Malnutrition Linked to Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Death in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Strategic Insights -

Investigators at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in China conducted a study to investigate the association between malnutrition and cardiovascular death in patients with atrial fibrillation. The researchers collected data from 570 consecutive patients diagnosed with heart failure and atrial fibrillation between January 2018 and December 2018. The study found that patients with higher Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) scores, lower body mass index (BMI), lower Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), and lower albumin levels were at a higher risk of all-cause mortality. The study concluded that the CONUT score was a better prognostic tool compared to PNI, albumin, and BMI.

Key Takeaways:

  • Malnutrition is a common complication of heart failure and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death.
  • Patients with higher CONUT scores, lower BMI, lower PNI, and lower albumin levels were at a higher risk of all-cause mortality.
  • The CONUT score was a better prognostic tool compared to PNI, albumin, and BMI in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
  • The study included a retrospective analysis of 570 consecutive patients diagnosed with heart failure and atrial fibrillation between January 2018 and December 2018.
  • The median follow-up period was 1194 days.
  • The risk of all-cause mortality was higher in patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation compared to those with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
  • The study suggests that assessing nutritional status is essential in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Statistics:

  • 570 patients were included in the study.
  • The median follow-up period was 1194 days.
  • The non-survivor group had a higher median CONUT score (2.78 vs. 2.25), lower median BMI (24.5 vs. 25.5), lower median PNI (30.5 vs. 35.5), and lower median albumin level (2.9 vs. 3.1) compared to the survivor group.
  • The risk of all-cause mortality was higher in patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (HR: 2.798; 95% CI: 1.647-4.752) compared to those with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Sources:

  • Prognostic value of CONUT, PNI, albumin, and BMI in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation: A retrospective cohort study. Medicine, 2025;104(40).
  • First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
  • Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
  • Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Sq, 2001 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.