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Table 6 Efficacy of treatment for new-onset atrial fibrillation

From: Epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of new-onset atrial fibrillation in critically ill: a systematic review

Author, year [ref]

Study design

Severity score

Observation period

Intervention

Conversion rate

Hospital mortality (%)

Balser JR, 1998 [58]

Randomized controlled

APACHE III

59

Within 2 h

Esmolol

59.1% [20/34]

p = 0.067

31

65

Diltiazem

27.3% [6/22]

38

Seguin P, 2006 [51]

Prospective observational

SAPS II

47

10 ± 10 h

DC

100% [3/3]

NA

31.2

Amiodarone

100% [4/4]

Digoxin

100% [1/1]

No intervention

100% [4/4]

Sleeswijk ME, 2008 [59]

Prospective observational

APACHE II

19

Within 24 h

MgSO4-amiodarone step-up scheme

93.1% [27/29]

NA

37.9

Meierhenrich R, 2010 [53]

Prospective observational

SAPS II

31a

NA

DC (17/49)

85.7% [42/49]c

NA

48ad

34b

Amiodarone (36/49)

23bd

Digitalis (31/49)

β-Blockers (25/49)

Kanji S, 2012 [55]

Retrospective observational

APACHE II

22.6

Within 24 h

DCe

26.9% [7/26]

NA

32

Amiodaronef

87.4% [90/103]

Sotalol

100% [2/2]

Rate control

75% [21/28]

  1. AF atrial fibrillation, DC direct current cardioversion, LOS length of stay, MgSO 4 magnesium sulfate, NA not available.
  2. aNew-onset AF, no septic shock.
  3. bNew-onset AF and septic shock.
  4. cThe efficacy of each intervention was unknown because of a combination of these interventions.
  5. dSixty-day mortality.
  6. eEighteen of 26 had received amiodarone.
  7. fAmiodarone alone.