In AFib, Even Moderate Alcohol Consumption Changes Atrial Map

The regular moderate consumption of alcohol—defined as having an average 14 drinks a week—puts individuals at higher risk for atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a new study.

While the effects of excessive alcohol consumption on AF was known, the researchers aimed to determine the effects of moderate and mild consumption on the arrhythmia. To do so, they enrolled 25 lifelong nondrinkers, 25 mild drinkers (2-7 drinks/week), and 25 moderate drinkers (8-21 drinks/week).

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Before AF ablation, the participants underwent high-density left atrial electroanatomic mapping using a multipolar catheter.

The detailed invasive testing revealed that there was more electrical evidence of scarring and impairments in electrical signaling among the moderate drinkers than the nondrinkers and mild drinkers.

Moderate drinkers had significantly lower mean global bipolar voltages, slower global conduction velocity, and a higher proportion of complex atrial potentials compared with nondrinkers.

Mild drinkers also had a significant increase in global complex potentials and regional low-voltage zones in the septum and lateral wall compared with nondrinkers.

“Regular moderate alcohol consumption, but not mild consumption, is an important modifiable risk factor for AF associated with lower atrial voltage and conduction slowing,” the researchers concluded. “These electrical and structural changes may explain the propensity to AF in regular drinkers.”

—Colleen Murphy

Reference:

Voskoboinik A, Wong G, Lee G, et al. Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with atrial electrical and structural changes: Insights from high-density left atrial electroanatomic mapping [published online January 9, 2019]. HeartRhythm Case Rep. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2018.10.041.