Favours rate control	Favours rhythm control
Persistent AF	Paroxysmal AF Newly detected AF
Less symptomatic	More symptomatic
Aged ≥65 years	Aged <65 years
Hypertension	No hypertension
No history of congestive heart failure	Congestive heart failure clearly exacerbated by AF
Previous antiarrhythmic drug failure	No previous antiarrhythmic drug failure
Patient preference	Patient preference