[Retrospective study of auricular fibrillation of recent onset in a hospital emergency service: frequency, clinical presentation, and predictive factors of early conversion to sinus rhythm].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the proportion of emergencies due to recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), its clinical characteristics and in-hospital follow-up. The clinical predictors of conversion to sinus rhythm within the first 24 hours were analyzed.


METHODS
34,445 consecutive reports from patients presenting themselves at the emergency room of a community hospital during 15 months were retrospectively studied. The clinical reports of all patients (n = 186) with symptoms of recent onset AF (< 15 days) were reviewed.


RESULTS
Hypertension (n = 77.41%) and lone AF (52 patients, 28%) were the most common etiologies. Forty seven patients (25%) presented with heart failure and the onset time was > 24 hours in 77 cases (41%). Conversion to sinus rhythm was observed in 71 out of 166 patients with at least 24 hours of follow-up (42.8%). Age < 60 years, the absence of cardiac disease, a NYHA functional class I, the absence of heart failure at the emergency room and the time from onset < 24 hours were significantly associated with conversion to sinus rhythm. The last two variables were selected as independent predictors by logistic regression analysis (sensitivity: 80%, specificity: 68%).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that recent-onset AF represents 0.54% of all the hospital emergencies. The time from onset and the presence of heart failure predict the probability of conversion to sinus rhythm within the first 24 hours.
Gómez Agüera
A
A
Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital General Universitario, Murcia.
Llamas Lázaro
C
C
Pinar Bermúdez
E
E
Pascual Figal
D
D
López Fornás
F
F
Cortés Sánchez
R
R
García Alberola
A
A
Valdés Chavarri
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
Estudio retrospectivo de la fibrilación auricular de reciente comienzo en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario: frecuencia, presentación clínica y factores predictivos de conversión precoz a ritmo sinusal.