A 76-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Office for Follow-Up

A 76-year-old woman comes to the office for follow-up.  While vacationing in Florida 6 weeks ago, she had an episode of dizziness and palpitations that lasted several hours.  She was seen in the local emergency department, where she was found to be in atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate.  The patient was then admitted to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
Echocardiography showed a mildly dilated left atrium, a normal left ventricle with an ejection fraction of 65%, and no significant valvular abnormalities.  Discharge medications included apixaban and long-acting diltiazem.  The patient has had no symptoms since hospital discharge.
Physical examination today is unremarkable.  ECG performed in the office shows persistent atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate of 68/min.  The patient asks about the possibility of using medications to keep her sinus rhythm normal.
Compared to her current treatment, the use of antiarrhythmic medications in this patient will more likely result in which of the following?

A) Fewer hospitalizations
B) Higher risk of medication toxicity
C) Lower risk of congestive heart failure
D) Lower risk of major bleeding
E) Lower risk of systemic thromboembolic events