Persistent lone atrial fibrillation--its prognosis after clinical diagnosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Electrophysiology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia.
• Persistent lone atrial fibrillation is diagnosed when it is the only cardiac abnormality.
• The long-term prognosis of persistent lone atrial fibrillation requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the medium-term prognosis of patients diagnosed with persistent lone atrial fibrillation.
• To determine the incidence of systemic embolism and cardiac mortality in this patient group.
• To evaluate the stability of the diagnosis and the overall health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 83 patients with persistent lone atrial fibrillation was followed.
• The follow-up period ranged from one to 19 years (mean 7.5 years).
• Outcomes including systemic embolism, mortality, return to sinus rhythm, and development of other heart disease were recorded.

Main Results:

• None of the 83 patients experienced systemic embolism.
• Three patients died, none from cardiac causes.
• In 67 patients (80.7%), the diagnosis of persistent lone atrial fibrillation remained valid, and they remained well throughout the follow-up period.
• Seven patients spontaneously reverted to sinus rhythm.
• Six patients developed signs suggestive of other cardiac conditions.

Conclusions:

• Persistent lone atrial fibrillation appears to have a favorable medium-term prognosis.
• Patients with this condition are unlikely to suffer systemic embolism or cardiac death.
• The diagnosis of persistent lone atrial fibrillation is often stable, with most patients remaining asymptomatic.