Half the patients with AFIB also have sleep apnea. Patients with sleep apnea have 4 times the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. How does sleep apnea contribute to AFIB? Potential mechanisms: Changes in intrathoracic pressure during apneic episodes leads to left atrial stretch. Intermittent periods of hypoxemia (low oxygen) and hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide) related…
Tag: arrhythmias
athletes & heart arrhythmias
Moderation in everything, including exercise. Food for thought: https://www.velonews.com/cycling-to-extremes-heart-health-and-endurance-sports https://www.velopress.com/athletes-with-haywire-hearts
inflammation & AFIB
IL-6 and CRP Inflammatory biomarkers such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive proteins (CRP) have been found to be elevated in setting of atrial fibrillation. Inflammation likely plays a role in initiation and perpetuation of AFIB. Tissue analysis of the left atrium in patients with AFIB has shown signs of inflammation. Inflammatory markers have been…
cannabis & the heart
There is lack of consensus on marijuana and its health effects. There is no question that THC helps chemotherapy associated nausea. However as this article suggest marijuana will increase risk of heart attacks in susceptible patients. Marijuana use has been associated with increased risk of stroke, though causality remains to be proven. Marijuana may contribute…
AFIB – 4 pillars of treatment
Anticoagulation Rate control Rhythm control Lifestyle (risk factor) modification Anticoagulation Anticoagulation is used to prevent stroke based on the CHA2DS2VaSC score. Patients with a score more than or equal to 2 require anticoagulation based on ACC/AHA/HRS guidelines. In Europe, they anticoagulate for a score of more than or equal to 1. Some common anticoagulants are…
sleep quality & AFIB
Sleep apnea is strongly associated with atrial fibrillation. However, even after adjusting for sleep apnea, quality of sleep is an independent predictor for atrial fibrillation. Here is the full article: Article summary : The 2 variables that correlated with increased risk of AFIB – time required to fall asleep and frequent nighttime awakening. This decreases…
red meat = tmao = AFIB
Is this statement inflammatory? 🙂 Red meat, cheese, eggs increase TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide) blood levels : Another study from Nature Medicine. TMAO has also been related to increased risk of AFIB in animal models. A new class of drugs has been developed to help reduce TMAO levels. What a novel concept! Another novel concept –…
low carb diet and AFIB
Low carb diets are associated with an increased incidence of AFIB according to an ARIC substudy. Low carb diets may include high intake of animal protein and low intake of fruits, vegetables and grains which together may promote inflammation – an evolving risk factor for atrial fibrillation.
CAAP-AF score
This score attempts to predict patient outcomes for catheter ablation with AFIB. This is not a perfect science, however it may help us better choose patients for AFIB ablation.
cha2ds2vasc score 1 – anticoagulate?
Great review by Cavallari et. al in Heart Rhythm Journal for a common clinical question. •Deep stratification of thromboembolic risk is advisable, while also considering other possible predictors of increased risk beyond the CHA2DS2-VASc score, such as renal failure, left atrial enlargement, low flow in the left atrial appendage, different left atrial morphologies, and spontaneous…