Differences in Clinical Profile and Echocardiographic Findings in Patients with Valvular Vs Non-valvular Origin of Atrial Fibrillation.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (A Fib) is a common cardiac arrhythmia. Major causes include valvular and non-valvular. Prevalence of rheumatic/ valvular origin is commonly observed but non-valvular diseases are also manifest in A Fib. The age, gender, left atrial size and presence or absence of thrombus in left atrium affects the outcome and associated morbidity and mortality. We evaluated 70 consecutive patients of A Fib to find out differences in clinical and Echocardiographic findings in valvular and non-valvular origin of A Fib. Seventy (31 males, 39 females) patients of A Fib were divided into valvular and non-valvular groups. There were 34 (48.16%) patients (22 females) in valvular group, out of which 27 (79.41%) had pure mitral stenosis (16 females) and 5 (14.70%) mixed mitral valve disease. In non-valvular group 36 5 1.84%) patients (19 males) were observed, out of these 9 (15%) had hypertension, 12 (33.3%) coronary artery disease. Mean age in valvular group was 40.09 ± 11.99 years and 61.42 ± 13.23 years in non-valvular one. Ejection fraction was more (54.68 ± 10.45%) in valvular group. Increased LA size of 52.44 ±8.96% noted in valvular group. A Fib is the commonest arrhythmia seen at relatively younger age, more common in females and with enlarged left atrium in valvular heart disease as compared to non-valvular group where it is seen at older age, in males and with relatively less enlarged left atrium. Early recognition and treatment of atrial fibrillation may help to reduce the occurrence of atrial fibrillation and its associated sequel.