Progressive nature of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Observations from a 14-year follow-up study.

摘要: Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is believed to occur first as paroxysmal, then be gradually perpetuated, and finally become chronic the end result. However, this presumed clinical course has not been well confirmed. Methods Results The of recurrent paroxysmal AF (PAF) from its onset was examined in 171 patients (mean follow-up period: 14.1±8.1 years). This study population consisted with no structural heart disease (n=88), ischemic (n=28), dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n=17), valvular (n=35) other cardiac diseases. mean age at 58.3 ±11.8 years old. During period 14.1 years, PAF eventually developed into form 132 under conventional antiarrhythmic therapy (77.2%, 5.5% per year). independent factors for early development were aging (hazard ratio (HR) 1.27 10 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.47)), left atrium (HR 1.39 mm, CI 1.11-1.69), myocardial infarction 2.33, 1.13-4.81), diseases 2.29, 1.22-4.30). Conclusions present long-term observations definitely quantitatively revealed progressive nature PAF. (Circ J 2004; 68: 568 - 572)