January 24, 2013Emergency Medicine Journal
Atrial fibrillation in acute pulmonary embolism: prognostic considerations
Key result
A history of atrial fibrillation in patients with acute pulmonary embolism was associated with significantly higher 6-month all-cause mortality (45.6% vs 17.4%; OR 4.67, 95% CI 2.37-9.21).
Why the study?
Does a history of atrial fibrillation predict mortality in patients admitted for acute pulmonary embolism?
Population
270 patients admitted for acute pulmonary embolism
Comparison
History of atrial fibrillation vs No history of atrial fibrillation
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
6 months
Authors
Discussion
Loading...
Member takes
Implication
May warrant closer follow-up in PE patients with AF history; hypothesis-generating for AF inclusion in future risk models.
Study Design
Type
Cohort (n=270)
Structured PICO
Does a history of atrial fibrillation predict mortality in patients admitted for acute pulmonary embolism?
P
Population
270 patients admitted for acute pulmonary embolism
I
Intervention
History of atrial fibrillation (irrespective of timing)
C
Comparator
No history of atrial fibrillation
O
Outcome
Intrahospital, 1-month and 6-month all-cause mortalityhard clinical
Main Result
Effect estimate: OR 4.67 (95% CI 2.37 to 9.21)
Absolute Event Rate: 45.6% vs 17.4%
p-value: p=<0.001
A history of atrial fibrillation is an independent predictor of short- and medium-term all-cause mortality in patients admitted with acute pulmonary embolism.
Limitations
- Retrospective design
- Needs validation in prospective studies using larger cohorts
Cite This Study
Barra et al. (2013) conducted a cohort in Acute pulmonary embolism (n=270). History of atrial fibrillation vs. No history of atrial fibrillation was evaluated on 6-month all-cause mortality (OR 4.67, 95% CI 2.37 to 9.21, p=<0.001). A history of atrial fibrillation in patients with acute pulmonary embolism was associated with significantly higher 6-month all-cause mortality (45.6% vs 17.4%; OR 4.67, 95% CI 2.37-9.21).