Key result
AF is linked to ~8-fold higher PH risk in patients with incident VTE.
Why the study?
AF is associated with VTE and may contribute to chronic thromboembolic PH, while also elevating left-sided filling pressures and promoting atrial myopathy that could lead to postcapillary PH. The authors investigated the association between AF, with or without incident VTE, and incident PH.
Does atrial fibrillation increase the risk of incident pulmonary hypertension in a nationwide cohort?
Population
521 988 patients with AF and 1 017 277 matched population controls in Sweden
Comparison
Patients with AF vs matched controls without AF
Design
Nationwide register-based matched cohort study
Follow-up
Median 11 years
Authors
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AF-associated PH risk rises sharply with VTE; extends observational links but leaves causal and management implications open.
Does atrial fibrillation increase the risk of incident pulmonary hypertension in a nationwide cohort?
Atrial fibrillation is independently associated with a markedly increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, a risk that is further amplified by incident venous thromboembolism.
Hjalmarsson et al. (2025) studied this question. Atrial fibrillation was associated with an 8.1-fold increased risk of pulmonary hypertension in patients with incident venous thromboembolism.
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