Prevalence and Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation and its Embolic Complications in Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Atrial fibrillation is one of the complications of rheumatic heart disease, with substantial morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and predictors of atrial fibrillation and its thrombo-embolic complications in Ethiopian patients with rheumatic heart disease are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of atrial fibrillation and its thromboembolic complications. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 500 patients with rheumatic heart disease at the adult cardiology clinic of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital was carried out from 01 January to 31 June 2016. Data were entered into a pre-tested questionnaire and were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: Records of 500 patients (72% female) with electrocardiographic recordings and echocardiographic reports were available for analysis. Atrial fibrillation was found in 234 (46.8%) of the patients. Predictors of atrial fibrillation were found to be: age ≥50 years (p=0.01), left atrial size ≥45mm (p=0.01), the presence of mitral stenosis (p<0.01) and the presence of tricuspid regurgitation (p=0.01). Cardioembolic events were reported in 67 (9.2%) patients, and the presence of atrial fibrillation (p=0.02) and sub-therapeutic anticoagulation status (p<0.01) were significant predictors of cardioembolic events. Conclusions and recommendations: The study reveals a high prevalence of atrial fibrillation and cardioembolic events in Ethiopian patients with rheumatic heart disease. Hence, active screening of atrial fibrillation and optimal anticoagulation are recommended

Relationship between Vitamin D and the development of atrial fibrillation after on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with many diverse cardiovascular disorders, such as hypertension, heart failure, stroke, coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. The relationship between Vitamin D and the development of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) has not been studied. Therefore, we assessed the relationship between Vitamin D and the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after CABG.Methods: Medical records of consecutive patients who underwent CABG surgery were retrospectively reviewed for the development of atrial fibrillation in the postoperative period. Vitamin D, other biochemical parameters, and clinical and echocardiographic parameters were evaluated in all patients. The independent variables for the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation were defined and their predictive values were measured. Results: The study group consisted of 128 patients, of whom 41 (32%) developed POAF. Age, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of transient ischaemic attack/stroke, heart failure, left atrial diameter, platelet:largecell ratio, and creatinine, urea, uric acid, calcium and potassium levels were identified as important variables for the development of POAF. However, with logistic regression analysis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 28.737, 95% CI: 0.836­16.118, p < 0.001), heart failure (OR: 15.430, 95% CI: 0.989­7.649, p = 0.006), diabetes mellitus (OR: 11.486, 95% CI: 0.734­11.060, p = 0.001) and left atrial diameter (OR: 1.245, 95% CI: 0.086­6.431, p = 0.011) appeared as independent variables predicting the development of POAF.Conclusion: In our study, although there was a significant negative correlation between Vitamin D and left atrial diameter, Vitamin D level was not an independent predictor for POAF

High prevalence of atrial fibrillation in stroke patients admitted to university of Gondar hospital, northwest Ethiopia

Purpose : Even though atrial fibrillation is a common risk factor of stroke which contributes to poor outcome, data concerning this association is scarce in African countries. This study assessed the prevalence of confirmed atrial fibrillation and its effect on outcome in stroke patients admitted to University of Gondar Hospital.Methods: A Hospital based cross-sectional study by record analysis was done from December 2014 to February 2015. All adult stroke patients with documented head CT scan and ECG results admitted to university of Gondar hospital during June 2010 to May 2013 were included. Relevant data including sociodemographics, type of stroke, and presence of atrial fibrillation was collected from patient charts using a data extraction form.Results: A total of 94 patients with mean age of 67.4±12.4 years and Female to male ratio of 1.13:1 were analyzed. The prevalence of AF was 28.7%. It occurred in 34% and 14% of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes respectively. The in hospital case fatality of stroke associated with and without atrial fibrillation was 22.2% and 8% respectively while the rate of improvement at discharge was 34% and 68% respectively. Atrial fibrillation was associated with a low rate of improvement at discharge (OR= 0.28 CI: 0.1-0.78).Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation is common in stroke patients in our hospital, especially in the elderly population. It is associated with low rate of improvement at discharge. Appropriate screening and treatment of atrial fibrillation is invaluable for the primary and secondary prevention of stroke

Hypertension; Chronic Kidney Disease; Atrial Fibrillation and the Newer Anticoagulants

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common clinical condition that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality that mainly relates to an embolic stroke. Dominant risk factors for AF are advanced age and hypertension in the absence of mitral valve disease.1 In turn; hypertension and ageing are determinants of the congestive heart failure; hypertension; age; diabetes mellitus; prior stroke or transient ischaemic attack or thromboembolism (CHADS2) criteria for assessing the indication for anticoagulation. In addition; they are important risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD). In itself; CKD is an independent risk factor for AF and a higher risk of stroke.2 It is highly likely that a practitioner will encounter older patients with AF and concomitant hypertension and CKD that require anticoagulation therapy. Thus; it is essential for the practitioner to understand the risks and benefits of anticoagulation in older patients with AF; hypertension and CKD

La fibrillation auriculaire permanente: épidémiologie clinique et étiologie. A propos de 35 cas

Les auteurs rapportent les résultats d'une étude rétrospective réalisée sur les dossiers de malades hospitalises pendant les années 1990 et 1992 dans le Service de Cardiologie de l'Hôpital du Point G. pour 17 hommes (48;6 pour cent) avec un âge moyen de 55;1 ans. L'insuffisance cardiaque était présenté chez 30 malades (85;7 pour cent). Deux complications emboliques ont été enregistrées (5;7 pour cent). Dans la majorité des cas 26 malades soit 74;30 pour cent; une tachyarythmie existait. Une cardiomégalie radiologique apparaissant chez 21 malades (80;8 pour cent) et tous les échocardiogrammes réalisés (12) étaient pathologiques. Les étiologies étaient dominées par les valvulopathies (71;4 pour cent) suivies de la pyocardiopathie hypertensive (17;4 pour cent)

Les communications interauriculaires de type ostium secundum chez l'adulte a Abidjan : a propos de 24 cas

De 1977 a 1988; 24 communications interauliculaires (CIA) de type ostium secundum chez l'adulte ont ete operees a l'Institut de Cardiologie d'Abidjan. Il y avait 13 hommes et 11 femmes avec un age moyen de 31;2 ans. Tous les patients etaient symptomatiques. Le rapport cardio-thoracique etait modere et severe dans 40 pour cent des cas; une fibrillation auriculaire existait dans 12;5 pour cent des cas. Le catheterisme cardiaque notait un QP/QS superieur a 2 dans 75 pour cent des cas avec une pression pulmonaire moyenne a 25 mmHg en moyenne. La fermeture par suture directe a ete realisee le plus souvent. On a deplore 3 deces (12;5 pour cent) et des troubles du rythme postoperatoire chez 7 patients (29;1 pour cent). Le suivi postoperatoire clinique; radiographique et electrique des patients met en evidence le benefice du traitement chirurgical

Symptomes; etiologie et evolution de 47 cas de fibrillation auriculaire permanente

Etude retrospective realisee au Hospitalier National de Ouagadougou portant sur 47 fibrillations auriculaires permanentes (sur 847 maladies cardiovasculaires) a montre une prevalence de 5;5 pour cent. Il y avait 26 hommes pour 21 femmes. On avait constate une insuffisance cardiaque presente dans 93;6 pour cent des cas. Un accident vasculaire cerebral etait survenu chez 7 patients. Une tachythmie existait dans 22 cas. les etiologies de ces fibrillations auriculaires etaient dominees par les valvulopathies; les cardiopathies hypertensives et les myocardiopathies primitives constituant ainsi 85 pour cent des cas. Le traitement reposait dans tous les cas sur les digitaliques; associes a l'amiodarone 15 fois. Le ralentissement de la frequence cardiaque etant constant; la reduction de la fibrillation auriculaire a ete rerement obtenue