New-onset atrial fibrillation may be a more important predictor of cardiac mortality in acute myocardial infarction patients than preexisting atrial fibrillation

A Predictive Model of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Myocardial Infarction Based on the Lymphocyte to C-Reactive Protein Ratio

Purpose

Lymphocyte to C-reactive protein ratio (LCR) is a recognized systemic inflammatory marker and novel prognostic indicator for several cancers. This study investigated the relationship between preoperative LCR and new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Patients and Methods

Patients with AMI (n=662) with no history of atrial fibrillation (AF) were enrolled and classified into NOAF and non-NOAF groups based on the occurrence of postoperative NOAF during hospitalization. Logistic regression models were used to analyze NOAF risk factors and to assess the association between preoperative LCR and NOAF incidence. We constructed a new nomogram from the selected NOAF risk factors, and tested its predictive performance, degree of calibration, and clinical utility using receiver operating characteristic and calibration curves, decision curve analysis, and clinical impact curves.

Results

Overall, 84 (12.7%) patients developed NOAF during hospitalization. The LCR was significantly lower in the NOAF group. Preoperative LCR accurately predicted NOAF after AMI and was correlated with increased NOAF risk. Age, body mass index, diabetes, serum albumin levels, uric acid levels, left atrium (LA) diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, left circumflex artery stenosis > 50%, and Killip class II status were independent predictors of NOAF after AMI. In addition, a new nomogram combined with LCR was constructed to stratify the risk of NOAF in patients with AMI. The performance of the new nomogram was satisfactory, as shown by the receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve.

Conclusion

Preoperative LCR was an independent predictor of NOAF in patients with AMI after PCI. The novel nomogram combined with LCR could rapidly and individually identify and treat patients at a high risk of NOAF.

New Onset Atrial Fibrillation in STEMI Patients: Main Prognostic Factors and Clinical Outcome

The indications for the treatment of patients with known atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are clear, while less is available about the management of new-onset AF (NOAF) during ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study is to evaluate mortality and clinical outcome of this high-risk subgroup of patients. We analyzed 1455 consecutive patients undergoing PCI for STEMI. NOAF was detected in 102 subjects, 62.7% males, with a mean age of 74.8 ± 10.6 years. The mean ejection fraction (EF) was 43.5 ± 12.1% and the mean atrial volume was increased (58 ± 20.9 mL). NOAF occurred mainly in the peri-acute phase and had a very variable duration (8.1 ± 12.5 min). During hospitalization, all the patients were treated with enoxaparin, but only 21.6% of them were discharged with long term oral anticoagulation. The majority of patients had a CHA2DS2-VASc score >2 and a HAS-BLED score of 2 or 3. The in-hospital mortality was 14.2%, while the 1-year mortality was 17.2% and long-term mortality 32.1% (median follow-up 1820 days). We identified age as an independent predictor of mortality both at short- and long-term follow-ups, while EF was the only independent predictor for in-hospital mortality and arrhythmia duration for 1-year mortality. At the 1-year follow-up, we recorded three ischemic strokes and no bleeding complications.

Atrial cardiomyopathy markers and new-onset atrial fibrillation risk in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is common and independently correlated with poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to explore whether atrial cardiomyopathy (ACM) markers improve NOAF risk assessment and contribute to therapy decision-making to improve prognosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 4713 patients with AMI without a documented history of atrial fibrillation (AF). We measured markers of ACM including P-wave terminal force in ECG lead V1 (PTFV1), Left atrial dimension (LAD), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). Patients were stratified into tertiles of PTFV1, LAD, and BNP levels. Associations between markers and NOAF were evaluated using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 222 (4.71%) patients had NOAF out of 4713 patients. The prevalence of NOAF increased gradually with PTFV1, LAD, and BNP tertiles. On multivariable regression analysis with potential confounders, elevated PTFV1, LAD, and BNP markers were significantly associated with an increased risk of NOAF. The addition of PTFV1, LAD, and BNP to the AF risk factors recommended by the 2020 ESC Guidelines significantly improved risk discrimination for NOAF.

CONCLUSION

Atrial cardiomyopathy markers including PTFV1, LAD, and BNP were strongly associated with NOAF after AMI. The prediction performance of the clinical model for NOAF was increased by the addition of these markers.

Adverse Outcomes Associated with Pre-Existing and New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) often occurs in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It remains unclear whether pre-existing or new-onset AF confers different risk in patients with ACS.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients who were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of ACS from 2005 to 2009 were studied. Major outcomes were mortality, heart failure, and combined ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (IS/SE). The date of the first ACS diagnosis was defined as the index date. Pre-existing AF was defined as AF occurring before the index date. New-onset AF was defined as AF that started after or at the same time as the ACS diagnosis.

Results

Among 6663 patients with ACS, 488 (7.3%) had pre-existing AF and 479 (7.2%) had new-onset AF. Compared to patients with pre-existing AF, those with new-onset AF were younger, less likely to have co-morbidities, and more likely to receive evidence-based therapy. The un-adjusted risks of adverse outcomes in both groups were similar. Compared to pre-existing AF, new-onset AF was significantly associated with a higher adjusted risk of death (hazard ratio 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.52) and IS/SE (hazard ratio 1.49, 95% confidence interval 1.01–2.20). The significant associations between new-onset AF and adverse outcomes were more likely to be observed in elderly patients with ACS.

Conclusions

New-onset AF during ACS was associated with a significantly increased risk of adverse outcomes, especially in the elderly patients.

Comparison of Frequency and Characteristics of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Having Ablation With Versus Without Coronary Narrowing (≥50%) by Angiography

Atrial fibrillation (AF) shares background comorbidities with coronary artery disease (CAD), including hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, and prognostic significance of CAD among patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF. In 544 consecutive registered patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF (CHADS2 score 1.2 ± 1.1, paroxysmal AF 57%), quantitative coronary angiography was used to detect CAD, defined as luminal narrowing of ≥50% in diameter. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were applied to evaluate the risk factors of CAD. Subsequent clinical events up to 1 year were obtained in all the patients. CAD was found in 70 patients (13%). The factors associated with the presence of CAD in AF patients who underwent catheter ablation were similar to traditional coronary risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. AF patients with CAD had a higher CHADS2 score than those without CAD (1.5 ± 1.1 vs 1.1 ± 1.0, p = 0.009). Hence, a CHADS2 score ≥1 may be an alternative risk factor to predict CAD. Previous coronary revascularization (14% with CAD vs 6% without CAD) and paroxysmal AF (69% vs 55%) were also associated with CAD. During follow-up, patients with CAD experienced acute coronary syndrome (n = 2) and coronary revascularization (n = 18); no such events were recorded in those without CAD. In addition to traditional risk factors, CHADS2 score, previous revascularization, and paroxysmal AF may be new risk factors for CAD in AF patients.