Key result
Incident atrial flutter was associated with a higher prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (25% vs 12%, P=0.006) and heart failure (28% vs 17%, P=0.05) than atrial fibrillation.
Why the study?
Are there differences in the prevalence of pre-existing comorbidities associated with the onset of atrial flutter versus atrial fibrillation in a general population?
Observational (n=472)
Are there differences in the prevalence of pre-existing comorbidities associated with the onset of atrial flutter versus atrial fibrillation in a general population?
Absolute Event Rate: 25% vs 12%
p-value: p=0.006
Atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation have distinct predisposing clinical profiles, with COPD and heart failure more strongly associated with atrial flutter, and hypertension more strongly associated with atrial fibrillation.
AFL onset tied to higher COPD, HF, and smoking rates than AF; leaves open distinct prevention strategies pending prospective validation.
OBJECTIVE: Determine and compare the prevalence of known risk factors for cardiovascular disease among unselected individuals presenting with their first ever episode of atrial flutter (AFL) and atrial fibrillation (AF). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We evaluated 11 pre-selected clinical variables including age, sex, smoking history and other potential cardiac risk factors. Using the resources of the Marshfield Epidemiologic Study Area, a population-based database, all newly diagnosed cases of either AFL or AF in the region during a 4-year period were identified. RESULTS: Among the 472 incident cases, 76 (16.1%) had AFL and 396 (83.9%) had AF. Compared to those with AF, subjects with AFL were more likely to have had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (25% vs. 12%, P = 0.006), heart failure (28% vs. 17%, P = 0.05), and smoking (49% vs. 37%, P = 0.06). Hypertension, on the other hand, was more common among individuals with AF (63% vs. 47%, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study represents the first report to evaluate potential differences in the conditions associated with the development of AFL versus AF. Research into the mechanisms of atrial arrhythmogenesis may lead to improved preventive and therapeutic interventions.
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Mareedu et al. (2009) conducted an observational in Atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation (n=472). Atrial flutter vs. Atrial fibrillation was evaluated on Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p=0.006). Incident atrial flutter was associated with a higher prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (25% vs 12%, P=0.006) and heart failure (28% vs 17%, P=0.05) than atrial fibrillation.
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