A Canadian study has found that new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in about onethird of patients without a history of AF who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The incidence of new-onset AF was higher in those with larger left atrial size and those who underwent transapical TAVI. At both 1-month and 1-year follow-up, new onset AF was associated with higher rates of stroke and systemic embolism but not a higher mortality rate.

Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, January 10, 2012.