OBJECTIVEAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained tachyarrhythmia in the general population. AF and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) share several common risk factors. We investigated the association between chronic kidney disease and risk of atrial fibrillation in hospitalized patients with CKD.

METHODSOne thousand one hundred and sixty-eight patients [(63.3 ± 14.2) years, 54.5% males] hospitalized CKD patients were included. AF was determined by electrocardiogram or medical history. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was compared in CKD patients with various age, sex and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors of AF.

RESULTThe mean eGFR was (22.2 ± 19.7) ml · min(-1) · 1.73 m(-2); eGFR was ≤ 45 ml · min(-1) · 1.73 m(-2) in 84.2% patients and 38.5% patients received hemodialysis. AF was present in 14.2% of the study population and 17.2% in patients ≥ 60 years old. Prevalence of AF was significantly higher in patients with eGFR ≤ 45 ml · min(-1) · 1.73 m(-2) compared patients with eGFR > 45 ml · min(-1) · 1.73 m(-2) (15.8% vs. 5.4%, P < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age, body mass index (BMI), heart failure (HF), left atrial diameter (LAD), eGFR and dialysis were independent risk factors for AF.

CONCLUSIONSAF is much more frequent in CKD patients than in the general population. Age, BMI, HF, LAD, eGFR and dialysis are risk factors for AF in hospitalized patients with CKD.