Vnitr Lek 2025, 71(8):E1-E6

Atrial Fibrillation at the Internal Medicine Department of the Regional Hospital in Frýdek-Místek in 2023

Iveta Ožanová¹, Tomáš Svoboda², Kamil Zeman¹

¹ Interní oddělení, Nemocnice ve Frýdku-Místku, p. o., Frýdek-Místek

² Oddělení informačních technologií, Nemocnice ve Frýdku-Místku, p. o., Frýdek-Místek

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia, with a prevalence that increases significantly with age and is associated with reduced quality of life, higher morbidity, and mortality. On internal medicine wards, patients with AF represent a substantial proportion of hospitalizations, and it is essential not only to manage the acute condition but also to establish an optimal long-term treatment strategy.

Aim: To evaluate the demographic characteristics of the patient cohort, the chosen treatment strategy, and its outcomes. Methods and patient cohort: A retrospective analysis of patients with AF hospitalized at the Department of Internal Medicine of a district hospital in 2023. Statistical analysis was performed using Python (version 3.11) with the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test (α = 0.05). A total of 764 hospitalizations for AF were recorded, with women predominating (57 %) and a mean age of 76 years.

Results: Catheter ablation demonstrated higher success compared to electrical cardioversion (ECV) combined with antiarrhythmic therapy (p = 0.016), particularly when performed early. In contrast, morbid obesity (BMI > 40) significantly reduced procedural success (p < 0.05). Among echocardiographic parameters, left ventricular (LV) function had a significant impact, with patients with preserved ejection fraction (EF ≥ 50 %) achieving higher success rates of catheter ablation (p = 0.041 vs. EF 41-49 %; p = 0.064 vs. EF ≤ 40 %). In patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR), only a trend towards a shorter time to AF recurrence was observed, while left atrial (LA) size and age were not identified as statistically significant predictors of ablation outcomes.

Conclusion: The results confirmed the superior long-term efficacy of catheter ablation, particularly when performed early. More frequent referral for catheter ablation could improve overall care management. An individualized approach and the assessment of risk factors for early AF recurrence are essential.

Keywords: atrial fibrillation, antiarrhythmic drugs, electrical cardioversion, catheter ablation.

Accepted: November 26, 2025; Published: December 15, 2025  Show citation