Recurrence of arrhythmia and adverse cardiovascular events within 12 months of electrical cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation receiving oral anticoagulation therapy

Introduction: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and death. Evidence on the comparable effects of rhythm and heart rate control strategies in patients with AF is ambiguous. Aim of the research: To assess the recurrence of arrhythmia and adverse cardiovascular events within 12 months of electri- cal cardioversion in patients with AF receiving oral anticoagulation therapy. Material and methods: This was a prospective, single-centre cohort study. The participants underwent transoesophageal echocardiography before direct current cardioversion (DCC). A total of 226 patients were enrolled. The primary outcome was sinus rhythm (SR) restoration after DCC for AF. All