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Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A number of risk factors have been associated with AF, though few studies have explored the association between gastrointestinal and liver diseases and AF. Additionally, AF and treatment for AF may predispose to gastrointestinal and liver diseases. We review the current literature on the bidirectional associations between gastrointestinal and liver diseases and AF. We highlight the gaps in knowledge and areas requiring future investigation.

Keywords

atrial arrhythmia tachycardia anticoagulation cirrhosis microbiome

Key points

(1) Atrial fibrillation (AF) has multiple well-established risk factors but few studies have examined the association between gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

(2) Gastrointestinal and liver diseases may increase the risk of prevalent and incident AF through various mechanisms. Autonomic modulation and inflammation may be particularly relevant.

(3) AF outcomes and various treatments for AF can affect the gastrointestinal tract and liver, causing significant morbidity and mortality.

(4) Future research is needed to address the knowledge gaps in our understanding of how the gastrointestinal tract and liver influence AF and vice versa.

AF is the most prevalent arrhythmia worldwide, with an estimated 33.5 million individuals with AF globally in 2010.¹ The true prevalence of AF is likely much higher as many individuals are asymptomatic or undiagnosed. Although there are many well-established risk factors for AF including older age, alcohol, smoking, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and valvular heart disease, there are still many unanswered questions regarding AF risk.² Prevention and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors and structural heart disease, may help to reduce morbidity and mortality from AF.

Gastrointestinal and liver diseases are common among patients with AF.³ Diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract may contribute to AF risk through various mechanisms, including autonomic modulation and inflammation (Figure 1). Conversely, AF and treatment of AF with ablation, antiarrhythmic drugs, and anticoagulants can influence the development of gastrointestinal and liver complications and diseases. In our review, we present and evaluate the evidence supporting the association of various gastrointestinal diseases and AF and discuss possible mechanisms underlying these associations. We also review how AF and its treatment may lead to the development of gastrointestinal disease.

Figure 1.

The bidirectional relationship between atrial fibrillation and gastrointestinal and liver diseases.

Search strategy

We searched the PubMed database through October 2018 with the following terms individually or in combination: ‘atrial fibrillation,’ ‘atrial flutter,’ ‘arrhythmias, cardiac’, ‘digestive system diseases,’ ‘gastrointestinal diseases,’ ‘proton pump inhibitors,’ ‘amiodarone,’ ‘anticoagulants,’ ‘warfarin,’ ‘inflammation,’ ‘radiofrequency ablation,’ and ‘cryoablation.’ All articles were reviewed along with the references from the relevant articles to identify related articles for inclusion in the review.

Pathophysiology and mechanisms of AF

Two dominant hypotheses of AF pathogenesis are that ectopic triggers upon a susceptible atrial substrate or rapidly firing drivers initiate high-frequency, re-entrant atrial circuits. Myocyte sleeves within the pulmonary veins are the most common source for ectopic firing, which is mediated by abnormal calcium handling and the autonomic nervous system. Adrenergic stimulation promotes triggered activity by enhancing automaticity and calcium-dependent afterdepolarizations.⁴ Cholinergic activation accelerates myocyte repolarization and regional heterogeneity of atrial refractoriness enhancing focal, early afterdepolarization and promoting the maintenance of AF re-entrant circuits.⁴ The cardiac autonomic ganglionated plexi, located near the pulmonary veins and the ligament of Marshall, facilitate electrophysiological modulation of the atrium and arrhythmogenesis. Autonomic activity may play an important role in linking AF with gastrointestinal disease (Figure 2).

Figure 2.

Anatomic relationship between the heart and the esophagus and stomach.

The atrial substrate or underlying atrial cardiomyopathy are equally important to AF genesis. Alterations in cardiomyocytes, fibrotic changes, and interstitial infiltration of fat, inflammatory cells, or amyloid proteins, and other factors, have been well described to occur in patients with AF.⁵ The histologic characteristics of the atrial substrate varies by AF risk factors and comorbidities. Atrial remodeling impairs cell coupling, slows conduction, and shortens atrial refractoriness promoting re-entry and the perpetuation of AF. Atrial inflammation may be of particular significance in the association of gastrointestinal and liver diseases and AF.

Gastrointestinal disease predisposing to AF

Inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions

Inflammation appears to play an important role in the pathogenesis of AF. Atrial biopsies in patients with drug-refractory AF show presence of inflammatory infiltrates, myocyte necrosis, and fibrosis,⁶ and these changes may promote atrial structural remodeling and the development of the atrial substrate. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) has been associated with AF, and persistent AF is associated with higher mean CRP levels than observed with paroxysmal AF,⁷ suggesting that an inflammatory state may promote the persistence of AF. Meta-analysis has shown a robust association of CRP and interleukin-6 and AF.^8,9 In longitudinal studies, higher CRP confers a corresponding incremental AF risk.^8,10–12 Finally, severe sepsis and the acute systemic inflammatory response has been associated with new-onset AF in the absence of cardiovascular comorbidities.¹³

Inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases are characterized by systemic inflammation, and a few studies have explored a possible association with AF. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation and villous atrophy of the small intestine triggered by the ingestion of gluten in the diet of susceptible individuals.¹⁴ Celiac disease is characterized by malabsorption, vitamin deficiencies, and increased systemic inflammation.¹⁵ In two case-control studies, authors observed that individuals with untreated celiac disease had increased mean left atrial volume and P-wave dispersion, and prolonged atrial electromechanical delay, which may contribute to increased risk of AF.^16,17 A large population-based study in Sweden suggested an association between celiac disease and prevalent and incident AF;¹⁸ however, the association was inconsistent in other studies.^19,20

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are autoimmune disorders marked by dysfunction of the intestinal immune response and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and multiple extra-intestinal sites. CRP correlates with IBD activity.²¹ IBD, particularly IBD with active inflammation, may increase AF susceptibility by contributing to atrial structural remodeling. In one study, patients with IBD were observed to have altered atrial conduction, as measured by increased P-wave dispersion on electrocardiography, compared with referents.²² Atrial electromechanical conduction as measured by transthoracic echocardiogram was prolonged in two small studies of IBD patients, compared with referents.^23,24 A Danish nested case-control study with 24,499 IBD cases and 236,275 age- and sex-matched controls, observed a twofold increased risk of AF and a 1.5-fold increased risk of stroke during active IBD flares.²⁵ During periods of IBD remission, no association with AF or stroke was observed.²⁵

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has increased by approximately 50% since the1990s, owing largely to changes in diet and the growing obesity epidemic.²⁶ At the same time, the prevalence of AF has also been increasing.¹ The results from three large population-based studies on the association of GERD and AF are conflicting. A retrospective study from the database in the National Capitol Area military health system showed that GERD was associated with an 8% increased relative risk of AF adjusting for AF risk factors and cardiovascular disease.²⁷ In a Taiwan-based prospective study, participants with GERD had a higher incidence of AF compared with age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched controls.²⁸ However, in a large US population-based study, esophagitis, but not GERD, was associated with AF, though the association with esophagitis and AF was no longer significant after accounting for confounding variables.²⁹ An important confounding factor to consider in studies of GERD and AF is healthcare utilization. Patients with GERD are more likely to be exposed to healthcare and, as a consequence, more likely to have AF detected, especially if they are asymptomatic.

The mechanism linking the association of GERD and AF is not well established but may involve vagally mediated, parasympathetic stimulation and inflammation as previously discussed in a comprehensive review.³⁰ In a small prospective case-control study, patients with AF and GERD who underwent catheter ablation were more likely to have triggered AF, independent pulmonary vein firing, and less left-atrial scar.³¹ In addition, these patients were more likely to have a vagal response during AF ablation near parasympathetic ganglia as compared with those without GERD.³¹ It is hypothesized that esophageal inflammation may activate afferent vagal neurons and contribute to AF through autonomic modulation of atrial refractoriness (Figure 2). Vagally induced atrial ischemia also has been suggested as a mechanism for AF in patients with GERD.³²

Gastrointestinal malignancy

Gastrointestinal malignancies, including colorectal and esophageal cancers, have been associated with an increased risk of AF in a few case-control studies.^33–35 There are numerous mechanisms, which may explain the observed association of AF in patients with gastrointestinal cancers (Figure 3).³⁶ In one study, colorectal cancer patients had a twofold increased risk of AF compared with age-adjusted cohort participants without cancer; however, adjustment for other confounding variables was not performed.³⁵ A Danish population-based case-control study observed a higher prevalence of AF in patients with colorectal cancer [odds ratio (OR) of 11.8] but this increased prevalence was limited to the first 90 days after cancer diagnosis, suggesting that surgical treatment for the cancer may largely drive the association.³³

Figure 3.

