IMPACT OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION ON ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia in clinical practice. The most commonly encountered risk factor for AV development is arterial hypertension. The aim of the study is to evaluate the role of arterial hypertension on the clinical course of AF in patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF and restored sinus rhythm. Material and methods: Overall 101 patients – 51 females and 50 males at mean age 68,02 ± 7,001, with AF after sinus rhythm restoration were included in a clinical trial of one-year placebo-controlled treatment with spironolactone. They were analyzed for AF recurrence, hospitalization for AF, all-cause admissions, composite endpoint (recurrence episodes of AF, all-cause hospitalization and death) and value of biomarker of fibrosis Galectin-3 (Gal-3). Results: History for hypertension was documented in 86% of the participants. Patients with high blood pressure had significantly more recurrence episodes than normotensives, independently of the treatment on unifactorial and multifactorial analysis. Only the hypertension was predictive for recurrences with HR=2,86 (95% CI=1,01-8,07; р=0,047).There was a trend towards more hospitalizations for AF and all cause, but not significant. Hypertension was associated with doubled risk for composite end point, р=0,023.. Conclusion: Arterial hypertension is an important risk factor, which is very common and influences the clinical course of AF. It is associated with higher risk for recurrences and composite endpoint.