Incidence of atrial fibrillation detected by continuous rhythm monitoring after acute myocardial infarction in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction: results of the ARREST study

Cardiac arrhythmias following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) can be associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. Data on the “real incidence” of post-MI arrhythmias are limited. We aimed to determine the rate and burden of cardiac arrhythmias by the use of insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after AMI.

In this prospective observational study, patients with LVEF ≥40% who underwent PCI within 7 days following AMI were enrolled to receive an ICM. Primary outcome was the incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) measured by the ICM during a follow-up of 2 years; results: Of 165 consecutive patients with AMI, 50 (30.3%) eligible patients were recruited (mean age 57.8 ± 8.3, 88% male). During follow-up, AF was the most frequently detected arrhythmia. Twenty-nine (58%, 95% CI: 42–70%) patients developed new-onset AF, with a cumulative rate of all detected arrhythmias of 65%. Median time to the first detected AF episode was 4.8 months and the peak cumulative AF burden was detected between 3 and 6 months. Twenty-seven (93%) out of 29 patients with AF were asymptomatic. Cox regression analysis found that baseline troponin level (hazard ratio [HR] for 1 ng/mL increment: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.06, P = 0.01) and CHA2DS2-VASc score of 4 (HR: 11.42, 95% CI: 1.01–129.06, P = 0.04) were independent risk factors of new-onset AF post-AMI.

AF is a frequent but largely underestimated cardiac arrhythmia after AMI. More rigorous monitoring strategies resulting in crucial medical interventions (e.g. implementation of oral anti-coagulation) are needed.

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02492243.