Proposed mechanisms for the association between gastrointestinal cancer and atrial fibrillation.

Incident AF after surgical treatment of gastrointestinal cancer is high and is associated with poor surgical outcome, including pulmonary complications, sepsis, prolonged hospital stay, and mortality.^37–39 Furthermore, in retrospective analyses, patients who develop AF after gastrointestinal cancer surgery are at increased risk for cardiovascular events within 1 year,⁴⁰ and death within 60 days.⁴¹ After transthoracic esophagectomy, the rate of AF is reported to range from 10% to 46%^37,38,42. Male sex, older age, history of cardiac and lung disease, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy are predictors of postesophagectomy AF.^37,39,43,44 Prophylactic treatment with amiodarone has been shown to reduce AF in patients after transthoracic esophagectomy but not reduce hospital stay duration, morbidity or mortality.⁴⁵

Alcoholic liver disease

Multiple studies have demonstrated an association between high alcohol intake and AF.^46–49 A meta-analysis showed that even moderate alcohol consumption is a risk factor for AF.⁴⁹ Individuals with alcohol-related liver disease who are heavy alcohol consumers are at risk for alcohol-related cardiomyopathy, which could predispose to heart failure and AF. In one study, patients with a history of recurrent alcohol-induced AF had an exaggerated sympathetic response to alcohol exposure compared with healthy controls.⁵⁰ In a community-based sample, the size of the left atrium increased by 0.16 mm per 10 g increase in daily alcohol consumption and adjustment for left atrial dimension attenuated the association between alcohol use and incident AF, indicating that left atrial enlargement may be an important mediator on the causal pathway between alcohol and AF.⁵¹

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease that many consider the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome.⁵² NAFLD describes a heterogeneous condition over a spectrum of liver pathology, from simple steatosis to cirrhosis. Additional subphenotypes of NAFLD exist, including those at increased genetic risk for NAFLD and those with NAFLD but without obesity. Population studies evaluating the association between NAFLD and AF have been inconsistent.^53–57 A meta-analysis of five cohort studies of over 200,000 participants concluded that patients with NAFLD had a twofold risk of AF compared with patients without NAFLD [pooled risk ratio 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–3.85].⁵⁸ However, there was significant heterogeneity in the studies and the wide confidence interval suggests uncertainty around the point estimate.⁵⁸ A subsequent study in the Framingham Heart Study cohort reported no significant association between NAFLD and prevalent or incident AF after 12 years of follow up.⁵⁹

Whereas NAFLD and AF share common risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance and diabetes, in adjusted analyses, NAFLD has been associated with diastolic dysfunction, and left ventricular chamber remodeling, which may predispose to AF.^60–62 There are several proposed mechanisms that may more directly link NAFLD and AF. First, NAFLD may trigger AF by increasing systemic inflammation, an effect that is associated with liver fat in analyses adjusting for obesity and metabolic syndrome.^63,64 Second, NAFLD has been associated with autonomic dysfunction as assessed with electrochemical skin conductance test and heart rate variability test.^65,66 Whereas the mechanism linking NAFLD with autonomic dysfunction is not well described, alterations in the autonomic nervous system may promote initiation and maintenance of AF.⁶⁷ In one study, patients with NAFLD had delayed atrial conduction with longer atrial electromechanical delay and higher P-wave dispersion compared with referents without NAFLD.⁶⁸ Third, NAFLD has been associated with an increased risk of diastolic dysfunction^60–62 and ischemic heart disease,⁶⁹ adjusting for traditional risk factors and metabolic syndrome. Both diastolic dysfunction and ischemia predispose to AF. Finally, sleep apnea, which is characterized by intermittent hypoxia, is frequently observed in patients with NAFLD⁷⁰ and may increase atrial arrhythmogenicity.⁷¹ Alternatively, the association between NAFLD and AF may be a result of shared risk factors. Specifically, many individuals with NAFLD have a higher ectopic fat burden, including more pericardial fat, which is associated with AF.⁷² Pericardial fat was significantly associated with atrial conduction even after accounting for visceral and intrathoracic fat.⁷³ Additional studies are needed to determine if any associations between NAFLD and AF remain after accounting for pericardial fat.

