Atrial fibrillation in heart failure: high mortality risk even if ventricular function is preserved.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) have a better prognosis when systolic function is preserved as compared with those with depressed systolic function.
METHODS: Data from consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department at Brigham and Women's Hospital from January 1997 to December 2002 who had a diagnosis of AF and HF and a measure of ejection fraction (EF) were reviewed. Vital status was determined from the Social Security Death Index.
RESULTS: Of 478 patients (mean age 74 +/- 13 years; 47% women), EF was preserved (> 50%) in 46%. Those with preserved left ventricular (LV) function were older (76 vs 72 years, P < .0020), included more women (62 vs 35%, P < .0001), more likely to have a history of hypertension and pulmonary disease and less likely to have had a prior myocardial infarction. At 5 years, mortality was similar between the preserved and depressed EF groups (50% vs 48%, P = .74). In multivariable analysis, age > 75 years, history of cancer, cerebrovascular disease, aortic valve disease, serum creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL, and serum sodium < 130 mmol/L were associated with increased mortality. Therapy with beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blocker were associated with lower mortality.
CONCLUSION: Patients who present to the emergency department with AF, HF, and preserved LVEF have a similarly high mortality as compared with those with depressed LVEF. Further study is needed to assess the impact of therapies and clarify the reasons for the poor prognosis.