Table 1 Open in new tab Baseline...

Characteristic

Total population (n = 216)

Targeted therapy (n = 107)

Conventional therapy (n = 109)

Age (years)

64.8 ± 8.3

64.4 ± 8.4

65.2 ± 8.2

Male sex, no. (%)

171 (79%)

85 (79%)

86 (79%)

Total duration AF (months)

3.2 (1.9–5.5)

3.6 (1.9–6.9)

3.0 (1.9–4.8)

Total persistent AF (months)

2.3 (1.4–4.0)

2.2 (1.4–3.7)

2.5 (1.4–4.0)

Previous ECV, no. (%)

195 (91%)

95 (90%)

100 (92%)

Duration of HF (months)

2.0 (1.0–4.0)

2.0 (1.0–3.5)

Hospital admission for HF, no. (%)

25 (12%)

12 (11%)

13 (12%)

LVEF <45%, no. (%)

61 (28%)

32 (30%)

29 (27%)

LVEF ≥45%, no. (%)

155 (72%)

75 (70%)

80 (73%)

Hypertension, no. (%)

130 (60%)

59 (55%)

71 (65%)

Diabetes, no. (%)

19 (9%)

8 (7%)

11 (10%)

Coronary artery disease, no. (%)

27 (12%)

15 (14%)

12 (11%)

Valvular disease, no. (%)

19 (9%)

9 (8%)

10 (9%)

Cardiomyopathy, no. (%)

12 (6%)

7 (7%)

5 (5%)

Ischaemic thromboembolic complication, no. (%)

9 (4%)

5 (5%)

4 (4%)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, no. (%)

17 (8%)

8 (7%)

9 (8%)

CHA₂DS₂-VASc score^a

2.0 (1.0–3.0)

Symptoms, no. (%)

Palpitations

93 (43%)

43 (40%)

50 (46%)

Dyspnoea

171 (79%)

85 (79%)

86 (79%)

Fatigue

132 (61%)

68 (64%)

64 (59%)

EHRA class

2.0 (2.0–2.0)

Length (cm)

179 ± 8

180 ± 8

178 ± 8

Weight (kg)

91 ± 14

93 ± 13

90 ± 14

Body mass index (kg/m²)

28 (26–31)

28.6 (26–31)

27.9 (25–31)

Blood pressure (mmHg)

Systolic

129 ± 15

131 ± 16

128 ± 14

Diastolic

83 (77.–90)

85.0 (76–90)

82.0 (78–90)

Heart rate at rest (beats/min)

87 (77–96)

85.0 (76–93)

89.0 (78–99)

New York Heart Association functional class, no. (%)

45 (21%)

22 (21%)

23 (21%)

148 (69%)

74 (69%)

74 (68%)

III

23 (11%)

11 (10%)

12 (11%)

Potassium (mmol/L)

4.3 ± 0.4

NT-proBNP (ng/L)

1045 (695–1556)

1057 (695–1542)

1005 (703–1611)

Total cholesterol (mmol/L)

5.0 ± 1.2

5.0 ± 1.1

5.0 ± 1.2

LDL cholesterol (mmol/L)

3.1 ± 1.0

3.0 ± 1.0

3.1 ± 1.0

HDL cholesterol (mmol/L)

1.2 (1.0–1.4)

1.2 (1.1–1.4)

1.2 (1.0–1.4)

Triglycerides (mmol/L)

1.7 (1.1–2.2)

1.8 (1.2–2.3)

1.5 (1.1–2.1)

Glucose (mmol/L)

5.8 (5.3–6.5)

5.8 (5.2–6.5)

HbA1c (%)

5.9 (5.6–6.2)

5.9 (5.6–6.1)

5.8 (5.6–6.3)

Medication in use, no. (%)

Beta-blocker

189 (88%)

92 (86%)

97 (89%)

Verapamil/diltiazem

12 (6%)

2 (2%)

10 (9%)

Digoxin

51 (24%)

27 (25%)

24 (22%)

ACE-inhibitor

75 (35%)

33 (31%)

42 (39%)

Angiotensin receptor blocker

48 (22%)

23 (21%)

