Abstract 13043: Atrial Fibrillation is Associated With Cardiovascular Events in Obese Japanese With One or More Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Japan Morning Surge Home Blood Pressure (J-HOP) Study

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity has been shown as a risk of incidence and durability of atrial fibrillation. However, the relationship between obesity and prognosis of patients with atrial fibrillation remains unclear. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that obesity was associated with cardiovascular events in atrial fibrillation patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: We enrolled 3,585 patients in the Japan Morning Surge Home Blood Pressure Study who had one or more cardiovascular risk factors. We conducted 12-lead electrocardiography, and atrial fibrillation was identified based on electrocardiography. Obesity was defined as body mass index over than 25 kg/m2. The primary endpoints were fatal/nonfatal cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, aortic dissection). Results: The number of patients whose electrocardiograms revealed atrial fibrillation was eighty-four. In obese patients, atrial fibrillation patients (N=35) suffered more cardiovascular events (log rank 7.17, p=0.007) than sinus rhythm patients (N=1282), but in nonobese patients, cardiovascular events were similar (log rank 0.10, p=0.76) in atrial fibrillation (N=48) and sinus rhythm patients (N=2220). After adjusting for age, gender, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes, atrial fibrillation was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in the obese group (hazard ratio 3.02, 95% confidence interval 1.18-7.78). Conclusions: There was a significant difference in the association between atrial fibrillation and subsequent cardiovascular events in the presence or absence of obesity. Weight reduction might improve the prognosis of atrial fibrillation patients.