Dianne E C van Beek1, Yvette A M Kuijpers2, Marc H H Königs2, Iwan C C van der Horst3, Thomas W L Scheeren4. 1. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Intensive Care, Maxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, the Netherlands. Electronic address: dnvb@novonordisk.com. 2. Department of Intensive Care, Maxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, the Netherlands. 3. Department of Intensive Care, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands. 4. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim was to determine if a low serum albumin (SA) level was associated with the occurrence of new onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) during the first 48 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. METHODS: Overall, 97 patients admitted to the ICU were included in this prospective study. NOAF during the first 48 h was defined as irregularity and absence of p-waves on the continuous electrocardiogram, lasting longer than 2 min. Association were analysed using logistic regression with correction for confounding variables in multivariable analysis. RESULTS: The incidence of NOAF during the first 48 h of ICU admission was 18%. SA levels at ICU admission were significantly associated with NOAF after correction for confounders (odds ratio [OR] 0.86, 95%CI 0.77-0.97, p = .010). SA levels were also significantly associated with the number of episodes of NOAF in multivariate analysis (-0.09 episodes, 95%CI [-0.15/-0.04], p = .001), but not with the presence of sinus rhythm at 48 h (OR 1.05, 95%CI [0.93-1.12], p = .46). CONCLUSION: In this small hypothesis generating study low levels of SA were associated with the occurrence of NOAF. It remains to be shown if increasing SA levels lowers the incidence of NOAF.
PURPOSE: The aim was to determine if a low serum albumin (SA) level was associated with the occurrence of new onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) during the first 48 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. METHODS: Overall, 97 patients admitted to the ICU were included in this prospective study. NOAF during the first 48 h was defined as irregularity and absence of p-waves on the continuous electrocardiogram, lasting longer than 2 min. Association were analysed using logistic regression with correction for confounding variables in multivariable analysis. RESULTS: The incidence of NOAF during the first 48 h of ICU admission was 18%. SA levels at ICU admission were significantly associated with NOAF after correction for confounders (odds ratio [OR] 0.86, 95%CI 0.77-0.97, p = .010). SA levels were also significantly associated with the number of episodes of NOAF in multivariate analysis (-0.09 episodes, 95%CI [-0.15/-0.04], p = .001), but not with the presence of sinus rhythm at 48 h (OR 1.05, 95%CI [0.93-1.12], p = .46). CONCLUSION: In this small hypothesis generating study low levels of SA were associated with the occurrence of NOAF. It remains to be shown if increasing SA levels lowers the incidence of NOAF.