Bayesian network meta- analysis using a r and om-effects model demonstrated that ranolazine + amiodarone intravenous ( IV ) [ odds ratio ( OR ) 39.8 , 95 % credible interval ( CrI ) 8.3 - 203.1 ] , vernakalant ( OR 22.9 , 95 % CrI 3.7 - 146.3 ) , flecainide ( OR 16.9 , 95 % CrI 4.1 - 73.3 ) , amiodarone oral ( OR 10.2 , 95 % CrI 3.1 - 36.0 ) , ibutilide ( OR 7.9 , 95 % CrI 1.2 - 52.5 ) , amiodarone IV ( OR 5.4 , 95 % CrI 2.1 - 14.6 ) , and propafenone ( OR 4.1 , 95 % CrI 1.7 - 10.5 ) were associated with significantly increased likelihood of conversion within 24 h when compared to placebo/control .
Probabilistic analysis ranked vernakalant and flecainide high and propafenone and amiodarone IV low .
For pharmacologic cardioversion of recent-onset AF within 24 h , there is insufficient evidence to determine which treatment is superior .
Vernakalant and flecainide may be relatively more efficacious agents .
Propafenone and IV amiodarone may be relatively less efficacious .
AIMS We sought to identify the most effective antidysrhythmic drug for pharmacologic cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation ( AF ) .
Cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation in the short observation unit: comparison of a protocol focused on electrical cardioversion with simple antiarrhythmic treatment
Background Direct current cardioversion ( DCC ) has been shown to be effective for the management of  atrial fibrillation ( AF )  in the emergency department ( ED ) . Pharmacological cardioversion was compared with a strategy including DCC on patients with uncomplicated , recent-onset ( < 48 h ) AF managed in a short observation unit ( SOU ) . Methods A prospect i ve observational study was undertaken over a period of 13 months in two institutions . A DCC-centred protocol was applied to 171 AF cases in a hospital ( DCC-cohort ) and pharmacological cardioversion to 151 AF cases in another hospital ( P-cohort ) . Patients remaining in AF after 24 h were admitted . The outcomes were rate of discharge in sinus rhythm , length of stay in the ED-SOU , rate of hospitalisation and complications of treatment . Data collected were analysed according to Student t test and χ2 statistics . Results Discharge in sinus rhythm was achieved in 159/171 cases in the DCC-cohort and 77/151 cases in the P-cohort ( 93 % vs 51 % ; number needed to treat ( NNT ) 2.4 ; 95 % CI 2.0 to 3.1 , p<0.001 ) , whereas mean length of stay was 7 + 7 h in the DCC-cohort and 9 + 6 h in the P-cohort ( p=0.43 ) . Eleven cases from the DCC-cohort and 67 from the P-cohort were admitted ( admission rate 6 % vs 44 % ; NNT 2.6 ; 95 % CI 2.2 to 3.5 , p<0.001 ) . Three short-term complications occurred in the DCC-cohort and five in the P-cohort ( 2 % vs 3 % , p=0.59 ) . Two strokes were registered in the DCC-cohort during 6-month follow-up ( p undefined ) . Conclusions Electrical cardioversion of recent-onset AF in the SOU is safe , effective and reduces hospitalisations . Further studies are needed to identify the most cost-effective strategy for the management of AF patients in emergency setting
Bayesian network meta- analysis using a r and om-effects model demonstrated that ranolazine + amiodarone intravenous ( IV ) [ odds ratio ( OR ) 39.8 , 95 % credible interval ( CrI ) 8.3 - 203.1 ] , vernakalant ( OR 22.9 , 95 % CrI 3.7 - 146.3 ) , flecainide ( OR 16.9 , 95 % CrI 4.1 - 73.3 ) , amiodarone oral ( OR 10.2 , 95 % CrI 3.1 - 36.0 ) , ibutilide ( OR 7.9 , 95 % CrI 1.2 - 52.5 ) , amiodarone IV ( OR 5.4 , 95 % CrI 2.1 - 14.6 ) , and propafenone ( OR 4.1 , 95 % CrI 1.7 - 10.5 ) were associated with significantly increased likelihood of conversion within 24 h when compared to placebo/control .
Probabilistic analysis ranked vernakalant and flecainide high and propafenone and amiodarone IV low .
For pharmacologic cardioversion of recent-onset AF within 24 h , there is insufficient evidence to determine which treatment is superior .
Vernakalant and flecainide may be relatively more efficacious agents .
Propafenone and IV amiodarone may be relatively less efficacious .
AIMS We sought to identify the most effective antidysrhythmic drug for pharmacologic cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation ( AF ) .