AIMS: We evaluated the prognostic impact of a first episode of symptomatic @entity955 under real life conditions. BACKGROUND: Most studies regarding the treatment and long-term outcome of @entity1 with @entity955 mainly refer to @entity1 with recurrent episodes. In contrast, data on the prognostic implications of a first episode of @entity955 are scarce. METHODS: Over a follow-up period of 5 years, we analyzed 1053 @entity1 , initially scheduled for cardioversion of symptomatic @entity955 , who were included into the prospective registry ANTIK (Ludwigshafener ANTIKoagulationsstudie). RESULTS: Of those, 618 @entity1 (59%) were included with a first episode of symptomatic @entity955 whereas 435 @entity1 (41%) presented with recurrent episodes. As a consequence of referral for cardioversion of symptomatic @entity955 , structural @entity299 was newly diagnosed in a significantly higher proportion of @entity1 with a first episode (27 vs 13%, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.7-3.3) and @entity1 with a first episode were more likely to have an EF</=40% (21 vs 15%, OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.2). After 5 years, the mortality rate for @entity1 with a first episode was higher than for those with recurrent episodes (27 vs 16%, OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-2.7). In the multivariate analysis, a first episode also was independently associated with an increased longterm mortality (HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.02-1.98). In contrast to @entity1 with recurrent episodes, a first episode was associated with a significantly higher mortality, when compared to an age-matched control group calculated from mortality tables. CONCLUSION: The first episode of symptomatic @entity955 intended for cardioversion serves as a marker for underlying @entity299 and is associated with impaired prognosis.

Long-term prognosis after cardioversion of the first episode of symptomatic XXXX : a condition believed to be benign revised.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity955 :: ('MESH:D001281', 'Disease') :: ['atrial fibrillation'] @entity299 :: ('MESH:D006331', 'Disease') :: ['cardiac diseases', 'heart disease']
@entity955 :: (MESH:D001281,Disease) :: ['atrial fibrillation']
