COPD with Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Background: COPD is one of the leading cause of morbidity and mortality and is associated with variety of cardiovascular disease especially Arrhythmia which is directly associated with severity of COPD so there was a need to identify the incidence of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in COPD patients and its effect on mortality and morbidity of patients admitted in hospital for COPD. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted and data analysis was done, of all patients with established COPD diagnosis. The number of patients were divided into two groups: (1) Patients with diagnosed COPD in ordinance with GOLD guidelines (2) Patients with COPD diagnosed with AF, new onset and old. Post admission patients were divided on the basis of age, sex, H/o, CAD and H/o smoking. Results: Out of 200 study patients, 30% had AF (old and new). 34% had new onset AF and 66% were known cases of AF. Out of patients with AF 18% were less than 50 years of age, 60% between 50-70 years, 22% more than 70 years, 80% were smoker, 20% non-smokers, 80% had CAD; 75% were male and 25% female. Conclusion: COPD patients are at higher risk of developing AF. COPD with AF patients have longer Hospital stay and increased mortality.