Incidence of AF is Age and Sex related, and ranges from 0.1% per year before the age of 40 years to higher than 1.5% year in women and higher than 2% per year in men older than 80 years. Life time risk of developing AF is approximately 25% for individuals 40 years old. In Framingham heart study AF developed 1.5 times more in men than in women.

Aims: To find out possible underlying predisposing factors for Atrial fibrillation, both cardiac and non-cardiac in our population.

Methods: The present study was conducted upon 60 patients with Atria Fibrillationin the Department of Medicine, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna, to find out the varied presenting symptoms of Atrial fibrillation and possible underlying predisposing factors for Atrial fibrillation. Study period was June, 2017 to December, 2019.

Results: People are more likely to be affected by fibrillation between the age of 40 to 60 years. There was female predominance in our study with a male to female ratio of 1.8:1. Palpitation was commonest presenting complaint found in the present study followed by dyspena, chest pain, abdominal pain, tremor, dizziness, and leg swelling. The other complaints were sputum production, thromboembolism, excessive sweating, paralysis. Electrocardiograpic findings showed LA abnormality was the commonest finding followed by left ventricle enlargemnent. Eco-cardiographic impression of the study participants showed rheumatic heart disease is the commonest finding observed among study subjects followed by concentric LV hypertrophy and ischemic heart disease. No significant findings were observed in 8.3% cases.

Conclusion: RHD, coronary artery disease, hypertension, thyrotoxicosis, COPD, diabetes are the potential risk factors for the occurrence of atrial fibrillation. Majority of the subjects had structural abnormalities in echocardiographic study and left atrial enlargement is a frequent occurrence.

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Dr Madan Paul Singh

Professor & HOD, Department of Medicine, Patna Medical College & Hospital