부산대학교 도서관

Although some studies have indicated that atrial fibrillation (rapid, random contraction of the atria) has an adverse effect on the outcome of myocardial infarction (heart attack), other studies have found no such effect, and the question remains controversial. To analyze the effects and any changing trends of atrial fibrillation (AF), 4,108 patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction were followed for up to 10 years. From 1975 to 1986, the incidence of myocardial infarction complicated by AF rose from 13.3 percent to 17.7 percent. Throughout the study period, patients with AF experienced consistently higher mortality than patients without AF, a total of 27.6 versus 16.6 percent, respectively. However, it was found that the patients with AF were more likely to have congestive heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or other factors which lead to a poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of AF was not an independent predictor of poor prognosis, but it was correlated with other factors which contribute to an unfavorable outcome. Similar results were obtained when the deaths of discharged AF survivors were analyzed. Therefore, AF is best considered a marker for underlying ventricular abnormalities and heart muscle compromise, which contribute to a poor prognosis among patients with myocardial infarction. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)