thrombus. Peri-procedural thrombo-embolic risk should be evaluated and peri-procedural and long-term OAC use considered irrespective of cardioversion mode (i.e.…”

Cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation: current evidence, practical considerations, and controversies in a complex clinical scenario

“…For these reasons, in patients with recent-onset AF, an early CV approach may be a valid strategy also to reverse the alterations that favour AF persistence. Cardioversion may also improve cardiac function, reduce many of the AF related symptoms and improve the quality of life [16][17][18][19].…”