The Relationship Between Stature and the Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Abstract

In patients with LV dysfunction, increasing stature portends a higher risk of AF independent of other traditional risk factors for the arrhythmia. This association seems to account for the higher prevalence of AF in men and may be useful for identification of a high-risk population.

Body Size and Atrial Fibrillation in Japanese Outpatients

“…Several recent reports from Western countries have demonstrated that a large body size has an epidemiologically strong impact on AF, predicting an increase in AF. [7][8][9][10]12,23 Although body size is very different between those countries and Japan, the present study of Japanese outpatients also clearly showed a strong effect of body size on the prevalence of AF. Actually, patients in the tallest height or largest BMI tertile groups had ~2-fold greater risk for the prevalence of AF compared with those in the shortest height or smallest BMI groups.…”

“…Recently, with the increased threat of metabolic syndrome as a dangerous risk factor for cardiovascular disease, 21 the significant effect of obesity on the incidence and prevalence of AF has been indicated in several population-based studies [7][8][9][10]22 and metaanalyses. 23 Furthermore, the effects of obesity-associated comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension and ischemic heart disease, have been indicated as possible underlying mechanisms.…”

QRS Duration Is Associated With Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction

“…At the time of data analysis, 25268 patients from 106 centers in the United States had been enrolled. This registry has served as the source of several publications related to AF, 26,27 but none have addressed the association between QRSd and the risk of this arrhythmia.…”

“…The latter was found to correlate strongly with left atrial diameter in a subgroup of patients enrolled in the ADVANCENT registry. 27 Also, this registry did not include longitudinal data hence it is not possible to determine the association between QRSd and new development of AF.…”

Wrinkles in the Atrium

“…In addition to possible regional pro- pensities for fibrotic reaction, the kinesiological characteristics of cardiac motion may play a role. Atrial fibrillation is more common in taller persons (11) and in athletes, including long-distance runners (12). The fulcrum for cardiac translatory movement is the site of attachment of the pericardium around the atrial-PV junction and may explain relatively accelerated evidence of tissue damage at some sites more than others.…”