Recent Onset Atrial Fibrillation: Baseline Data from Thai Subset of RECORD AF Study
Charn Sriratanasathavorn MD*, Satchana Pumprueg MD**, Warangkna Boonyapisit MD**
Affiliation : * Her Majesty Cardiac Center, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : The RECORD AF study is the first worldwide, prospective, observational 1-year longitudinal survey of real-life
management of patients with recently diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF). The authors present here the baseline data of Thai
subset of the study.
Material and Method: The study enrolled consecutive patients of age >18 years, presenting with and treated for AF (<1 year
from diagnosis), visiting office- or hospital-based cardiologists. The main primary objectives were to assess therapeutic
success and clinical outcomes in rhythm- and rate-control strategies.
Results : Of 209 patients recruited between July and December 2007, 200 were eligible for evaluation (mean age: 62.8 years,
SD 12.4; 51% males). Hypertension (49%) and dyslipidemia (36%) were the most common underlying cardiovascular
diseases (CVDs). Thirty-six point nine percent of patients were at high risk of stroke (CHADS2 score >2). In the previous
year, 93 (52%) patients were diagnosed with paroxysmal AF and 86 (48%) patients with persistent AF. Rate-control was the
main treatment strategy used in 151 (75.5%) of the patients, and was more frequently used in persistent AF (94.2%) than
paroxysmal AF (61.3%). The most frequent medication used for rhythm-control strategy was amiodarone (83.7%) and, for
rate-control strategy, it was beta-blockers (57%). For antithrombotic medication, antiplatelet agents were used in 92 (46%)
patients and oral anticoagulation in 86 (43%) patients.
Conclusion : For Thai patients with AF, hypertension and dyslipidemia were the most common underlying CVDs, and rate
control was the preferred treatment strategy. The prospective1-year data will provide insights on current AF treatment
strategies.
Keywords : Atrial fibrillation, Guidelines, Rhythm control, Rate control, Thailand
