Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia worldwide with a prevalence of up to 21% in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Data of new-onset AF in this context are limited, and its long-term prognosis remains unclear.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the recurrence of atrial fibrillation in the first year following hospitalization and its impact on major cardiovascular events.
We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study from December 2011 to May 2021, including patients who experienced a first episode of paroxysmal AF during hospitalization for AMI. The primary outcome was the recurrence rate of AF within the first-year post-discharge. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events.
A total of 209 patients were included. AF recurrence occurred in 19 patients, 9.1% (95% CI 5.2-13.0%) with a median time to recurrence of 84 days [IQR 27.5-157.5]. Mortality in the AF-positive group was more than double that of the AF-negative group, although this difference did not reach statistical significance (15.8% vs (7.4%, p=0.19). Patients with AF recurrence had a significantly worse prognosis (47.4% vs. 23.7%, p=0.04), primarily due to increased heart failure hospitalizations.
Author notes
Funding Acknowledgements: None.
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