Standard versus atrial fibrillation-specific management strategy (SAFETY) to reduce recurrent admission and prolong survival: Pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background Patients are increasingly being admitted with chronic atrial fibrillation, and disease-specific management might reduce recurrent admissions and prolong survival. However, evidence is scant to support the application of this therapeutic approach. We aimed to assess SAFETY - a management strategy that is specific to atrial fibrillation. Methods We did a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial in patients admitted with chronic, non-valvular atrial fibrillation (but not heart failure). Patients were recruited from three tertiary referral hospitals in Australia. 335 participants were randomly assigned by computer-generated schedule (stratified for rhythm or rate control) t..