Atrial fibrillation (AF) in hematological malignancies especially after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplants (AHSCT): review of risk factors, current management and future directions

Publication date: Available online 24 October 2015 Source:Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia Author(s): Pankaj Mathur, Hakan Paydak, Sharmilan Thanendrarajan, Frits van Rhee Atrial fibrillation (AF), is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In addition to well established risk factors, cancer is now increasingly associated with it. Its increased occurrence in hematological malignancies is attributed to chemotherapeutic agents and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplants (AHSCT)(3-8). Recently, few studies have been done to define the etiopathogenesis of atrial fibrillation in hematological malignancies. The management of AF in these patients is challenging because of concurrent complicating factors such as thrombocytopenia, orthostatic hypotension and cardiac amyloidosis. More studies are needed to define the management of atrial fibrillation especially rate vs rhythm control and anticoagulation. Incidentally, arrhythmias; particularly, AF has been associated with increased length of stay, increased intensive care unit admission and greater cardiovascular mortality. In this review we will describe AF in patients of hematological malignancies, risk factors especially, after AHSCT and its current management.
Source: Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research