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The proarrhythmic conundrum of alcohol intake
Theodora A Manolis1, Evdoxia J Apostolopoulos2, Antonis A Manolis3
1Red Cross Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine
|March 25, 2021
Summary
Alcohol consumption can trigger various cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF) and potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). Abstinence is recommended, though low/moderate intake may offer some protection against serious VAs.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Toxicology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Alcohol consumption is a known trigger for cardiac arrhythmias.
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common alcohol-related arrhythmia, even with low/moderate intake.
- Alcohol can induce both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) with acute or chronic use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the arrhythmogenic potential of alcohol consumption.
- To discuss alcohol-induced proarrhythmia, including "Holiday Heart Syndrome".
- To analyze dose-dependent effects and sex-based differences in alcohol-induced arrhythmias.
Main Methods:
- Review of large studies and meta-analyses on alcohol and arrhythmias.
- Tabulation of study data.
- Pictorial illustration of arrhythmogenic mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Alcohol can induce AF, supraventricular arrhythmias, and potentially fatal VAs.
- VAs are dose-dependent, more common in heavy drinkers, and observed in healthy individuals and those with heart disease.
- Women may experience arrhythmias at lower alcohol dosages than men.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol consumption poses a significant risk for developing cardiac arrhythmias.
- While low/moderate intake may have some protective effects against VAs, abstinence is the optimal strategy.
- Understanding alcohol's proarrhythmic effects is crucial for patient management and prevention.
Keywords:
AlcoholAlcoholic cardiomyopathyAtrial fibrillationCardiac arrestCardiac arrhythmiasEthanolSudden cardiac deathTorsade des pointesVentricular premature beatsMore Related Videos
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