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[Atrial fibrillation in alcoholic lesion of the heart]
Insights
Chronic alcohol use significantly increases the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with alcoholic heart damage. Atrial vulnerability, a precursor to arrhythmias, is present even in early stages of cardiac issues.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Toxicology
Abstract:
Sixty chronic alcoholic patients, aged 35.6 +/- 0.7 years and an average alcoholic history of 9.3 +/- 0.5 years were examined. Atrial fibrillation was detected at 24 h ECG monitoring in 2 (3.45%) patients, and paroxysms of atrial fibrillation or flutter were detected by intracardiac electrophysiologic investigation in 6 (22.2%). Fourteen (44.8%) patients with alcoholic heart damage demonstrated atrial vulnerability, indicative of a predisposition to atrial fibrillation even at earlier stages of alcoholic heart damage.