Abstract: TH-PO0330
Temporal Changes in Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter Prevalence in Patients with ESKD Following Arteriovenous Fistula Placement
Session Information
- Hypertension and CVD: Clinical - 1
November 06, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Hypertension and CVD
- 1602 Hypertension and CVD: Clinical
Authors
- Djanie, Thermutis, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, United States
- Thomas, Taniya, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, United States
- Daghstani, Omar, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, United States
- Hongalgi, Krishnakumar D., Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, United States
- Torosoff, Mikhail, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, United States
Background
End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients have a high burden of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease, which are known risk factors for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter (AF/AFL). While the prevalence and predictors of AF/AFL have been studied in various populations, their occurrence and evolution in patients with ESKD remains unclear.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study in 196 consecutive ESKD patients who underwent arteriovenous (AV) fistula placement. The prevalence and predictors of AF/AFL were analyzed before and after AV fistula placement. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Results
The study population included 40% females, 60.7+/-14.6 years old, with BMI 28.3+/-6.6 and histories of hypertension (HTN) in 91.3%, coronary artery disease (CAD) in 46.9%, atrial fibrillation in 35.2%, diabetes mellitus (DM) in 63.7%, and congestive heart failure (CHF) in 50%. The maximum time difference between the first and the second ECGs was 137 months, with a mean of 34+/-27 months.
At baseline, patients with AF/AFL were significantly older (p<0.001) and had a prior history of AF/AFL (p<0.001), while traditional arrhythmia risk factors, e.g. HTN, CAD, DM, or CHF were not associated with arrhythmia. During the study interval, ESKD patients experienced a 3-fold increase in the prevalence of AF/AFL after AV fistula placement, from 4% on baseline to 11% on the follow-up ECGs (p<0.001). At the follow-up and after AV fistula placement, none of the traditional AF/AFL risk factors were linked with arrhythmia.
Conclusion
Prevalence of AF/AFL is significantly increased in ESKD patients following AV fistula placement. Traditional risk AF/AFL predictors do not appear to be important in these ESKD patients. Further studies of effects of AV fistula placement on arrhythmia are warranted in ESKD patients.