Trial: Pulse Pressure and Risk of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation

Authors: Mitchell G; Vasan R; Keyes M; Parise; Wang T; Larson M; D’Agostino R; Kannel W; Levy D; Benjamin E. 

Reference: JAMA. 2007;297:709-715.

Purpose: Determine whether increased pulse pressure, a reflection of aortic stiffness, increases cardiac load and may increase Atrial Fibrillation risk.

Number of Patients: 5331

Number of Centers: Framingham population study

Design: Prospective, community-based observational cohort in Framingham, MA, including 5331 Framingham Heart Study participants aged 35 years and older and initially free from Atrial Fibrillation (median age, 57 years; 55% women).

Authors Conclusion: Pulse pressure is an important risk factor for incident Atrial Fibrillation in a community-based sample. As a result, increased arterial stiffness may represent a major modifiable risk factor for development of Atrial Fibrillation. Further research is needed to determine whether interventions that reduce pulse pressure will limit the growing incidence of Atrial Fibrillation.

Key words: atrial fibrillation, population study, hypertension

Comment:  This study provides new information about the role of pulse pressure and risk of atrial fibrillation.  This is part of an increasing body of knowledge that highlights the interaction between vascular function and atrial fibrillation.

Summary written by Paul Friedman, MD