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The Impact of Alcohol Intake on Atrial Fibrillation

  • Invasive Electrophysiology and Pacing (E. Kevin Heist, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Cardiology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To evaluate (1) the impact of acute and habitual alcohol consumption on atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial remodeling and (2) the role of alcohol reduction and/or abstinence in the primary and secondary prevention of AF.

Recent Findings

Acute alcohol consumption appears to be a common AF trigger, with animal and human studies demonstrating changes in electrophysiological parameters, autonomic tone, and cellular properties expected to promote AF. Habitual consumption is associated with adverse atrial remodeling, higher risk of incident AF, and AF recurrence. Randomized data suggest that reduction in excessive alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of recurrent AF episodes and AF burden.

Summary

Alcohol is an increasingly recognized risk factor for both new onset AF and discrete AF episodes. Excessive consumption should be avoided for primary and secondary prevention of AF.

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Abbreviations

AF:

Atrial fibrillation

ERP:

Effective refractory period

HR:

Hazard ratio

LA:

Left atrium

OR:

Odds ratio

RR:

Relative risk

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, University of California, 505 Parnassus Ave, M1180B, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Aleksandr Voskoboinik & Gregory M. Marcus

  2. Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia

    Aleksandr Voskoboinik

  3. Heart Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

    Aleksandr Voskoboinik

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  1. Aleksandr Voskoboinik
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Correspondence to Gregory M. Marcus.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Voskoboinik is supported by a National Heart Foundation Early Career Fellowship.

Dr. Marcus has received research support from the NIH (NIAAA, NHLBI, and NIBIB), PCORI, Medtronic, Eight Sleep, Jawbone Health, Baylis Medical, Cardiogran, and St. Jude Medical; is a consultant for Johnson & Johnson and InCarda; and holds equity in InCarda. He also has a pending patent (61/806,254).

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Voskoboinik, A., Marcus, G.M. The Impact of Alcohol Intake on Atrial Fibrillation. Curr Cardiol Rep 22, 111 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-020-01369-z

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