Atrial fibrillation precipitated by acute hypovolaemia.

Six patients with varying degrees of acute cardiorespiratory failure were seen. All patients deteriorated noticeably when rapid atrial fibrillation developed. In all patients intravenous digitalis failed to slow the ventricular response, and in three patients misguided attempts at electrical cardioversion failed. Haemodynamic monitoring showed a normal or low pulmonary artery occlusion pressure in all patients. Controlled expansion of plasma volume was associated with an immediate slowing of the heart rate in all patients, and the heart rate in all patients returned to sinus rhythm within 30 minutes of transfusion. It is suggested that hypovolaemia in critically ill patients may contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation.     

Digitalis Does not Improve Left Atrial Mechanical Dysfunction After Successful Electrical Cardioversion of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation

This study was designed to investigate whether administration of digitalis could improve mechanical function of left atrial appendage (LAA) and left atrium prospectively in patients with atrial stunning. Fifty-four consecutive patients in whom atrial stunning was observed immediately after cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) were randomized into digitalis or control group for 1 week following cardioversion. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were performed prior to, immediately following, 1 day after and 1 week after cardioversion to measure transmitral flow velocity and LAA flow velocity. Electrical cardioversion of AF elicited significantly slower left atrial appendage peak emptying velocity (LAA-PEV) and peak filling velocity (LAA-PFV) immediately following cardioversion in both groups. 1 day post cardioversion, there were no significant differences in transmitral E wave, A wave, E/A ratio, LAA-PEV, LAA-PFV or left atrial appendage ejection fraction (LAA-EF) between digitalis and control groups. 1 week post cardioversion, no significant differences were found in transmitral E wave, A wave, E/A ratio, LAA-PEV, LAA-PFV or LAA-EF between the two groups. The occurrence rates of spontaneous echo contrast were not significantly different between digitalis and control groups one day and one week post cardioversion. In conclusion, digitalis did not improve left atrial and appendage mechanical dysfunction following cardioversion of chronic AF. Digitalis did not prevent the development of spontaneous echo contrast in left atrial chamber and appendage. This may be due to the fact that digitalis aggravates intracellular calcium overload induced by chronic AF and has a negative effect on ventricular rate.     

Exercise heart rates at different serum digoxin concentrations in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Heart rate at rest and during increasing workloads was measured in a double blind study of 12 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation when serum concentrations of digoxin were nil and at low and high therapeutic values. Twelve normal subjects were studied for comparison. The heart rate at all levels of exercise in most patients with atrial fibrillation was not adequately controlled by any serum digoxin concentration tested despite a reduction in heart rate with increasing serum digoxin concentrations. Control of the resting heart rate, even in patients with high serum digoxin concentrations, did not ensure adequate control of the heart rate during work rates equivalent to regular daily activities.     

Non-Synchronized Direct-Current Countershock in Cardiac Arrhythmias

One hundred and thirty-two direct-current shocks were administered to 82 patients in an attempt to convert supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Sinus rhythm was restored in 74 patients. In at least seven instances the shock was delivered during the T wave. Ventricular fibrillation did not occur. One episode of ventricular tachycardia and one of third-degree heart block followed countershock and terminated spontaneously. Excessive digitalis was considered to be a contributing factor in these two arrhythmias. Non-synchronized countershock is considered a safe and effective method of converting atrial fibrillation and flutter.     

