To the editor: Gjesdal et al1 show the result of an exploratory analysis pooling data from the SPORTIF III and V trials. The authors conclude that digitalis may increase mortality.

We have previously shown that anticoagulation therapy is inversely associated, while digoxin (digitalis) and antiarrhythmic drugs are directly associated, with increased mortality after adjustment for other covariates in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with a “rate control” compared with patients treated with a “rhythm control” approach.2 …