Atrial ectopy as a mediator of the association between race and atrial fibrillation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Blacks have a lower risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) despite having more AF risk factors, but the mechanism remains unknown. Premature atrial contraction (PAC) burden is a recently identified risk factor for AF.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the burden of PACs explains racial differences in AF risk.

Methods

PAC burden (number per hour) was assessed by 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring in a randomly selected subset of patients in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Participants were followed prospectively for the development of AF, diagnosed by study ECG and hospital admission records.

Results

Among 938 participants (median age 73 years; 34% black; 58% female), 206 (22%) developed AF over a median fol

SUBMITTER: Christensen MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5712237 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature