Beta-blockade and A1-adenosine receptor agonist effects on atrial fibrillatory rate and atrioventricular conduction in patients with atrial fibrillation

Reduced irregularity of RR intervals in permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with poor outcome. It is not fully understood, however, whether modification of atrioventricular (AV) conduction using rate-control drugs affects RR variability and irregularity measures. We aimed at assessing whether atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) and variability and irregularity of the ventricular rate are modified by a selective A1-adenosine receptor agonist tecadenoson, beta-blocker esmolol, and their combination.