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

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Published on: February 26, 2013

Atrial fibrillation in a tertiary care institute - a prospective study

Rajeev Bhardwaj1

  • 1Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, India. rajeevbhardwaj_dr@yahoo.com

Indian Heart Journal
|October 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

In North India, rheumatic heart disease is the primary cause of atrial fibrillation (AF), affecting over 60% of patients. Hypertensive heart disease and COPD are also significant contributors to AF.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia.
  • Common causes in Western countries include hypertensive heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and coronary heart disease.
  • Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a significant health issue in India.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the contribution of rheumatic heart disease to atrial fibrillation in North India.
  • To identify the leading causes of atrial fibrillation in a rural Indian population.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 137 consecutive patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation was studied.
  • Echocardiography was performed on all patients to determine the underlying cause of AF.
  • Demographic data, including age and gender, were collected.

Main Results:

  • Rheumatic heart disease was identified as the most common cause of atrial fibrillation, accounting for 61.31% of cases (84 patients).
  • Hypertensive heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were the next most frequent causes, each found in 10.2% of patients (14 patients each).
  • The mean age of the patients was 51.24 years, with a higher prevalence in females (55.47%).

Conclusions:

  • Rheumatic heart disease is the predominant cause of atrial fibrillation in the studied rural North Indian population, responsible for over 60% of cases.
  • Hypertensive heart disease and COPD are the subsequent significant etiological factors for AF in this demographic.
  • Understanding regional etiological variations is crucial for targeted prevention and management strategies for atrial fibrillation.
Abstract

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