Atrial fibrillation history is statistically significantly associated with adverse major clinical outcomes in ICD-implanted HF patients .
Patients with AF have a higher risk of all-cause mortality , appropriate , and inappropriate ICD interventions compared with patients with no AF history .
AIMS To assess the association between atrial fibrillation ( AF ) and all-cause mortality and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators ( ICDs ) therapies  in heart failure ( HF ) patients with reduced ejection fraction and an ICD implanted .
Prognostic importance of atrial fibrillation in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients.
OBJECTIVES This study aim ed to assess the prevalence of different types of  atrial fibrillation ( AF ) and their prognostic importance in  implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ( ICD ) patients . BACKGROUND The prevalence of AF has taken epidemic proportions in the population with cardiovascular disease . The prognostic importance of different types of AF in ICD patients remains unclear . METHODS Data on 913 consecutive patients ( 79 % men , mean age 62 + or - 13 years ) receiving an ICD at the Leiden University Medical Center were prospect ively collected . Among other characteristics , the existence and type of AF ( paroxysmal , persistent , or permanent ) were assessed at implantation . During follow-up , the occurrence of appropriate or inappropriate device therapy as well as mortality was noted . RESULTS At implantation , 73 % of patients had no history of AF , 9 % had a history of paroxysmal AF , 7 % had a history of persistent AF , and 11 % had permanent AF . During 833 + or - 394 days of follow-up , 117 ( 13 % ) patients died , 228 ( 25 % ) patients experienced appropriate device discharge , and 139 ( 15 % ) patients received inappropriate shocks . Patients with permanent AF exhibited more than double the risk of mortality , ventricular arrhythmias triggering device discharge , and inappropriate device therapy .  Patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF did not show a significant increased risk of mortality or appropriate device therapy but demonstrated almost 3 times the risk of inappropriate device therapy . CONCLUSIONS In the population currently receiving ICD treatment outside the setting of clinical trials , a large portion has either a history of AF or permanent AF . Both types of AF have prognostic implication s for mortality and appropriate as well as inappropriate device discharge
Atrial fibrillation history is statistically significantly associated with adverse major clinical outcomes in ICD-implanted HF patients .
Patients with AF have a higher risk of all-cause mortality , appropriate , and inappropriate ICD interventions compared with patients with no AF history .
AIMS To assess the association between atrial fibrillation ( AF ) and all-cause mortality and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators ( ICDs ) therapies  in heart failure ( HF ) patients with reduced ejection fraction and an ICD implanted .