Statistical analysis
Continuous variables were reported as mean and standard deviation and categorical variables as absolute frequencies and percentages. Between-group comparisons were performed with Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney test. The descriptive analysis involved baseline characteristics of patients with rate and rhythm control strategy. The comparative analyses among patients with rhythm control were made using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Statistically significant variables in univariate logistic regression model were put into multivariate logistic regression model to identify multivariable predictors of the use of rhythm control in patients with paroxysmal AF and of amiodarone use in the rhythm control group. Results are presented as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). A two-sided  value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. All analyses were calculated using SAS software version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA).