Short summary

Randomised trial, comparing a lenient rate control strategy with a strict rate control stategy in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.

350 participants will be recruited from Holbæk, Hvidovre, Odense and SUH-Roskilde.

Primary outcome is SF-36 physical component score. Primary assessment time point is after 1 year.

Rationale

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart arrhythmia with a prevalence of approximately 2% in the western world and with rising prevalence in the world and in Denmark. Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of death and morbidity and debilitating symptoms such as palpations and shortness of breath.

For many patients, a rate control strategy is recommended over a rhythm control strategy. The optimal heart rate target is controversial despite the results of the RACE II trial.

Description of the cohort

Participants with permanent atrial fibrillation recruited from Holbæk, SUH-Roskilde, Odense and Hvidovre Hospital

Data and biological material

blood samples, questionnaire data, data from patient journals, diagnosis, accelerometer data, echocardiography.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of cardiology, Odense University hospital

• Axel Brandes

Department of cardiology, Hvidovre University Hospital

• Ulrik Dixen
• Ilan Raymond

Department of cardiology, Zealand University Hospital - Roskilde

• Ole Dyg Pedersen
• Uffe Gang

Publications associated with the project

Feinberg JB, Olsen MH, Brandes A, Raymond L, Nielsen WB, Nielsen EE, Stensgaard-Hansen F, Dixen U, Pedersen OD, Gang UJO, Gluud C, Jakobsen JC. Lenient rate control versus strict rate control for atrial fibrillation: a protocol for the Danish Atrial Fibrillation (DanAF) randomised clinical trial. BMJ Open. 2021 Mar 31;11(3):e044744. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044744. PMID: 33789853; PMCID: PMC8016086.