TITLE:
Clinical profile and angiographic findings among patients with atrial fibrillation presenting for selective coronary angiography
AUTHORS:
Wael Elabbassi, Mohammed Andaleeb Chowdhury, Brano Liska, Robert Hatala
KEYWORDS:
Atrial Fibrillation; Selective Coronary Angiography
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.6 No.1,
January
7,
2014
ABSTRACT: Background:
Coronary artery disease is the most
common form of cardiovascular disease while Atrial fibrillation is the most
common sustained arrhythmia. We set out to investigate the prevalence and
clinical profile of patients with atrial fibrillation who present for selective
coronary angiography and whether this has an effect on the angiogram findings
and the treatment options offered to them. Methods and Results: This was a
retrospectively collected database of 494 patients presenting for SCAG from
01.11.2010 to 30.11.2010 and 01.04.2010 to 30.04.2010. We collected and
analyzed clinical characteristics of patients,
their SCAG finding and modes of treatment offered up to discharge. 24.6%
of patients had AF. They tended to be older, more commonly women, current or
ex-smokers; presented with symptoms of atypical chest pain and were more likely
to have a history of congestive heart failure or valvular heart disease. They
had a longer hospital stay. Using CHADS-Vasc score, 83.6% were moderate to high
risk for CVA. At SCAG, they were more likely to have non-significant coronary
artery disease, and hence were more likely to be treated conservatively. Conclusion:
AF patients presenting for SCAG constitute a unique subset of patients who
despite having a higher likelihood of
non-significant coronary stenosis are still prone to suffering from poorly-understood and under-appreciated myocardial
ischemia.