经食道超声心动图评估特发性房颤左心房左心耳的价值

目的:研究经食道超声心动图(TEE)评估特发性房颤左心房左心耳的临床价值。方法:选择自2015年1月到2016年8月在医院接受诊治的特发性房颤患者100例纳入本次研究,阵发性房颤92例,记为阵发性房颤组;持续性房颤8例,记为持续性房颤组。另选同期在医院进行健康体检的心功能正常志愿者90例作为对照组。利用TEE对受试者进行检查,对比房颤组与对照组的左心房及左心耳参数,是否含有自发性显影(LASEC)的房颤患者的左心房及左心耳参数,利用TEE分析对房颤患者的预后情况。结果:阵发性房颤组左心房的前后径和左右径,左心耳血流最大的排空速度(Lev)均明显小于对照组,左心耳的面积变化率及最大的充盈速度(Lfv)均明显大于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。持续性房颤组左心房的前后径和左右径均明显大于对照组,左心耳的面积变化率、Lev及Lfv均明显小于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。阵发性房颤组左心房的前后径和左右径均明显小于持续性房颤组,左心耳的面积变化率、Lev及Lfv均明显大于持续性房颤组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。有LASEC者左心房的前后径和左右径均明显大于无LASEC者,左心耳的面积变化率、Lev及Lfv均明显小于无LASEC者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。100例房颤患者中发现34例LASEC,占34.00%,其中有18例患者合并有左心耳血栓,占18.00%。总计有66例患者接受导管射频消融疗法,占66.00%,均未在术中及术后7d内出现血栓及栓塞并发症。结论:利用TEE对特发性房颤的患者左心房及左心耳进行评估,有利于更好的辅助患者的临床治疗,值得重视。     

Mechanism of action of βadrenergic receptor blocking agents in angina pectoris: Comparison of action of propranolol with dexpropranolol and practolol

The effect on exercise tolerance of racemic propranolol has been assessed in eight angina pectoris patients and compared with that of dexpropranolol (the dextro isomer of propranolol), practolol (I.C.I. 50172), and saline. Dexpropranolol has the same local anaesthetic action as propranolol with negligible β-adrenergic receptor blocking activity, while practolol is a cardio-selective β-adrenergic blocking agent which does not have local anaesthetic activity.Saline and dexpropranolol had no significant effect on exercise time; racemic propranolol and practolol improved exercise tolerance in six subjects, the response to the two drugs being very similar in individual patients. It was concluded that the beneficial effect of propranolol in angina pectoris results from its action as a β-adrenergic receptor blocking agent and is not due to its local anaesthetic, or quinidine-like, activity.     

Clinical Characteristics,Management, and Control of Permanent vs. Nonpermanent Atrial Fibrillation: Insights from the RealiseAF Survey

Background

Atrial fibrillation can be categorized into nonpermanent and permanent atrial fibrillation. There is less information on permanent than on nonpermanent atrial fibrillation patients. This analysis aimed to describe the characteristics and current management, including the proportion of patients with successful atrial fibrillation control, of these atrial fibrillation subsets in a large, geographically diverse contemporary sample.

Methods and Results

Data from RealiseAF, an international, observational, cross-sectional survey of 10,491 patients with atrial fibrillation, were used to characterize permanent atrial fibrillation (N = 4869) and nonpermanent atrial fibrillation (N = 5622) patients. Permanent atrial fibrillation patients were older, had a longer time since atrial fibrillation diagnosis, a higher symptom burden, and were more likely to be physically inactive. They also had a higher mean (SD) CHADS₂ score (2.2 [1.3] vs. 1.7 [1.3], p<0.001), and a higher frequency of CHADS₂ score ≥2 (67.3% vs. 53.0%, p<0.001) and comorbidities, most notably heart failure. Physicians indicated using a rate-control strategy in 84.2% of permanent atrial fibrillation patients (vs. 27.5% in nonpermanent atrial fibrillation). Only 50.2% (N = 2262/4508) of permanent atrial fibrillation patients were controlled. These patients had a longer time since atrial fibrillation diagnosis, a lower symptom burden, less obesity and physical inactivity, less severe heart failure, and fewer hospitalizations for acute heart failure than uncontrolled permanent atrial fibrillation patients, but with more arrhythmic events. The most frequent causes of hospitalization in the last 12 months were acute heart failure and stroke.

Conclusion

Permanent atrial fibrillation is a high-risk subset of atrial fibrillation, representing half of all atrial fibrillation patients, yet rate control is only achieved in around half. Since control is associated with lower symptom burden and heart failure, adequate rate control is an important target for improving the management of permanent atrial fibrillation patients.     

