Caffeinated Coffee Consumption and Atrial Arrhythmia Recurrence After Pulmonary Vein Isolation

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Electrophysiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Uncertainty exists regarding caffeinated coffee's impact on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence post-pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).
• Clinical advice on caffeine intake for AF patients is inconsistent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between habitual caffeinated coffee consumption and AF recurrence after PVI.
• To determine if higher coffee intake influences arrhythmia recurrence rates post-procedure.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational cohort study of 199 patients undergoing first-time PVI.
• Patients categorized into high (≥2 cups/day) and low (0-1 cup/day) coffee consumption groups.
• Arrhythmia recurrence assessed at 12 months post-PVI, excluding the 90-day blanking period; multivariable logistic regression used.

Main Results:

• Atrial arrhythmia recurrence occurred in 19.4% of high consumers vs. 33.3% of low consumers (p=0.03).
• Higher coffee consumption was independently associated with a significantly lower risk of recurrence (aOR 0.47, p=0.036).

Conclusions:

• Increased caffeinated coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of atrial arrhythmia recurrence within one year post-PVI.
• Findings suggest moderate coffee intake may be permissible and not require routine restriction for patients post-PVI.
• Further prospective research is needed to establish causality.