Overview
- Among 200 adults randomized after cardioversion, recurrent AFib or atrial flutter occurred in 47% of the coffee group versus 64% of the no-caffeine group, a 39% lower relative risk.
- The DECAF study enrolled recent or habitual coffee drinkers who averaged about one cup per day and verified episodes lasting more than 30 seconds through medical-grade ECG documentation.
- Results were presented as late-breaking science at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025 and were reported as published in JAMA.
- Investigators reported no significant difference in adverse events between groups, indicating moderate caffeinated coffee was well tolerated in this cohort.
- The open-label design, reliance on self-reported intake, and enrollment limited to prior coffee drinkers constrain generalizability, so authors urge confirmatory trials and caution against extrapolating to heavy or synthetic caffeine sources.