Incidence, Predictors, Management, and Clinical Significance of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Am J Cardiol. 2019 Apr 1;123(7):1127-1133. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2018.12.041. Epub 2019 Jan 5.

Abstract

There is limited information on the incidence, management, and prognostic impact of new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic valve stenosis. In the prospective ASAN-TAVI registry, we evaluated a total of 347 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI from March 2010 to August 2017. The primary end point was a composite of stroke or systemic embolism at 12 months. The study subjects were categorized into 3 groups; pre-existing AF (50 patients), NOAF (31 patients), and non-AF (266 patients) group. NOAF developed in 10.4% of patients without pre-existing AF after TAVI and most cases were paroxysmal type (93.6%). Pharmacologic and electrical cardioversion were tried in 13 (41.9%) and 6 (19.4%) patients and success rates were 61.5% and 33.3%, respectively. NOAF-associated case rate for primary end point was 22.6%. Transfemoral access and cardiac tamponade were independent predictors of NOAF. Patients with NOAF, as compared with those with pre-existing AF and those without AF, had an increased 1-year rate of primary end point (24.0% vs 9.9% vs 7.2%, respectively; p <0.001). By multivariable analysis, NOAF was an independent predictor of 1-year rate of primary end point (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.31; 95% CI: 1.34 to 8.20; p = 0.010). In conclusion, patients with severe aortic valve stenosis who underwent TAVI, NOAF occurred in 10% and 1 of 4 NOAF patients experienced stroke or systemic embolization. The presence of NOAF was associated with a substantially higher risk of stroke or systemic embolization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / surgery*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / epidemiology*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / etiology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / therapy
  • Electric Countershock / methods*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology*
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Registries*
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents