Characteristics of atrial fibrillation in women: About a study of 642 patients

Abstract

In many studies, female gender was considered as a risk factor for onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its complication of thromboembolic events. The aim of our study was to compare according to gender, predictive factors, causes and complication of AF. We carried out in our department a study including 642 patients with AF. Patients were divided into two groups according to gender: a “Female” group and a “Male” group to demonstrate the and less ischemic heart disease (8% vs. 16.5%, P = 0.001) in the “Female” group. For the complications of AF, there were no significant differences between the two genders regarding thromboembolic events (8.3% vs. 6.1%, P = 0.28) and bleeding caused by oral anticoagulation (6.4% vs. 6.4%, P = 1). 52.5% 48.5% 51% 49%. Prevalence of diabetes rate of male and female difference in predictive factors, causes and complications of AF between the groups. A total of 642 patients were studied with the mean age was 63.2 ± 15.7 years. The number of female patients was 314 (48.9%). The prevalence of hypertension was 52.5% and that of diabetes mellitus was 27.1%. The prevalence of hypertensive heart disease, valvular heart disease and ischemic heart disease were 10.1%, 36.8% and 12.3% respectively. The comparison of the “Female” group and “Male” group showed that there was more hypertension (57.6% vs. 47.7%, P = 0.001), more renal failure (6.2% vs. 2.1%, P = 0 .01) and less smoking (1.4% vs. 22.6%, P < 0.001) in the “Female” group. Regarding AF etiologies, there were more hypertensive heart disease (5.4% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.018), more valvular disease (44.1% vs. 29.9%, P < 0.001). In our study, in female gender, hypertension and renal failure are the most frequent predictive factors of AF. Valvular and hypertensive heart diseases are the first etiologies of AF in women, whereas for men it is more ischemic heart disease. Thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications are not influenced by gender.