25 (23%)

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist

3 (1%)

1 (1%)

2 (2%)

Statin

72 (33%)

34 (32%)

38 (35%)

Diuretic

86 (40%)

44 (41%)

42 (39%)

Anticoagulant

213 (99%)

105 (98%)

108 (99%)

Antiplatelet

14 (6%)

9 (8%)

5 (5%)

Echocardiographic variables

Left atrial size, long axis (mm)

43 (40–47)

43 (40–48)

44 (40–47)

Left atrial volume (mL)

81 (65–98)

82 (65–99)

79 (65–96)

Left atrial volume indexed (mL/m²)

38 (31–48)

38 (32–48)

Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (mm)

52 ± 6

51 ± 6

52 ± 6.

Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index (mm/m²)

25 (22–27)

25 (22–26)

25 (23–27)

Left ventricular end-systolic diameter (mm)

37 ± 8

38 ± 8

Left ventricular end-systolic diameter index (mm/m²)

18 (15–20)

17 (15–20)

18 (15–20)

Left ventricular ejection fraction (%)

53 (43–60)

53 (43–58)

52 (43–60)

Exercise test

Maximum load (W)

132 (105–160)

134 (106–163)

131 (100–160)

Maximum heart rate (beats/min)

163 ± 28

162 ± 30

164 ± 27

24 h urine excretion

Sodium (mmol/24 h)

161.0 (121.0–209.0)

160.0 (120.0–203.0)

163.0 (122.5–214.5)

Potassium (mmol/24 h)

75.0 (57.0–90.1)

74.8 (55.8–90.2)

75.0 (59.5–88.6)

Creatinine (mmol/24 h)

13.4 (10.5–15.8)

13.0 (10.9–15.6)

13.4 (10.0–15.8)

Characteristic

Total population (n = 216)

Targeted therapy (n = 107)

Conventional therapy (n = 109)

Age (years)

64.8 ± 8.3

64.4 ± 8.4

65.2 ± 8.2

Male sex, no. (%)

171 (79%)

85 (79%)

86 (79%)

Total duration AF (months)

3.2 (1.9–5.5)

3.6 (1.9–6.9)

3.0 (1.9–4.8)

Total persistent AF (months)

2.3 (1.4–4.0)

2.2 (1.4–3.7)

2.5 (1.4–4.0)

Previous ECV, no. (%)

195 (91%)

95 (90%)

100 (92%)

Duration of HF (months)

2.0 (1.0–4.0)

2.0 (1.0–3.5)

Hospital admission for HF, no. (%)

25 (12%)

12 (11%)

13 (12%)

LVEF <45%, no. (%)

61 (28%)

32 (30%)

29 (27%)

LVEF ≥45%, no. (%)

155 (72%)

75 (70%)

80 (73%)

Hypertension, no. (%)

130 (60%)

59 (55%)

71 (65%)

Diabetes, no. (%)

19 (9%)

8 (7%)

11 (10%)

Coronary artery disease, no. (%)

27 (12%)

15 (14%)

12 (11%)

Valvular disease, no. (%)

19 (9%)

9 (8%)

10 (9%)

Cardiomyopathy, no. (%)

12 (6%)

7 (7%)

5 (5%)

Ischaemic thromboembolic complication, no. (%)

9 (4%)

5 (5%)

4 (4%)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, no. (%)

17 (8%)

8 (7%)

9 (8%)

CHA₂DS₂-VASc score^a

2.0 (1.0–3.0)

Symptoms, no. (%)

Palpitations

93 (43%)

43 (40%)

50 (46%)

Dyspnoea

171 (79%)

85 (79%)

86 (79%)

Fatigue

132 (61%)

68 (64%)

64 (59%)

EHRA class

2.0 (2.0–2.0)

Length (cm)

179 ± 8

180 ± 8

178 ± 8

Weight (kg)

91 ± 14

93 ± 13

90 ± 14

Body mass index (kg/m²)

28 (26–31)

28.6 (26–31)

27.9 (25–31)

Blood pressure (mmHg)

Systolic

129 ± 15

131 ± 16

128 ± 14

Diastolic

83 (77.–90)

