• Romil R Parikh, Faye L Norby, Wendy Wang, Thenappan Thenappan, Kurt W Prins, Jeremy R Van't Hof, Pamela L Lutsey, Scott D Solomon, Amil M Shah, and Lin Yee Chen.
• Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; Lillehei Heart Institute and Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN.
• Chest. 2022 Oct 1; 162 (4): 884893884-893.

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is widely perceived to originate from the left atrium (LA). Whether increases in right ventricular (RV) afterload in older adults play an etiological role in AF genesis independent of LA and left ventricular (LV) remodeling is unknown.Research QuestionIs higher RV afterload associated with greater AF risk independent of LA and LV remodeling?Study Design And MethodsIn this observational prospective study, we included 2,246 community-dwelling older adults (mean age, 75 years) without known cardiovascular disease, with LV ejection fraction > 50%, LA volume index < 34 mL/m2, and E/e' ratio < 14 and a measurable functional tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity. From 2D-echocardiograms, we estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). We ascertained incident AF (through 2018) from hospital discharge codes and death certificates. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) by Cox regression.ResultsDuring follow-up (median, 6.3 years; interquartile interval, 5.5-6.9 years), 215 participants developed AF. AF risk was significantly higher in the third (vs first) tertile of PASP (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.08-2.54) and PVR (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.00-2.08) independent of LA and LV structure and function, heart rate, BMI, prevalent sleep apnea, systemic BP, antihypertensive medications, and lung, kidney, and thyroid function. These associations persisted after further exclusion of participants with tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity > 2.8 m/s and lateral and septal mitral annular velocity above age- and sex-specific reference limits.InterpretationIn older adults, higher RV afterload is associated with greater AF risk independent of LA and LV remodeling. Future research should focus on confirming this novel association and elucidate underlying mechanisms.Published by Elsevier Inc.

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