Table 2.
Clinical characteristics of the study population according to cardiac rhythm at baseline and during the follow-up
| Clinical dataa | SR at baseline (n = 265) | AF at baseline (n = 166) | New-onset AF (n = 62) | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 41.8 ± 11.6 | 53.9 ± 10.5 | 45.8 ± 11.5 | <0.001 |
| Women | 233 (88) | 127 (76) | 52 (84) | 0.008 |
| Body surface area (m2) | 1.67 ± 0.2 | 1.74 ± 0.2 | 1.67 ± 0.2 | 0.002 |
| NYHA Classes III and IV | 96 (36) | 64 (39) | 21 (34) | 0.223 |
| Chest pain | 132 (50) | 55 (33) | 21 (34) | 0.001 |
| Right-sided heart failureb | 59 (22) | 43 (26) | 15 (24) | 0.642 |
| Ischaemic cerebrovascular eventsc | 30 (11) | 47 (28) | 16 (26) | <0.001 |
| Diabetes | 1 (0) | 7 (4) | 2 (3) | 0.008 |
| Diuretics | 161 (61) | 142 (86) | 40 (64) | <0.001 |
| β-Blockers | 199 (75) | 140 (84) | 50 (81) | 0.045 |
| ACE inhibitors | 26 (10) | 46 (28) | 12 (19) | <0.001 |
| Angiotensin receptor blockers | 25 (9) | 30 (18) | 5 (8) | 0.010 |
| Penicillin benzathine | 90 (34) | 23 (14) | 17 (27) | <0.001 |
| Anticoagulation therapy | 33 (12) | 149 (90) | 19 (31)d | <0.001 |
| Heart rate (bpm) | 69.4 ± 14.1 | 74 ± 14.3 | 67.3 ± 10.1 | <0.001 |
| Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 114.2 ± 15.1 | 120.4 ± 16.2 | 117.3 ± 16.1 | <0.001 |
| Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 73.5 ± 10.4 | 77.4 ± 10.6 | 76.1 ± 7.1 | 0.002 |
ACE, angiotensin-converting inhibitors; AF, atrial fibrillation; SR, sinus rhythm; NYHA, New York Heart Association.
aData are expressed as the mean value ± standard deviation or absolute numbers (percentage).
bClinical syndrome of right heart failure (jugular vein distention, hepatomegaly, ascites, and lower limb oedema).
cStroke or transient ischaemic attack at baseline.
dNumber of patients on anticoagulation therapy at baseline, before new-onset AF was diagnosed.