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Erschienen in:
01.01.2012 | Original Paper
The significance of new onset atrial fibrillation complicating acute myocardial infarction
Erschienen in: Clinical Research in Cardiology | Ausgabe 1/2012
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Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) independently predicts in-hospital and long-term morbidity and mortality. Very little data exist regarding the prognostic significance and management of new-onset AF in this setting in the era of dual anti-platelet therapy.
Methods
We identified all patients admitted to our coronary care unit for AMI between 2002 and 2009 who developed new-onset AF. The control group was an age and gender matched group of AMI patients who did not have AF. Management and recurrent AF, non-fatal stroke, and mortality data were collected from subsequent hospitalizations and outpatient records.
Results
Of 1,991 AMI admissions, new-onset AF was diagnosed in 100 (4.1%). Patients’ age was 70 (±12), 32% were female, 58% had ST-elevation AMI and 53% had moderate or worse systolic dysfunction. AF recurred during index admission in 33%. During mean follow-up of 41 months, AF recurred in 22 and 4.5%, and non-fatal stroke occurred in 13 and 1% of the AF and control groups, respectively (p < 0.01 for both). The composite of death and non-fatal stroke was also significantly higher in the AF group, 39 versus 29% (p = 0.02). Oral anti-coagulation was used in only 24% of the AF group and was a significant predictor of stroke-free survival (p = 0.04).
Conclusions
New onset AF in the AMI setting carries a substantial future risk for stroke and should not be regarded as a benign, transient complication of the acute event. Long term anticoagulation is underused and is associated with improved stroke-free survival.