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Sustained hemoconcentration in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, a potential risk for stroke and
H Yamada1, T Sugiyama, T Ashida
1Institute for Adult Diseases Asahi Life Foundation, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Hemoconcentration, an increase in blood concentration, persists for at least four years after developing chronic atrial fibrillation. This sustained hemoconcentration may increase stroke risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
Background:
- Hemoconcentration is observed during paroxysmal and early chronic atrial fibrillation.
- The persistence of hemoconcentration after transition to chronic atrial fibrillation is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the duration of hemoconcentration following the transition from sinus rhythm to chronic atrial fibrillation.
- To assess the long-term hematocrit levels in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation compared to controls.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study.
- Involved 9 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and 18 age- and gender-matched controls.
- Hematocrit levels were monitored over a long-term period.
Main Results:
- Hematocrit levels significantly increased from 44.88% to 46.87% upon transition to chronic atrial fibrillation (p < 0.01).
- Elevated hematocrit levels persisted for at least 4 years in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation.
- Hematocrit levels remained stable in the control group.
- A significant difference in hematocrit was observed between chronic atrial fibrillation patients and controls (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Hemoconcentration is a persistent finding in chronic atrial fibrillation, lasting at least 4 years.
- Sustained hemoconcentration in atrial fibrillation may pose a risk for stroke and thromboembolic complications.
Abstract:
Hemoconcentration has been observed during paroxysms of atrial fibrillation and at the early stage of chronic atrial fibrillation. The present study was designed to determine how long the hemoconcentration continues after complete transition to atrial fibrillation from sinus rhythm by retrospective long-term observation of 9 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and 18 age-gender matched control patients. Hematocrit levels significantly increased with transition to chronic atrial fibrillation from sinus rhythm (from 44.88 +/- 0.87% to 46.87 +/- 1.12%, p < 0.01) and remained high for at least another 4 years. They remained unchanged throughout the observation period in the control patients. There is a significant difference in the hematocrit level between patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and control patients (p < 0.001). The hemoconcentration may present a potential risk for stroke and thromboembolic complications.