title: Alcohol and Atrial Fibrillation: A Sobering Review.
abstract: Alcohol is popular in Western culture, supported by a perception that modest intake is cardioprotective. However, excessive drinking has detrimental implications for cardiovascular disease. Atrial fibrillation (AF) following an alcohol binge or the "holiday heart syndrome" is well characterized. However, more modest levels of alcohol intake on a regular basis may also increase the risk of AF. The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the relationship between alcohol and AF may include direct toxicity and alcohol's contribution to obesity, sleep-disordered breathing, and hypertension. We aim to provide a comprehensive review of the epidemiology and pathophysiology by which alcohol may be responsible for AF and determine whether alcohol abstinence is required for patients with AF.
authors.affiliation: Alfred Heart Centre, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Aleksandr
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Voskoboinik
authors.affiliation: Alfred Heart Centre, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prabhu
authors.affiliation: Alfred Heart Centre, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Liang-Han
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.affiliation: University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kalman
authors.affiliation: Alfred Heart Centre, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: peter.kistler@bakeridi.edu.au.
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kistler
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D014943:Global Health; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence
keywords: atrial flutter; binge drinking; holiday heart syndrome; obesity; obstructive; sleep apnea