Mortality associated with atrial fibrillation in patients with myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common finding in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Atrial fibrillation is not generally perceived by clinicians as a critical event during the acute phase of MI; however, its prognostic influence in MI remains controversial. Furthermore, contradictory data exist concerning the risk of death according to AF timing. This article, a systematic review and first meta-analysis, aims to quantify the mortality risk associated with AF in MI patients and its timing.

Methods and results

A comprehensive search of several electronic databases (1970 to 2010; adults, any language) identified MI studies that evaluated mortality related to AF. Evidence was reviewed by 2 blinded reviewers with a formal assessment of the methodological quality

SUBMITTER: Jabre P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3082773 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature