Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

Liver cirrhosis prevents atrial fibrillation: A reality or just an illusion?

Mahmood Zamirian1, Tahmineh Sarmadi, Kamran Aghasadeghi

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research
|May 26, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Liver cirrhosis appears to protect against atrial fibrillation (AF), with a significantly lower prevalence observed in cirrhotic patients compared to the general population. This study suggests a potential protective mechanism of cirrhosis on AF development.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hepatology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Cirrhotic patients exhibit metabolic abnormalities and enlarged left atria, yet atrial fibrillation (AF) is rarely observed.
  • The relationship between liver cirrhosis and AF prevalence remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of AF in cirrhotic patients.
  • To compare AF prevalence in cirrhotic patients with the general population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 1302 adult cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation.
  • Review of electrocardiograms for AF detection and echocardiograms for left atrial (LA) size assessment.

Main Results:

  • Only 0.15% of cirrhotic patients had AF, significantly lower than the general population, even after age and sex adjustment.
  • Enlarged left atria (LA diameter > 39mm) were present in 51% of patients; both AF cases had enlarged LA.

Conclusions:

  • Liver cirrhosis may have a protective effect against the development of atrial fibrillation.
  • Further research is required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this protective effect.
Abstract

Keywords:
Atrial fibrillationliver cirrhosisliver transplantation

More Related Videos

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation08:10

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: July 20, 2022

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug binding...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder01:26

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...
Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan01:25

Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and FibroScan are valuable diagnostic tools in gastroenterology and hepatology, each with specific applications and techniques.
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):