Frequent Periodic Leg Movement During Sleep Is an Unrecognized Risk Factor for Progression of Atrial Fibrillation

Sleep apnea has been recognized as a factor predisposing to atrial fibrillation recurrence and progression. The effect of other sleep-disturbing conditions on atrial fibrillation progression is not known. We sought to determine whether frequent periodic leg movement during sleep is a risk factor for progression of atrial fibrillation. In this retrospective study, patients with atrial fibrillation and a clinical suspicion of restless legs syndrome who were referred for polysomnography were divided into two groups based on severity of periodic leg movement during sleep: frequent (periodic movement index >35/h) and infrequent (≤35/h). Progression of atrial fibrillation to persistent or permanent forms between the two groups was compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test, chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis. Of 373 patients with atrial fibrillation (77% paroxysmal, 23% persistent), 108 (29%) progressed to persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation during follow-up (median, 33 months; interquartile range, 16-50). Compared to patients with infrequent periodic leg movement during sleep (n=168), patients with frequent periodic leg movement during sleep (n=205) had a higher rate of atrial fibrillation progression (23% vs. 34%; p=0.01). Patients with frequent periodic leg movement during sleep were older and predominantly male; however, there were no significant differences at baseline in clinical factors that promote atrial fibrillation progression between both groups. On multivariate analysis, independent predictors of atrial fibrillation progression were persistent atrial fibrillation at baseline, female gender, hypertension and frequent periodic leg movement during sleep. In patients with frequent periodic leg movement during sleep, dopaminergic therapy for control of leg movements in patients with restless legs syndrome reduced risk of atrial fibrillation progression. Frequent leg movement during sleep in patients with restless legs syndrome is associated with progression of atrial fibrillation to persistent and permanent forms.     

左房增大对起搏器术后的老年阵发性房颤患者再发房颤的影响

目的：探讨植入心脏起搏器的老年阵发性房颤患者再发房颤（包括无症状性房颤）发生率及左房容积指数对再发房颤的影响。方法：收集2012年1月-2013年12月在我院起搏器门诊长期随访且未服用抗心律失常药物的起搏器术后老年阵发性房颤患者148例,记录基线特征、超声心动图参数及随访期间内房颤发生情况。分别根据左房容积指数及房颤负荷进行分组,应用Cox回归分析探讨起搏器检测的再发房颤及房颤高负荷的危险因素。结果：患者平均随访时间为22.79个月,期间57.43%的患者再发房颤,22.97%的患者为房颤高负荷,15.54%的患者为无症状房颤。多因素Cox回归分析发现左房增大分别是再发房颤及房颤高负荷的独立危险因素。结论：左房容积指数是预测起搏器术后老年阵发性房颤患者房颤复发及房颤高负荷的独立危险因素。     

Ablation surgery for atrial fibrillation: "freeze it or buzz it; just do it and cure it"

Patients in normal sinus rhythm have lesser stroke rate, better functional class and quality of life than those in atrial fibrillation. Adding a surgical procedure to cure atrial fibrillation in patients needing correction of structural heart disease has been shown to be a safe option, which benefits the majority in restoration of sinus rhythm. Age is no bar to implement this option. The same does not hold true for lone atrial fibrillation. The affirm trial has shown that there is need for improved treatment strategies for patients in atrial fibrillation, although young patients were not represented in sizable proportion. There is need to develop curative treatment for patients with lone atrial fibrillation. And there are technological advances in the form of ablative energy sources and hardware for applying these with minimal invasion. "Between tomorrow's dream and yesterday's regret is today's opportunity". Let's make the best of it!     

持续正压通气治疗阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征并发心房纤颤的临床研究

目的:研究持续正压通气治疗阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OSAHS)并发心房纤颤的临床疗效。方法:选取2013年1月到2014年1月我院收治的OSAHS并发心房纤颤患者60例,按照随机数字表法将患者分为实验组和对照组,每组30例。对照组给予常规治疗,实验组在对照组的基础上给予持续正压通气治疗,两组均治疗1年。分析治疗前、后两组心率(HR)、血氧饱和度(SPO2)、左心射血分数(LVEF)、脑钠肽(BNP),并比较两组心房纤颤转复率、复发率和不良反应。结果:治疗后实验组HR、SPO2、LVEF以及BNP显著优于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后实验组心房纤颤转复率显著高于对照组,心房纤颤复发率显著低于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);两组不良反应发生率比较无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:持续正压通气治疗OSAHS并发心房纤颤具有较好的效果,有利于改善心功能,提高心房纤颤转复率降低房纤颤复发率。     

