Clinical impact of atrial fibrillation progression in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A report from the CHART-2 Study

Atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexists with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and clinical outcomes of patients with AF vary depending on its subtype. While AF progression characterized by the transition from paroxysmal AF to persistent AF is sometimes observed, the incidence and clinical impact of AF progression in patients with HFpEF remain to be explored.

We enrolled patients with HFpEF and paroxysmal AF from the Chronic Heart Failure Analysis and Registry in the Tohoku District-2 (CHART-2) Study. AF progression was defined as the transition from paroxysmal AF to persistent AF. A total of 718 patients (median age: 72 years, 36% were female) were enrolled. For a median follow-up of 6.0 years (interquartile range: 3.0–10.2 years), AF progression occurred in 105 patients (14.6%), with a cumulative incidence of 16.7% at 10 years. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, previous hospitalization for heart failure [hazard ratio (HR) 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–2.60; P = 0.007] and left atrial diameter (per 5-mm increase) (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.20–1.55; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with AF progression. Furthermore, AF progression was significantly linked to worsening heart failure (adjusted HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.18–2.40; P = 0.004). Notably, 27 cases (26%) of worsening heart failure occurred within 1 year following AF progression.

In patients with HFpEF, AF progression is significantly associated with adverse outcomes, particularly worsening heart failure. An increased risk is observed in the early phases following progression to persistent AF.

Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT00418041