European heart journal
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European heart journal · Dec 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialConversion of recent onset paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm: the effect of no treatment and high-dose amiodarone. A randomized, placebo-controlled study.
Spontaneous conversion of recent onset paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm occurs commonly and is not affected by low-dose amiodarone treatment. ⋯ The spontaneous conversion of recent onset paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is high and approaches 90% in specific clinical and echocardiographically defined subgroups. Intravenous high-dose amiodarone safely facilitates conversion of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. However, such treatment should be reserved for patients with unfavourable risk factor profiles, not converting during 8 h of observation or requiring rate control.