85.0 (76–90)

82.0 (78–90)

Heart rate at rest (beats/min)

87 (77–96)

85.0 (76–93)

89.0 (78–99)

New York Heart Association functional class, no. (%)

45 (21%)

22 (21%)

23 (21%)

148 (69%)

74 (69%)

74 (68%)

III

23 (11%)

11 (10%)

12 (11%)

Potassium (mmol/L)

4.3 ± 0.4

NT-proBNP (ng/L)

1045 (695–1556)

1057 (695–1542)

1005 (703–1611)

Total cholesterol (mmol/L)

5.0 ± 1.2

5.0 ± 1.1

5.0 ± 1.2

LDL cholesterol (mmol/L)

3.1 ± 1.0

3.0 ± 1.0

3.1 ± 1.0

HDL cholesterol (mmol/L)

1.2 (1.0–1.4)

1.2 (1.1–1.4)

1.2 (1.0–1.4)

Triglycerides (mmol/L)

1.7 (1.1–2.2)

1.8 (1.2–2.3)

1.5 (1.1–2.1)

Glucose (mmol/L)

5.8 (5.3–6.5)

5.8 (5.2–6.5)

HbA1c (%)

5.9 (5.6–6.2)

5.9 (5.6–6.1)

5.8 (5.6–6.3)

Medication in use, no. (%)

Beta-blocker

189 (88%)

92 (86%)

97 (89%)

Verapamil/diltiazem

12 (6%)

2 (2%)

10 (9%)

Digoxin

51 (24%)

27 (25%)

24 (22%)

ACE-inhibitor

75 (35%)

33 (31%)

42 (39%)

Angiotensin receptor blocker

48 (22%)

23 (21%)

25 (23%)

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist

3 (1%)

1 (1%)

2 (2%)

Statin

72 (33%)

34 (32%)

38 (35%)

Diuretic

86 (40%)

44 (41%)

42 (39%)

Anticoagulant

213 (99%)

105 (98%)

108 (99%)

Antiplatelet

14 (6%)

9 (8%)

5 (5%)

Echocardiographic variables

Left atrial size, long axis (mm)

43 (40–47)

43 (40–48)

44 (40–47)

Left atrial volume (mL)

81 (65–98)

82 (65–99)

79 (65–96)

Left atrial volume indexed (mL/m²)

38 (31–48)

38 (32–48)

Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (mm)

52 ± 6

51 ± 6

52 ± 6.

Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index (mm/m²)

25 (22–27)

25 (22–26)

25 (23–27)

Left ventricular end-systolic diameter (mm)

37 ± 8

38 ± 8

Left ventricular end-systolic diameter index (mm/m²)

18 (15–20)

17 (15–20)

18 (15–20)

Left ventricular ejection fraction (%)

53 (43–60)

53 (43–58)

52 (43–60)

Exercise test

Maximum load (W)

132 (105–160)

134 (106–163)

131 (100–160)

Maximum heart rate (beats/min)

163 ± 28

162 ± 30

164 ± 27

24 h urine excretion

Sodium (mmol/24 h)

161.0 (121.0–209.0)

160.0 (120.0–203.0)

163.0 (122.5–214.5)

Potassium (mmol/24 h)

75.0 (57.0–90.1)

74.8 (55.8–90.2)

75.0 (59.5–88.6)

Creatinine (mmol/24 h)

13.4 (10.5–15.8)

13.0 (10.9–15.6)

13.4 (10.0–15.8)

Table 1

Open in new tab

Baseline characteristics—targeted therapy vs. conventional therapy

Characteristic	Total population (n = 216)	Targeted therapy (n = 107)	Conventional therapy (n = 109)
Age (years)	64.8 ± 8.3	64.4 ± 8.4	65.2 ± 8.2
Male sex, no. (%)	171 (79%)	85 (79%)	86 (79%)
Total duration AF (months)	3.2 (1.9–5.5)	3.6 (1.9–6.9)	3.0 (1.9–4.8)
Total persistent AF (months)	2.3 (1.4–4.0)	2.2 (1.4–3.7)	2.5 (1.4–4.0)
Previous ECV, no. (%)	195 (91%)	95 (90%)	100 (92%)
Duration of HF (months)	2.0 (1.0–4.0)	2.0 (1.0–4.0)	2.0 (1.0–3.5)
Hospital admission for HF, no. (%)	25 (12%)	12 (11%)	13 (12%)
LVEF <45%, no. (%)	61 (28%)	32 (30%)	29 (27%)
LVEF ≥45%, no. (%)	155 (72%)	75 (70%)	80 (73%)
Hypertension, no. (%)	130 (60%)	59 (55%)	71 (65%)
Diabetes, no. (%)	19 (9%)	8 (7%)	11 (10%)
Coronary artery disease, no. (%)	27 (12%)	15 (14%)	12 (11%)
Valvular disease, no. (%)	19 (9%)	9 (8%)	10 (9%)
Cardiomyopathy, no. (%)	12 (6%)	7 (7%)	5 (5%)
Ischaemic thromboembolic complication, no. (%)	9 (4%)	5 (5%)	4 (4%)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, no. (%)	17 (8%)	8 (7%)	9 (8%)
CHA₂DS₂-VASc score^a	2.0 (1.0–3.0)	2.0 (1.0–3.0)	2.0 (1.0–3.0)
Symptoms, no. (%)
Palpitations	93 (43%)	43 (40%)	50 (46%)
Dyspnoea	171 (79%)	85 (79%)	86 (79%)
Fatigue	132 (61%)	68 (64%)	64 (59%)
EHRA class	2.0 (2.0–2.0)	2.0 (2.0–2.0)	2.0 (2.0–2.0)
Length (cm)	179 ± 8	180 ± 8	178 ± 8
Weight (kg)	91 ± 14	93 ± 13	90 ± 14
Body mass index (kg/m²)	28 (26–31)	28.6 (26–31)	27.9 (25–31)
Blood pressure (mmHg)
Systolic	129 ± 15	131 ± 16	128 ± 14
Diastolic	83 (77.–90)	85.0 (76–90)	82.0 (78–90)
Heart rate at rest (beats/min)	87 (77–96)	85.0 (76–93)	89.0 (78–99)
New York Heart Association functional class, no. (%)
I	45 (21%)	22 (21%)	23 (21%)
II	148 (69%)	74 (69%)	74 (68%)
III	23 (11%)	11 (10%)	12 (11%)
Potassium (mmol/L)	4.3 ± 0.4	4.3 ± 0.4	4.3 ± 0.4
NT-proBNP (ng/L)	1045 (695–1556)	1057 (695–1542)	1005 (703–1611)
Total cholesterol (mmol/L)	5.0 ± 1.2	5.0 ± 1.1	5.0 ± 1.2
LDL cholesterol (mmol/L)	3.1 ± 1.0	3.0 ± 1.0	3.1 ± 1.0
HDL cholesterol (mmol/L)	1.2 (1.0–1.4)	1.2 (1.1–1.4)	1.2 (1.0–1.4)
Triglycerides (mmol/L)	1.7 (1.1–2.2)	1.8 (1.2–2.3)	1.5 (1.1–2.1)
Glucose (mmol/L)	5.8 (5.3–6.5)	5.8 (5.3–6.5)	5.8 (5.2–6.5)
HbA1c (%)	5.9 (5.6–6.2)	5.9 (5.6–6.1)	5.8 (5.6–6.3)
Medication in use, no. (%)
Beta-blocker	189 (88%)	92 (86%)	97 (89%)
Verapamil/diltiazem	12 (6%)	2 (2%)	10 (9%)
Digoxin	51 (24%)	27 (25%)	24 (22%)
ACE-inhibitor	75 (35%)	33 (31%)	42 (39%)
Angiotensin receptor blocker	48 (22%)	23 (21%)	25 (23%)
Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist	3 (1%)	1 (1%)	2 (2%)
Statin	72 (33%)	34 (32%)	38 (35%)
Diuretic	86 (40%)	44 (41%)	42 (39%)
Anticoagulant	213 (99%)	105 (98%)	108 (99%)
Antiplatelet	14 (6%)	9 (8%)	5 (5%)
Echocardiographic variables
Left atrial size, long axis (mm)	43 (40–47)	43 (40–48)	44 (40–47)
Left atrial volume (mL)	81 (65–98)	82 (65–99)	79 (65–96)
Left atrial volume indexed (mL/m²)	38 (31–48)	38 (31–48)	38 (32–48)
Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (mm)	52 ± 6	51 ± 6	52 ± 6.
Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index (mm/m²)	25 (22–27)	25 (22–26)	25 (23–27)
Left ventricular end-systolic diameter (mm)	37 ± 8	37 ± 8	38 ± 8
Left ventricular end-systolic diameter index (mm/m²)	18 (15–20)	17 (15–20)	18 (15–20)
Left ventricular ejection fraction (%)	53 (43–60)	53 (43–58)	52 (43–60)
Exercise test
Maximum load (W)	132 (105–160)	134 (106–163)	131 (100–160)
Maximum heart rate (beats/min)	163 ± 28	162 ± 30	164 ± 27
24 h urine excretion
Sodium (mmol/24 h)	161.0 (121.0–209.0)	160.0 (120.0–203.0)	163.0 (122.5–214.5)
Potassium (mmol/24 h)	75.0 (57.0–90.1)	74.8 (55.8–90.2)	75.0 (59.5–88.6)
Creatinine (mmol/24 h)	13.4 (10.5–15.8)	13.0 (10.9–15.6)	13.4 (10.0–15.8)

