BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of early rhythm control to rate control, and whether catheter ablation derived more benefit compared to other methods of rhythm control. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, SCOPUS, and EuropePMC up to July 2, 2024. The primary outcome of this study was major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as a composite of mortality, stroke/systemic embolism, heart failure hospitalization (HFH), and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during the follow-up period. Outcome measures were adjusted hazard ratios (aHR). RESULTS: A total of 504,124 patients from 11 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Early rhythm control was significantly associated with reduction in MACCE (aHR 0.85 [95% CI 0.80, 0.90], p <
0.001
I CONCLUSION: Early rhythm control was associated with better outcomes compared to rate control in AF, with a more pronounced benefit observed for ablation.