Predictors of progression of atrial fibrillation in patients with arterial hypertension

Recently progress has been made in the study of the natural history of atrial fibrillation (AF) from the stage without clinical manifestations, to the final stage, represent an irreversible arrhythmia associated with the development of serious cardiovascular complications. The progression of the arrhythmia worsens the clinical status of patients and prognosis. Slowing down progression of AF should be considered as a priority treatment of this cardiac arrhythmia.  Aim. The study the predictors of AF progression in patients with arterial hypertension.  Materials and methods. The study included 136 patients with essential hypertension and paroxysms of AF. Prospective observation of the patients was carried out from 2011 to 2015. The progression of the arrhythmia was considered: increased frequency of paroxysms of AF; the emergence of long-term persistent attacks or permanent form of arrhythmia.  The results of our work allow to conclude that the predictors of progression of AF in patients with hypertension and preserved systolic left ventricular function are: endothelial dysfunction, increased vascular wall stiffness, left ventricle hypertrophy and increased size of the left atrium