Impact of Chronic Anemia on the New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in the Elderly: It May Not Be What We Have Thought

Journal of Atrial Fibrillation
Harsha V GangaWayne L Miller

Abstract

Objective: To determine if a clinically significant relation exists between chronic anemia and the new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in the elderly population from a community setting. Patients and Methods: This is a single center community-based retrospective cohort study. Data were collected on 3867 patients over the age of 65 years presenting to the Mercy Medical Center in the year 2006. Patients without AF were divided into anemic and non-anemic groups and were followed over the next two years for the new-onset AF. Chronic anemia was defined as hemoglobin level less than 13g/dl in males and less than 12g/dl in females from two laboratory values checked at least 4 months apart. Results: Of the 2873 patients without AF, 2382 (83%) patients were non-anemic. 491 patients were anemic. New-onset AF was found in 7.5 % of the anemic patients and 5.5% of the non-anemic patients. After the adjustment for comorbid conditions, chronic anemia is not associated with new-onset AF (p=0.922). Conclusion: In this study cohort of elderly community-based patients, chronic anemia is not associated with the new-onset AF.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Anemia

Anemia develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells. Anemia of inflammation (AI, also called anemia of chronic disease) is a common, typically normocytic, normochromic anemia that is caused by an underlying inflammatory disease. Here is the latest research on anemia.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.

Atrial Filbrillation

Atrial fibrillation refers to the abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atria. Here is the latest research.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Related Papers

Journal of General Internal Medicine
K I Marton
European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery : the Official Journal of the European Society for Vascular Surgery
T A WinkelD Poldermans
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved