The Effect of Age with Other Risk Factors and on Clinical Presentations of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia characterized by uncoordinated atrial activation with consequent deterioration of atrial mechanical function. Objectives: To demonstrate the effect of the age on other risk factors of atrial fibrillation and the way of presentation of patient with atrial fibrillation. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross sectional study carried out at Ibn-Al-Bitar Cardiac Center from 2nd of January 2012 to the 1st of April 2012.The study included all adults 18 years and above of both sexes with atrial fibrillation who attended the selected hospital for any complaint. Results: A total of 191 patients, about ninety eight patients (51.3%) were male and ninety three patients (48.7%) were female. 48.7% were hypertensive, 24.1% had ischemic heart disease.19.9% had diabetes mellitus .2.6% had congenital heart disease, and 5.2% had pulmonary diseases. 78.5% were complaining from palpitation and 8.4% from dizziness with a significant p value in patients below 40years(p=0.007,0.025)respectively. Ninety nine patients (51.8%) were hemodynamically unstable and presented with (angina, and or hypotension, and or pulmonary edema). Hypotension was more frequent in patients below 65 years with a significant p value (p = 0.000). On radiological examination, 45.5% had cardiomegaly which was more frequent in patients below 65 years with a significant p value ( p = 0.035). On echocardiographic examination, 72.8% had dilated left atrium (left atrial dimension above 40 mm) with a significant p value (p = 0.000). 45% had diastolic dysfunction with a significant p value (p = 0.000),23 % had segmental wall motion abnormality with a significant p value ( p= 0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of atrial fibrillation is age and gender related and it has an important effect on certain risk factors and certain clinical parameters.