Incidence, predictors, and outcomes of new‐onset atrial fibrillation in patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia and one of the complications in the setting of ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Our objective of the present study was to investigate the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of NOAF in patients with acute STEMI managed with pharmacoinvasive strategy (PIS) versus those managed with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). METHODS: The study included 530 patients with STEMI divided into two groups according to the method of treatment. Group I: 269 patients subjected to pharmacoinvasive strategy (PIS), group II: 261 patients managed with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Incidence, predictors, and outcomes of NOAF were assessed in each group separately. RESULTS: The incidence of NOAF was 25 patients (9.3%) in group I and 24 patients (9.2%) in group II. Multivariate regression analysis identified the independent predictors of NOAF that were (advanced age ˃65 years, history of hypertension, left atrial volume index (LAVI) ˃34 ml/m(2), E/e’ ratio ˃ 12, right coronary artery (RCA) as a culprit vessel and presence of heart failure). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the occurrence of MACE. CONCLUSION: New‐onset AF represents one of the common complications in the setting of STEMI. Advanced age, hypertension, LAVI ˃34 ml/m(2), E/e’ ratio ˃12, RCA culprit vessel, and heart failure were the independent predictors of NOAF.