Key result
Small hiatal hernias (≤ 2 cm) were significantly more prevalent in patients with atrial fibrillation compared to controls without the arrhythmia (4.83% vs 0.85%, p=0.026).
Why the study?
Hiatal hernia is considered a risk factor of atrial fibrillation, prompting evaluation of its presence on CT in patients awaiting AF ablation versus controls without AF.
Is the presence of small hiatal hernia associated with atrial fibrillation?
Population
441 patients (207 awaiting AF ablation and 234 controls undergoing CT to rule out coronary disease)
Comparison
Patients awaiting AF ablation vs controls without a history of AF
Design
Case-control study
Authors
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Should not alter AF management or prompt screening; leaves open a possible mechanistic link requiring prospective validation.
Case-Control (n=441)
No
Is the presence of small hiatal hernia associated with atrial fibrillation?
Absolute Event Rate: 4.83% vs 0.85%
p-value: p=0.026
Small hiatal hernias (≤ 2 cm) detected on CT may represent an independent risk factor or trigger for atrial fibrillation, whereas larger hernias did not show this association in this cohort.
Głowacki et al. (2021) conducted a case-control in Atrial fibrillation (n=441). Small hiatal hernia (≤ 2 cm) vs. Patients without atrial fibrillation (control group) was evaluated on Prevalence of small hiatal hernia (≤ 2 cm) (p=0.026). Small hiatal hernias (≤ 2 cm) were significantly more prevalent in patients with atrial fibrillation compared to controls without the arrhythmia (4.83% vs 0.85%, p=0.026).
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