SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Pericarditis: A Hidden Risk for Atrial Fibrillation-an Insight From the National Inpatient Sample

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This retrospective cross-sectional study used the National Inpatient Sample (2016–2020) to examine atrial fibrillation (AF) in hospitalized patients with acute pericarditis. The goal was to assess AF incidence and its in-hospital impact.<br /><br />The study found that AF was common in acute pericarditis and was associated with a substantially worse clinical profile. Patients with AF were older on average and more likely to have comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, obesity, coronary artery disease, and valvular heart disease.<br /><br />Compared with pericarditis patients without AF, those with AF had significantly higher rates of major complications, including stroke, heart failure, cardiac tamponade, need for pericardiocentesis, cardioversion, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest. AF was also linked to worse hospital outcomes: higher in-hospital mortality, longer length of stay, and greater hospital charges.<br /><br />The discussion notes that acute pericarditis is the most common inflammatory heart disorder and that arrhythmias, especially AF, are frequently seen, though prior data on prognosis have been limited. This study adds evidence that AF may not be a benign finding in pericarditis, as it appears associated with critical cardiovascular events and increased mortality.<br /><br />Overall, the authors conclude that pericarditis is an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation and that AF in this setting signals a higher-risk patient population. They emphasize the need for further research to better understand the relationship and improve management.

Asset Subtitle

Pinky Jha

Meta Tag

Author List Ganesh Shrestha, Karun Shrestha, Pinky Jha, Prakriti Subedi, Sanjay Bhandari

Category Research

Concept Acute Pericarditis

Concept Atrial Fibrillation

Concept Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Concept HCUP-NIS

Concept Independent Risk Factor

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Section of Hospital Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin

Presenting Author Pinky Jha

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

atrial fibrillation

acute pericarditis

National Inpatient Sample

hospitalized patients

in-hospital mortality

cardiac tamponade

stroke

heart failure

cardioversion

retrospective cross-sectional study

Acute Pericarditis

Atrial Fibrillation

Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

HCUP-NIS

Independent Risk Factor