Arrhythmias & electrophysiology

Supraventricular arrhythmia prematurity and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation

Heart RhythmPublished STROKESTOP I study

Authors' conclusion

Supraventricular arrhythmias are frequent in older individuals and are associated with incident AF. Increasing prematurity of premature atrial contractions is associated with future AF risk.

Study context

Population
Participants in the STROKESTOP I study (older individuals)participants included, 740 (12.0%) developed atrial fibrillation (AF)
Participants
6,145 participants
Exposure
Characteristics of premature atrial contractions (including prematurity and coupling interval) and nonsustained supraventricular tachycardias in relation to incident AF
  • Developed AFn = 740
Outcome
Incident AF
Follow-up
7.0 years
Methodological detailsRepeated 30-second 1-lead electrocardiographic recordings, followed for a total of 7 years using national health registries
  • Repeated 30-second 1-lead electrocardiographic recordings
  • Followed for a total of 7 years using national health registries

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Developed AF

740

12.0%

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Supraventricular arrhythmias, including premature atrial contractions

More frequently found in individuals who developed AF
71.08% vs 51.21%; P < .05

Incident AF risk, participants with nonsustained supraventricular tachycardias

Adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval 3.43-6.43)
4.70
  • Incident AF risk was highest for participants with nonsustained supraventricular tachycardias

Coupling interval of any arrhythmia and incident AF

Adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval 0.81-0.93; P < .05)
0.87
  • A shorter coupling interval of any arrhythmia was associated with an increased risk of incident AF

Original publication

Supraventricular arrhythmia prematurity and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm. Published 21 July 2026. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.07.029

Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →

Get them every week

New studies on this topic in My Week and in your Monday e-mail.

We e-mail you a sign-in link and a code. No password, no spam.