The Effect of Atrial Fibrillation on the Long-Term Mortality of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: The TACOS Study

Kaari K. Konttila, Olli Punkka, Kimmo Koivula, Markku J. Eskola, Mika Martiskainen, Heini Huhtala, Vesa K. Virtanen, Jussi Mikkelsson, Kati Järvelä, Jari Laurikka, Kari O. Niemelä, Pekka J. Karhunen, Kjell C. Nikus

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Abstract

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent finding in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but there is conflicting scientific evidence regarding its long-term impact on patient outcome. The aim of this study was to survey and compare the ≥10-year mortality of ACS patients with sinus rhythm (SR) and AF. Methods: Patients were divided into 2 groups based on rhythm in their 12-lead ECGs: (1) SR (n = 788) at hospital admission and discharge (including sinus bradycardia, physiological sinus arrhythmia, and sinus tachycardia) and (2) AF/atrial flutter (n = 245) at both hospital admission and discharge, or SR and AF combination. Patients who failed to match the inclusion criteria were excluded from the final analysis. The main outcome surveyed was long-term all-cause mortality between AF and SR groups during the whole follow-up time. Results: Consecutive ACS patients (n = 1,188, median age 73 years, male/female 58/42%) were included and followed up for ≥10 years. AF patients were older (median age 77 vs. 71 years, p < 0.001) and more often female than SR patients. AF patients more often presented with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (69.8 vs. 50.4%, p < 0.001), had a higher rate of diabetes (31.0 vs. 22.8%, p = 0.009), and were more often using warfarin (32.2 vs. 5.1%, p < 0.001) or diuretic medication (55.1 vs. 25.8%, p < 0.001) on admission than patients with SR. The use of warfarin at discharge was also more frequent in the AF group (55.5 vs. 14.8%, p < 0.001). The rates of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were higher in the AF group (80.9 vs. 50.3%, p < 0.001, and 73.8 vs. 69.6%, p = 0.285, respectively). In multivariable analysis, AF was independently associated with higher mortality when compared to SR (adjusted HR 1.662; 95% CI: 1.387-1.992, p < 0.001). Conclusion: AF/atrial flutter at admission and/or discharge independently predicted poorer long-term outcome in ACS patients, with 66% higher mortality within the ≥10-year follow-up time when compared to patients with SR.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)508-516
JournalCardiology (Switzerland)
Volume146
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • Acute coronary syndrome
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Electrocardiography
  • Follow-up studies
  • Outcome assessment health care

Publication forum classification

  • Publication forum level 1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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