A Review of Atrial Fibrillation and Sepsis-Related Mortality Among Adults in the United States

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia associated with increased morbidity and mortality, particularly in critically ill patients. Sepsis further exacerbates this risk, contributing to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This study aims to analyze AF-related mortality trends in sepsis patients in the United States from 1999 to 2023. Trends in AF- and sepsis-related mortality among adults aged ≥25 years from 1999 to 2023 were analyzed using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research database. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 persons and annual percent change (APC) were calculated. From 1999 to 2023, a total of 241,127 deaths related to AF and sepsis occurred among adults in the United States. The AAMR rose sharply from 2.02 in 1999 to 5.60 in 2018 (APC: 5.53; 95% confidence interval: 4.78–6.03), followed by a further increase to 7.87 in 2021 (APC: 12.63; 95% confidence interval: 8.33–14.96). After 2021, the AAMR remained stable through 2023. In 2023, males (8.54) averaged a considerably higher AAMR than females (6.05). Among racial groups, the highest AAMR in 2023 was reported in the non-Hispanic (NH) White group (7.57), followed by the NH Black group (7.09), the Hispanics and Latinos (5.18), and the NH Others group at 4.45. Rural areas (3.87) averaged a significantly higher AAMR than urban areas (3.80). AF-related mortality in sepsis patients has risen significantly over the past 2 decades, with notable disparities. The sharp increase in AAMR highlights the need for targeted interventions to mitigate mortality risks in high-risk populations.