New-onset atrial fibrillation in chronic coronary syndrome: the CLARIFY registry

Gautier, A., Picard, F., Ducrocq, G., Elbez, Y., Fox, K. M., Ferrari, R., Ford, I. , Tardif, J.-C., Tendera, M. and Steg, P. G. (2023) New-onset atrial fibrillation in chronic coronary syndrome: the CLARIFY registry. European Heart Journal, (doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad556) (PMID:37634147) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Background and Aims: Data on new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) in patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) are scarce. This study aims to describe the incidence, predictors and impact on cardiovascular outcomes of NOAF in CCS patients. Methods: Data from the international (45 countries) CLARIFY registry (prospeCtive observational LongitudinAl RegIstry oF patients with stable coronary arterY disease) were used. Among 29,001 CCS outpatients without previously reported AF at baseline, patients with at least one episode of AF/flutter diagnosed during 5-year follow-up were compared with patients in sinus rhythm throughout the study. Results: The incidence rate of NOAF was 1.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.18] per 100 patient-years (cumulative incidence at 5 years: 5.0%). Independent predictors of NOAF were increasing age, increasing body mass index, low estimated glomerular filtration rate, Caucasian ethnicity, alcohol intake and low left ventricular ejection fraction, while high triglycerides were associated with lower incidence. NOAF was associated with a substantial increase in the risk of adverse outcomes, with adjusted hazard ratios of 2.01 (95% CI 1.61-2.52) for the composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke, 2.61 (95% CI 2.04-3.34) for cardiovascular death, 1.64 (95% CI 1.07-2.50) for non-fatal myocardial infarction, 2.27 (95% CI 1.85-2.78) for all-cause death, 8.44 (95% CI 7.05-10.10) for hospitalization for heart failure and 4.46 (95% CI 2.85-6.99) for major bleeding. Conclusions: Among CCS patients, NOAF is common and is strongly associated with worse outcomes. Whether more intensive preventive measures and more systematic screening for AF would improve prognosis in this population deserves further investigation.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The CLARIFY registry was supported by Servier.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ford, Professor Ian
• Authors: Gautier, A., Picard, F., Ducrocq, G., Elbez, Y., Fox, K. M., Ferrari, R., Ford, I., Tardif, J.-C., Tendera, M., and Steg, P. G.
• Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre
• Journal Name: European Heart Journal
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0195-668X
• ISSN (Online): 1522-9645
• Published Online: 27 August 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in European Heart Journal 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License