Open-Label, Multicenter Study of Flecainide Acetate Oral Inhalation Solution for Acute Conversion of Recent-Onset, Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation to Sinus Rhythm.

Background: Oral and intravenous flecainide is recommended for cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. In this open-label, dose-escalation study, the feasibility of delivering flecainide via oral inhalation (flecainide acetate inhalation solution) for acute conversion was evaluated. We hypothesized that flecainide delivered by oral inhalation would quickly reach plasma concentrations sufficient to restore sinus rhythm in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation.

The effect of rate control on quality of life in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation: data from the RACE II (Rate Control Efficacy in Permanent Atrial Fibrillation II) study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of rate control on quality of life (QOL).

Background: The RACE II (Rate Control Efficacy in Permanent Atrial Fibrillation II) trial showed that lenient rate control is not inferior to strict rate control in terms of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The influence of stringency of rate control on QOL is unknown.

Effect of lenient versus strict rate control on cardiac remodeling in patients with atrial fibrillation data of the RACE II (RAte Control Efficacy in permanent atrial fibrillation II) study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate echocardiographic remodeling in permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients treated with either lenient or strict rate control.

Background: It is unknown whether in permanent AF, lenient rate control is associated with more adverse cardiac remodeling than strict rate control.

Methods: Echocardiography was conducted at baseline and at follow-up in 517 patients included in the RACE II (RAte Control Efficacy in permanent atrial fibrillation II) trial.

Lenient versus strict rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Rate control is often the therapy of choice for atrial fibrillation. Guidelines recommend strict rate control, but this is not based on clinical evidence. We hypothesized that lenient rate control is not inferior to strict rate control for preventing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.

RAte Control Efficacy in permanent atrial fibrillation: a comparison between lenient versus strict rate control in patients with and without heart failure. Background, aims, and design of RACE II.

Background: Recent studies demonstrated that rate control is an acceptable alternative for rhythm control in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, optimal heart rate during AF is still unknown.

Objective: To show that in patients with permanent AF, lenient rate control is not inferior to strict rate control in terms of cardiovascular mortality, morbidity, neurohormonal activation, New York Heart Association class for heart failure, left ventricular function, left atrial size, quality of life, and costs.