Frequency of Atrial Fibrillation and its Complication

Abstract

Background: Evidence available on atrial fibrillation in Pakistan is not enough. Therefore, present study aims to determine frequency of atrial fibrillation and its associated complications. Place and duration of study: This cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Medicine, at SKBZ/AK CMH Muzaffarabad (Tertiary Care Hospital Muzaffarabad AJK) from July to December, 2019. Methodology: Total 1100 patients included for this study through non-probability consecutive sampling. Ethical approval and consent forms were taken. Patients were examined for atrial fibrillation through ECG. The patients who were confirmed as AF were detail examined and their cause and complications were noted down. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 24. One sample t test was used to predict AF in the population Chi-square test was applied. P value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 1100 patients mean age of patients was 43.4±12.7 years. The male to female ratio was 11:10. The atrial fibrillation was diagnosed in 250 (22.7%). In our population, at least 20% of the patients are having issue of atrial fibrillation with p value 0.016. The percentage of AF was higher in female 40.4% as compared to male 6.9%. Similarly the percentage of AF was higher in hypertensive patients (37.8%) as compared to non-hypertensive patients (12.3%). Conclusion:The prevalence of atrial fibrillation is moderately high in our data. Our sample results support the hypothesis that female are mostly with AF. Hence there is need to take measures to prevent them. Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, Causes of atrial fibrillation, Complications of atrial fibrillation