Risk factors for asymptomatic atrial fibrillation in patients with COPD

Objectives: To identify risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: We examined 94 patients with a 2-3 degree stable COPD (The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2013) without cardiovascular disease and thyroid dysfunction. Spirometry, daily pulse oximetry, 24-h electrocardiography monitoring and blood pressure monitoring with vascular stiffness (pulse wave velocity in aorta) estimation, and echocardiography were performed. We evaluated the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). We found AF paroxysms 2 [1; 4] in 46 COPD patients (COPD and AF group). The other COPD patients (48 in total) comprised a control group. The groups were alike as to age, sex, COPD duration, COPD exacerbation, arterial hypertension (AH) duration and degree. Statistical analysis used multiple correlation analysis, logistic regression. Results: Patients with COPD and AF had more intensive systemic inflammation, lower forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and minimum oxygen saturation in the blood (min%SpO2), more COPD symptoms, higher vascular stiffness. The frequency of paroxysms of AF was correlated with FEV1 (r=-0.348; p=0.013), min%SpO2 (r=-0.356; p=0.011), hs-CRP level (r=0.442; p=0.001), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) (r=0.530; р Conclusions: According to the results of logistic regression PASP, vascular stiffness, hs-CRP, FEV1 and hypoxemia are risk factors for AF in COPD patients.