December 30, 2025
1 min read
The DECAF trial evaluated the effects of caffeinated coffee on risk for recurrent atrial fibrillation episodes in patients with persistent AF or atrial flutter undergoing cardioversion.
Read Healio’s in-depth coverage of the DECAF trial.
DECAF included 200 adults with persistent AF or atrial flutter who self-reported drinking about one cup of caffeinated coffee per day. After successful cardioversion, participants were randomly assigned to continue their regular coffee consumption or to abstain from caffeine for 6 months.
At 6 months, recurrence of AF or atrial flutter was 39% lower in the group that continued drinking caffeinated coffee.
The study looked only at the effects of consuming about one cup of caffeinated coffee per day; researchers did not evaluate higher amounts of coffee consumption of other caffeine-containing beverages, like energy drinks.
The DECAF results were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions and simultaneously published in JAMA.
Read Healio’s complete coverage of AHA 2025 here.
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