New-onset Atrial Fibrillation Research Articles

Lower Risk of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Conduction System Pacing Compared With Right Ventricular Pacing.

Conduction system pacing (CSP) has been reported to improve clinical outcomes in comparison of right ventricular pacing (RVP). However, the performance between CSP and RVP on the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) remains elusive. Four online databases were systematically searched up to July 1, 2024. Studies comprising the rate/risk of new-onset AF between CSP and RVP group were included. Subgroup analysis was performed to screen the potential determinants for the new-onset AF risk for CSP therapy. The pooled risk of new-onset AF based on ventricular pacing burden (Vp) between CSP and RVP group were evaluated. A total of six studies including 1577 patients requiring pacing therapy were eligible. The pooled new-onset AF rates for CSP and RVP group were 0.09 and 0.27, respectively. Compared with RVP group, CSP group showed a lower pooled risk (risk ratio [RR] 0.38, p = 0.000) and adjusted risk (hazard ratio [HR] 0.32, p = 0.000) of new-onset AF. Meanwhile, a significant intervention-covariate interaction for the adjusted risk of new-onset AF between CSP and RVP group was identified with Vp < 20% and Vp ≥ 20%. Our study suggests that CSP is associate with a significantly lower occurrence of new-onset AF compared with RVP. The Vp ≥ 20% may be the key determinant on the lower risk of new-onset AF with CSP therapy. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023492551, identifier (CRD42023492551).

Evaluating the Real-World Safety of Icosapent Ethyl Versus Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid in Nationwide US Veterans Cohort: Examining Atrial Fibrillation and Bleeding Endpoints.

The REDUCE-IT randomized trial demonstrated a cardiovascular benefit of icosapent ethyl (IPE) but also raised potential safety signals for atrial fibrillation (AF) and serious bleeding. We aimed to evaluate the real-world safety of IPE versus mixed omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (OM-3) formulations. This retrospective active comparator new-user cohort study compared rates of new-onset AF and major bleeding (MB) among adult new users of IPE versus OM-3 in 2020-2024 US Veterans Affairs data. Daily drug exposure was determined via prescription dispensing dates. AF and MB outcomes were identified via validated algorithms based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision, clinical modification. Confounding was accounted for via nearest-neighbor pairwise propensity score (PS) matching. The PS, constructed via logistic regression, was informed by expert-identified variables meeting the disjunctive cause criterion. Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs), interpretable as average treatment effects for the treated. Cohorts for analyses of AF and MB endpoints included 1927 and 2015 people, respectively, in each of the IPE and OM-3 exposure groups. The median age was 70 years, and the groups exhibited a predominance of white (80%) males (93%). The median follow-up time was 1.29 years per person. Baseline covariates were well balanced by treatment arm after PS matching. Incidence rates for AF were 7.29 versus 7.48 per 100 person-years among new users of IPE versus OM-3. The aHR for AF was 1.15 (95% confidence interval 0.82-1.63). Incidence rates for MB were 3.27 versus 3.35 per 100 person-years among new users of IPE versus OM-3. The aHR for MB was 1.22 (95% confidence interval 0.87-3.02). Our measures of association were consistent with the null, but we were unable to rule out harms from IPE (vs. OM-3) more modest than a 63% increased rate of AF and threefold increased rate of MB.

Prevalence of abnormal thyroid hormone levels in acute new-onset atrial fibrillation

Prevalence of abnormal thyroid hormone levels in acute new-onset atrial fibrillation

Long-term changes in frailty and incident atrial fibrillation, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and stroke: A prospective follow-up study.

People with frailty have increased prevalence and incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The study aimed to further investigate the association of long-term changes in frailty with risk of new-onset AF. Its associations with heart failure (HF), coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke were also evaluated as a secondary aim. Over 50,000 participants from UK Biobank cohort were included, with frailty index (FI) data and free of AF, HF, CHD or stroke in baseline and follow-up assessments. Frailty status of the participants was categorized into non-frail, pre-frail and frail based on their FI scores. FI in baseline and follow-ups are used to calculate the trajectories of frailty (ΔFI). During a median of 5.1 years of follow-up from the final assessment, 1729 cases of AF were recorded. Frailty trajectory analysis showed that even a 0.01 point/year increase in ΔFI was associated with 14% (95% CI 1.08-1.20) higher risk of AF, independent of baseline FI after adjusting for potential confounders. Compared with maintained non-frail participants, those with sustained frail status had the highest risk of incident AF (HR 1.95, 1.61-2.36). The risk declined by 30% (95% CI 0.53-0.94) when frail participants regressed to non-frail or pre-frail status, compared with sustained frail participants. These associations were similar in HF and CHD, however, not significant in stroke. In middle-aged and elderly individuals, frailty remission or non-frailty maintenance was associated with lower risk of AF, HF and CHD compared to persistent frailty, regardless of prior frailty status and established risk factors.

Evidence that anticoagulant use decreases in-hospital deaths in patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation.

Current guidelines provide no clear recommendations for managing new-onset atrial fibrillation in critical illness, particularly with respect to anticoagulant use. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anticoagulants in such patients. Patients in the intensive care unit with new-onset atrial fibrillation were recruited during the period January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022. Ischemic stroke and bleeding were considered primary outcomes, and in-hospital death was considered the secondary outcome. Hazard ratios for outcomes were determined using the Cox proportional hazard model. A total of 92 patients were included in the study of which 29 were anticoagulant users and 63 non-users. No significant differences were observed on the risk of ischemic stroke (HR, 3.46; 95% CI, 0.22-55.8, p=0.38) and bleeding (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.52-2.23, p=0.85), but anticoagulant use was associated with a significantly decreased risk of in-hospital death (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19-0.97, p=0.04). Anticoagulant use in critically ill patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation did not increase the risk of bleeding and ischemic stroke but significantly reduced in-hospital deaths. These findings need confirmation in a randomized controlled trial.

Risk factors and characteristics of preoperative heart failure in elderly patients with hip fracture and the influence of anemia on prognosis

BackgroundPatients with preoperative acute heart failure (AHF) after hip fracture in the elderly have a worse prognosis. We aim to investigate the characteristics, risk factors and postoperative complications of elderly patients with hip fracture complicated with preoperative AHF. We also looked at the effect of the severity of anemia at admission on the prognosis of the above people.MethodsA retrospective study of hip fracture patients (aged ≥ 65) admitted to the Department of Geriatric Orthopaedics, Third Hospital, Hebei Medical University, was conducted from January 2018 to October 2020. We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression to assess risk factors for preoperative AHF. The Kaplan–Meier survival curve shows the relationship between the severity of anemia on admission and all-cause mortality in elderly hip fracture patients with preoperative AHF.ResultsOut of the 1092 patients, 503 had preoperative AHF and the incidence of it in hip fracture patients was 46.1%. Age, coronary artery disease, chronic atrial fibrillation, Age-Adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI), admission anemia, admission albumin < 40 g/dl, and admission C-reactive protein (CRP) were all significantly different between those with AHF and those without. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age ≥ 80 years (OR 1.740, 95% CI 1.309–2.313), coronary artery disease (OR 1.417, 95% CI 1.017–1.975), chronic atrial fibrillation (OR 4.010, 95% CI 1.757–9.152), admission anemia (OR 1.433, 95% CI 1.051–1.953) are the independent risk factors for preoperative AHF in elderly patients with hip fracture (p < 0.05). The HF group exhibited a higher incidence of postoperative complications, such as anemia, arrhythmia, NOAF (new‐onset atrial fibrillation), AIS (acute ischemic stroke), electrolyte disturbance and hypoproteinemia. The moderate-to-severe anemia group had a higher incidence of postoperative complications, including deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs, NOAF, and hypoproteinemia, as well as all-cause mortality.ConclusionOlder patients combined with admission anemia, coronary artery disease, chronic atrial fibrillation are more likely to have preoperative AHF after hip fracture. For such patients, early and effective identification and strengthening perioperative management can avoid the occurrence of adverse events. For patients with moderate and severe anemia at admission, timely intervention is recommended to reduce postoperative complications and mortality.

Associations Between Albumin/Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Score and New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Undergoing PCI.

