Myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation and mortality: timing is everything

• Published in: Netherlands heart journal Vol. 23; no. 9; pp. 428 - 429
• Main Authors: van den Berg, N.W.E., de Groot, J.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Houten Bohn Stafleu van Loghum 01-08-2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiology; Editorial Comment; Electrocardiography; Heart attacks; Medical Education; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Meta-analysis; Mortality
• ISSN: 1568-5888; 1876-6250
• DOI: 10.1007/s12471-015-0710-9

A subgroup analysis of nine studies that explicitly defined the new onset of AF showed similar results with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.37 (95 % confidence interval: 1.26–1.49) for mortality [5]. The question remains unanswered whether the early onset of AF after MI should be regarded as an indicator of preset misery or as a causal factor leading to mortality. [...]this issue is resolved, patients with early onset of AF after MI should be considered at increased risk, and where possible, extra care should be given to prevent a detrimental outcome. Impact of atrial fibrillation on the in-hospital and long-term survival of patients with acute myocardial infarction: a community-wide perspective.