© 2006 European Society of Cardiology
Atrial fibrillation in heart failure patients: Prevalence in daily practice and effect on the severity of symptoms. Data from the ALPHA study registry
a Department of Cardiology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Pavia, Italy
b Service of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Pavia, Italy
c University of Torino, San G. Battista Hospital Torino, Italy
d University of Insubria, Circolo Hospital and Macchi Foundation Varese, Italy
e University of Insubria, Clinical Institute Mater Domini Castellanza (VA), Italy
f F. Ferrari Hospital, Casarano (LE) Italy
g University of Piemonte Orientale, Maggiore Hospital Novara, Italy
h Sacro Cuore Hospital, Negrar (VR) Italy
i University of Brescia, Spedali Civili Hospital Brescia, Italy
j IRCCS S. Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute, Tradate (VA) Italy
k Guidant Italia Milano, Italy
* Corresponding author. Cardiological Sciences Department, University of Insubria, Medical School of Varese, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Viale Borri, 57, 21100 Varese, Italy. Tel.: +39 332 278 934; fax: +39 332 393 309. E-mail addresses: jorge.salerno{at}ospedale.varese.itjorge.salernouriarte{at}uninsubria.it
 |
Abstract |
|---|
Background: Estimates of the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in heart failure (HF) originate from patients enrolled in clinical trials.
Aims: To assess the prevalence and clinical correlates of AF among HF patients in everyday clinical practice from HF patients screened for the T-wave ALternans in Patients with Heart fAilure (ALPHA) study; to investigate the correlation between AF and functional status.
Methods and results: Consecutive patients (N=3513) seen at nine Heart Failure Clinics were studied; 21.4% were in AF. AF prevalence was greater with increasing age (OR 1.04/year, p<0.001) in non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (OR 2.34, p<0.001) and with increasing NYHA class (p<0.0001). Multiple logistic regression predictors of AF were age >70 years (OR 2.35), NYHA class II III or IV vs class I (OR 1.8, 4.4 and 3.1) and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (OR 3.2).
A logistic model indicated that AF was associated with a 2.5 OR of being in NYHA class III–IV vs I–II while accounting for age, gender, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and aetiology of HF.
Conclusions: The prevalence of AF in HF patients exceeds 20%, and increases with age and functional class. The presence of AF leads to a more severe NYHA class, indicating that AF contributes to the severity of heart failure.
Key Words: Arrhythmia • Atrial flutter • Cardiomyopathy • Epidemiology • Fibrillation • Heart failure
Received March 21, 2006; Revised August 11, 2006; Accepted October 31, 2006
1 See Appendix for complete list of Investigators.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  V. M.C. Salemi, J. J. Leite, M. H. Picard, L. M. Oliveira, S. F. Reis, J. L.B. Pena, and C. Mady Echocardiographic predictors of functional capacity in endomyocardial fibrosis patients Eur J Echocardiogr, May 1, 2009; 10(3): 400 - 405. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. Agostoni, M. Emdin, U. Corra, F. Veglia, D. Magri, C. C. Tedesco, E. Berton, C. Passino, E. Bertella, F. Re, et al. Permanent atrial fibrillation affects exercise capacity in chronic heart failure patients Eur. Heart J., October 1, 2008; 29(19): 2367 - 2372. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. A. Salerno-Uriarte, G. M. De Ferrari, C. Klersy, R. F.E. Pedretti, M. Tritto, L. Sallusti, L. Libero, G. Pettinati, G. Molon, A. Curnis, et al. Prognostic Value of T-Wave Alternans in Patients With Heart Failure Due to Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy: Results of the ALPHA Study J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., November 6, 2007; 50(19): 1896 - 1904. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|