ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Management of new-onset atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients: A national multicenter prospective cohort
Authors' conclusion
Therapeutic approaches for NOAF in ICU patients were heterogeneous, with nearly a quarter managed by a wait-and-see approach. Most strategies achieved rhythm and rate control within 24 h.
Study context
- Population
- Adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients with at least one episode of new-onset AF, 33 ICUs in France, excluding permanent and post-cardiac/thoracic surgery AF
- Participants
- 159 / 338 / 299 / 295 / 73
- Exposure
- Therapeutic strategies for new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF)
- Wait-and-seen = 159
- IV fluidn = 338
- Magnesiumn = 299
- Amiodaronen = 295
- Beta blockersn = 73
- Outcome
- Rhythmic and haemodynamic outcomes (heart rate, BP, rhythm status) after NOAF onset
- Follow-up
- +24 h
Methodological detailsmulticentre, national, Between May and December 2019
- Multicentre
- National
- Between May and December 2019
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Heart rate and rhythm control
Heart rate control achieved
87%
n = 588/674
Rhythm control achieved
80%
n = 259/654
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Values |
|---|---|
| Sinus rhythm conversion with electric cardioversion · +1 h | Electric cardioversion 57% |
- Sinus rhythm conversion with electric cardioversion: 17/30
Sinus rhythm conversion with electric cardioversion · +1 h
- Most effective strategy for sinus rhythm conversion; preferred for poor haemodynamic tolerance
Persistent AF at ICU discharge
- Patients remaining in AF
- 48 (13%)
- Independent predictors: age, obesity, prior stroke, hypercholesterolemia
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
Management of new-onset atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients: A national multicenter prospective cohort. Anaesth Crit Care Pain Med. Published 26 September 2025. doi:10.
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