Heart Failure, Arrhythmias Are Common Among Patients With AFib

A higher incidence of heart failure and arrhythmias have been found in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) hospitalized with COVID-19, according to new data presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2021.

To determine the cardiovascular outcomes of patients with a history of AFib who were admitted to the hospital with confirmed COVID-19 infection, a team of researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of 321 such patients hospitalized at TriHealth’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, from January through July of 2020. Patients were stratified by history of AFib, and patient characteristics and cardiovascular outcomes were analyzed by using Mann-Whitney and χ2 tests.

A total of 12% of patients admitted with a positive test result for COVID-19 had a history of AFib. This subgroup was considerably older (median age, 84.5 y vs 61 y) and mostly male (66% vs 34%).  Compared with patients without a history of AFib, this subgroup was more likely to have heart failure with (6% vs 26%) or without (13% vs 34%) reduced ejection fraction and to have coronary artery disease (17% vs 34%), chronic kidney disease (20% vs 45%), and dyslipidemia (35% vs 66%).  Moreover, the subgroup with a history of AFib was also more likely to have heart failure risk markers such as a wide QRS interval and an elevated level of B-type natriuretic peptide.

Although the subgroup was more likely to experience AFib and ventricular arrhythmias during their hospital stay than those without a history of AFib, the subgroup’s rates of mortality, admission to the intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation, and readmission to the hospital within 30 days after discharge were not statistically different from the rates for those without a history of AFib.

“These patients [with a history of AFib] had a higher incidence of heart failure and arrhythmias but not mortality,” the researchers concluded.

—Ellen Kurek

Reference:

Pereira L, Zain Elabidin A, Namdarizandi V, et al. Higher incidence of heart failure and arrhythmias in atrial fibrillation patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Paper presented at: American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2021; November 13-15, 2021; Virtual. https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/?_ga=2.35875360.1285494533.1632235753-403355333.1630439276#!/9349/presentation/813