Mitral annular calcification is associated with atrial fibrillation and major cardiac adverse events in atrial fibrillation patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) varies from 5.4% to 47.1% in patients with mitral annulus calcification (MAC). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between MAC and AF, as well as the relation between MAC and major cardiac adverse events (MACEs) in AF patients. METHODS: We conducted comprehensive search for literature on associations between MAC and AF using the following databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science. The pooled odds ratio (OR) or relative risk and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the relationship between MAC and AF, as well as the rates of MACEs in AF patients with or without MAC. RESULTS: Thirteen studies met our eligibility criteria on associations between MAC and AF, including 6232 patients with MAC and 15,199 patients without MAC. Moreover, 5 studies met our eligibility criteria on the rates of MACEs in AF patients with or without MAC. The pooled analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increased risk of development of incident AF in patients with MAC than those without MAC (random effects OR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.91, 2.85; P = .000). And the pooled analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increased risk of development of MACEs in AF patients with MAC (random effects OR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.24, 4.41; P = .009). CONCLUSION: MAC was independently associated with AF and AF patients with MAC were at greater risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.