Evaluating the clinical consequences of atrial fibrillation in asian women with breast cancer

Background As treatments for breast cancer continue to advance, patient survival rates have increased, and cardiovascular (CV) disease has consequently become a leading cause of mortality among this population. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a recognized CV risk factor that can significantly affect breast cancer outcomes. Purpose This investigation aimed to determine the clinical significance of AF among breast cancer patients. Methods A total of 1,233 Asian women diagnosed with breast cancer at four medical centers in Korea participated in this cohort study. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyze survival data. Results In this cohort of 1,233 Asian female patients (median age 50.0 years, interquartile range [IQR] 45.0–58.0), the median follow-up was 103.4 months (IQR 72.5–133.5). AF was found to be correlated with an elevated risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), encompassing myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and CV death. AF was associated with increased risk of rehospitalization (HR, 1.63, 95% CI 1.02-2.56). Conclusion Atrial fibrillation significantly elevates the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events—including myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and cardiovascular death—among breast cancer survivors. In addition, patients with AF demonstrated a higher rate of rehospitalization. These findings highlight the need for proactive cardiovascular monitoring and management in this population.