Atrial fibrillation management strategies and early mortality after myocardial infarction: results from the Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction (VALIANT) Trial

Nilsson, K. R. et al. (2010) Atrial fibrillation management strategies and early mortality after myocardial infarction: results from the Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction (VALIANT) Trial. Heart, 96(11), pp. 838-842. (doi: 10.1136/hrt.2009.180182)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Objective The management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) following a myocardial infarction (MI) remains uncertain. This study compared a rate control strategy to an anti-arrhythmic-based rhythm control strategy for the treatment of AF following myocardial infarction. Design, setting and patients We studied 1131 patients with AF after MI who were enrolled in the Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial (VALIANT). We classified patients into those treated with a rhythm control strategy (n=371) and those treated with a rate control strategy (n=760). Main outcomes measures Using Cox models, we compared the two groups with respect to both death and stroke during two different time periods after randomisation for which data collection had been pre-specified: 0-45 days and 45-1096 days. Results After adjustment, a rhythm control strategy was found to be associated with increased early mortality (0-45 days: HR: 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.0, p=0.004) but not late mortality (45-1096 days: HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.9 to 1.4, p=0.45). No difference was observed in the incidence of stroke (0-45 days: HR 1.2, 95% CI 0.4 to 3.7, p=0.73; 45-1096 days: HR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3 to 1.3, p=0.21). Conclusions In patients with AF after an MI, an antiarrhythmic drug-based rhythm control strategy is associated with excess 45-day mortality compared with a rate control strategy, but is not associated with increased mortality outside of the immediate peri-infarct period. These results potentially identify a patient population in whom the use of anti-arrhythmic drug therapy may portend an increased risk of death

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:acute myocardial infarction AMIODARONE ANTICOAGULATION Atrial fibrillation ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION CONGESTIVE-HEART-FAILURE DEATH DESIGN ENGLAND HEART IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATOR Incidence INCREASED RISK INFARCTION LEFT-VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION MANAGEMENT MODEL MORTALITY Myocardial infarction MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION outcome OUTCOMES PATIENT patients PLASMA-ALDOSTERONE POPULATION RANDOMIZED-TRIAL RHYTHM CONTROL RISK ST-SEGMENT ELEVATION STRATEGY stroke STROKE PREVENTION SURVIVAL SYSTEM THERAPY Treatment TRIAL Valsartan
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McMurray, Professor John
Authors: Nilsson, K. R., Al Khatib, S. M., Zhou, Y., Pieper, K., White, H. D., Maggioni, A. P., Kober, L., Granger, C. B., Lewis, E. F., McMurray, J. J. V., Califf, R. M., and Velazquez, E. J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
Journal Name:Heart
ISSN:1355-6037

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record