Inflammation was associated with the increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). As a novel inflammatory indicator, albumin/neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio score (ANS) has been demonstrated to associate with coronary artery disease. However, the relationship between ANS and new onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) underwent PCI was not determined. A total of 2410 AMI patients underwent PCI were consecutively included between March 2020 and December 2023. Patients were divided into NOAF group and control group according to the occurrence of NOAF during hospitalization. The ANS was calculated and analyzed, so as to determine its predictive value in the presence of NOAF in AMI patients after PCI. In total, 88 (3.7%) individuals developed NOAF during hospitalization. We found that NOAF was associated with older age, greater LA, higher NT-proBNP, ANS and Killip ≥ 2. The ANS exhibited an accurately predictive value for the NOAF (area under the curve [AUC], 0.695; 95% CI, 0.649-0.740, P < 0.001). Moreover, when divided into three groups according to the tertile of ANS, patients in tertile 1 (lowest in ANS) showed a 2.214-fold increased risk of NOAF in comparison to those in the tertile 3 (HR, 2.214; 95% CI 1.804-5.101; P = 0.029). ANS is a robust tool for the prediction of NOAF in AMI patients underwent PCI. Therefore ANS could be used for risk prediction and optimal management for NOAF in AMI patients after PCI.

The impact of new-onset atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute coronary syndrome.

Approximately 10 % of patients who have suffered from myocardial infarction develop new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Coronary artery disease implicating atrial branches has been associated with AF. The following variables have been associated with new-onset AF in the setting of acute coronary syndrome: older age, history of hypertension, history of angina, history of stroke, chronic renal failure, body mass index, no statin use, worse nutritional status, worse Killip class, admission heart rate ≥ 85 bpm, complete atrioventricular block, Glasgow prognostic score, Syntax score, C2HEST score > 3, PRECISE-DAPT score ≥ 25, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40 %, increased left atrial diameter, E/E' ratio > 12, epicardial fat tissue thickness, and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow < 3. Regarding laboratory variables, elevated D-dimer levels, C-reactive protein levels, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, creatine kinase-MB, high-sensitivity troponin T at baseline, midregional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide, and cholesterol levels have been proposed as potential predictors of AF in this setting. Regarding the impact of new-onset AF on clinical outcomes, it has been associated with an increased risk of stroke, higher mortality rates, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, higher odds of ventricular arrhythmias and major adverse cardiac events. New-onset AF is an indicator of worse in-hospital prognosis compared to patients with a previous history of AF. New-onset AF, as well as previous AF, were strong predictors of ischemic stroke, and therefore, patients with new-onset AF should be anticoagulated according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Cardioversion to sinus rhythm, if possible, is advised before the discharge as it may be related to better outcomes.

Association of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (Hs-CRP) with the Risk of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Diabetes.

Both renal function decline and systemic inflammation may synergistically increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study investigates the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels with the risk of new-onset AF in patients with diabetes mellitus. We included diabetic patients without AF who participated in physical exams in the Kailuan Study from 2006 to 2010. Participants were categorized into four groups based on baseline eGFR and hs-CRP levels: 1) high eGFR (≥60 mL/min/1.73m²) and low hs-CRP (<3 mg/L) (n=6,915), 2) high eGFR and high hs-CRP (≥3 mg/L) (n=3,154), 3) low eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73m²) and low hs-CRP (n=4,638), 4) low eGFR and high hs-CRP (n=1,809). We employed multivariable Cox regression analysis to evaluate the relationships between eGFR, hs-CRP, and new-onset AF, adjusting for confounders including smoking status, alcohol consumption, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG), heart rate, lipid levels, body mass index (BMI), and medication usage. Competing risk analysis was also performed. Among 16,516 patients, 222 developed new-onset AF over a mean follow-up of 12.6 years. After adjusting for confounders, elevated hs-CRP and reduced eGFR were significantly associated with higher risk of new-onset AF compared to the high eGFR/low hs-CRP group. These findings remained consistent after excluding AF cases within the first 2-year. No significant interaction between eGFR and hs-CRP was observed (P=0.227). Subgroup analysis revealed that the combination of eGFR and hs-CRP had predictive value primarily in males under 60 years of age, individuals with FBG <9mmol/L, hypertension, and those not on hypoglycemic medications. In diabetic patients, decreased eGFR and elevated hs-CRP were independently linked to an increased risk of new-onset AF, emphasizing the importance of monitoring these factors for early detection and prevention of AF.

