Atrial fibrillation: an analysis of 65 patients from King Khalid University Hospital

ABSTRACT

A retrospective review of 65 consecutive patient charts with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation was performed in order to study the prevalence of associated underlying disease. Rheumatic heart disease was noted in 31%, cardiomyopathy in 17% and arteriosclerotic heart disease in 12%. Atrial fibrillation was paroxysmal in 23 patients [35%] and sustained in 42 [65%] of the patients. Increased left atrial size was an important predictor of sustained atrial fibrillation