Impact of atrial fibrillation on mortality in patients with chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation often occur together. The aim of the study is to review the available literature on the impact of atrial fibrillation on mortality in patients with heart failure. Using MEDLINE six full papers were identified. In the studies with severe heart failure atrial fibrillation did not emerge as an independent predictor of mortality beyond standard clinical variables. In contrast, atrial fibrillation was associated with increased mortality in case of mild-to-moderate heart failure. (C) 2002 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All lights reserved.