Key clinical point: European study findings make a strong case for offering rhythm control therapy to all patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation at increased cardiovascular risk.

Major finding: The composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, acute coronary syndrome, or hospitalization for worsening heart failure was reduced by 21% at 5.1 years’ follow-up in patients with recently diagnosed atrial fibrillation who were randomized to rhythm-control versus rate-control therapy.

Study details: This was a prospective randomized trial of rate- versus rhythm-control therapy in 2,789 patients with recently diagnosed atrial fibrillation.

Disclosures: The presenter reported receiving research grants to conduct the study from the German Ministry of Education and Research and others.