New-Onset AF Predicts Malignant Arrhythmias in Post-MI Patients
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia after a myocardial infarction (MI) occurring in up to 39% of patients and is associated with a high mortality and morbidity.
In addition, studies on patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) show that AF is associated with an increase in ventricular arrhythmias resulting in more appropriate shocks. A small animal trial found AF to be associated with the induction of ventricular arrhythmias. No human study has investigated the long-term association between AF and subsequent development of malignant arrhythmias over a long-term follow-up. In the CARISMA study patients were implanted with an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) that continuously monitored and recorded arrhythmic events over a mean period of 2 years.
The aim of this study was to investigate the association of new-onset AF to the development of malignant brady- and tachyarrhythmias after an acute MI in patients with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).
Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia after a myocardial infarction (MI) occurring in up to 39% of patients and is associated with a high mortality and morbidity.
In addition, studies on patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) show that AF is associated with an increase in ventricular arrhythmias resulting in more appropriate shocks. A small animal trial found AF to be associated with the induction of ventricular arrhythmias. No human study has investigated the long-term association between AF and subsequent development of malignant arrhythmias over a long-term follow-up. In the CARISMA study patients were implanted with an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) that continuously monitored and recorded arrhythmic events over a mean period of 2 years.
The aim of this study was to investigate the association of new-onset AF to the development of malignant brady- and tachyarrhythmias after an acute MI in patients with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).