Six-Month Emergent Readmissions Following Hospitalization for Atrial Fibrillation Amid the Syrian Conflict: A Real-World Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide. However, data regarding readmissions following index admission for AF in the developing world are not well described. This study assessed the rate, predictors, and trends of 6-month readmission after index admission for AF in Syria.

Methods: We included adult patients who had an index admission with AF to Latakia's tertiary center between July 2021 and November 2023. Patients were monitored for readmission for 6 months after index discharge. Data were taken from the patient's medical notes.

Results: A total of 649 patients were included in the final analysis, of which 320 (49%) were readmitted to the hospital within 6 months following index admission. Cardiac causes were the most common cause of readmission in 76% of patients, of which 70% were AF. Readmitted patients had a higher median age (64 vs. 58; p = 0.001) and fewer males (49% vs. 36%; p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, factors that independently increased 6-month readmission risk were age ≥ 60 years (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.4-2.2), females (HR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.6-2.7), and congestive heart failure (CCF) (HR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-2.6). Most cardiac readmissions (76%) happened during the first 60 days following index discharge.

Conclusion: Almost half the patients were readmitted within 6 months after an index admission for AF. Females, CCF, and advancing age were independently associated with an increased risk of 6-month readmission.