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Prevalence and prognostic significance of device-detected subclinical atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Janet McComb

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Abstract

© 2020. Background: Cardiac implanted electronic devices (CIEDs) can detect short durations of previously unrecognised atrial fibrillation (AF). The prognostic significance of device-detected subclinical AF, in the context of contemporary heart failure (HF) therapy, is unclear. Methods: Amongst patients enrolled in the Remote Monitoring in HF with implanted devices (REM-HF) trial, three categories were defined based on total AF duration in the first year of follow-up: no AF, subclinical AF (≥6 min to ≤24 h), and AF >24 h. All-cause mortality, stroke, and cardiovascular hospitalisation were assessed. Results: 1561 patients (94.6%) had rhythm data: 71 (4.6%) had subclinical AF (median of 4 episodes, total duration 3.1 h) and 279 (17.9%) had AF >24 h. During 2.8 ± 0.8 years' follow-up, 39 (2.5%) patients had a stroke. Stroke rate was highest amongst patients with subclinical AF (2.0 per 100-person years) versus no AF or AF >24 h (0.8 and 1.0 per 100-person years, respectively). In the overall cohort, AF >24 h was not an independent predictor of stroke. However, amongst patients with no history of AF (n = 932), new-onset subclinical AF conferred a three-fold higher stroke risk (adjusted HR 3.35, 95%CI 1.15–9.77, p = 0.027). AF >24 h was associated with more frequent emergency cardiovascular hospitalisation (adjusted HR 1.46, 95%CI 1.19–1.79, p < 0.0005). Neither AF classification was associated with mortality. Conclusions: In patients with HF and a CIED, subclinical AF was infrequent but, as a new finding, was associated with an increased risk of stroke. Anticoagulation remains an important consideration in this population, particularly when the clinical profile indicates a high stroke risk.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Zakeri R, Morgan JM, Phillips P, Kitt S, Ng GA, McComb JM, Williams S, Wright DJ, Gill JS, Seed A, Witte KK, Cowie MR

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: International Journal of Cardiology

Year: 2020

Volume: 312

Pages: 64-70

Print publication date: 01/08/2020

Online publication date: 03/03/2020

Acceptance date: 02/03/2020

ISSN (print): 0167-5273

ISSN (electronic): 1874-1754

Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.03.008

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.03.008

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