Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Incidence of All-Cause, Cardiovascular, and Atrial Fibrillation-Related Hospitalizations: Focus on Antiarrhythmic Drugs
Authors' conclusion
Elderly AF patients frequently undergo hospitalizations for both cardiovascular and noncardiovascular causes. The use of anti-arrhythmic drugs was associated with an increased risk of AF-related hospitalization suggesting a scarce effect of these drugs in preventing AF episodes.
Study context
- Population
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients on oral anticoagulants (ATHERO-AF cohort)43.5% female
- Participants
- 2,782 patients
- Outcome
- All-cause, CV and AF-related hospitalization (AF-related: AF recurrences for paroxysmal AF; high-rate symptomatic AF episodes for persistent/permanent AF)
- Follow-up
- Mean 31 ± 26.8 months
Methodological detailsongoing
- Ongoing
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
All-cause hospitalizations
1,205
12.1%/year
Cardiac hospitalizations
533
5.7%/year
AF-related hospitalizations
180
2.0%/year
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Predictors of AF-related hospitalization
| HR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Flecainide/propafenoneParoxysmal AF | 1.861 (1.116–3.101) | |
| Flecainide/propafenonePersistent/permanent AF | 1.947 (1.069–3.548) | |
| AmiodaronePersistent/permanent AF | 3.012 (1.835–4.943) | |
| Verapamil/diltiazemPersistent/permanent AF | 2.067 (1.117–3.825) | |
| CancerPersistent/permanent AF | 1.802 (1.057–3.070) | |
| 0.20.5125Hazard ratio (log scale) |
- Beta-blockers and digoxin not associated with increased risk (persistent/permanent AF)
Original publication
Incidence of All-Cause, Cardiovascular, and Atrial Fibrillation-Related Hospitalizations: Focus on Antiarrhythmic Drugs. JACC Adv. Published 12 July 2024. doi:10.
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