Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality across the globe. In addition, recent studies have also suggested that AF could increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases, and overall mortality. This study aims to determine the association between AF and the risk of cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and death.
This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 104 eligible cohort studies investigating the association between atrial fibrillation and cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and death. A total of 9,686,513 participants with AF were identified. The primary outcome of the study was the incidence of cardiovascular events, renal disease, and death.
The findings suggested that AF was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (relative risk 1.46), cardiovascular mortality (RR 2.03), major cardiovascular events (1.96), and chronic kidney disease (1.64). Commonly occurring cardiovascular events were stroke (2.42), ischemic stroke (2.33), ischemic heart disease (1.61), sudden cardiac death (1.88), heart failure (4.99), and peripheral arterial disease (1.31). However, AF was not associated with a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke (2.0).
The research concluded that AF was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular outcomes, renal disease, and death, with the highest risk being for heart failure.
Ref: https://www.bmj.com/content/354/bmj.i4482
