The prevalence of atrial fibrillation among adult Saudi patients with chronic heart failure at Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, Qassim (2011–2014)

Abstract

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. The prevalence of both chronic heart failure and AF is steadily increasing. AF usually occurs as a consequence of heart failure itself and therefore it usually has a poor prognosis. Since the two conditions share common risk factors they frequently coexist. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of AF among Saudi adult patients with chronic heart failure in Qassim province, and to identify the clinical and the sociodemographic characteristics of these patients. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study using all medical records of patients who had been registered in Prince Sultan Center and diagnosed with heart failure during the period from 1 January 2011 to 30 June 2014. The review process included patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure and registered for follow-up during the study period. Prevalence of AF was calculated and the associated risk factors were determined. Results: The prevalence of AF among patients with chronic heart failure (n =68) was 14.7%. Prevalence among male patients (15.3%) was higher than female patients (12.5%). In both genders, the prevalence rose steeply with advancing age, and in each age stratum it was higher in males than females. The prevalence was significantly higher if chronic heart failure was associated with chronic diseases. Diabetes mellitus was present in 14.2% of patients with AF, and 19.3% in those with hypertension. None of the patients had a history of chronic kidney disease. Conclusions: Prevalence of AF among Saudi patients with chronic heart failure is high and it is significantly higher among male patients and patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus.