Global burden of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter and its attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2019

A cross-tissue transcriptome-wide association study identifies novel susceptibility genes for atrial fibrillation

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, has been linked to numerous loci identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, the causal genes and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods

We conducted a cross-tissue transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) using the unified test for molecular signatures (UTMOST), integrating genetic data from the FinnGen R11 cohort (287 805 individuals) with gene expression profiles from the genotype-tissue expression (GTEx) project. To enhance reliability, we applied functional summary-based imputation (FUSION), fine-mapping of causal gene sets (FOCUS), and multi-marker analysis of GenoMic annotation (MAGMA) for gene prioritization, followed by Mendelian randomization (MR) and colocalization analyses. GeneMANIA was used to explore gene functions.

Results

By integrating four TWAS approaches, this study identified five novel susceptibility genes significantly associated with AF risk. MR analysis further revealed that the gene expression levels of FKBP7, CEP68, and CAMK2D were positively associated with AF risk, while SPATS2L exhibited a significant protective effect. Colocalization analysis demonstrated that CEP68 and SPATS2L share causal variants with AF. Through comprehensive evaluation of multidimensional functional annotations and existing biological evidence, this study highlighted SPATS2L and CEP68 as potential functional candidate genes in AF pathogenesis.

Conclusions

This cross-tissue TWAS identified five novel AF susceptibility genes (CAMK2D, SPAST2L, CEP68, FKBP7, and SHRMOO3). Elevated expression of FKBP7, CEP68, and CAMK2D increases AF risk, while SPATS2L showed a protective effect, with colocalization analysis implicating CEP68 and SPATS2L as prioritized candidates. The integration of multi-omics approaches effectively unravels AF's genetic mechanisms.

Factor XI/XIa inhibitors versus direct oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation with stroke risk: a GRADE-assessed meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) prevent stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF) but are associated with an increased risk of major bleeding. Factors XI/XIa (FXI) inhibitors, such as Abelacimab and Asundexian, offer a promising alternative. This meta-analysis compares FXI/XIa inhibitors' safety and efficacy versus DOACs in AF with stroke risk. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed from PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science up to March 2025. The analysis presented risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using RevMan v5.4. Three RCTs involving 16,852 patients were included, with 8777 (52.1%) receiving FXI inhibitors which significantly reduced the risk of major bleeding (0.4% vs. 1.0%, RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.21-0.46, p < 0.00001) and minor bleeding (3.3% vs. 4.7%, RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.47-0.93; p = 0.02) compared with DOACs. However, FXI inhibitors were associated with a significantly higher risk of stroke or systemic embolism (1.4% vs. 0.4%, RR 3.17, 95% CI 2.18-4.62, p < 0.00001). Safety outcomes showed no difference in total adverse events (AEs) (p = 0.91), serious AEs (p = 0.4768), and all-cause mortality (p = 0.15). In conclusion, current evidence suggests that FXI inhibitors significantly reduce major and minor bleeding events in AF patients at risk of thromboembolic disorders compared to DOACs. However, they are associated with a significant increase in stroke or systemic embolism risk. Further large-scale RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.

Global, regional, and national burden of atrial fibrillation/flutter attributable to metabolic, behavioral, and environmental risk factors, 1990-2021: a longitudinal observational study

Background

Atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) remains a significant global public health issue, with its development influenced by metabolic, behavioral, and environmental risk factors However, comprehensive analyses of temporal and geographic variations in AF/AFL burden attributed to risk factors remain lacking.

Objective

This study reveals the geographic and temporal distribution of the burden of AF/AFL attributable to specific risk factors at global, regional, and national levels from 1990 to 2021, providing a scientific basis for developing targeted prevention and control policies.

Methods

We extracted data on AF/AFL risk-attributable deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs), and age-standardized DALY rates (ASDRs) from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database for the years 1990 to 2021. The burden of AF/AFL caused by metabolic, behavioral, and environmental risk factors stratified by age, sex, region, and country. Long-term trends in the AF/AFL burden associated with specific risk factors were assessed using the average annual percentage change (AAPC).

Results

Over the past 32 years, high body mass index has been the primary contributor to the rising AF/AFL burden, with AAPCs of ASMR and ASDR at 1.66 (95% CI: 1.63-1.68) and 1.68 (95% CI: 1.67-1.70), respectively. The most significant increase occurred in males aged 30-34. The burden related to high sodium diets and lead exposure is also rising, particularly in females aged 65-69. Smoking showed the greatest decrease, with AAPCs of ASMR and ASDR at -0.66 (95% CI: -0.68 to -0.65) and -0.72 (95% CI: -0.72 to -0.71), most significantly in women aged 30-34. High systolic blood pressure decreased overall, but increased in individuals aged 34-49. East Asia saw the largest increase in burden from high body mass index, with AAPCs of ASMR at 8.28 (95% CI: 8.18-8.37) and ASDR at 8.22 (95% CI: 8.18-8.26). In 2021, China had the highest AF/AFL deaths and DALYs attributed to high systolic blood pressure, high sodium diets, smoking, and lead exposure.

Conclusion

From 1990 to 2021, high body mass index became the primary driver of the rising global AF/AFL burden, particularly affecting East Asia and young and middle-aged adults. In contrast, the burden associated with smoking showed the greatest decline. In 2021, China had the highest AF/AFL burden due to various risk factors. Given the regional variations and characteristics of high-risk populations, policymakers should develop targeted yet comprehensive prevention strategies. These measures should include promoting healthy dietary habits, strengthening global surveillance systems, and fostering data-sharing collaborations to mitigate this growing epidemic.

Global, regional, and national burden of alcoholic cardiomyopathy from 1990 to 2021: an age-period-cohort analysis using the global burden of disease 2021 study

BACKGROUND

As a serious public health problem, alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) has caused a heavy burden of disease.

METHODS

To summarize and deeply analyze the development trend of ACM at the global, regional, and national levels in the past 30 years, this study used the age-period-cohort model to analyze the age, period, and cohort effects of the prevalence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of ACM.

RESULTS

The results found that the overall time trend of ACM prevalence, deaths, and DALYs had been decreasing worldwide, but the opposite trend was observed in some countries and regions. The disease burden of male ACM patients was significantly higher than that of female patients. Moreover, the ASRs of prevalence, deaths, and DALYs for ACM were positively correlated with sociodemographic index levels. Finally, this study predicted that ACM prevalence will continue to decline over the next 10 years, while death rates and DALYs are expected to increase.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the results of this study provided an insightful, up-to-date global perspective on time trends in ACM-related disease burden, shedding light on the inadequacy of ACM prevention, control, and intervention programs at multiple levels.

Global trends and regional disparities in atrial fibrillation and flutter burden attributable to high alcohol consumption: findings from the global burden of disease study 2021

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the global burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) attributable to high alcohol consumption (HAC) from 1990 to 2021, and to examine its spatiotemporal distribution characteristics.

STUDY DESIGN

An observational study based on Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021 data.

METHODS

Using GBD 2021 data, we analyzed trends in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and mortality for AF/AFL attributable to HAC at the global, regional, and national levels from 1990 to 2021, with a focus on differences by gender, age, and socio-demographic index (SDI).

RESULTS

DALYs for HAC-attributable AF/AFL rose from 155,703 (95% UI: 105,255-206,083) in 1990 to 362,698 (95% UI: 263,321-465,594) in 2021, while mortality increased from 4,308 (95% UI: 3,000-5,597) to 11,908 (95% UI: 7,826-30,753). Males and individuals aged ≥ 60 years experienced the highest burdens. Australasia recorded the highest DALYs and mortality in 2021, while South Asia showed the steepest increases, with EAPCs of 2.95 and 4.18, respectively. Higher SDI regions showed greater burdens, peaking at an SDI of 0.8 before declining.

CONCLUSIONS

HAC contributes significantly to the global AF/AFL burden, with marked regional and demographic disparities. Targeted interventions are urgently needed to address this growing public health challenge.

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases Associated with Particulate Matter Pollution: A Systematic Analysis of Deaths and Disability-Adjusted Life Years with Projections to 2030

Background

This research assesses how fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution influences cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) globally.

Methods

Utilizing data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, we assessed the impact of PM2.5 pollution on CVDs in individuals aged 25 and older. The health burden was quantified using measures such as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized rates (ASRs), and the effective annual percentage change (EAPC). Joinpoint regression models were used to describe the temporal trends of CVD burdens, while the Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) models were employed to project the CVD burdens through 2030. Frontier analysis was conducted to identify potential areas for improvement and gaps between the development statuses of different countries. Decomposition analysis was applied to assess the impact of population growth, aging, and epidemiological changes on the burden of CVDs.

Results

Despite a decline in ASRs for both sexes, males continued to bear a disproportionate burden of CVDs. While substantial reductions in ASRs have been noted in Western Europe and High-income North America, smaller decreases in the EAPC have been seen in South Asia, Oceania, and Western Sub-Saharan Africa; however, Oceania faces the highest mortality burden. An inverse relationship between the sociodemographic index (SDI) and ASRs is evident nationally. Meanwhile, Afghanistan and Egypt reported elevated ASRs, and Iceland recorded the lowest rate. Projections suggest a potential reversal in ASRs by 2021. A decomposition analysis revealed that intracerebral hemorrhage poses the greatest burden in middle SDI regions, while ischemic heart disease is notably burdensome in high SDI and high-middle SDI regions.

Conclusions

This study highlights the disproportionate burden of CVDs associated with PM2.5 pollution, particularly in males and lower SDI regions, with significant regional disparities and projections indicating potential reversals in trends.

Hypertension and Atrial Fibrillation: A Frontier Review From the AF-SCREEN International Collaboration

Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) and is estimated to be present in >70% of AF patients. This Frontiers Review was prepared by 29 expert members of the AF-SCREEN International Collaboration to summarize existing evidence and knowledge gaps on links between hypertension, AF, and their cardiovascular sequelae; simultaneous screening for hypertension and AF; and the prevention of AF through antihypertensive therapy. Hypertension and AF are inextricably connected. Both are easily diagnosed, often silent, and frequently treated inadequately. Together, they additively increase the risk of ischemic stroke, heart failure, and many types of dementia, resulting in greater all-cause mortality, considerable disease burden, and increased health care expenditures. Automated upper arm cuff blood pressure devices with implemented technology can be used to simultaneously detect both hypertension and AF. However, positive screening for AF with an oscillometric blood pressure monitor still requires ECG confirmation. The current evidence suggests that high-risk individuals aged ≥65 years or with treatment-resistant hypertension could benefit from AF screening. Since antihypertensive therapy effectively lowers AF risk, particularly in individuals with left ventricular dysfunction, hypertension should be the key target for AF prediction and prevention rather than merely a comorbidity of AF. Nevertheless, several important gaps in knowledge need to be filled over the next years, including the ideal method and selection of patients for simultaneous screening of hypertension and AF and the optimal antihypertensive drug class and blood pressure targets for AF prevention.

The Impact of Weight Categories on the Association Between Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter and Known Risk Factors: A Nationwide Inpatient Data Analysis

Background/Objectives: Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (Afib/Aflut) are the most common arrhythmias presenting to the emergency department. The goal of this study was to evaluate any predictor of Afib/flut with cardiovascular risk factors and demographics based on weight categories. Methods: Using ICD-10 codes from the large Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database in the years 2016-2020, we evaluate any association between the presence of Afib/Aflut with risk factors and demographics in different weight categories in adults over the age of 18. Results: A total of 23,037,013 afib/flut patients were found in the NIS database. Obesity and morbid obesity were independently associated with the presence of Afib/Aflut (for multivariate OR obesity: 1.28, CI 1.27-1.28, p < 0.001; for morbid obesity: OR 1.9, CI 1.89-1.91, p < 0.001). Regardless of weight categories such as cachexia, overweight, obese, or morbidly obese, traditional risk factors remained independently associated with Afib/Aflut. Furthermore, male gender and Caucasians were independently associated with the presence of Afib/Aflut regardless of any weight categories. (For example, in the overweight categories, the multivariate OR for females was 0.69, CI: 0.69-0.69, p < 0.001, and for African Americans, OR 0.62, CI 0.61-0.62, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Traditional risk factors were persistently associated with the occurrence of atrial fibrillation regardless of weight categories. Furthermore, the Caucasian race and male gender were also strong independent predictors of Afib/Aflut.

Three decades of atrial fibrillation and flutter epidemiology and risk factors in Iran with a focus on the impact of COVID-19

Atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) is one of the most common sustained heart rhythm disorders in clinical practice and a major public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the disease burden of AF/AFL in Iran and analyze trends using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data, by age, sex, location, risk factor, and socio-demographic index (SDI), considering the impacts of COVID-19. Data on the prevalence, incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), deaths, and six attributable risk factors related to AF/AFL in Iran and its 31 provinces from 1990 to 2021 was collected from the GBD 2021 study. The International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes used were I48-48.9 for ICD-10 and 427.3 for ICD-9. The data was sourced from surveys, censuses, vital statistics, and other health-related records. In Iran, in 2021, the AF/AFL age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) was 40.6 (30.0 to 54.4), the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) was 425.4 (327.2 to 559.2), the age-standardized DALY rate was 72.4 (57.4 to 88.3), and the age-standardized death rate (ASDR) was 3.3 (2.5 to 3.8) per 100,000 population. Following COVID-19, there were significant decreases in age-standardized DALY and death rates over 2019-2021. By province, Fars had the highest AF/AFL ASIR and ASPR in 2021. In addition, East and West Azarbayejan had the highest age-standardized DALY rate and ASDR, respectively. The national incidence, prevalence, DALYs, and death rates of AF/AFL showed an overall increasing trend with age. Males experienced higher rates of incidence and prevalence compared to females. In contrast, females had higher rates of DALYs and deaths compared to males. The burden of AF/AFL increased with advancing age. The risk factor with the highest DALYs and deaths attributable to AF/AFL was high systolic blood pressure. Notably, no remarkable association was found between SDI and the burden of AF/AFL in Iran. The incidence and prevalence of AF/AFL in Iran have significantly increased, highlighting the critical need for cost-effective and nationwide interventions.

Serum Homocysteine and Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Catheter Ablation: A Meta-Analysis of 11 Cohort Studies Involving 2147 Patients

The relationship between serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence following catheter ablation remains unclear. This meta-analysis aims to investigate this association. Comprehensive searches in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases identified relevant studies published up to May 25, 2024. Cohort studies that measured pre-ablation serum Hcy levels and reported AF recurrence post-ablation were included. Data were analyzed using random-effects models by incorporating the potential influence of heterogeneity, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated for the association between serum Hcy levels and AF recurrence. Eleven retrospective cohort studies involving 2147 patients with AF who underwent catheter ablation were analyzed. Higher pre-ablation serum Hcy levels were associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence (OR for per 1 μmol/l increment of Hcy: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.28, p<0.001; I²=0%). Additionally, studies that categorized Hcy levels also found a higher risk of AF recurrence in patients with elevated Hcy (OR for patients with a high versus a low serum Hcy: 2.75, 95% CI: 2.02 to 3.75, p <0.001; I²=0%). Funnel plots and Egger's regression test indicated low risks of publication bias. In conclusions, elevated pre-ablation serum Hcy levels are significantly associated with an increased risk of AF recurrence post-catheter ablation. These findings suggest that Hcy could be a valuable biomarker for predicting AF recurrence and may inform pre-ablation risk stratification. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these results.

The predictive value of estimated glucose disposal rate and its association with myocardial infarction, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and ischemic stroke

AIMS

The relationship between the incidence of major cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), a proxy measurement for insulin resistance (IR), is not well understood in the general population. The predictive value of eGDR and other proxies of IR for CVD incidents have not been examined in previous studies. This study aimed to investigate the association between eGDR and various CVD events, including myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF) and ischemic stroke. Additionally, the predictive values of eGDR, triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, TyG-waist circumference (WC), TyG-body mass index (BMI), TyG-waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), triglyceride (TG)-to-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (TG/HDL-C) and the metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) for CVD events were compared.

METHODS

The study population was extracted from the UK Biobank, and the CVD events were documented by linking to hospital records. Cox proportional hazards model and the restricted cubic spline model were used to assess the association between eGDR and the risk of CVDs with adjustment for potential confounders. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to compare the predictive values of eGDR, TyG, TyG-WC, TyG-BMI, TyG-WHtR, TG/HDL-C and METS-IR.

RESULTS

A total of 360 953 participants were included in this study. During a median follow-up of 13.8 years, 12 698 MI, 10 360 HF, 23 638 AF and 6512 ischemic stroke events were documented. Compared with participants in the lowest quartile category of eGDR, those in the highest quartile category had the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.59 (0.51-0.67) for MI, 0.66 (0.56-0.76) for HF, 0.88 (0.80-0.98) for AF and 0.73 (0.61-0.89) for ischemic stroke. eGDR outperformed TyG, TyG-WC, TyG-BMI, TyG-WHtR, TG/HDL-C and METS-IR in terms of predicting MI (AUC: 0.661), HF (AUC: 0.690), AF (AUC: 0.653) and ischemic stroke (AUC: 0.646).

CONCLUSIONS

eGDR was inversely associated with the incidence of MI, HF, AF and ischemic stroke in the general population. eGDR could serve as a more valuable predictive indicator than TyG, TyG-WC, TyG-BMI, TyG-WHtR, TG/HDL-C and METS-IR for CVD events in clinical practice.

Trends in Global Burden and Socioeconomic Profiles of Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter: Insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background

Understanding trends in atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) is crucial for effective prevention. This study quantifies the burden and identifies key risk factors for AF/AFL across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021.

Methods

Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2021, we employed average annual percentage change (AAPC) and Bayesian Age Period Cohort (BAPC) modelling to assess trends and future projections, with a focus on disparities across Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) levels.

Results

In 2021, AF/AFL remained the most common arrhythmia globally, with a prevalence of 52.55 million, 8.36 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and 0.34 million deaths. For each 0.1 increase in SDI, age-standardized mortality rates increased by 4.94%, DALYs by 2.56%, and prevalence rates by 2.40%, highlighting the significant impact of socioeconomic development on AF/AFL burden. AAPC analysis indicated slight increases in deaths, prevalence, and DALYs, along with a decline in incidence, reflecting the impact of public health strategies. However, significant inequalities were observed across SDI levels, with a higher burden in high-SDI regions because of aging populations and improved detection, whereas lower SDI regions faced higher age-standardized mortality rates because of resource constraints.

Conclusions

By 2035, we project a 4.07% increase in incidence despite a 6.84% decrease in mortality. Nearly one-half of the AF/AFL burden is linked to modifiable risk factors, underscoring the importance of tailored prevention strategies and improved health care access, especially in lower SDI countries, to mitigate rising disease rates and reduce health care disparities.

Machine Learning in the Management of Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Although catheter ablation (CA) is currently the most effective clinical treatment for atrial fibrillation, its variable therapeutic effects among different patients present numerous problems. Machine learning (ML) shows promising potential in optimizing the management and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing atrial fibrillation CA (AFCA).

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed to evaluate the current scientific evidence on the application of ML for managing patients undergoing AFCA, compare the performance of various models across specific clinical tasks within AFCA, and summarize the strengths and limitations of ML in this field.

METHODS

Adhering to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines, relevant studies published up to October 7, 2023, were searched from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect. The final included studies were confirmed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and manual review. The PROBAST (Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool) and QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2) methodological quality assessment tools were used to review the included studies, and narrative data synthesis was performed on the modeled results provided by these studies.

RESULTS

The analysis of 23 included studies showcased the contributions of ML in identifying potential ablation targets, improving ablation strategies, and predicting patient prognosis. The patient data used in these studies comprised demographics, clinical characteristics, various types of imaging (9/23, 39%), and electrophysiological signals (7/23, 30%). In terms of model type, deep learning, represented by convolutional neural networks, was most frequently applied (14/23, 61%). Compared with traditional clinical scoring models or human clinicians, the model performance reported in the included studies was generally satisfactory, but most models (14/23, 61%) showed a high risk of bias due to lack of external validation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our evidence-based findings suggest that ML is a promising tool for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of managing patients undergoing AFCA. While guiding data preparation and model selection for future studies, this review highlights the need to address prevalent limitations, including lack of external validation, and to further explore model generalization and interpretability.

Global trends and epidemiological impact of metabolic risk factors on atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter from 1990 to 2021

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) are cardiac arrhythmias associated with high morbidity and mortality. This cross-sectional observational study assesses the epidemiological burden of AF/AFL concerning metabolic risk factors using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. Age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rate (ASDR), mortality, and estimated annual percentage change were calculated. The Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort model was utilized to predict future trends in ASDR and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) for AF/AFL 2030. Between 1990 and 2021, ASDR rose from 34.22 to 34.94, whereas ASMR increased from 1.46 to 1.50 per 100,000 people. High/high-middle Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) regions showed decreasing trends in ASDR and ASMR, whereas low and middle SDI regions showed increasing trends. In 2021, the highest ASDR and ASMR were recorded in Australasia, North America, and Western Europe, with significant country-level variability. Projections indicate a declining trend in ASMR and stable ASDR through 2030. The global rise in AF/AFL attributable to metabolic risk factors necessitates comprehensive and region-specific public health strategies. Further research is warranted to develop and implement effective measures to mitigate these conditions and improve cardiovascular health outcomes worldwide.

Global, regional, and national burden of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter from 1990 to 2021: sex differences and global burden projections to 2046-a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

AIMS

Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (AF/AFL) are critical global health concerns, yet studies on burden trends and sex differences remain limited. This study aims to investigate the global burden trends of AF/AFL, with an in-depth analysis of differences between sexes and future trends, in order to address gaps in the current research field.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study, applying methods such as age-period-cohort analysis and joinpoint regression models to evaluate trends and sex differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of AF/AFL among individuals aged 30 and above from 1990 to 2021, and employed Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) analysis to predict future trends from 2022 to 2046. In 2021, AF/AFL affected around 52.6 million people globally, with significant increases in cases, deaths, and DALYs since 1990. While the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) remained stable, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) slightly declined, and the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) increased. Moreover, there were significant differences in the disease burden between male and female patients. Males had higher prevalence and DALYs, with older age contributing to higher rates. Key risk factors included high systolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and alcohol use, with female patients exhibiting a higher age-standardized rates associated with elevated BMI compared with their male counterparts. Bayesian age-period-cohort predicted stable ASPR and ASIR in males but rising rates in females, with ASMR expected to decline for both sexes.

CONCLUSION

The global burden of AF/AFL is rising, particularly among women, and in low-socio-demographic index regions. This underscores the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies and optimized management of modifiable risk factors, with a specific focus on these vulnerable groups.

Integrated Care in Atrial Fibrillation: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Improve Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia globally, associated with serious complications such as stroke and heart failure, as well as significant impacts on patients' quality of life. Objectives: This theoretical article explores the role of integrated care in the management of AF, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach that goes beyond rhythm and heart rate control. Methods: Through a review of the literature, this article explores the prevalence of AF, the challenges of diagnosis, the socioeconomic and psychological impact, as well as the benefits of integrating medical, psychological, and social interventions, drawing on insights from studies about integrative care in AF. Results: The findings highlight the challenges of managing AF, including its high prevalence, complex diagnosis, and significant socioeconomic and psychological impacts on patients. Integrated care models, combining medical, psychological, and social interventions, improve treatment adherence, reduce complications like stroke and heart failure, and enhance patient quality of life. Conclusions: Integrated care models hold significant promise in improving outcomes in AF patients through structured, multidisciplinary approaches. Evidence supports reductions in cardiovascular events, hospitalizations, and mortality when adhering to clinical guidelines, emphasizing patient education, and implementing individualized care strategies. Despite challenges, like regional disparities and suboptimal implementation, the integration of multidisciplinary teams and emerging technologies offers a way to enhance care delivery and accessibility. Future efforts should focus on personalizing care, promoting professional collaboration, and taking advantage of technological advances to optimize AF management and promote sustainable health systems.

Global trends and projections of high BMI burden and its independent impact on atrial fibrillation and flutter

BACKGROUND

This study evaluates changes in the burden of high body mass index (BMI) and its impact on atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF/AFL) using the 2021 Global Burden of Disease database.

METHODS

Mortality and disability-adjusted life years rates were analysed globally, considering age, sex, geography and the Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Decomposition and frontier analyses assessed the impact of epidemiological drivers and SDI on the burden. The nordpred model validated the predictions.

RESULTS

The burden of high BMI is now 2.5 times greater than 30 y ago and will continue to increase over the next 20 y, heavily impacting cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. High BMI-related AF/AFL also poses a significant burden, especially in developed regions. Men's burden grows faster than women's. Decomposition analysis shows epidemiological changes mainly drive burden increases, while in women, population growth is more significant. Frontier analysis indicates that the gap between actual burden and theoretical optimal value has widened with increasing SDI, except in countries such as Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past 30 y, the overall burden of high BMI and its impact on AF/AFL have increased significantly, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies.

Estimates and trends in death and disability from atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter due to high sodium intake, China, 1990 to 2019

OBJECTIVE

The effect of sodium intake on atrial fibrillation (AF)/atrial flutter (AFL), with respect to sex and age, has yet to be elucidated. This study aims to compare long-term trends in AF/AFL death and disability due to high sodium intake in China from 1990 to 2019.

METHODS

We utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease study to assess the mortality and disability burden of AF/AFL attributable to high sodium intake (> 5 g/d) in China from 1990 to 2019. Overtime trends and average annual percentage change (AAPC) were analyzed with adjustments for age, sex, period, and cohorts.

RESULTS

In 2019, the number of AF/AFL deaths and disability-adjusted life years attributable to high sodium intake were 4209.944 (95% UI: [1250.690-8718.238]) and 235484.586 (95% UI: [89136.783-428566.694]), with males comprising 44.81% and 51.95% of cases, respectively. The age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) and age-standardized disability rates (ASDRs) of AF/AFL attributable to high sodium intake exhibited downward trends from 1990 to 2019 in China. The AAPC was - 0.221(95% CI: -0.321-0.121)and - 0.631(95% CI: -0.816-0.446) for AF/AFL, respectively. An upward trend was observed in ASMRs for AF and AFL, attributable to high sodium intake due to high salt intake at ages 30-34, 35-39, and 40-44. With an increase in age, the AAPC for ASMRs increased correspondingly, and the AAPC for ASDRs exhibited a decreasing trend.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide strong evidence that high sodium levels in China significantly affect standard ASMRs and ASDRs for AF and AFL. Notably, different patterns of change are identified across various age groups, emphasizing the pronounced effect of salt reduction on AF and AFL.

Abelacimab versus Rivaroxaban in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Abelacimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to the inactive form of factor XI and blocks its activation. The safety of abelacimab as compared with a direct oral anticoagulant in patients with atrial fibrillation is unknown.

METHODS

Patients with atrial fibrillation and a moderate-to-high risk of stroke were randomly assigned, in a 1:1:1 ratio, to receive subcutaneous injection of abelacimab (150 mg or 90 mg once monthly) administered in a blinded fashion or oral rivaroxaban (20 mg once daily) administered in an open-label fashion. The primary end point was major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding.

RESULTS

A total of 1287 patients underwent randomization; the median age was 74 years, and 44% were women. At 3 months, the median reduction in free factor XI levels with abelacimab at a dose of 150 mg was 99% (interquartile range, 98 to 99) and with abelacimab at a dose of 90 mg was 97% (interquartile range, 51 to 99). The trial was stopped early on the recommendation of the independent data monitoring committee because of a greater-than-anticipated reduction in bleeding events with abelacimab. The incidence rate of major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding was 3.2 events per 100 person-years with 150-mg abelacimab and 2.6 events per 100 person-years with 90-mg abelacimab, as compared with 8.4 events per 100 person-years with rivaroxaban (hazard ratio for 150-mg abelacimab vs. rivaroxaban, 0.38 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.24 to 0.60]; hazard ratio for 90-mg abelacimab vs. rivaroxaban, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.19 to 0.51]; P<0.001 for both comparisons). The incidence and severity of adverse events appeared to be similar in the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with atrial fibrillation who were at moderate-to-high risk for stroke, treatment with abelacimab resulted in markedly lower levels of free factor XI and fewer bleeding events than treatment with rivaroxaban. (Funded by Anthos Therapeutics; AZALEA-TIMI 71 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04755283.).

Life's Essential 8, Genetic Susceptibility, and Incident Cardiac Arrhythmias: A Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) has been associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk and mortality, but its association with cardiac arrhythmias was still unsettled. In this prospective cohort study, we investigated the relationship between CVH and subsequent arrhythmias risk, including atrial fibrillation (AF)/flutter, ventricular arrhythmias, and bradyarrhythmias.

METHODS

Data from 287,264 participants initially free of arrhythmias in the UK Biobank were included in the analysis. Cox regression models were used to examine the relationship between CVH levels calculated by the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 (LE8) metrics, with cardiac arrhythmias risk.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up period of 12.8 years, 16,802 incident AF, 2186 incident ventricular arrhythmias, and 4128 incident bradyarrhythmias were identified. After adjustment for confounding factors, participants with high initial CVH levels had significantly lower risks for AF (hazard ratio [HR], 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59-0.68), ventricular arrhythmias (HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.40-0.59), and bradyarrhythmias (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.55-0.74) compared with those with low CVH levels. Furthermore, each standard deviation (SD) increase in LE8 scores was associated with a 15% lower risk of AF, 21% for ventricular arrhythmias, and 13% for bradyarrhythmias, respectively. In addition, a significant interaction was observed between CVH levels and the genetic risk of AF (P for interaction, 0.021). The reverse correlation seemed to be more noticeable in individuals with a lower genetic susceptibility to AF.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that higher levels of CVH, estimated by the LE8 metrics, were associated with significantly reduced risks of AF, ventricular arrhythmias, and bradyarrhythmias.

Correlation Between Voltage and Impedance Mapping in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Background. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) represents the cornerstone of paroxysmal (PAF) and persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) ablation. Impedance values provide insights on tissue conductive properties. Methods. Consecutive patients undergoing PAF and PsAF ablation were prospectively enrolled. All the patients underwent a preprocedural multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) to evaluate left atrial wall thickness (LAWT). Electroanatomic maps were acquired with the ablation catheter, and impedance values (Ω) and voltage amplitude (mV) of bipolar electrograms were collected. Results. A total of 60 patients (40 with PAF and 20 with PsAF) were included in the study. In all PAF cases, no voltage value lower than 0.5 mV was found at LA mapping; the corresponding mean impedance value was 151.5 ± 5.4 Ω. In PsAF cases, voltage values inferior to 0.05 mV have been reported in 19/20 patients. PsAF patients showed a mean impedance value of 129.1 ± 3.8 Ω. The correlation analysis between bipolar voltage and impedance reported an rs value of 0.4166 (p < 0.001), showing a positive correlation between the two variables. On the contrary, no direct correlation was found between voltage and LAWT and between impedance and LAWT (rsv-t = 0.1838; rsi-t = 0.1133, respectively). Conclusions. This research study suggests a correlation between voltage amplitude and impedance values, so that impedance might be used for arrhythmogenic substrate characterization.

Evolution in electrophysiology 100 years after Einthoven: translational and computational innovations in rhythm control of atrial fibrillation

In 1924, the Dutch physiologist Willem Einthoven received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of the mechanism of the electrocardiogram (ECG). Anno 2024, the ECG is commonly used as a diagnostic tool in cardiology. In the paper 'Le Télécardiogramme', Einthoven described the first recording of the now most common cardiac arrhythmia: atrial fibrillation (AF). The treatment of AF includes rhythm control, aiming to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Recent studies found that early rhythm control might additionally improve clinical outcomes. However, current therapeutic options have suboptimal efficacy and safety, highlighting a need for better rhythm-control strategies. In this review, we address the challenges related to antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) and catheter ablation for rhythm control of AF, including significant recurrence rates and adverse side effects such as pro-arrhythmia. Furthermore, we discuss potential solutions to these challenges including novel tools, such as atrial-specific AADs and digital-twin-guided AF ablation. In particular, digital twins are a promising method to integrate a wide range of clinical data to address the heterogeneity in AF mechanisms. This may enable a more mechanism-based tailored approach that may overcome the limitations of previous precision medicine approaches based on individual biomarkers. However, several translational challenges need to be addressed before digital twins can be routinely applied in clinical practice, which we discuss at the end of this narrative review. Ultimately, the significant advances in the detection, understanding, and treatment of AF since its first ECG documentation are expected to help reduce the burden of this troublesome condition.

Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of intensive blood pressure control on cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with atrial fibrillation: Rationale and design of the CRAFT trial

BACKGROUND

Co-morbid hypertension is strong predictor of adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) but the optimal target for blood pressure (BP) control in this patient population has not been clearly defined.

METHODS

The Cardiovascular Risk reduction in patients with Atrial Fibrillation Trial (CRAFT) is an investigator-initiated and conducted, international, multicenter, open-label, parallel-group, blinded outcome assessed, randomized controlled trial of intensive BP control in patients with AF. The aim is to determine whether intensive BP control (target home systolic blood pressure [SBP] <120 mmHg) is superior to standard BP control (home SBP <135 mmHg) on the hierarchical composite outcome of time to CV death, number of stroke events, time to the first stroke, number of myocardial infarction (MI) events, time to the first MI, number of heart failure hospitalization (HFH) events, and time to the first HFH. A sample size of 1,675 patients is estimated to provide 80% power to detect a win-ratio of 1.50 for intensive versus standard BP control on the primary composite outcome. Study visits are conducted at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months postrandomization, and every 6 months thereafter during the study.

CONCLUSIONS

This clinical trial aims to provide reliable evidence of the effects of intensive BP control in patients with AF.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04347330).

Temporal trends of catheter ablation procedures in patients with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter: A nationwide cohort study

Background

Catheter ablation is a well-established treatment to prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) recurrences and to relieve symptoms, whereas pacemaker implantation and atrioventricular node (AVN) ablation is used for rate control when medical therapy fails.

Aims

We investigated temporal trends and patient characteristics in catheter ablation procedures for AF, AFL and AVN in Finland between 2012-2018.

Methods

Finnish AntiCoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation (FinACAF) is a registry-based study including all patients with AF or AFL in Finland between 2012-2018.

Results

The number of patients with AF or AFL diagnosis in Finland increased from 185 057 to 243 802 between 2012-2018 and a total of 8954 first-time catheter ablation procedures were performed. Of them, 4909 (54.8 %) were AF ablations, 2731 (30.5 %) AFL ablations and 1314 (14.7 %) AVN ablations. The procedural numbers increased from 457/year to 934/year for AF, from 223/year to 553/year for AFL and from 114/year to 238/year for AVN. Altogether, 0.65% of all patients with diagnosed AF or AFL underwent AF, AFL or AVN ablation in 2018. The mean age of the patients increased in all ablation groups. Patients undergoing AF and AFL ablations were predominantly men (69.7 % and 74.6 % respectively) whereas patients undergoing AVN ablation were more often women (56.9%).

Conclusions

The use of catheter ablation more than doubled during 2012-2018 and the increase was particularly seen in the elderly patients. Nevertheless, only a minority of AF and AFL patients were treated with catheter ablations.

The Ablate-by-LAWT multicentre prospective study: Personalized paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation with ablation index adapted to local left atrial wall thickness

BACKGROUND

Personalized radiofrequency (RF) ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), adapting the ablation index (AI) to local left atrial wall thickness (LAWT), proved to be highly efficient maintaining high arrhythmia-free survival rates. However, multicentre data are lacking. This multicentre, prospective, non-randomized study was conducted at 5 tertiary hospitals and sought to assess the safety, efficacy, and reproducibility of the LAWT-guided ablation for PAF.

METHODS

Consecutive patients referred for first-time PAF were prospectively enrolled. The LAWT maps were obtained from preprocedural multidetector computed tomography and integrated into the navigation system. AI was titrated according to the local LAWT, and the ablation line was personalized to avoid the thickest regions while encircling the pulmonary veins (PVs).

RESULTS

A total 109 patients (60.1 ± 9.4 years, 64.2% male) were enrolled. Median procedure time was 61.7 min (48.4-83.8), fluoroscopy time was 1.0 min (0.4-3.3), and RF time was 13.9 min (12.3-16.8). Median AI tailored to the local LAWT was 393 (374-412) for the anterior wall and 340 (315-378) for the posterior wall. Right and left PVs first-pass isolation was achieved in 89% and 91.7% of the patients, respectively. At 12-month follow-up, freedom from any atrial arrhythmia was 93.4% (95% CI 88.7-98.1), without differences across centres (P = 0.169). One patient experienced femoral artery pseudoaneurysm, with no other serious procedural-related complication.

CONCLUSION

The Ablate-by-LAWT study proved that LAWT-guided PV isolation for PAF is safe, effective, and efficient in a multicentre setting. Twelve-month recurrence-free survival exceeded 90% (NCT04218604).

National workflow experience with pulsed field ablation for atrial fibrillation: learning curve, efficiency, and safety

BACKGROUND

Recent data on pulsed field ablation (PFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation suggest a progressive reduction in procedural times. Real-world data regarding the relationship between the learning curve of PFA and clinical outcomes are scarce. The objective was to evaluate the PFA learning curve and its impact on acute outcomes.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing AF ablation with the FARAPULSE™ PFA system were included in a prospective, non-randomized multicenter study. Procedural times were stratified on the operators' learning curve. Comparative analysis of skin-to-skin time was conducted with radiofrequency (RF) and cryoablation (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures performed by the same operators in the previous year.

RESULTS

Among 752 patients, 35.1% were females, and 66.9% had paroxysmal AF; mean age was 62.2 ± 10 years. A total of 62.5% of procedures were performed by operators with > 20 PFA procedures. Both time to PVI (25.6 ± 10 min vs 16.5 ± 8, p < 0.0001) and fluoroscopy time (19.8 ± 8 min vs 15.9 ± 8 min, p = 0.0045) significantly improved after 10 associated with consistent linear trend towards procedural time reduction (R2 0.92-0.68 across various procedural metrics). Current PFA skin-to-skin time was lower than the historical skin-to-skin one in 217 (62.4%) procedures; it was similar in 112 (32.2%) cases and higher than the historical skin-to-skin one in 19 (5.5%). No major complications were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

In this nationwide multicentric experience, the novel PFA system proved to be fast, safe, and acutely effective in both paroxysmal and persistent AF patients. The learning curve appears to be rapid, as improvements in procedural parameters were observed after only a few procedures.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Advanced TecHnologies For SuccEssful AblatioN of AF in Clinical Practice (ATHENA). URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ Identifier: NCT05617456.

Hospitalizations of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in Poland: A Nationwide Study Based on over One Million AF Hospitalizations in 2017-2021

Background/Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common forms of persistent arrhythmia in adults worldwide. The aim of this study was to present recent data on the epidemiology of patients hospitalized with AF in Poland. Methods: This is a retrospective, population-based study conducted using hospital discharge records. The data covered 1,225,424 cases of AF hospitalization reported in 2017-2021. Results: The study group consisted of 51.36% men and 48.64% women. The mean and median ages were 73.6 and 74 years, respectively. Women were older than men (77 vs. 70 years, p < 0.001). The mean and median lengths of hospitalization were 6.9 and 4 days. The mean annual hospitalization rate was 640.0 per 100,000 person-years. In the group of patients aged ≥65 years, the hospitalization rate was 2870.4 per 100,000 person-years. Men were hospitalized more frequently than women (p < 0.001). The total in-hospital mortality rate was 37.7 per 100,000 person-years, and it was higher in women than in men (p < 0.001). There was a significant downward trend in first-time hospitalizations during the analyzed period and a significant downward trend in mortality rates with a marked increase in the years 2020-2021. Conclusions: Although women are less frequently hospitalized for AF, they show a higher risk of fatal hospitalizations. The pandemic may have reduced new AF diagnoses and increased mortality in this group of patients. The results of this study may be helpful in making comparative analyses in the European and global contexts and taking actions aimed at improving the health condition of the Polish population.

Milvexian vs apixaban for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: The LIBREXIA atrial fibrillation trial rationale and design

BACKGROUND

Direct oral anticoagulants are the standard of care for stroke prevention in eligible patients with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter; however, bleeding remains a significant concern, limiting their use. Milvexian is an oral Factor XIa inhibitor that may offer similar anticoagulant efficacy with less bleeding risk.

METHODS

LIBREXIA AF (NCT05757869) is a global phase III, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, event-driven trial to compare milvexian with apixaban in participants with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Participants are randomly assigned to milvexian 100 mg or apixaban (5 mg or 2.5 mg per label indication) twice daily. The primary efficacy objective is to evaluate if milvexian is noninferior to apixaban for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism. The principal safety objective is to evaluate if milvexian is superior to apixaban in reducing the endpoint of International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) major bleeding events and the composite endpoint of ISTH major and clinically relevant nonmajor (CRNM) bleeding events. In total, 15,500 participants from approximately 1,000 sites in over 30 countries are planned to be enrolled. They will be followed until both 430 primary efficacy outcome events and 530 principal safety events are observed, which is estimated to take approximately 4 years.

CONCLUSION

The LIBREXIA AF study will determine the efficacy and safety of the oral Factor XIa inhibitor milvexian compared with apixaban in participants with either atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05757869.

Nonvitamin K Anticoagulants: Risk of Bleeding When Interacting With Other Medications: A Cohort Study From Medicare

INTRODUCTION

Patients on nonvitamin K antagonist (NVKA) are usually taking other drugs. Potential interaction may increase the gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding risk associated with NVKA.

METHODS

Observational cohort study using Medicare data from 2017 to 2020. Participants receiving a NVKA were included. A concomitant overlapping period while on NVKA was assessed for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), antiplatelets, glucocorticoids, aspirin and proton pump inhibitors (PPI). A logistic regression predicting either any bleeding or GI bleeding was conducted estimating the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 102 531 people on NVKA with mean age 77 years (SD = 9.8) and 55% females (N = 56 671) were included. Previous history of GI bleeding occurred in 2 908 (2.8%) participants, concomitant exposure to PPI occurred in 38 713 (38%), SSRI in 16 487 (16%), clopidogrel in 15 795 (15.4%), NSAIDs in 13 715 (13.4%) and glucocorticoids in 13 715 (13.4%). Risk for any bleeding was shown for clopidogrel (OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.44), prasugrel/ticagrelor (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.58), glucocorticoids (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.34), and SSRIs (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.19). GI bleeding risk was shown for clopidogrel (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.34, 1.55), prasugrel/ticagrelor (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.20, 1.79), SSRIs (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.17) and glucocorticoids (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.44). PPI use was correlated with both NSAID (r = 0.07, p ≤ 0.0001) and SSRI use (r = 0.09, p ≤ 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

NVKA concomitantly taken with antiplatelets, glucocorticoids, and SSRIs showed an increased risk for any bleeding and GI bleeding.

Genetic testing in early-onset atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a globally prevalent cardiac arrhythmia with significant genetic underpinnings, as highlighted by recent large-scale genetic studies. A prominent clinical and genetic overlap exists between AF, heritable ventricular cardiomyopathies, and arrhythmia syndromes, underlining the potential of AF as an early indicator of severe ventricular disease in younger individuals. Indeed, several recent studies have demonstrated meaningful yields of rare pathogenic variants among early-onset AF patients (∼4%-11%), most notably for cardiomyopathy genes in which rare variants are considered clinically actionable. Genetic testing thus presents a promising opportunity to identify monogenetic defects linked to AF and inherited cardiac conditions, such as cardiomyopathy, and may contribute to prognosis and management in early-onset AF patients. A first step towards recognizing this monogenic contribution was taken with the Class IIb recommendation for genetic testing in AF patients aged 45 years or younger by the 2023 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for AF. By identifying pathogenic genetic variants known to underlie inherited cardiomyopathies and arrhythmia syndromes, a personalized care pathway can be developed, encompassing more tailored screening, cascade testing, and potentially genotype-informed prognosis and preventive measures. However, this can only be ensured by frameworks that are developed and supported by all stakeholders. Ambiguity in test results such as variants of uncertain significance remain a major challenge and as many as ∼60% of people with early-onset AF might carry such variants. Patient education (including pretest counselling), training of genetic teams, selection of high-confidence genes, and careful reporting are strategies to mitigate this. Further challenges to implementation include financial barriers, insurability issues, workforce limitations, and the need for standardized definitions in a fast-moving field. Moreover, the prevailing genetic evidence largely rests on European descent populations, underscoring the need for diverse research cohorts and international collaboration. Embracing these challenges and the potential of genetic testing may improve AF care. However, further research-mechanistic, translational, and clinical-is urgently needed.

Clinical decisions for appropriate management of patients with atrial fibrillation

The management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) requires intricate clinical decision-making to optimize outcomes. In everyday clinical practice, physicians undergo difficult choices to better manage patients with AF. They need to balance thromboembolic and bleeding risk to focus on patients' symptoms and to manage a variety of multiple comorbidities. In this review, we aimed to explore the multifaceted dimensions of clinical decision-making in AF patients, encompassing the definition and diagnosis of clinical AF, stroke risk stratification, oral anticoagulant therapy selection, consideration of bleeding risk, and the ongoing debate between rhythm and rate control strategies. We will also focus on possible grey zones for the management of AF patients. In navigating this intricate landscape, clinicians must reconcile the dynamic interplay of patient-specific factors, evolving guidelines, and emerging therapies. The review underscores the need for personalized, evidence-based clinical decision-making to tailor interventions for optimal outcomes according to specific AF patient profiles.

Disparities in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and cardiometabolic conditions in low and lower middle-income countries: a systematic analysis from the global burden of disease study 2019

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and cardiometabolic conditions affect populations across economic strata. Nevertheless, there are limited epidemiological studies addressing these diseases in low (LICs) and lower-middle-income countries (lower MICs). Therefore, an analysis of the trend of MASLD and cardiometabolic conditions in these countries is necessary.

METHODS

From 2000 to 2019, jointpoint regression analysis was employed to calculate the prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for cardiometabolic conditions including MASLD, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia (DLP), hypertension (HTN), obesity, peripheral artery disease (PAD), atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF/AFL), ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and chronic kidney disease from HTN and T2DM, in LICs and lower MICs (according to the World Bank Classification 2019) using the Global Burden of Disease 2019 data.

RESULTS

Among the eleven cardiometabolic conditions, MASLD (533.65 million), T2DM (162.96 million), and IHD (76.81 million) had the highest prevalence in LICs and Lower MICs in 2019. MASLD represented the largest proportion of global prevalence in these countries (43 %). From 2000 to 2019, mortality in LICs and lower MICs increased in all cardiometabolic conditions, with obesity-related mortality having the highest increase (+134 %). During this timeframe, there were increased age-standardized death rates (ASDR) from obesity, PAD, and AF/AFL. From all conditions, the DALYs-to-prevalence ratio was higher in LICs and lower MICs than the global average.

CONCLUSION

The burden of MASLD and cardiometabolic conditions is increasing worldwide, with LICs and lower MICs experiencing higher (DALYs) disability per prevalence. As these conditions are preventable, counteracting these trends requires not only the modification of ongoing actions but also the strategizing of immediate interventions.

Estimating the burden of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter with projection to 2050 in Iran

Atrial fibrillation (AF)/atrial flutter (AFL) is the most common cardiac tachyarrhythmia, with an increasing trend in its burden in recent years. However, the burden of AF/AFL in Iran remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the burden of AF/AFL and its attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2019 at national and subnational levels. Using the comparative risk assessment method of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019, we extracted data on AF/AFL incidence, prevalence, deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and their age-standardized rates from 1990 to 2019 and analyzed them based on by age, sex, and socio-demographic index (SDI). The percentage contribution of AF/AFL major risk factors was calculated. Moreover, the AF/AFL burden in 2050 was projected using the United Nations world population prospect data. In 2019, there were 339.1 (259.4-433.7) thousand AF/AFL patients in Iran, with 30.2 (23.2-38.5) thousand new cases, 1.7 (1.5-2) thousand deaths and 48 (37.7-60.5) thousand DALYs. Females and 50-69-year-old patients recorded a higher burden for AF/AFL; however, the increasing trend was more pronounced in males and more than 85-year-old patients. High systolic blood pressure and elevated body mass index (BMI) were the predominant attributable risk factors for AF/AFL-related deaths and DALYs. It is estimated that in 2050, the number of AF/AFL patients will increase to 1.1 million people, the incidence of AF/AFL will increase to 91 thousand patients, and the number of AF/AFL-related deaths and DALYs will surge to 7.2 and 170.8 thousand, respectively. Despite advancements in prevention and treatment, AF/AFL remains a major public health problem in Iran. Given its largely preventable and treatable nature, more cost-effective strategies are required to target modifiable risk factors, especially within susceptible age and sex groups.

Differences in global, regional, and national time trends in disability-adjusted life years for atrial fibrillation and flutter, 1990-2019: an age-period-cohort analysis from the 2019 global burden of disease study

Background

Atrial fibrillation and flutter, collectively referred to as AF/AFL, pose substantial public health challenges across nations of different economic statuses.

Abjective

This research is intended to assess the discrepancies in global, regional, and national trends in DALYs for atrial fibrillation and flutter throughout 1990 and 2019.

Methods

The GBD 2019 report included statistics on AF/AFL. An age-period-cohort (APC) model was used to calculate the changes in DALYs from ages 30 to 34 years up to 95 + years. The model calculated both net drifts and local drifts in DALYs. In addition, we analysed the relative risks for certain time periods and birth cohorts from 1990 to 2019 in order to assess their impact. In order to measure the changes over time in the age-standardized rate (ASR) of DALYs caused by AF/AFL, we calculated the average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) based on age, gender, socio-demographic index (SDI), and location. This approach enables us to analyse the impact of age, period, and cohort on trends in DALYs, which may uncover disparities in the management of AF/AFL.

Results

The global number of DALYs cases was 8,393,635 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 6,693,987 to 10,541,461], indicating a 121.6% rise (95% UI: 111.5 to 132.0) compared to 1990. From 1990 to 2019, the worldwide ASR of DALYs decreased by 2.61% (95% UI -6.9 to 1.3). However, the other SDI quintiles, except for high SDI and high-middle SDI, had an increase. During the last three decades, high-income nations in the Asia Pacific region had the most significant reduction in ASR of DALYs, whereas Central Asia experienced the highest rise (with a net drift of -0.9% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): -1.0 to -0.9] and 0.6% [95% CI: 0.5 to 0.7], respectively). Approximately 50% of the burden of AF/AFL has been transferred from areas with high and high-middle SDI to those with lower SDI. There was an inverse relationship between the AAPC and the SDI. In addition, men and older individuals were shown to have a greater burden of AF/AFL DALYs.

Conclusion

The findings of this research demonstrate that the worldwide impact of AF/AFL remains significant and increasing, with the burden differing depending on SDI. The exhaustive and comparable estimates provided by these results may contribute to international efforts to attain equitable AF/AFL control.

Trends in atrial fibrillation-related mortality in Europe, 2008-2019

AIMS

Update data regarding the atrial fibrillation (AF)-related mortality trend in Europe remain scant. We assess the age- and sex-specific trends in AF-related mortality in the European states between the years 2008 and 2019.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data on cause-specific deaths and population numbers by sex for European countries were retrieved through the publicly available World Health Organization mortality dataset for the years 2008-2019. Atrial fibrillation-related deaths were ascertained when the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code I48 was listed as the underlying cause of death in the medical death certificate. To calculate annual trends, we assessed the average annual % change (AAPC) with relative 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Joinpoint regression. During the study period, 773 750 AF-related deaths (202 552 males and 571 198 females) occurred in Europe. The age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) linearly increased from 12.3 (95% CI: 11.2-12.9) per 100 000 population in 2008 to 15.3 (95% CI: 14.7-15.7) per 100 000 population in 2019 [AAPC: +2.0% (95% CI: 1.6-3.5), P < 0.001] with a more pronounced increase among men [AAPC: +2.7% (95% CI: 1.9-3.5), P < 0.001] compared with women [AAPC: +1.7% (95% CI: 1.1-2.3), P < 0.001] (P for parallelism 0.01). Higher AAMR increases were observed in some Eastern European countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, while the lower increases were mainly clustered in Central Europe.

CONCLUSION

Over the last decade, the age-adjusted AF-related mortality has increased in Europe, especially among males. Disparities still exist between Western and Eastern European countries.

Low-Voltage Area Ablation in Addition to Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Low-voltage area (LVA) ablation, in addition to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), has been proposed as a new strategy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but clinical trials have shown conflicting results. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of LVA ablation in patient undergoing AF ablation (PROSPERO-registered CRD42024537696). Methods: Randomized clinical trials investigating the role of LVA ablation in addition to PVI in patients with AF were searched on PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to 22 April 2024. Primary outcome was atrial arrhythmia recurrence after the first AF ablation procedure. Secondary endpoints included procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and procedure-related complication rate. Sensitivity analysis including only patients with LVA demonstration at mapping and multiple subgroups analyses were also performed. Results: 1547 patients from 7 studies were included. LVA ablation in addition to PVI reduced atrial arrhythmia recurrence (odds ratio [OR] 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.81, p < 0.001) with a number needed to treat to prevent recurrence of 10. No difference in procedure time (mean difference [MD] -5.32 min, 95% CI -19.01-8.46 min, p = 0.45), fluoroscopy time (MD -1.10 min, 95% CI -2.48-0.28 min, p = 0.12) and complication rate (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.40-1.61, p = 0.54) was observed. Consistent results were demonstrated when considering only patients with LVA during mapping and in prespecified subgroups for AF type (paroxysmal vs. persistent), multicentric vs. monocentric trial, and ablation strategy in control group. Conclusions: In patients with AF, ablation of LVAs in addition to PVI reduces atrial arrhythmia recurrence without a significant increase in procedure time, fluoroscopy time, or complication rate.

Exploring Atrial Fibrillation: Understanding the Complex Relation Between Lifestyle and Genetic Factors

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide across diverse ethnic groups. Among these, atrial fibrillation (AF) stands as one of the most prevalent types of arrhythmias and the primary cause of stroke. Risk factors associated with AF include alcohol consumption, aging, high blood pressure, hypertension, inflammation, and genetic factors. A family history of CVD could indicate an increased risk. Consequently, genetic, and genomic testing should be performed to identify the molecular etiology of CVDs and assess at-risk patients. It is important to note that CVDs are the results of the complex interplay of genes and environmental factors, including ethnicity. In this case, the proband's clinic story includes a history of smoking abuse for 10 years (10 cigarettes per day), obesity, hypertension, and an associated familial history. These risk factors, along with genetic variants, could trigger the early onset of AF. In recent years, genetic and genomic studies have significantly advanced our understanding of CVD etiology, given that next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows for the identification of genetic variants that could contribute to these pathologies. Furthermore, NGS facilitates early diagnosis, personalized pharmacological approaches, and identification of novel biomarkers. Thus, NGS is a valuable tool in CVD management. However, such studies are limited in Ecuador, a low- and middle-income country. Several challenges contribute to this gap, encompassing economic, infrastructural, and educational obstacles. Notably, the cost of genetic and genomic studies may also pose a barrier, restricting access to a portion of the population. In this case report, we present a 56-year-old Ecuadorian woman, who has been diagnosed with AF; however, after performing NGS no disease-associated variants were found, despite having strong clinical signs and symptoms. In summary, this case report contributes valuable insights into the complex interplay between genetic and lifestyle factors in the development and management of AF. The case report aims to underscore the potential impact of genetic variants on disease risk, even when classified as variants of uncertain significance, and the importance of an integral approach to patient care that includes genetic screening, lifestyle interventions, and tailored pharmacological treatment.

