Clinical implications of change of ventricular rate in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation patients / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the significance of ventricular rate for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and to provide theoretical evidence for how to prevent patients of atrial fibrillation from complications such as cerebral embolism and left ventricular dysfunction, and so on. Methods Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation for more than 1 year were divided into cerebral embolism group and non-cerebral embolism group,30 patients per group. The data of patients in both groups were collected and compared, including general clinical characteristics, prothrombin time international standard ratio (PT-INR), the highest, lowest and average ventricular rate detected by Holter monitor system, left atria diameter and left ventricular ejecting fraction measured by echocardiography. Results There was no significant difference between two groups about general clinical characteristics, left atria diameter and PT-INR. The highest,lowest and average ventricular rate were much higher in patients of cerebral embolism group than those in non-cerebral embolism group. However, left ventricular ejecting fraction was much lower in embolism group. Conclusions It is critical to control heart rate for patients of persistent atrial fibrillation to prevent cerebral embolism and left ventricular dysfunction.