Atrial Fibrillation in Cancer Patients

Abstract

Cardiac arrhythmias are a common problem facing cancer patients and, when present, can affect quality of life and complicate the treatment of their malignancies. Recent study shows that new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) is a sig- nificant risk factor for the subsequent diagnosis of incident cancer. AF has been found to occur with an increased fre- quency in patients with malignancies, particularly in those undergoing cancer surgery. Our data shows that 6 % of tne patients, hospitalized for paroxysmal or persistent AF are with cancer. AF in a cancer patient may be a comorbid- ity, may be a consequence of the cancer or a complication of cancer therapy. Cancer is a prothrombotic state, it is not incorporated in the risk prediction scores and some antican- cer agents act prothrombotic. At the same time some malig- nancies are associated with increased risk of hemorrhagia. There are no specific guidelines for AF management in can- cer patients. Treatment is based on general recommenda- tions from current guidelines in noncancer patients and the existing evidence in cancer patients, but there is a need of an individualized approach from a multidisciplinary team.