房颤射频消融术后复发风险预测评分系统的建立及评价

目的:探讨心房颤动(房颤)患者射频消融术后复发的风险因素,并依此构建个性化的风险评分系统。方法:选取2017年1~8月行射频消融术的房颤患者154例作为研究对象,依据术后3个月的随访结果将患者分为复发组及未复发组,采用单因素分析和Logistic回归分析对各风险因素进行分析,构建其评分系统,采用Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合优度检验和ROC曲线下面积评价评分系统的准确度及区分度。结果:术后随访3个月的结果显示共37例(24.03%)房颤患者出现复发,房颤类型、病程、体质量指数(BMI)、左房前后径(LAD)、左房容积(LAV)及超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平均是房颤复发的独立风险因素(P<0.05)。构建的风险评分系统得分为0~26分,Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合优度检验:x^2=7.520,P=0.482;ROC曲线下面积为0.864(95%CI:0.837~0.891),预测评分值为15分时,约登指数最大(0.605),此时的敏感度和特异度分别为77.3%和83.2%。结论:房颤患者射频消融术后的复发率较高,依据风险因素构建的风险评分系统具有较高的预测效率和区分能力,可作为房颤患者射频消融术后复发风险评估的参考工具。     

Additive antianginal effect of verapamil in patients receiving propranolol

Ten men with stable angina pectoris not fully relieved by optimal doses of propranolol (mean 218 mg daily) were given a single oral dose of 120 mg verapamil or a placebo on alternate mornings; the order of treatment was double blind. Patients had trained in a protocol that precipitated angina after three to six minutes of exercise on a bicycle ergometer. On test days, and with continued propranolol treatment, bicycle exercise was performed just before the administration of verapamil or placebo and hourly thereafter for eight hours. Mean exercise tolerance was 118 seconds greater one hour after verapamil than one hour after placebo (p <0·001), and a significant though somewhat diminished difference of 66 seconds was still present at six hours (p <0·01). Verapamil lowered resting systolic blood pressure by 12 mm Hg (p <0·01) without changing heart rate. None of the 10 patients showed adverse effects from the verapamil-propranolol combination.The results of this study suggest that verapamil is a highly effective antianginal supplement to propranolol.     

Exercise hyperventilation, dyspnea sensation, and ergoreflex activation in lone atrial fibrillation

Lone atrial fibrillation may be associated with daily life disability and exercise limitation. The extracardiac pathophysiology of these effects is poorly explored. In 35 subjects with lone atrial fibrillation (mean age 67 +/- 7 yr), we investigated pulmonary function, symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise performance, muscle ergoreflex (handgrip exercise) contribution to ventilation, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (as a measure of endothelial function) before and after (average interval 20 +/- 5 days) restoring sinus rhythm with external cardioversion. Respiratory volumes and lung diffusing capacity at rest were within normal limits during both atrial fibrillation and after restoring sinus rhythm. Cardioversion was associated with the following changes: a decrease of the slope of exercise ventilation vs. CO2 production (from 35 +/- 5 to 29 +/- 3; P <0.01) and of dyspnea sensation (Borg score from 4 to 2) and an increase of peak oxygen uptake (Vo2; from 16 +/- 4 to 20 +/- 5 ml.min(-1).kg(-1); P <0.01), Vo2 at anaerobic threshold (from 11 +/- 2 to 13 +/- 2 ml.min(-1).kg(-1); P <0.05), and O2 pulse (from 8 +/- 3 to 11 +/- 3 ml/beat; P <0.01). After cardioversion, the observed improvement in ventilatory efficiency was accompanied by a significant peak end-tidal CO2 increase (from 33 +/- 2 to 37 +/- 2 mmHg; P <0.01) and no changes in dead space-to-tidal volume ratio (from 0.23 +/- 0.03 to 0.23 +/- 0.02; P=not significant). In addition, the ergoreflex contribution to ventilation was remarkably attenuated, and the brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation was significantly augmented (from 0.32 +/- 0.07 to 0.42 +/- 0.08 mm; P <0.01). Ten patients had atrial fibrillation relapse and, compared with values after restoration of regular sinus rhythm, invariably showed worsening of endothelial function, exercise ventilatory efficiency, and muscle ergoreflex contribution to ventilation. In subjects with lone atrial fibrillation, an impairment in ventilatory efficiency appears to be involved in the pathophysiology of exercise limitation, and to be primarily related with a demodulated peripheral control of ventilation.     

