Why the study?
Do angiotensin II-receptor blockers prevent new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension or heart failure?
Do angiotensin II-receptor blockers prevent new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension or heart failure?
This review highlights the potential of ARBs to prevent new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension or heart failure, beyond their blood pressure-lowering effects.
May support ARB consideration for new-onset AF prevention in hypertension or heart failure; leaves open dedicated randomized confirmation.
Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent occurring sustained cardiac arrhythmia and it is related to common cardiac disease conditions. Hypertension increases the risk of atrial fibrillation by approximately two-fold and, because of the high prevalence of hypertension, it accounts for more cases of atrial fibrillation than any other risk factor. In recent years, there are two large hypertension trials (LIFE and VALUE) and two large heart failure trials (CHARM and Val-HeFT) reporting the beneficial effect of angiotensin II-receptor blockers (ARBs) on new-onset atrial fibrillation, beyond the blood pressure-lowering effect. Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system may prevent left atrial dilatation, atrial fibrosis, dysfunction and conduction velocity slowing. Some studies also indicate direct anti-arrhythmic properties. This review aims to consider the preventive effect of ARBs on new-onset atrial fibrillation observed in recent reports from these trials, and to discuss possible mechanisms of the beneficial effect of angiotensin II-receptor blockade.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Aksnes et al. (2006) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: