Effect of atrial fibrillation on mortality in SARS-CoV-2 patients: A propensity score-matched analysis of nationwide hospitalizations in the United States

Daniel Antwi-Amoabeng; Bryce D Beutler; Mark B Ulanja; Vijay Neelam; T David Gbadebo

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17199

Effect of atrial fibrillation on mortality in SARS-CoV-2 patients: A propensity score-matched analysis of nationwide hospitalizations in the United States

Heliyon. 2023 Jun;9(6):e17199. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17199. Epub 2023 Jun 10.

Authors

Daniel Antwi-Amoabeng¹, Bryce D Beutler², Mark B Ulanja¹, Vijay Neelam¹, T David Gbadebo^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Christus Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital, Lake Charles, LA, USA.
² University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
³ East Atlanta Cardiology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
⁴ Emory Decatur Hospital, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias encountered in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. There are racial disparities in the incidence of AF and COVID-19. Several studies have reported an association between AF and mortality. However, it remains to be determined if AF represents an independent risk factor for COVID-19-related mortality.

Methods: A propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis was performed using data from the National Inpatient Sample to assess the risk of mortality among patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection and incident AF from March 2020 through December 2020.

Results: AF was less common among patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 as compared to those who tested negative (6.8% vs 7.4%, p < 0.001). White individuals with the virus had an increased incidence of AF but had lower mortality rates relative to Black and Hispanic patients. After PSM analysis, AF retained a significantly increased odds of mortality among patients with SARS-CoV-2 (OR: 1.35, CI: 1.29-1.41, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: This PSM analysis shows that AF is an independent risk factor for inpatient mortality in those with SARS-CoV-2 infection and that White patients, while having a higher burden of SARS-CoV-2 and AF, demonstrate a significantly lower mortality rate as compared to their Black and Hispanic counterparts.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; COVID-19; Mortality; National inpatient sample; Racial disparities; SARS-CoV-2.