Key result
Alcohol consumption in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation was associated with impaired peak left atrial longitudinal strain, inter-atrial conduction delay, and increased ERP dispersion.
Why the study?
Alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for atrial fibrillation, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, hindering therapeutic strategies.
Does alcohol consumption cause echocardiographic and electrophysiologic changes in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation?
Observational (n=134)
No
Does alcohol consumption cause echocardiographic and electrophysiologic changes in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation?
Alcohol consumption in patients with non-valvular AF is associated with dose-dependent adverse electrophysiologic and echocardiographic changes, including impaired LA strain and conduction delays, which may drive AF progression.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Alcohol may promote AF substrate changes; leaves open whether cessation improves LA function or conduction.
BACKGROUND: A wealth of evidence suggests that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF); however, the mechanisms underlying this association are unclear. This makes it challenging to develop therapeutic strategies in patients with AF attributed to alcohol consumption. PURPOSE: To investigate the echocardiographic and electrophysiologic changes caused by alcohol consumption in patients with AF. METHODS: The study was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number ChiCTR2000041575). Data on 134 consecutive non-valvular AF patients who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation in our center was collected from April 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Patients were divided into no-alcohol (72) and alcohol groups [categorized into light (34), moderate (11) and heavy (17) alcohol consumption]. All patients underwent echocardiographic and electrophysiologic examinations for the assessment of left atrial (LA) strain, inter-atrial conduction, intra-atrial conduction, and atrial effective refractory period (ERP). RESULTS: Overall, the mean age was 61 ± 11 years and 87 (65%) were males. Compared with the no-alcohol group, impaired peak LA longitudinal strain, obvious inter-atrial conduction delay and increasing ERP dispersion were observed in the alcohol group. Intra-atrial conduction delay and ERP dispersion increased with increasing amounts of alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: Alcohol consumption was associated with substantial abnormal echocardiographic and electrophysiologic changes in AF patients. These changes may contribute to the occurrence and progression of AF attributed to alcohol consumption, which may help in the development of new strategies for the prevention and management of AF. However further investigation is required.
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Sha et al. (2022) conducted an observational in Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (n=134). Alcohol consumption vs. No alcohol consumption was evaluated on Echocardiographic and electrophysiologic changes (left atrial strain, inter-atrial conduction, intra-atrial conduction, and atrial effective refractory period). Alcohol consumption in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation was associated with impaired peak left atrial longitudinal strain, inter-atrial conduction delay, and increased ERP dispersion.
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