Atrial fibrillation in diabetes: A cause for concern?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is becoming increasingly evident diabetes is a significant risk factor for the development of AF. The reason for this link is not clearly understood, however it is clear that other co-morbid diseases associated with diabetes such as hypertension and obesity may be implicated or there may be direct arrthymogenic affects of glucose dysregulation on the myocardium. The development of AF in patients with diabetes may be an ominous sign given the increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and we propose this is an under researched area where treatments may bring benefits over and above those patients without diabetes in terms of morbidity or death from cardiovascular disease.