New-onset atrial fibrillation after acute coronary syndrome: prevalence and predictive factors

New-onset AF atrial fibrillation (NOAF) frequently complicates acute coronary syndromes (ACS) leading to adverse outcomes in the short and long term. The prevalence of NOAF in patients hospitalized for ACS is variably reported and ranges between 2 and 37%. Several predictor factors have been implicated in the literature but remain a subject of controversy.

To determine the prevalence of NOAF in a population of patients admitted for ACS and to identify its predictive factors.

We carried out a prospective, descriptive and comparative observational study in hospitalized patients with ACS who did not have a previous diagnosis of AF.

In our study, we included 404 patients hospitalized for ACS. The prevalence of NOAF was 10%. In the multivariate analytical study, we retained as independent predictors of NOAF: age greater than 62 years (p = 0.04; adjusted OR = 4.83; CI95%: 1.07-21.77), chronic renal failure (p = 0.043; adjusted OR = 6.61; CI95%: 1.06-35.80), history of stroke (p = 0.002; adjusted OR = 44.51; CI95%: 3.97- 498.10) and finally uricemia greater than or equal to 62 mg / l (p = 0.04; adjusted OR = 4.4; CI95%: 1.06-18.15).

The prevalence of NOAF in patients with ACS was 10%. Its systematic screening in these patients appears to be a relevant approach because of the strong association between these two pathologies.