Background. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in critically ill patients and is associated with increased mortality. Two therapeutic strategies are used: rhythm control and heart rate (HR) control. In the HR‑control strategy, the optimal HR target remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to develop and compare methods for determining the optimal HR range based on transthoracic echocardiography and analysis of physiological signals.
Conclusions. The optimal individual HR—defined as the HR associated with maximal cardiac output—can be determined in patients with AF using either bedside echocardiography or analysis of physiological signals. These approaches may support individualized HR‑targeted management in critically ill patients with AF.
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