Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent arrhythmia in sepsis patients and is traditionally regarded as a harmful epiphenomenon requiring immediate correction. Its abrupt onset and association with adverse outcomes have driven clinicians to pursue aggressive rhythm or rate control strategies, which are often extrapolated from cardiology rather than sepsis-specific evidence. However, emerging data challenge this reflexive approach. Studies with ultrashort-acting beta-blockers, such as esmolol and landiolol, have shown that hemodynamic stabilization may occur even in the absence of sinus rhythm restoration. This raises a provocative question: could AF during sepsis represent not a pathological disturbance but rather a transient and potentially tolerable manifestation of sepsis-related cardiovascular stress? We propose the concept of “permissive AF,” shifting the focus from rhythm restoration to hemodynamic optimization and organ perfusion. Thus, AF is not framed as a physiological adaptation per se but as a maladaptive manifestation of sepsis-related cardiac injury that may be clinically tolerated, paralleling permissive strategies in critical care, such as permissive hypercapnia or restrictive transfusion thresholds. This does not imply therapeutic inaction; rather, it is a goal-directed approach that tolerates arrhythmia when adequate rate control and perfusion are achieved. This paradigm challenges established clinical instincts and underscores the need for individualized management. Recognizing AF as a potential adaptive rhythm reframes research priorities: identifying biomarkers of atrial inflammation, stratifying patients according to hemodynamic impact, and testing permissive versus corrective strategies in prospective trials. The permissive AF strategy proposed herein is expected to foster patient-centered care and reduce iatrogenic harm in the complex interplay between sepsis and the heart.
Graphical Abstract Clinical dilemma of atrial fibrillation during sepsis. Electrical cardioversion is depicted with traditional defibrillator pads, symbolizing rhythm-focused intervention (left). Pharmacologic rate control is represented by beta-blockers and a perfused heart, highlighting a patient-centered approach on the basis of hemodynamic stability (right).
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Funding
Università degli Studi di Ferrara
Università degli Studi di Ferrara
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