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Impact of atrial fibrillation on mortality in patients with chronic heart failure

Maarten P van den Berg1, Isabelle C van Gelder, Dirk J van Veldhuisen

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Thorax Centre, University Hospital Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands. m.p.van.den.berg@thorax.azg.nl

European Journal of Heart Failure
|November 5, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Atrial fibrillation increases mortality in mild-to-moderate heart failure but not in severe cases. This review highlights the variable impact of this arrhythmia on heart failure patient survival.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Chronic heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are frequently comorbid conditions.
  • The interplay between AF and mortality in CHF patients requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing literature on the prognostic impact of atrial fibrillation on mortality in patients diagnosed with heart failure.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE.
  • Six full-text articles meeting the study criteria were identified and analyzed.

Main Results:

  • In patients with severe heart failure, atrial fibrillation was not an independent predictor of mortality.
  • Conversely, atrial fibrillation was associated with significantly increased mortality in patients with mild-to-moderate heart failure.

Conclusions:

  • The prognostic significance of atrial fibrillation in heart failure is dependent on disease severity.
  • Clinical management strategies for atrial fibrillation in heart failure patients should consider the patient's heart failure classification.

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