New-onset atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients with
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Abstract
Abstract Objectives: To determine the incidence, risk factors, and
outcomes of new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) in a cohort of
critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on patients admitted to the
intensive care unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of COVID-19. NOAF was defined
as atrial fibrillation that was detected after diagnosis of COVID-19
without a prior history. The primary outcome of the study was the effect
of NOAF on mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Results: We
enrolled 248 eligible patients. NOAF incidence was 14.9% (n=37), and
78% of patients (n=29) were men in NOAF positive group. Median age of
the NOAF group was 79.0 (interquartile range, 71.5-84.0). Hospital
mortality was higher in the NOAF group (87% vs 67%, respectively,
p=0.019). However, in multivariate analysis, NOAF was not an independent
risk factor for hospital mortality (OR 1.42, 95% CI 0.40–5.09,
p=0.582) Conclusions: The incidence of NOAF was 14.9% in critically ill
COVID-19 patients. Hospital mortality was higher in the NOAF group.
However, NOAF was not an independent risk factor for hospital mortality
in patients with COVID-19. Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, critical care,
intensive care unit, COVID-19, mortality, hospital mortality