Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyResearch article
Atrial fibrillation in patients ≤50 years: Clinical characteristics, treatment, risk of ischemic stroke, and outcomes
- Cox regression and propensity score matching analysis of consecutive hospitalized patients
- single large tertiary medical center
- Kaplan-Meier survival curves
Authors' conclusion
The findings show that patients with AF ≤50 years old have an unfavorable prognosis, and MACE primarily occurs in those with comorbidities. CA is associated with a reduced risk of MACE. Further prospective controlled studies are needed to provide greater attention and tailored management strategies for this growing population.
Study context
- Population
- Hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) aged 18–50 years, large tertiary medical center, 2014–2023final cohort, median age 45 (IQR, 40.8–48) years, 72.8% men, 70.4% with comorbidities
- Participants
- 1,358 patients
- Comparison
- Impact of catheter ablation (CA) on the occurrence of MACE; risk factors for MACE and new-onset ischemic stroke (IS)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
MACE · 4.5 (IQR, 2.7-7.2) years follow-up
Patients who developed MACE
238
Further findings
| Outcome | HR | P value |
|---|---|---|
| MACE with CA · comparator not stated; propensity score matched | 0.494 | P = 0.002 |
| Risk factors for new-onset IS — Prior IS · independent risk factor | 10.412 | P < 0.001 |
| Risk factors for new-onset IS — Antiplatelet therapy · independent risk factor | 3.447 | P = 0.001 |
| Risk factors for new-onset IS — Left ventricular ejection fraction >0.5 · protective factor | 0.367 | P = 0.013 |
MACE with CA
- Occurrence of MACE associated with CHA2DS2-VA scores
Original publication
Atrial fibrillation in patients ≤50 years: Clinical characteristics, treatment, risk of ischemic stroke, and outcomes. Heart Rhythm. Published 23 January 2026. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.01.022
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it