PMC:99044 / 18242-19292 JSONTXT

{"project":"2_test","denotations":[{"id":"11897013-1512329-9155470","span":{"begin":149,"end":151},"obj":"1512329"},{"id":"11897013-2001090-9155470","span":{"begin":149,"end":151},"obj":"2001090"},{"id":"11897013-9552091-9155470","span":{"begin":149,"end":151},"obj":"9552091"},{"id":"11897013-1512329-9155471","span":{"begin":341,"end":343},"obj":"1512329"},{"id":"11897013-9265427-9155472","span":{"begin":344,"end":346},"obj":"9265427"},{"id":"11897013-8917258-9155473","span":{"begin":595,"end":597},"obj":"8917258"}],"text":"The use of anti-arrhythmic drugs and digoxin for atrial fibrillation among patients with coexisting cardiovascular morbidity has been controversial [16-18]. An increased risk of cardiac mortality has been reported among AF patients with a history of congestive heart failure receiving anti-arrhythmic drugs compared to patients not treated [16,19]. Other studies have concluded that anti-arrhythmic drug therapy in AF patients does not translate into an improvement in mortality and have suggested that class I anti-arrhythmic drugs should be avoided in AF patients with advanced heart failure [20]. We found no significant difference in mortality risk among those treated and not treated with anti-arrhythmic drugs such as amiodarone, beta blockers or digoxin after adjusting for cardiovascular disease and other drug treatment. Though we found some evidence for a protective effect with some drug treatments, one should be cautious in interpreting these results due to the observational design of our study and the relative statistical variability."}