Atrial fibrillation and stroke: prevalence in different types of stroke and influence on early and long term prognosis (Oxfordshire community stroke project)

OBJECTIVE--To determine in patients with first ever stroke whether atrial fibrillation influences clinical features, the need to perform computed tomography, and prognosis. DESIGN--Observational cohort study with maximum follow up of 6.5 years. SETTING--Primary care, based on 10 general practices in urban and rural Oxfordshire. SUBJECTS--Consecutive series of 675 patients with first ever stroke registered in the Oxfordshire community stroke project. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Prevalence of atrial fibrillation by type of stroke; effect of atrial fibrillation on case fatality rate and risk of recurrent stroke, vascular death, and death from all causes. RESULTS--Prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 17% (95% confidence interval 14% to 20%) for all stroke types (115/675), 18% (15% to 21%) for cerebral infarction (97/545), 11% (4% to 11%) for primary intercerebral haemorrhage (7/66), and 0% (0 to 11%) for subarachnoid haemorrhage (0/33). For patients with cerebral infarction the 30 day case fatality rate was significantly higher with atrial fibrillation (23%) than with sinus rhythm (8%); the risk of early recurrent stroke (within 30 days) was 1% with atrial fibrillation and 4% with sinus rhythm. In patients who survived at least 30 days the average annual risk of recurrent stroke was 8.2% (5.9% to 10.9%) with sinus rhythm and 11% (6.0% to 17.3%) with atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS--After a first stroke atrial fibrillation was not associated with a definite excess risk of recurrent stroke, either within 30 days or within the first few years. Survivors with and without atrial fibrillation had a clinically important absolute risk of further serious vascular events.     

Deleterious cardiovascular effect of exosome in digitalis‐treated decompensated congestive heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a medical condition inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet the metabolic demand of the body to take place. The number of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases is estimated to be more than 1 million each year, of which 80% to 90% of patients ultimately progress to decompensated HF. Digitalis glycosides exert modest inotropic actions when administered to patients with decompensated HF. Although its efficacy in patients with HF and atrial fibrillation is clear, its value in patients with HF and sinus rhythm has often been questioned. A series of recent studies have cast serious doubt on the benefit of digoxin when added to contemporary HF treatment. We are hypothesizing the role and mechanism of exosome and its biological constituents responsible for worsening the disease state and mortality in decompensated HF patients on digitalis.     

Perceived exertion and gas exchange after calcium and beta-blockade in atrial fibrillation

Nine male patients (mean age 65 yr) with chronic atrial fibrillation underwent maximal exercise testing during placebo, beta-adrenergic (celiprolol, 600 mg), or calcium (diltiazem, 30 or 60 mg four times daily) channel blockade. The results were analyzed to determine which factors most closely related to ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), oxygen uptake (VO2), minute ventilation (VE), and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were evaluated at rest, 3.0 mph/0% grade, the gas exchange anaerobic threshold (ATge), 80% of placebo maximal O2 uptake, and maximal exercise. Both beta-adrenergic and calcium channel blockade significantly reduced heart rate and systolic blood pressure relative to placebo; these effects were more profound during beta-adrenergic blockade and as exercise progressed. Correlation coefficients and estimates of slope were derived for changes in RPE during exercise vs. changes in HR, VO2, VE, and VCO2 during the three treatments (r = 0.76 to 0.92, P less than 0.001). Although RPE was significantly correlated with HR during placebo and diltiazem therapy (r = 0.45, P less than 0.01), this was not the case during beta-adrenergic blockade (r = 0.31, NS). Slope of the regression lines between RPE and VO2, VE, and VCO2 did not differ between the three treatments. Slope of the regression lines between RPE and HR differed only during calcium channel blockade. Because the presence of atrial fibrillation and beta-adrenergic blockade altered the associations between RPE, VO2, and HR, these results suggest that VE is more closely related to RPE than the other parameters.     