Heart-Brain Axis: A Narrative Review of the Interaction between Depression and Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias and depression are recognized as diseases of the heart and brain, respectively, and both are major health threats that often co-occur with a bidirectional causal relationship. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) serves as a crucial component of the heart-brain axis (HBA) and the pathway of interoception. Cardiac activity can influence emotional states through ascending interoceptive pathways, while psychological stress can precipitate arrhythmias via the ANS. However, the HBA and interoception frameworks are often considered overly broad, and the precise mechanisms underlying the bidirectional relationship between depression and arrhythmias remain unclear. This narrative review aims to synthesize the existing literature, focusing on the pathological mechanisms of the ANS in depression and arrhythmia while integrating other potential mechanisms to detail heart-brain interactions. In the bidirectional communication between the heart and brain, we emphasize considering various internal factors such as genes, personality traits, stress, the endocrine system, inflammation, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and behavioral factors. Current research employs multidisciplinary knowledge to elucidate heart-brain relationships, and a deeper understanding of these interactions can help optimize clinical treatment strategies. From a broader perspective, this study emphasizes the importance of considering the body as a complex, interconnected system rather than treating organs in isolation. Investigating heart-brain interactions enhance our understanding of disease pathogenesis and advances medical science, ultimately improving human quality of life.

A Comprehensive Review of Percutaneous and Surgical Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide, and is associated with a significant risk of thromboembolic events. Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has emerged as a promising alternative for patients with contraindications or intolerance to anticoagulant therapy. This review summarises the current evidence, indications, and technical advancements in surgical and percutaneous LAAO. Preprocedural planning relies on various imaging techniques, each with unique advantages and limitations. The existing randomised clinical trials and meta-analyses demonstrate favourable results for both percutaneous and surgical LAAO. Postprocedural management emphasises personalised anticoagulation strategies and comprehensive imaging surveillance to ensure device stability and detect complications. Future focus should be put on antithrombotic regimens, investigating predictors of device-related complications, and simplifying procedural aspects to enhance patient outcomes. In summary, LAAO is presented as a valuable therapeutic option for preventing AF-related thromboembolic events, with ongoing research aimed at refining techniques and improving patient care.

The burden of atrial fibrillation/flutter in the Middle East and North Africa region and its associated risk factors from 1990 to 2019

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation and flutter (AFF) are the most common cardiac arrhythmias globally, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region face unique challenges in managing cardiovascular diseases, including AFF, due to diverse sociodemographic factors and healthcare infrastructure variability. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the burden of AFF in MENA from 1990 to 2019.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019, a comprehensive source incorporating diverse data inputs. The study collected global, regional, and national Age-Standardized Incidence Rate (ASIR), Age-Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR), and Age-Standardized Disability-Adjusted Rate (ASDR), Mortality across sex, age groups, and years. LOESS regression was employed to determine the relationship between age-standardized rates attributed to AFF and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI).

RESULTS

The study found minimal change in ASIR of AFF in MENA from 1990 to 2019, with a slight increase observed in ASMR and ASDR during the same period. Notably, AFF burden was consistently higher in females compared to males, with age showing a direct positive relationship with AFF burden. Iraq, Iran, and Turkey exhibited the highest ASIR, while Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman had the highest ASMR and ASDR in 2019. Conversely, Kuwait, Libya, and Turkey displayed the lowest ASMR and ASDR rates.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the persistent burden of AFF in MENA and identifies significant disparities across countries. High systolic blood pressure emerged as a prominent risk factor for mortality in AFF patients. Findings provide crucial insights for policy-making efforts, resource allocation, and intervention strategies aimed at reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases in the MENA region.

Global burden of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter and its attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2021

AIMS

To devise effective preventive measures, a profound understanding of the evolving patterns and trends in atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) burdens is pivotal. Our study was designed to quantify the burden and delineate the risk factors associated with AF and AFL across 204 countries and territories spanning 1990-2021.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data pertaining to AF and AFL were sourced from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The burden of AF/AFL was evaluated using metrics such as incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), deaths, and their corresponding age-standardized rates (ASRs), stratified by age, sex, socio-demographic index (SDI), and human development index (HDI). The estimated annual percentage change was employed to quantify changes in ASRs. Population attributable fractions were calculated to determine the proportional contributions of major risk factors to age-standardized AF/AFL deaths. This analysis encompassed the period from 1990 to 2021. Globally, in 2021, there were 4.48 million incident cases [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 3.61-5.70], 8.36 million DALYs (95% UI: 6.97-10.13) and 0.34 million deaths (95% UI: 0.29-0.37) attributed to AF/AFL. The AF/AFL burden in 2021, as well as its trends from 1990 to 2021, displayed substantial variations based on gender, SDI quintiles, and geographical regions. High systolic blood pressure emerged as the leading contributor to age-standardized AF/AFL incidence, prevalence, death, and DALY rate globally among all potential risk factors, followed closely by high body mass index.

CONCLUSION

Our study underscores the enduring significance of AF/AFL as a prominent public health concern worldwide, marked by profound regional and national variations. Despite the substantial potential for prevention and management of AF/AFL, there is a pressing imperative to adopt more cost-effective strategies and interventions to target modifiable risk factors, particularly in areas where the burden of AF/AFL is high or escalating.

Health-related quality of life and healthcare costs of symptoms and cardiovascular disease events in patients with atrial fibrillation: a longitudinal analysis of 27 countries from the EURObservational Research Programme on Atrial Fibrillation general long-term registry

AIMS

We examine the effects of symptoms and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and healthcare costs in a European population with atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the EURObservational Research Programme on AF long-term general registry, AF patients from 250 centres in 27 European countries were enrolled and followed for 2 years. We used fixed effects models to estimate the association of symptoms and CVD events on HRQOL and annual healthcare costs. We found significant decrements in HRQOL in AF patients in whom ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) [-0.075 (95% confidence interval -0.144, -0.006)], angina or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) [-0.037 (-0.071, -0.003)], new-onset/worsening heart failure [-0.064 (-0.088, -0.039)], bleeding events [-0.031 (-0.059, -0.003)], thromboembolic events [-0.071 (-0.115, -0.027)], mild symptoms [0.037 (-0.048, -0.026)], or severe/disabling symptoms [-0.090 (-0.108, -0.072)] occurred during the follow-up. During follow-up, annual healthcare costs were associated with an increase of €11 718 (€8497, €14 939) in patients with STEMI, €5823 (€4757, €6889) in patients with angina/NSTEMI, €3689 (€3219, €4158) in patients with new-onset or worsening heart failure, €3792 (€3315, €4270) in patients with bleeding events, and €3182 (€2483, €3881) in patients with thromboembolic events, compared with AF patients without these events. Healthcare costs were primarily driven by inpatient costs. There were no significant differences in HRQOL or healthcare resource use between EU regions or by sex.

CONCLUSION

Symptoms and CVD events are associated with a high burden on AF patients and healthcare systems throughout Europe.

The hospital frailty risk score effectively predicts adverse outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation in the intensive care unit

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and frailty are significant global public health problems associated with advancing age. However, the relationship between frailty and older patients with AF in the intensive care unit (ICU) has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to investigate whether the hospital frailty risk score (HFRS) is associated with adverse outcomes in older patients with AF in the ICU.

Methods

This was the first retrospective analysis of older patients with AF admitted to the ICU between 2008 and 2019 at a tertiary academic medical center in Boston. The HFRS was used to measure frailty severity. The outcomes of interest were in-hospital and 30-day mortality and the incidence of sepsis and ischemic stroke.

Results

There were 7,792 participants aged approximately 80 years, almost half (44.9%) of whom were female. Among this group, 2,876 individuals were identified as non-frail, while 4,916 were classified as frail. The analysis revealed a significantly greater incidence of in-hospital (18.8% compared to 7.6%) and 30-day mortality (24.5% versus 12.3%) in the frail group. After accounting for potential confounding factors, a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that frail participants had a 1.56-fold greater risk of mortality within 30 days (95% CI = 1.38-1.76, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Frailty is an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes in older patients with AF admitted to the ICU. Therefore, prioritizing frailty assessment and implementing specific intervention strategies to improve prognostic outcomes are recommended.