Prevalence and risk factors associated with decompensated heart failure after successful elective cardioversion for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter

Study objective

To determine the incidence of and risk factors for HF after successful electrical and ablative cardioversion (CV) of atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Single center academic institution.

Participants

Seven hundred fifty-five patients underwent successful elective CV from July 1, 2018 to May 20, 2019. Patients presenting in arrhythmias other than AF or AFL, those who developed HF due to alternative etiologies, and those who developed arrhythmia recurrence within 30 days were excluded. Medical records of the remaining 451 patients were reviewed before and after CV.

Main outcomes measured

Development of heart failure despite sinus rhythm following CV and the risk factors associated with this outcome.

Results

Thirty-three (7.3 %) of 451 patients who met inclusion criteria for our study developed new or worsening HF symptoms while maintaining sinus rhythm (SR) after successful CV. Symptoms were reported an average of 5.1 days following CV (range 0–17 days, SD 4.71). Following a multivariate stepwise logistic regression model, prior HF hospitalization (OR 3.91, 95 % CI 1.82–8.39), BMI (OR 1.06, 95 % CI 1.02–1.11), and valve disease (OR 2.51, 95 % CI 1.12–5.60) remained significant risk factors, and anti-arrhythmic drug (AAD) use was marginally significant (OR 2.02, 95 % CI 0.95–4.31).

Conclusion

Despite maintenance of SR, 7.3 % of patients developed decompensated HF in the 30 days following successful CV of AF or AFL, indicating this complication may be more frequent than previously believed. Predictors of HF post-CV included elevated BMI, valve disease, previous HF hospitalization, and prior AAD use.