Why the study?
The risk of AF is high and correlates with BMI in obese individuals, prompting a review of the obesity-AF link, new management approaches, and a proposed screening practice.
This review highlights the pathophysiological link between obesity and atrial fibrillation, proposing targeted screening for AF in obese individuals to prevent complications.
May support selective AF screening in obese adults ≥55; leaves open need for prospective trials before practice change.
Obesity and obesity-related illnesses (ORIs) constitute a significant burden on the healthcare system, with a very high prevalence in the general population. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia seen by healthcare providers. The risk of AF in obese individuals is reported to be high and in correlation with Body Mass Index (BMI), leading to the high prevalence of AF in the general population and the expected epidemic of AF to come. Greater left atrial dimensions and left atrial remodeling together form the AF substrate in the obese population along with the role of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in inducing inflammation and fibrosis of the atrial myocardium and thus facilitating the onset of AF. In our paper, we reviewed the literature published on the link between obesity and AF, as well as the potential behind new management approaches. Multiple studies have explored different approaches, either conventional or novel. Considering the impact of prevention in medicine nowadays, we proposed a screening practice for AF in obese individuals. More research is needed to acquire a comprehensive protocol for the management of AF in the obese population that can be applied by primary healthcare providers to combat this evolving matter.
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Ghattas et al. (2020) studied this question.
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