The management of new-onset atrial fibrillation in critical illness: an update on current therapeutic options.

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia among critically ill patients, correlating with heightened morbidity and mortality rates. Current evidence for managing NOAF in this patient population is limited. Numerous meta-analyses have been conducted to assess the efficacy of atrial fibrillation treatments in acute settings, including rate or rhythm control strategies, anticoagulation, and intensive care interventions. The employment of β-blockers for rate control appears to confer greater benefits in critically ill patients. However, the advantage of anticoagulation remains ambiguous because of bleeding risks, which is partly attributed to the scarcity of evidence in the complex context of critical illness. Approximately one-third of patients with transient atrial fibrillation face recurrence within a year. Therefore, vigilant posthospitalization follow-up and monitoring should be considered for high-risk patients to detect atrial fibrillation recurrence. Long-term anticoagulation strategies should be tailored to individual patient profiles, weighing the risks of thromboembolism. Factors predicting atrial fibrillation recurrence include age, the burden of atrial fibrillation, and atrial size. There are significant knowledge gaps concerning NOAF in critically ill patients, highlighting the need for further research, particularly randomized clinical trials.

Neoadjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiation and Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: Outcomes With New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation.

This illustrates the outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation and esophagectomy, specifically focusing on those who develop new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF). Statistically significant findings (p < 0.05, dark red) increased mortality and ventricular fibrillation, as well as trends of (p > 0.05, light red) myocardial infarction and pericardial effusion among NOAF patients. The data emphasize the significant cardiovascular risks associated with NOAF in this population.

Concomitant Pulmonary Vein Isolation for induced Atrial fibrillation to reduce future risk of atrial fibrillation following Ablation for Isolated Atrial Flutter.

A significant proportion of patients with isolated atrial flutter (AFL) will develop atrial fibrillation (AF) following cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation. To determine whether concomitant pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) could reduce the incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) in the setting of inducible AF following CTI ablation. A total of 275 consecutive patients with isolated AFL who successfully underwent CTI ablation were included. Patients were stratified into the induced AF group (55 patients) and the non-induced AF group (220 patients) based on the inducibility of AF. Subsequently, the induced AF group was randomly divided into PVI group (28 patients) and non-PVI (27 patients) group. During 27.0±6.0 months of follow-up, the PVI group [(7.1% vs. 51.9%, p<0.001), HR 0.103, 95%CI. for HR (0.038, 0.278), p<0.001] and non-induced AF group [(13.2% vs. 51.9%, p<0.001), HR 0.207, 95%CI. for HR (0.073, 0.586), p<0.001] exhibited substantially lower incidence and risk of NOAF compared to the non-PVI group. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that history of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, heart failure and larger BMI, larger LAd, lower LVEF were identified predictors of NOAF. Inducibility of AF during CTI ablation is positively associated with an increased risk of NOAF, while concomitant PVI for induced AF can significantly reduce the incidence of NOAF.

Atrial Fibrillation after RSV Vaccination Among Older Adults.

RSV vaccine clinical trials reported higher frequencies of atrial fibrillation in intervention groups compared to control. In this large, population-based, propensity-matched study, we found RSV vaccine was not associated with increased risk of new-onset or recurrent atrial fibrillation within 1-42 days compared to influenza or Tdap vaccines.

Non-traditional risk factors for atrial fibrillation: epidemiology, mechanisms, and strategies

Abstract Atrial fibrillation (AF) has become the pre-dominant arrhythmia worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Its pathogenesis is intricately linked to the deleterious impact of cardiovascular risk factors, emphasizing the pivotal imperative for early detection and mitigation strategies targeting these factors for the prevention of primary AF. While traditional risk factors are well recognized, an increasing number of novel risk factors have been identified in recent decades. This review explores the emerging non-traditional risk factors for the primary prevention of AF, including unhealthy lifestyle factors in current society (sleep, night shift work, and diet), biomarkers (gut microbiota, hyperuricaemia, and homocysteine), adverse conditions or diseases (depression, epilepsy, clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential, infections, and asthma), and environmental factors (acoustic pollution and other environmental factors). Unlike traditional risk factors, individuals have limited control over many of these non-traditional risk factors, posing challenges to conventional prevention strategies. The purpose of this review is to outline the current evidence on the associations of non-traditional risk factors with new-onset AF and the potential mechanisms related to these risk factors. Furthermore, this review aims to explore potential interventions targeting these risk factors at both the individual and societal levels to mitigate the growing burden of AF, suggesting guideline updates for primary AF prevention.

The Role of P-Wave Variables in Enhancing Prediction of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

After acute myocardial infarction (AMI), it is common to observe new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF), which is often related to a negative prognosis. Some P-wave variables (P-wave duration [PWD], P-wave amplitude, and interatrial block [IAB]), reflecting the process of electrical and structural remodeling, could predict the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to assess the predictive value of P-wave variables for post-AMI NOAF. We retrospectively analyzed 1581 AMI patients with no prior AF, using follow-up data from January 2023 to January 2024. P-wave variables were measured, and patients were grouped based on in-hospital NOAF occurrence. Overall, 164 (10.3%) of the 1581 patients had NOAF. The age (61.08 ± 12.02 vs. 67.91 ± 11.60, p < 0.001), left atrial size (36.31 ± 3.94 vs. 39.12 ± 5.51, p < 0.001), Brain Natriuretic Peptide (1588.45 ± 3346.18 vs. 3864.39 ± 6251.92, p < 0.001), P-wave variables (PWD: 102.78 ± 12.56 vs. 117.88 ± 18.81, p < 0.001; P-wave amplitude: 0.12 ± 0.04 vs. 0.13 ± 0.04, p = 0.041; interatrial block: 89.6% vs. 10.3%, p < 0.001), congestive heart failure (4.7% vs. 23.2%, p < 0.001), and Killip > 1 (25.3% vs. 55.5%, p < 0.001) showed significant differences between the non-AF and NOAF groups. P-wave variables were significantly associated with an increased risk of NOAF in multivariable regression analysis. The addition of P-wave variables to AF risk factors from literature and guidelines significantly improved NOAF risk discrimination. P-wave variables were strongly associated with NOAF after AMI. Adding these variables enhanced the predictive performance for post-AMI NOAF.

Prediction of new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using machine learning.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia among patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), leading to increased symptom burden and risk of thromboembolism. The HCM-AF score was developed to predict new-onset AF in patients with HCM, though sensitivity and specificity of this conventional tool are limited. Thus, there is a need for more accurate tools to predict new-onset AF in HCM. The objective of the present study was to develop a better model to predict new-onset AF in patients with HCM using machine learning (ML). In this prospective, multicentre cohort study, we enrolled 1069 patients with HCM without a prior history of AF. We built a ML model (logistic regression with Lasso regularization) using clinical variables. We developed the ML model using the cohort from one institution (training set) and applied it to an independent cohort from a separate institution (test set). We used the HCM-AF score as a reference model. We compared the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) between the ML model and the reference model using the DeLong's test. Median follow-up time was 2.1 years, with 128 (12%) patients developing new-onset AF. Using the ML model developed in the training set to predict new-onset AF, the AUC in the test set was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77-0.91). The ML model outperformed the reference model (AUC 0.64; 95% CI 0.54-0.73; DeLong's p < 0.001). The ML model had higher sensitivity (0.82; 95% CI 0.65-0.93) than that of the reference model (0.67; 95% CI 0.52-0.88). The ML model also had higher specificity (0.76; 95% CI 0.71-0.81) than that of the reference model (0.57; 95% CI 0.41-0.70). Among the most important clinical variables included in the ML-based model were left atrial volume and diameter, left ventricular outflow tract gradient with exercise stress and at rest, late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, peak heart rate during exercise stress, age at diagnosis, positive genotype, diabetes mellitus, and end-stage renal disease. Our ML model showed superior performance compared to the conventional HCM-AF score for the prediction of new-onset AF in patients with HCM.

Excessive supraventricular ectopic activity is a simple cutoff for predicting late recurrence of atrial fibrillation after ablation.

The relationship between post-ablation excessive supraventricular ectopic activity (ESVEA), a new marker for new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), and late AF recurrence is uncertain. We enrolled 469 patients with AF who underwent initial radiofrequency catheter ablation and 24-h Holter monitoring the day after. Early AF recurrence (n = 57; 12%) and ESVEA (n = 242; 52%) were noted. During a median follow-up of 25months, 152 (32%) patients experienced late AF recurrence. Patients with early AF recurrence or ESVEA were significantly more likely to experience late recurrence (p = 0.02). Even without AF, ESVEA was associated with late recurrence following AF ablation.

Impact of new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) complicating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains clinically challenging. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of NOAF, identify risk factors for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), and analyze the impact on patient care, therapy, and outcomes during long-term follow-up. This retrospective single-center study reviewed consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) for acute STEMI between May 2015 and September 2023. Patients were stratified in NOAF, defined as AF diagnosed during the index hospitalization or within 12months of follow-up, AF prior to the hospitalization for STEMI, and patients with no AF. We analyzed 1301 consecutive patients undergoing CAG for STEMI. NOAF was detected in 112 patients (9.8%), and 68 patients (5.2%) had prior AF. NOAF patients were 74% males, with a mean age of 69 ± 11years. During a median follow-up of 683days, the rates of stroke were 10% in patients with NOAF compared to 3.8% (p = 0.001) in patients without AF. Major bleeding occurred in 7% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.001, and death in 16% vs. 6.8%, p < 0.001 of patients with NOAF vs. no AF. NOAF was detected in almost 1 out of 10 STEMI patients and was associated with a higher rate of stroke, major bleeding, and death as in patients with no AF and with similar rates compared with prior AF. Future studies assessing optimal anticoagulation therapy in this challenging patient population are warranted.

Reassessing Ivabradine: Potential Benefits and Risks in Atrial Fibrillation Therapy.

Ivabradine has been identified as a funny current (If) inhibitor in the sinoatrial node (SAN) and is considered an advocated therapeutic agent in chronic heart failure and stable angina. This therapeutic agent has shown positive benefits in maintaining a reduction in heart rate while sustaining hemodynamic stability. Its clinical application is still evolving and the mechanism of action is becoming clearer daily. The use of this agent to manage atrial fibrillation (AF) has recently been brought under discussion. This study summarizes the mechanism of action of ivabradine and current evidence about the risk of new-onset AF and rate-lowering potential as a therapeutic option in patients suffering from AF. This review synthesizes findings from preclinical studies, case reports, and clinical trials that assess ivabradine's efficacy in controlling heart rate and its association with new-onset AF. Studies have shown that this medication may be beneficial in ventricular rate reduction in patients intolerant of first-line AF therapeutic options, including non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and β-blockers. However, it is important to state that ivabradine-treated patients with cardiovascular diseases demonstrated an increased risk for new-onset AF compared with those patients who did not receive it. While ivabradine demonstrates promise as a therapeutic option for rate control in patients with AF, its use is accompanied by a notable risk of new-onset AF. Further studies should focus on optimal dosing strategies and long-term outcomes of ivabradine treatment in AF management.

Impact of High-intensity Statin on Atrial Fibrillation after Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass.

There is uncertainty regarding the impact of high-intensity statins on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing surgical myocardial revascularization. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of high-intensity statin treatment on the occurrence rate of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). Six hundred and thirteen patients (66.8 ± 9.8 years, male:female = 476:137) who underwent isolated OPCAB were retrospectively enrolled. Hypertension (n = 409, 66.7%), diabetes mellitus (n = 343, 59.6%), and chronic kidney disease (n = 138, 22.5%) were common comorbidities. Statins and beta-blockers were administered to all patients until the day of surgery and resumed within 6 hours after surgery. Risk factors associated with POAF were analyzed, including the use of high-intensity statins (atorvastatin 40-80 mg or rosuvastatin 20 mg), as well as baseline characteristics and preoperative risk factors. High-intensity statins were used in 158 patients (25.8%). POAF occurred in 184 patients (30.0%). The use of high-intensity statins was not correlated with preoperative levels of low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.446) or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p = 0.478). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the use of high-intensity statins was significantly associated with a reduced occurrence of POAF (p = 0.022, odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.592 [0.378-0.926]). Age, acute coronary syndrome, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease were also significantly associated with POAF. Preoperative administration of high-intensity statins was associated with a 41% reduction in the occurrence rate of POAF in patients who underwent OPCAB.