PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Müge Aydogdu AU - Çigdem Hanazay AU - Yagmur Aldag AU - Ayse Bahs AU - Salih Bilgin AU - Gül Gürsel TI - Atrial fibrillation in critical care patients with respiratory failure: Incidence and clinical effects DP - 2012 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P2014 VI - 40 IP - Suppl 56 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P2014.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P2014.full SO - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40 AB - Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrythmia in general population and among the critically ill patients. If not treated appropriately it might be an important cause of mortality and morbidity.Aim:To determine the incidence of AF among critically ill patients and to evaluate its effect on ICU outcome.Material and method: The ECGs of all the patients (both intubated and nonintubated) at admission were evaluated prospectively for the presence of AF. Patients were grouped into two as AF (+) and AF (-) and compared for their ICU outcomes, cardiac and bronchodilator therapies.Results: A total of 147 patients (76 male, 71 female) with the mean age of 68±15 years were included in the study. AF was found in 36 (25%) patients and among them 33 were diagnosed and received treatment before ICU admission. Although no significant difference was identified at admission APACHE II, length of MV and NIMV, length of ICU stay, mortality was higher in AF(+) patients (36% vs 21%, p=0.05). Congestive heart failure, history of cerebrovascular event and acute renal failure development was significanly higher in AF(+) patients (p<0.05).No significant difference was identified between the two groups when their pre and post admission bronchodilator therapies were compared. Among the 23 discharged patients with AF, 12 (52%) were dicharged with warfarin and 11 (48%) with LMWH.Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation must be given great importance and must be treated appropriately since it can be seen in 25% of critically ill patients and the incidence of heart and renal failure and mortality is higher in those patients.