Systematic Review: More Smoking Linked with More Atrial Fibrillation

Smoking was associated in a dose-dependent fashion with increased risk for atrial fibrillation (AFib), according to results of a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The study authors looked at 29 prospective studies in the analysis, and estimated summary relative risks using a random effects model. Relative risk for current smokers was 1.32 (95% CI 1.12–1.56), 1.09 for former smokers (95% CI 1.00–1.18), and 1.21 (95% CI 1.14–1.56). The also reported that the summarized relative risk was 1.14 (95% CI 1.10–1.20) per 10 cigarettes per day and 1.16 (95% CI 1.09–1.25) per 10 pack-years, with no evidence for a non-linear association for cigarettes per day. 

Smoking dose-dependent association with an increased risk of AF. Association weaker among former smokers compared to current smokers https://t.co/4V2jgFhI3I @AuneDagfinn @ESC_Journals #AF #Smoking #CVDPrevention pic.twitter.com/vt14uE8FrL

— ACRA2025 (@ACRAASM) July 17, 2018

“If you smoke, stop smoking and if you don’t smoke, don’t start,” study researcher Dr. Dagfinn Aune, associate professor at Bjørknes University College in Oslo, Norway and postdoctoral researcher at Imperial College London, UK, said in a news report. “We found that smokers are at increased risk of atrial fibrillation, but the risk is reduced considerably in those who quit.” 

New meta-analysis confirms #smoking as a risk factor for #afib and suggests that quitting may help reduce that risk https://t.co/xdDZETEXmB pic.twitter.com/gRvlN6uEQ2

— AFib Emory (@AFib_Emory) July 13, 2018

Even more reason to ⛔️#smoking & promote cessation programs 👇 https://t.co/9XyIbU17Mz

— Dr Anastasia Mihailidou FAHA FCSANZ FESC (@AnastasiaSMihai) July 12, 2018

Interesting in that this is dose dependent https://t.co/hOjs9XkZHA

— Dr. James Rybacki (@rybackiknows) July 12, 2018

Check out more in the Elderly and Afib here

Source: European Journal of Preventive Cardiology