New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in the Post-Primary PCI Setting: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation is a relatively common complication of acute myocardial infarction with significant impact on the short and long-term prognosis. Methods: A systematic literature review was done through Pubmed and CENTRAL to extract data related to new-onset atrial fibrillation following primary PCI. Results: Searching resulted in twenty-one matched studies. Extraction of data showed an incidence rate of new-onset atrial fibrillation (2.8%-58%). A negative impact was found on the outcomes of patients treated with primary PCI with increased short and long-term mortality and morbidity. Conclusion: New-onset atrial fibrillation is an adverse prognostic marker in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated invasively. Preventive measures and anticoagulant therapy should be considered more intensively in this subset of patients.