Obesity and Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: An Unexpected Paradox

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 cardiology,faculty of medicine,Assiut university,Assiut ,Egypet

2 cardiology ,faculty of medicine .Assiut university ,Assiut ,Egypet .

3 cardiology department,faculty of medicine,Assiut university ,Assiut,Egypet

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Obesity is believed to be one of the major cardiovascular morbidity and mortality risk factors. Furthermore, a strong link has been observed between obesity and atrial fibrillation , the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Objectives: To assess how obesity affects anticoagulation outcomes for bleeding and thrombotic incidents in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and investigate the paradox of obesity in these patients. Results: Of the 300 cases, 105 were obese according to BMI. Besides obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, dyslipidemia, CHA2DS2-VASc score, and the number of episodes were independent predictors for MACEs. Warfarin-treated non-obese patients had more complications than their obese counterparts. In contrast, the difference in complication rates among patients on DOACs was insignificant between the two groups. Conclusions: Non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients with obesity have a paradoxically lower risk of bleeding, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality on vitamin K antagonist treatment than non-obese patients.

Keywords: Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation, Obesity, MACEs.

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