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Heart rate significantly influences the relationship between atrial fibrillation and ankle-brachial index

Po-Chao Hsu1, Wen-Hsien Lee2, Chun-Yuan Chu3

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Journal of Cardiology
|December 16, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is linked to lower ankle-brachial index (ABI), a marker of vascular disease. However, this association disappears when heart rate (HR) is considered, suggesting HR influences the AF-ABI relationship.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Biomedical Research

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) and vascular diseases frequently coexist due to shared risk factors.
  • Previous studies indicate a potential link between AF and decreased ankle-brachial index (ABI), a measure of peripheral artery disease.
  • The ankle-brachial index (ABI) has also shown an inverse correlation with heart rate (HR), a factor often elevated in AF patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and ankle-brachial index (ABI).
  • To determine if heart rate (HR) significantly influences the relationship between AF and ABI.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study including 166 patients with AF and 1336 non-AF patients.
  • Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured using an ABI-form device.
  • Multivariate analysis was performed, with and without adjustment for heart rate (HR).

Main Results:

  • Patients with AF exhibited a significantly lower ABI compared to non-AF patients (p<0.001).
  • In multivariate analysis, AF remained significantly associated with low ABI (β=-0.069, p=0.026).
  • However, upon further adjustment for heart rate (HR), the association between AF and low ABI became statistically insignificant (p=0.971).

Conclusions:

  • The study confirms an association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and decreased ankle-brachial index (ABI).
  • This association is significantly mediated by heart rate (HR).
  • Heart rate is a crucial factor influencing the relationship between AF and peripheral vascular disease markers like ABI.
Abstract

Keywords:
Ankle-brachial indexAtrial fibrillationHeart rate

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