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Atherosclerosis and thromboembolic risk in atrial fibrillation: focus on peripheral vascular disease

Eva Jover1, Francisco Marín, Vanessa Roldán

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.

Annals of Medicine
|December 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases stroke risk and shares atherosclerosis risk factors. Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is common in AF patients, impacting mortality and stroke risk assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia with significant risks of stroke and mortality.
  • AF shares common risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms with atherosclerosis.
  • Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) frequently complicates AF and is linked to increased mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the association between atherosclerosis, particularly PVD, and atrial fibrillation.
  • To highlight the clinical implications of PVD in AF patients.
  • To emphasize the under-recognition of PVD in AF research and practice.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies examining AF and atherosclerosis.
  • Focus on observational studies and clinical trials assessing PVD prevalence in AF.
  • Analysis of the impact of PVD on mortality and stroke risk in AF.

Main Results:

  • PVD is highly prevalent in patients with atrial fibrillation.
  • PVD is an independent predictor of mortality in AF patients.
  • Incorporating PVD into risk scores like CHA2DS2-VASc enhances stroke risk stratification for AF patients.

Conclusions:

  • Atherosclerosis, specifically PVD, is closely linked to atrial fibrillation.
  • Systematic assessment for PVD in AF patients is warranted.
  • Further research and clinical attention to PVD in AF are crucial for improved patient outcomes.

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