Hyperthyroidism is a well known cause of atrial fibrillation. It is also known that control of hyperthyroidism can usually curb thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation and restore sinus rhythm. In this study, 282 patients with hyperthyroidism were
investigated
to quantify the incidence of atrial fibrillation, and to identify the vulnerable groups. In addition, we compared two groups of subjects with atrial fibrillation -one group with hyperthyroidism and the other group without - to study their
reversion
rate
to sinus rhythm. Lastly, we investigated the factors affecting reversion to sinus rhythm in patients with thyrotoxic atrial fbrillation.
@ES The results were as follows:
@EN 1) Among 282 patients with hyperthyroidism, 35 cases(12.4%) had atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillations were more prevalent among male patients(19.4% and elderly patients(42.9%) than female patient(10.0%) and young ptients(10.0%).
2) Reversion to normal sinus rhythm in patients with thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation (39.3%) was significantly higher than that in patients without hyperthyroidism(17.4%, p<0.001).
3) Reversion to normal sinus rhythm was achieved within 28 weeks from the beginning of antithyroid treatment in patients with thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation. Although there were no significant difference in mean age, sex ratio, and initial and
follow-up thyroid hormone levels between the reversion group and non-reversion group, associated heart disease were more prevalent in the latter group(18.2% vs 47.1%).
It can be concluded that thyrotoxic atrial fibrillations were more common in male patient and elderly patients group,a nd could be frequently reverted to normal sinus rhythm by antithyroid treatment. We also suggest that the duration of atrial
fibrillation(from intial onset of the condition), and associated heart disease, may be important predictive factors for the reversion of atrial fibrillation in patients with hyperthyroidism (J Kor Soc Endocrinol 10:52~57, 1995).
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