Characteristic	Total population (n = 216)	Targeted therapy (n = 107)	Conventional therapy (n = 109)
Age (years)	64.8 ± 8.3	64.4 ± 8.4	65.2 ± 8.2
Male sex, no. (%)	171 (79%)	85 (79%)	86 (79%)
Total duration AF (months)	3.2 (1.9–5.5)	3.6 (1.9–6.9)	3.0 (1.9–4.8)
Total persistent AF (months)	2.3 (1.4–4.0)	2.2 (1.4–3.7)	2.5 (1.4–4.0)
Previous ECV, no. (%)	195 (91%)	95 (90%)	100 (92%)
Duration of HF (months)	2.0 (1.0–4.0)	2.0 (1.0–4.0)	2.0 (1.0–3.5)
Hospital admission for HF, no. (%)	25 (12%)	12 (11%)	13 (12%)
LVEF <45%, no. (%)	61 (28%)	32 (30%)	29 (27%)
LVEF ≥45%, no. (%)	155 (72%)	75 (70%)	80 (73%)
Hypertension, no. (%)	130 (60%)	59 (55%)	71 (65%)
Diabetes, no. (%)	19 (9%)	8 (7%)	11 (10%)
Coronary artery disease, no. (%)	27 (12%)	15 (14%)	12 (11%)
Valvular disease, no. (%)	19 (9%)	9 (8%)	10 (9%)
Cardiomyopathy, no. (%)	12 (6%)	7 (7%)	5 (5%)
Ischaemic thromboembolic complication, no. (%)	9 (4%)	5 (5%)	4 (4%)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, no. (%)	17 (8%)	8 (7%)	9 (8%)
CHA₂DS₂-VASc score^a	2.0 (1.0–3.0)	2.0 (1.0–3.0)	2.0 (1.0–3.0)
Symptoms, no. (%)
Palpitations	93 (43%)	43 (40%)	50 (46%)
Dyspnoea	171 (79%)	85 (79%)	86 (79%)
Fatigue	132 (61%)	68 (64%)	64 (59%)
EHRA class	2.0 (2.0–2.0)	2.0 (2.0–2.0)	2.0 (2.0–2.0)
Length (cm)	179 ± 8	180 ± 8	178 ± 8
Weight (kg)	91 ± 14	93 ± 13	90 ± 14
Body mass index (kg/m²)	28 (26–31)	28.6 (26–31)	27.9 (25–31)
Blood pressure (mmHg)
Systolic	129 ± 15	131 ± 16	128 ± 14
Diastolic	83 (77.–90)	85.0 (76–90)	82.0 (78–90)
Heart rate at rest (beats/min)	87 (77–96)	85.0 (76–93)	89.0 (78–99)
New York Heart Association functional class, no. (%)
I	45 (21%)	22 (21%)	23 (21%)
II	148 (69%)	74 (69%)	74 (68%)
III	23 (11%)	11 (10%)	12 (11%)
Potassium (mmol/L)	4.3 ± 0.4	4.3 ± 0.4	4.3 ± 0.4
NT-proBNP (ng/L)	1045 (695–1556)	1057 (695–1542)	1005 (703–1611)
Total cholesterol (mmol/L)	5.0 ± 1.2	5.0 ± 1.1	5.0 ± 1.2
LDL cholesterol (mmol/L)	3.1 ± 1.0	3.0 ± 1.0	3.1 ± 1.0
HDL cholesterol (mmol/L)	1.2 (1.0–1.4)	1.2 (1.1–1.4)	1.2 (1.0–1.4)
Triglycerides (mmol/L)	1.7 (1.1–2.2)	1.8 (1.2–2.3)	1.5 (1.1–2.1)
Glucose (mmol/L)	5.8 (5.3–6.5)	5.8 (5.3–6.5)	5.8 (5.2–6.5)
HbA1c (%)	5.9 (5.6–6.2)	5.9 (5.6–6.1)	5.8 (5.6–6.3)
Medication in use, no. (%)
Beta-blocker	189 (88%)	92 (86%)	97 (89%)
