Table 1

 Patients’ characteristics, history of atrial fibrillation, and medications

Group 1 (n = 368)Group 2 (n = 210)p Value
*Not significant.
ASD, atrial septal defect.
Age (years)68 (9.5)67.1 (10.1)
Men/women69.3%/30.7%75%/25%
Rhythm
    Atrial fibrillation365208
    Atrial flutter32
Cause of atrial fibrillation
    Coronary artery disease55 (14.9%)24 (11.4%)0.25*
    Hypertension163 (44.2%)74 (35.2%)0.041
    Congestive cardiomyopathy25 (6.8%)8 (3.8%)0.144*
    Valvar heart disease21(5.7%)22 (10.5%)0.033
    Post-cardiac surgery33 (8.9%)20 (9.5%)0.796*
    Sick sinus syndrome7 (1.9%)6 (2.8%)0.446*
    Idiopathic41 (11.1%)22 (10.5%)0.835*
    Hyperthyroidism4 (1.1%)1 (0.5%)0.451*
    ASD (after Amplatz closure)2 (0.5%)2 (1.0%)0.562*
    Not recorded17 (4.6%)31 (14.8%)
Duration of atrial fibrillation (months)
    0–6112 (30.4%)11 (5.2%)<0.0001
    6–12150(40.8%)36 (17.1%)<0.0001
    >1289 (24.2%)136 (64.8%)<0.0001
    Not known17 (4.6%)27 (12.9%)<0.0001
Antiarrhythmic drugs
    β Blockers213 (57.9%)96 (45.7%)0.007
    Amiodarone74 (20.1%)18 (8.6%)<0.0001
    Digoxin137 (37.2%)67 (31.9%)0.227*
    Flecainide13 (3.5%)10 (4.8%)0.453*
    Calcium antagonists98 (26.6%)51 (24.2%)0.578*
    Propafenone1 (0.3%)0
Previous cardioversions27 (7.33%)62 (29.52%)<0.0001