Abstract 11815: Effects of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers and Beta-Blockers on the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Prospective Study of Four-Years Follow-Up

Abstract

Background: The incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasing with the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction. Diastolic dysfunction is thought to be responsible for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF). Effective medication for the treatment of HFPEF has been controversial, although angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and beta-blockers (BBs) have been proven to be effective in heart failure with reduced EF. We recently reported that pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (ePCWP) estimated by the combination of left atrial (LA) volume (V) and emptying function (EF) evaluated by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) had a strong correlation with PCWP measured by cardiac catheterization (r=0.86-0.92). Methods: We screened 663 elderly (>65 years old) patients and identified 228 who had no AF history and met the criteria for diastolic dysfunction according to the Echocardiography Association of the European Society of Cardiology. These patients were prospectively followed for 4 years to identify new-onset AF. We measured echocardiographic parameters such as left ventricular (LV) mass index, LV ejection fraction, E/A, E/e’ and ePCWP at baseline. Concomitant medication was left to the discretion of the physicians in charge. Results: During a mean follow-up of 43 months, 63 elderly patients (age 73±6, 39 men) developed electrocardiographically-confirmed AF. There was no significant difference in the development of new-onset AF between the groups treated with and without BBs (hazard ratio (HR): 0.615, p=0.15). There was also no significant difference in new-onset AF between the groups with and without ACEIs or ARBs (HR: 0.796, p=0.46). However, in multivariate analysis that included ePCWP, LVM index, E/e’ and E/A, ePCWP at baseline independently predicted the risk of new-onset AF (HR: 1.42, 95% confidence interval: 1.29-1.57, p<0.001). Conclusions: ACEIs, ARBs or BBs had no beneficial effects on the prevention of new-onset AF as a marker of diastolic dysfunction in the patients with HFPEF. Estimation of ePCWP by STE had incremental value for the risk stratification of new-onset AF.