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ABSTRACT: Objective
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with adverse events including conduction disturbances, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. The aim of this study was to examine brady- and tachyarrhythmias using continuous rhythm monitoring in patients with paroxysmal self-terminating AF (PAF).Methods
In this multicentre observational substudy to the Reappraisal of Atrial Fibrillation: interaction between hyperCoagulability, Electrical remodelling and Vascular destabilisation in the progression of AF (RACE V), we included 392 patients with PAF and at least 2 years of continuous rhythm monitoring. All patients received an implantable loop recorder, and all detected episodes of tachycardia ≥182 beats per minute (BPM), bradycardia ≤30 BPM or pauses ≥5 s were adjudicated by three physicians.Results
Over 1272 patient-years of continuous rhythm monitoring, we adjudicated 1940 episodes in 175 patients (45%): 106 (27%) patients experienced rapid AF or atrial flutter (AFL), pauses ≥5 s or bradycardias ≤30 BPM occurred in 47 (12%) patients and in 22 (6%) patients, we observed both episode types. No sustained ventricular tachycardias occurred. In the multivariable analysis, age >70 years (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4 to 3.9), longer PR interval (HR 1.9, 1.1-3.1), CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 (HR 2.2, 1.1-4.5) and treatment with verapamil or diltiazem (HR 0.4, 0.2-1.0) were significantly associated with bradyarrhythmia episodes. Age >70 years was associated with lower rates of tachyarrhythmias.Conclusions
In a cohort exclusive to patients with PAF, almost half experienced severe bradyarrhythmias or AF/AFL with rapid ventricular rates. Our data highlight a higher than anticipated bradyarrhythmia risk in PAF.Trial registration number
NCT02726698.
SUBMITTER: Frausing MHJP
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10423524 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Frausing Maria Hee Jung Park MHJP Van De Lande Martijn E ME Maass Alexander H AH Nguyen Bao-Oanh BO Hemels Martin E W MEW Tieleman Robert G RG Koldenhof Tim T De Melis Mirko M Linz Dominik D Schotten Ulrich U Weberndörfer Vanessa V Crijns Harry J G M HJGM Van Gelder Isabelle C IC Nielsen Jens Cosedis JC Rienstra Michiel M
Heart (British Cardiac Society) 20230811 17
<h4>Objective</h4>Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with adverse events including conduction disturbances, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. The aim of this study was to examine brady- and tachyarrhythmias using continuous rhythm monitoring in patients with paroxysmal self-terminating AF (PAF).<h4>Methods</h4>In this multicentre observational substudy to the Reappraisal of Atrial Fibrillation: interaction between hyperCoagulability, Electrical remodelling and Vascular destabilisatio ...[more]