Effect of prevalent atrial fibrillation on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Abstract Background The global increase in incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a parallel rise in co-morbid atrial fibrillation (AF). Concurrent presence of both conditions increases clinical complexity and may portend poor outcomes in this population. Purpose The aim of our study was to assess the impact of prevalent AF on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CKD. Methods Consecutive patients with CKD (Stages 2 to 5) attending the Nephrology outpatient clinics in our health district between Jan 2007-Dec 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. Detailed appraisal of patient demographics, anthropometrics, clinical co-morbidities (including aetiology, stage and management of CKD) and pharmacotherapeutics was undertaken. These patients were followed for up to ten years for the composite outcomes of all-cause death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We excluded patients with incomplete clinical data and patients with concomitant medical co-morbidity limiting lifespan to <6 months. Results 2008 patients (63.61±17.17 yrs; 55.7% men) were assessed. The mean eGFR was 37.53±21.88 mL/min/m2. Patients with prevalent AF (n=440, 22%) were older (p<0.01), with lower eGFR (p<0.01) and higher rates of renal replacement therapy (p<0.01). They also had a greater burden of coronary disease (p<0.01), heart failure (p<0.01), stroke (p<0.01), obstructive sleep apnoea (p<0.01), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p<0.01), anaemia (p<0.01) and obesity (p<0.01). Over the mean follow-up period of 44.04±34.96 months, 832 patients met the composite outcome (410 all-cause death, 422 MACE). On log rank tests, prevalent AF was a predictor of the composite outcome (Figure 1; p<0.01) and remained an independent predictor of all-cause death and MACE on multivariate analysis (HR 1.65; 95% CI 1.24–2.21, p<0.01). Conclusions Prevalent AF is an independent predictor of all-cause death and MACE in patients with CKD. Figure 1. Kaplan Meier Curve Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None