Atrial fibrillation portfolio
Between May and August 2016 we have reviewed our portfolio of reviews on atrial fibrillation (progress update in orange, June 2017). We are grateful for the advice we received from Ami Banerjee, Carlos Morillo and Guy Amit.
The up-to-date status of the below reviews can be obtained from the Managing Editor, Nicole Martin (cochrane.heart@ucl.ac.uk).
We have identified three priority reviews:
- Catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation - update planned in progress
- Effectiveness of systematic screening for the detection of atrial fibrillation - update planned with a broadened scope during Summer 2017
- Efficacy and safety of ablation for patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation - review published in Issue 11, 2016
We further identified a number of reviews in need of an update and are currently in contact with the authors:
- Antiarrhythmics for maintaining sinus rhythm after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation - update in progress
- Electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation and flutter and Pharmacological cardioversion for atrial fibrillation and flutter - merged and started as new protocol with a new author team
- Interventions for preventing post-operative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing heart surgery
Two reviews is currently being done
- Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for adults with atrial fibrillation - published in Issue 2, 2017
- Direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors for atrial fibrillation
Two reviews are currently being updated
- Interventions for the prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation in adult patients undergoing noncardiac thoracic surgery - not pursued as it would be duplication with recent systematic review on the same topic
- Educational and behavioural interventions for anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation - published in Issue 4, 2017
One review has recently been published and the need for updating will be reviewed when new evidence becomes available
- Concomitant atrial fibrillation surgery for people undergoing cardiac surgery - published in Issue 8, 2016
Two potentially new topics have also been identified but they need further investigation whether or not a review is warranted:
- Cognitive behaviour therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation
- Left atrial appendage closure for prevention of stroke
A number of previously registered review titles are now considered not relevant and will therefore not be pursued further:
- Surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation
- Digoxin for cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation
- Perioperative intravenous magnesium for preventing atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass
- Pharmacological interventions for atrial fibrillation
- Rhythm control versus rate control for atrial fibrillation/flutter
- The use of antiarrhythmics prior to cardioversion or catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation
- Anticoagulants or antiplatelet therapy for non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation and flutter