NT-proBNP对胺碘酮用于急诊阵发房颤复律疗效的预测价值

目的:研究N末端B型利钠肽原(N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, NT-proBNP)对胺碘酮用于急诊阵发性非瓣膜病心房颤动疗效的预测价值。方法:收集2016-2017年于宣武医院急诊科诊断为阵发性非瓣膜病房颤(发病48h内)的患者共110例,记录所有患者人院时一般资料、既往病史、临床症状体征、实验室数据及测定肌钙蛋白I(Troponin-I, TnI)水平和基线NT-proBNP水平,均给予胺碘酮静脉转复治疗。按照胺碘酮转复情况分为成功组和失败组。结果:静脉应用胺碘酮成功转复91例(82.7%),平均转复时间8.15小时(SD10.16),转复失败者24 h内心室率均控制在100次/min以下,均无严重不良反应。成功组血浆基线NT-pro BNP水平显著低于失败组(P0.05);而两组患者性别、年龄、入室血压、心室率、胸痛、房颤持续时间、入室心电图ST段压低、Tn I水平、冠心病史、高血压、糖尿病、房颤史比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。二元logistic回归分析显示NT-proBNP的自然对数,即In(NT-proBNP)为急诊房颤胺碘酮复律疗效的主要影响因素。结论:对于非瓣膜病房颤急性发作48 h的患者,胺碘酮转复是安全有效的;基线NT-proBNP水平是药物复律成功的重要预测因子,如基线NT-proBNP水平较高,则复律成功率低,为了避免药物的不良反应,可考虑控制心室率,而不是复律治疗。     

Non-pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation

In selected patients with atrial fibrillation and severe symptoms, non-pharmacological treatment may be an alternative or supplement to drug therapy. Atrioventricular nodal radiofrequency ablation (requires pacemaker implantation), or atrial pacing for sick sinus syndrome, are established treatment modalities. All other non-pharmacological therapies for atrial fibrillation are still experimental. After the Maze operation, atrial depolarization has to follow one specific path determined by surgical scars in the myocardium. This prevents new episodes of atrial fibrillation, but at a cost of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Catheter-based "Maze-like" radiofrequency ablation is technically difficult, and thrombo-embolic complications may occur. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation sometimes is initiated by spontaneous depolarizations in a pulmonary vein inlet. Radio frequency ablation against such focal activity has been reported with high therapeutic success, but the results await confirmation from several centres. For ventricular rate control, most electrophysiologists presently prefer ablation to induce a complete atrioventricular conduction block (with pacemaker) rather than trying to modify conduction by incomplete block. Atrial or dual chamber pacing may prevent atrial fibrillation induced by bradycardia. It remains to confirm that biatrial or multisite right atrial pacing prevents atrial fibrillation more efficiently than ordinary right atrial pacing. An atrial defibrillator is able to diagnose and convert atrial fibrillation. The equipment is expensive, and therapy without sedation may be unpleasant beyond tolerability.     

Atrial fibrillation after but not before primary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction of prognostic importance

Aim

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), it is uncertain whether atrial fibrillation has prognostic implications. There may be a difference between atrial fibrillation before and after reperfusion therapy.

Methods and results

In patients with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), ECGs were analysed before and after primary PCI. Of the 1623 patients with electrocardiographic data before primary PCI, 53 patients (3.3%) had atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation were older, were more often female, and less often had anterior MI location. Of the 1728 patients with electrocardiographic data after primary PCI, 52 patients (3.0%) had atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation was more common in older patients and in those with Killip class >1. Also patients with occlusion of the right coronary artery or TIMI flow 0 before primary PCI more commonly had AF after the procedure. Not successful reperfusion was also associated with a higher incidence of AF after primary PCI. Although both atrial fibrillation before and after primary PCI were associated with increased mortality, multivariable analyses, adjusting for differences in age, gender and Killip class on admission, revealed that atrial fibrillation after PCI (OR 3.69, 95% CI 1.87–7.29) but not before PCI (OR 1.86, 95% CI 0.89–3.90) was independent and statistically significantly associated with long-term mortality.

Conclusion

In patients with STEMI, atrial fibrillation after but not before primary PCI has independent prognostic implications. Possibly, atrial fibrillation after the PCI is a symptom of failed reperfusion and a sign of heart failure.