Spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm occurs in almost 70% of patients presenting with atrial fibrillation of <72-h duration. Presentation with symptoms of <24-h duration is the best predictor of spontaneous conversion.

Among patients presenting with atrial fibrillation that was clinically estimated to have lasted less than 48 hours, the likelihood of cardioversion-related clinical thromboembolism is low. These data support the current recommendation for early cardioversion in these patients.

No abstract