Risk Factors for Failure of Direct Current Cardioversion in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Atrial Fibrillation

Lifestyle changes in atrial fibrillation management and intervention

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias in adults, and its continued rise in the United States is complicated by the increased incidence and prevalence of several AF risk factors, such as obesity, physical inactivity, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine use. Lifestyle and risk factor modification has been proposed as an additional pillar of AF therapy, added to rhythm control, rate control, and anticoagulation, to reduce AF burden and risk. Although emerging evidence largely supports the integration of lifestyle and risk factor management in clinical practice, randomized clinical trials investigating the long-term sustainability and reproducibility of these benefits remain sparse. The purpose of this review is to discuss potentially reversible risk factors on AF, share evidence for the impact on AF by modification of these risk factors, and then provide an overview of the effects of reversing or managing these risk factors on the success of various AF management strategies, such as antithrombotic, rate control, and rhythm control therapies.

Feasibility and safety of the direct current cardioversion at the time of left atrial appendage occlusion for patients with atrial fibrillation

Background

With an increasing number of patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), more attention is being paid to relieving clinical symptoms and improving the quality of life of these patients. For patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), direct current cardioversion (DCCV) is an alternate, nonpharmacological choice to restore sinus rhythm and relieve clinical symptoms.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of the DCCV at the time of LAAO for patients with AF.

Methods

Forty patients were enrolled in the DCCV group undergoing the DCCV at the time of LAAO. The control group undergoing LAAO alone was formed by 1:1 matching.

Results

In the DCCV group, cardioversion was immediately successful in 30 (75%) patients, of which 12 (40%) had AF recurrence at the three-month follow-up. The failed-DCCV group was older (73.70 ± 4.74 vs. 62.20 ± 9.01 years old, P = 0.000), had a faster postcardioversion heart rate (88.80 ± 16.58 vs. 70.97 ± 14.73 times, P = 0.03), and had a higher mean HAS-BLED score (4.00 vs. 3.00, P = 0.01) than the successful-DCCV group. No patients experienced periprocedural pericardial effusion, occluder displacement, device embolism, or >5 mm peridevice leakage. One patient experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the DCCV group during the follow-up.

Conclusions

The DCCV at the time of LAAO is feasible and safe for AF patients with contraindications for catheter ablation or AF recurrence after previous catheter ablation to restore the sinus rhythm and relieve clinical symptoms. The DCCV at the time of LAAO is more likely to succeed for younger patients and patients with lower HAS-BLED scores.

Diabetes mellitus and atrial fibrillation-from pathophysiology to treatment

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular complications around the globe and one of the most common medical conditions. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia, with a rapidly increasing prevalence. T2DM has been closely associated with the risk of AF development, identified as an independent risk factor. Regarding cardio-vascular complications, both AF and T2DM have been linked with high mortality. The underlying pathophysiology has not been fully determined yet; however, it is multifactorial, including structural, electrical, and autonomic pathways. Novel therapies include pharmaceutical agents in sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, as well as antiarrhythmic strategies, such as cardioversion and ablation. Of interest, glucose-lowering therapies may affect the prevalence of AF. This review presents the current evidence regarding the connection between the two entities, the pathophysiological pathways that link them, and the therapeutic options that exist.

Epicardial adipose tissue, obesity and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation: an overview of pathophysiology and treatment methods

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a chronic disease, which has significant health consequences and is a staggering burden to health care systems. Obesity can have harmful effects on the cardiovascular system, including heart failure, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and atrial fibrillation (AF). One of the possible substrates might be epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), which can be the link between AF and obesity. EAT is a fat deposit located between the myocardium and the visceral pericardium. Numerous studies have demonstrated that EAT plays a pivotal role in this relationship regarding atrial fibrillation.

AREAS COVERED

This review will focus on the role of obesity and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and examine the connection between these and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). The first part of this review will explain the pathophysiology of EAT and its association with the occurrence of AF. Secondly, we will review bariatric and metabolic surgery and its effects on EAT and AF.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

In this review, the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatments methods of AF are explained. Secondly the effects on EAT were elucidated. Due to the complex pathophysiological link between EAT, AF, and obesity, it is still uncertain which treatment strategy is superior.

Glycemic control and atrial fibrillation: an intricate relationship, yet under investigation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) constitute two major closely inter-related chronic cardiovascular disorders whose concurrent prevalence rates are steadily increasing. Although, the pathogenic mechanisms behind the AF and DM comorbidity are still vague, it is now clear that DM precipitates AF occurrence. DM also affects the clinical course of established AF; it is associated with significant increase in the incidence of stroke, AF recurrence, and cardiovascular mortality. The impact of DM on AF management and prognosis has been adequately investigated. However, evidence on the relative impact of glycemic control using glycated hemoglobin levels is scarce. This review assesses up-to-date literature on the association between DM and AF. It also highlights the usefulness of glycated hemoglobin measurement for the prediction of AF and AF-related adverse events. Additionally, this review evaluates current anti-hyperglycemic treatment in the context of AF, and discusses AF-related decision-making in comorbid DM. Finally, it quotes significant remaining questions and sets some future strategies with the potential to effectively deal with this prevalent comorbidity.

Relationship of adverse events to quality of anticoagulation control in atrial fibrillation patients with diabetes: real-world data from the FANTASIIA Registry

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with diabetes (DM) have high risk of cardiovascular events.

PURPOSE

To compare clinical characteristics, adverse outcomes and quality of anticoagulation in AF patients regarding DM status.

METHODS

AF patients from FANTASIIA registry were included. Baseline characteristics and comorbidities were recorded. After 2-years follow-up, the association between adverse events and DM was evaluated.

RESULTS

1956 patients (mean age 73.8 ± 9.5 years, 56% male) were analyzed; 574 (29.3%) had DM. Diabetic patients had also high prevalence of hypertension (90.6% vs 76.1%; p < .001) or renal disease (21.4% vs 15.9%; p < .001). After median follow-up of 1077 days (IQR 766-1113 days), diabetic patients had high total mortality (16.9%/year vs 11.4%/year; p < .001), cardiovascular mortality (9.1%/year vs 3.9%/year; p < .001) and MACE (12.9%/year vs 6.8%/year; p < .001). DM patients had poor anticoagulation control (time in therapeutic range: 58.52 ± 24.37% vs 62.68 ± 25.31%; p = .002). DM with lower TTR showed higher cardiovascular death and MACE. Multivariate analysis showed an independent association between DM and cardiovascular mortality [HR 1.73 (IC95% 1.07-2.80); p = .024].

CONCLUSION

AF Diabetic patients have higher comorbidities and poorer TTR than nondiabetic patients. Low TTR was associated with adverse events. The risk of cardiovascular outcomes was higher in DM patients, with independent association between DM and mortality risk.

Atrial Fibrillation and Diabetes Mellitus: JACC Review Topic of the Week

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic medical conditions, and is a risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). The presence of diabetes in patients with AF is associated with increased symptom burden and increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality. The pathophysiology of diabetes-related AF is not fully understood, but is related to structural, electrical, electromechanical, and autonomic remodeling. This paper reviews the complex interaction between diabetes and AF, and explores its effect on the prevention and treatment of AF.