Verapamil/diltiazem	12 (6%)	2 (2%)	10 (9%)
Digoxin	51 (24%)	27 (25%)	24 (22%)
ACE-inhibitor	75 (35%)	33 (31%)	42 (39%)
Angiotensin receptor blocker	48 (22%)	23 (21%)	25 (23%)
Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist	3 (1%)	1 (1%)	2 (2%)
Statin	72 (33%)	34 (32%)	38 (35%)
Diuretic	86 (40%)	44 (41%)	42 (39%)
Anticoagulant	213 (99%)	105 (98%)	108 (99%)
Antiplatelet	14 (6%)	9 (8%)	5 (5%)
Echocardiographic variables
Left atrial size, long axis (mm)	43 (40–47)	43 (40–48)	44 (40–47)
Left atrial volume (mL)	81 (65–98)	82 (65–99)	79 (65–96)
Left atrial volume indexed (mL/m²)	38 (31–48)	38 (31–48)	38 (32–48)
Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (mm)	52 ± 6	51 ± 6	52 ± 6.
Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index (mm/m²)	25 (22–27)	25 (22–26)	25 (23–27)
Left ventricular end-systolic diameter (mm)	37 ± 8	37 ± 8	38 ± 8
Left ventricular end-systolic diameter index (mm/m²)	18 (15–20)	17 (15–20)	18 (15–20)
Left ventricular ejection fraction (%)	53 (43–60)	53 (43–58)	52 (43–60)
Exercise test
Maximum load (W)	132 (105–160)	134 (106–163)	131 (100–160)
Maximum heart rate (beats/min)	163 ± 28	162 ± 30	164 ± 27
24 h urine excretion
Sodium (mmol/24 h)	161.0 (121.0–209.0)	160.0 (120.0–203.0)	163.0 (122.5–214.5)
Potassium (mmol/24 h)	75.0 (57.0–90.1)	74.8 (55.8–90.2)	75.0 (59.5–88.6)
Creatinine (mmol/24 h)	13.4 (10.5–15.8)	13.0 (10.9–15.6)	13.4 (10.0–15.8)

Data are presented as mean (SD), number of patients (%), or median (IQR).

ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme; AF, atrial fibrillation; ECV, electrical cardioversion; EHRA, European Heart Rhythm Association class for symptoms; HbA1c, haemoglobin A1c; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HF, heart failure; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; NT-proBNP, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide.

The CHA₂DS₂-VASc score assesses thromboembolic risk. C = congestive heart failure/LV dysfunction, H = hypertension; A₂ = age ≥75 years; D = diabetes mellitus; S₂ = stroke/transient ischaemic attack/systemic embolism; V = vascular disease; A = age 65–74 years; Sc = sex category (female sex).

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