Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a need for classification.

UNLABELLED: Classification of Atrial Fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION

Clinical aspects of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation are heterogeneous. The attacks of atrial fibrillation may differ in their duration frequency and presence and severity of symptoms. Therefore, a proposal for a clinical classification of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may be helpful. We tested a new classification system in a cohort of 51 consecutive hospitalized patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was subdivided into three classes. Class I included a first attack of symptomatic atrial fibrillation either with spontaneous termination (IA) or requiring cardioversion because of poor tolerance (IB). Class II included recurrent attacks in untreated patients within three subgroups: IIA with no symptoms, IIB with < 1 symptomatic attack per 3-month period, and IIC > with 1 symptomatic attack per 3-month period. Class III included recurrent atrial fibrillation unresponsive to one or more antiarrhythmic agents for prevention of recurrences. Class III also consisted of three subgroups: IIIA with no or mild symptoms, IIIB with < 1 symptomatic attack per 3-month period, and IIIC with > 1 symptomatic attack per 3-month period. The criteria for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (episode > 2 minutes and < 7 days in duration) were fulfilled by 51 patients (29 men, 22 women; mean age 61 +/- 14 years). Structural heart disease was present in 31 patients; the atrial fibrillation was idiopathic in 18 (35%). All 51 patients could be classified within the three classes and their subgroups: 14 patients (27%) in Class I, 13 (25%) in Class II, and 24 (47%) in Class III. The incidences of idiopathic atrial fibrillation were 21%, 30%, and 45% of the patients in Classes I, II, and III, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this new classification system, all hospitalized patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation could be classified. This classification may be useful to delineate better the clinical subgroups of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, to characterize better the patient population in future studies, and to improve treatment strategies.