Optimal treatment of underlying conditions improves rhythm control outcome in atrial fibrillation – Data from RACE 3

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a progressive disease, and maintenance of sinus rhythm is cumbersome. In this analysis of the Routine versus Aggressive risk factor driven upstream rhythm Control for prevention of Early atrial fibrillation in heart failure (RACE 3) trial we aimed to determine whether optimal treatment of underlying conditions of AF improves maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with persistent AF and moderate heart failure (HF). Our data showed that optimal treatment of blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol and heart failure was associated with an increase in sinus rhythm maintenance compared to conventional therapy (87% versus 63%, P = .002, respectively)