A systematic review of case reports of new-onset atrial fibrillation in COVID-19 patients

Authors

• Rocio Barriga Guzman, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
• Oluwaremilekun Tolu-Akinnawo, Department of Internal Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, USA.
• Toluwalase Awoyemi, Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, GBR.
• Roseline Chima-Kalu, Department of Pediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadan, NGA.
• Oluwaseun Adeleke, Department of Internal Medicine, Sumy State University, Sumy, UKR.
• Francis Ezekwueme, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, USA.
• Joshua T. Obarombi, Department of Internal Medicine, College Research and Innovation Hub, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, NGA.
• Edwin Gwira-Tamattey, Department of Internal Medicine, John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, USA.
• Oluwole Abib, Department of Internal Medicine, Piedmont Athens Regional, Athens, USA.
• Oladipo Odeyinka, Department of General Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, NGA.
• Anderson C. Anuforo, Department of Internal Medicine, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA.

Recommended Citation

Barriga Guzman R, Tolu-Akinnawo O, Awoyemi T, et al. A Systematic Review of Case Reports of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in COVID-19 Patients. Cureus. 2025;17(2):e78938. Published 2025 Feb 13. doi:10.7759/cureus.78938

Affiliations

Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic posed a significant global public health challenge, affecting millions of individuals. While some COVID-19 patients remain asymptomatic, others experience severe complications, including multiorgan failure and death. Emerging evidence indicates that COVID-19 is associated with substantial cardiovascular complications, notably an increased risk of arrhythmias, with atrial fibrillation (AF) being particularly prevalent among hospitalized patients. This review analyzes case reports of new-onset AF in COVID-19 patients, synthesizing data on patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentations, and outcomes. The cases reviewed indicate that affected patients were predominantly male, covered a broad age range, and frequently had underlying conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. The main outcomes observed included a high incidence of severe complications such as ischemic stroke, acute respiratory failure, myocarditis, and heart failure. Mortality rates were notably elevated among patients with COVID-19-related AF, particularly in those requiring intensive care or mechanical ventilation. The findings emphasize the significant cardiovascular burden of COVID-19, with a focus on its association with increased AF risk. By integrating case-based evidence, this review highlights the complex interplay between COVID-19 and AF, underscoring the need for early recognition and targeted treatment strategies to mitigate cardiovascular complications and improve patient outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Type

Article

PubMed ID

40091918