Use of the electrocardiogram for prediction of arrhythmia outcome in atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia. Therapy partly focusses on restoration of sinus rhythm (the normal heart rhythm). The aim of this study was to predict the success of this therapy by making an electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG is a simple, not burdensome test and therefore a potentially useful predictor in daily practice. It is shown that an ECG predicts the success of the therapy at least equally well as other known clinical predictors, such as the duration of the arrhythmia and the left atrial size. Combined with these clinical predictors, the outcome can be predicted significantly better. An ECG is useful in patients with short-duration atrial fibrillation as well as patients with long-duration atrial fibrillation. Although an ECG is currently used to diagnose atrial fibrillation, it may also be used in the future to guide the therapy of the individual patient with atrial fibrillation.