Atrial flutter versus atrial fibrillation in a general population: differences in comorbidities associated with their respective onset.
OBJECTIVE
Determine and compare the prevalence of known risk factors for cardiovascular disease among unselected individuals presenting with their first ever episode of atrial flutter (AFL) and atrial fibrillation (AF).


METHODS
We evaluated 11 pre-selected clinical variables including age, sex, smoking history and other potential cardiac risk factors. Using the resources of the Marshfield Epidemiologic Study Area, a population-based database, all newly diagnosed cases of either AFL or AF in the region during a 4-year period were identified.


RESULTS
Among the 472 incident cases, 76 (16.1%) had AFL and 396 (83.9%) had AF. Compared to those with AF, subjects with AFL were more likely to have had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (25% vs. 12%, P = 0.006), heart failure (28% vs. 17%, P = 0.05), and smoking (49% vs. 37%, P = 0.06). Hypertension, on the other hand, was more common among individuals with AF (63% vs. 47%, P = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
This study represents the first report to evaluate potential differences in the conditions associated with the development of AFL versus AF. Research into the mechanisms of atrial arrhythmogenesis may lead to improved preventive and therapeutic interventions.
Mareedu
Ravi K
RK
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiology, Marshfield Clinic, 1000 North Oak Avenue, Marshfield, WI 54449, USA.
Abdalrahman
Ihab B
IB
Dharmashankar
Kodlipet C
KC
Granada
Juan F
JF
Chyou
Po-Huang
PH
Sharma
Param P
PP
Smith
Peter N
PN
Hayes
John J
JJ
Greenlee
Robert T
RT
Vidaillet
Humberto
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors