The Role of Alcohol in New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation

doi:10.1001/archinte.1983.00350100044013

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Vol. 143 No. 10, October 1983

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The Role of Alcohol in New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation

Steven R. Lowenstein, MD; Patricia A. Gabow, MD; John Cramer, MD; Philip B. Oliva, MD; Karen Ratner, MD

Arch Intern Med. 1983;143(10):1882-1885.

Abstract

• Forty cases of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) werereviewed to establish the frequency of various causes. Alcoholintoxication caused or contributed to 14 cases (35%). Coronaryartery disease (22.5%) and pulmonary disease (22.5%) were alsocommon causes of acute AF. Among patients less than 65 yearsold, alcohol caused or contributed to approximately two thirds(63%) of the cases of AF. Thyrotoxicosis was uncommon (one casein 40); no patient had a diagnosis of mitral stenosis, pulmonaryembolism, or pericarditis. There were no complications of AFin alcoholic patients; the majority (88.9%) converted spontaneouslyto a normal sinus rhythm within 24 hours. Alcohol intoxicationshould be considered early in the differential diagnosis ofnew-onset AF in young patients. Many patients may not requireadmission to an intensive care unit or a costly battery of diagnostictests.

(Arch Intern Med 1983;143:1882-1885)

Author Affiliations

From the Department of Medicine, Denver General Hospital and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Dr Lowenstein is now with the Boston University Medical Center.

Footnotes

Accepted for publication April 18, 1983.

Reprint requests to Boston University Medical Center, Sectionof General Internal Medicine, 720 Harrison Ave, Suite 1108,Boston, MA 02118 (Dr Lowenstein).

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