Abstract
Zainab M. Jafary
Abstract
Introduction: Heart failure (HF), previously called congestive heart failure, is a serious condition most commonly caused by weak pumping of the heart muscle. Arrhythmia is a common finding in heart failure (HF) patients. It has a greater impact on prognosis in those patients, especially atrial fibrillation arrhythmia type. The most common cardiovascular conditions that are encountered in clinical practice and frequently coexist are Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Heart failure can be considered as a measure to predict the development of AF and conversely the presence of AF in an individual can also predict the development of HF at later stage. The prevalence of Heart failure in the society has reached the proportions of a global epidemic with an estimated prevalence of 3-20 cases in a 1000 whereas population raising to above 100 cases per 1000 population in elderly people those aged over 65 years. Also the annual incidence rate of heart failure in middle aged men and women which was 0.1-0.2 % has been rising steadily to 2-3 % in those aged above 85 years. The most common sustained arrhythmia seen in clinical practice recorded is atrial fibrillation. The studies done by Framingham as well as the Rotterdam have estimated around 25% lifetime risk of developing AF. The studies show that only in the United States the prevalence of AF is estimated between 2.7 to 6.1 million, which is expected to rise to between 5.6 and 12 million. The prevalence in the Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA) according to a study predicted that it will rise 2.5 times by 2050. The incidence is expected to rise steeply with the age, rising to an estimated of value 17.4% surge in those above 85 years of age. Similar to Heart Failure, AF also carries an enormous burden of morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs.