Alcohol and Atrial Fibrillation: A Pathophysiologic Perspective

Authors

Risheek Kaul, From the Department of Cardiology, Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
Ridhima Kaul, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Pradipta Paul, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Victoria Maksymiuk, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
William H. Frishman, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
Wilbert S. Aronow, From the Department of Cardiology, Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.

Author Type(s)

Resident/Fellow, Faculty

Journal Title

Cardiology in Review

First Page

177

Last Page

184

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2023

Department

Medicine

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Its burden on patients and the health care system is only expected to increase. Several studies have established a dose-response relationship between the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption and the incidence of new onset AF independent of sex, age, and other risk factors. This causal relationship is mediated by the impact alcohol consumption has on conduction properties of the atrium, structural and cellular effect on cardiac myocytes, and dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system. This article reviews the current literature supporting the link between alcohol consumption and AF while attempting to provide an insight into pathophysiological mechanisms.

Recommended Citation

Kaul, R., Kaul, R., Paul, P., Maksymiuk, V., Frishman, W. H., & Aronow, W. S. (2023). Alcohol and Atrial Fibrillation: A Pathophysiologic Perspective. Cardiology in Review, 31 (4), 177-184. https://doi.org/10.1097/CRD.0000000000000479