Atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction: an increased risk of mortality

Atrial fibrillation is a common finding in patients with myocardial infarction, its incidence varies between 4% and 25% in the acute phase of myocardial infarction. The presence of atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients with a myocardial infarction, even after adjustment for several important atrial fibrillation risk factors and regardless of the timing of onset of atrial fibrillation. This subsequent 40% increase in mortality associated with atrial fibrillation during myocardial infarction suggests that closer attention should be paid to these patients. Further research is needed to identify ways to prevent the occurrence of atrial fibrillation during myocardial infarction and to determine the optimal atrial fibrillation therapeutics strategies to reduce mortality in patients with myocardial infarction. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.