Microbiome

The gastrointestinal tract comprises approximately 100 trillion bacterial cells and approximately 9 million bacterial genes, which far exceed the number of human cells or genes in the body.^74,75 Recent evidence suggests the gut microbiome may have an important impact on cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis and hypertension.^76–79 The microbiome may also influence fat partitioning in the liver, promoting NAFLD,⁸⁰ and indirectly contributing to cardiac dysfunction. Whether altered gut microbiota increase AF susceptibility by promoting atrial remodeling or alterations in the autonomic nervous system remains unknown (Figure 4).

Figure 4.

Proposed mechanisms for the interaction between the gut microbiome and atrial fibrillation.

Gut-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, lipopolysaccharides, and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) recently have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular remodeling. Gut microbes convert dietary choline and L-carnitine, from red meat and eggs, to trimethylamine, which is oxidized to TMAO in the liver.⁷⁹ TMAO is associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events, possibly by increasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.^81,82 Experimental models have shown that TMAO may increase AF susceptibility. When TMAO is injected into the epicardial ganglionated plexi of dogs, atrial electrical remodeling, autonomic remodeling, and upregulation of pro-inflammatory signaling pathways were observed.⁸³ Whether circulating TMAO promotes AF via ganglionated plexi is not yet established.

Lipopolysaccharides, which are derived from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, may enter the circulation through the gut mucosa and contribute to atherosclerosis, possibly through worsening chronic inflammation.⁸⁴ A recent study reported higher circulating lipopolysaccharides levels in patients with AF compared with those in sinus rhythm.⁸⁵ AF patients with high lipopolysaccharides also had increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared with those with low lipopolysaccharides levels.⁸⁵ More studies are needed to explore the relationships between lipopolysaccharides and AF.

Diet is a major influencer on the composition of an individual’s microbiome and dietary changes can rapidly shift the dominant microbial communities in the gut.^86,87 A post hoc analysis of a randomized trial, PREDIMED (Prevencion con Dieta Mediterranea), reported that a Mediterranean diet conferred a lower risk for AF.⁸⁸ High adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a favorable microbial profile, including lower Escherichia coli counts, higher proportions of bifidobacteria species⁸⁹ and low serum lipopolysaccharide.⁸⁵ AF patients who adhered to the Mediterranean diet had lower markers of oxidative stress and a lower risk of cardiovascular events compared with those not adhering to the diet.⁹⁰ It is unknown if lowering lipopolysaccharide levels, through altering the gut microbiota, decreases risk of AF or its complications.

Gastrointestinal tract infections

Gastrointestinal tract infections may contribute to the development of AF through the inflammatory cascade. Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that is frequently detected in the gastric antrum and is the main pathogen contributing to gastric ulceration, gastritis, and gastric cancer. Several cross-sectional studies have observed higher rates of H. pylori infection among those with chronic AF.^91,92 However, a meta-analysis of six studies observed no association between H. pylori infection and AF, though they did report significant publication bias.⁹³

Treatment of gastrointestinal and liver disease promoting AF

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been associated both with the protection against and the induction of AF. PPIs have antioxidant properties through protection of glutathione stores and anti-inflammatory properties via inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines.⁹⁴ A few case series and small studies have reported that treatment with PPIs reduced AF symptoms^95,96 but a larger population study has failed to demonstrate an effect of PPIs on AF.²⁸ The Taiwan National Health study showed that treatment with PPIs was associated with a higher risk of AF.²⁸ However, this finding may be due to a treatment bias. Others have postulated that hypomagnesemia, which has been correlated to higher rates of AF, may result from increased PPI exposure in the general population.⁹⁷

Gastrointestinal disease may alter efficacy of AF treatments

Malabsorption

Gastrointestinal malabsorption may result from underlying inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, such as IBD and celiac disease, intestinal infections, such as giardiasis, or from prior small or large intestine surgical resections. If large portions of the small intestine are resected, a patient may develop short bowel syndrome, which is characterized by reduced absorption of nutrients and fluid, diarrhea, vitamin deficiencies, and weight loss. The possibility of malabsorption of medications should be considered in patients with AF and gastrointestinal malabsorption. Oral antiarrhythmic medications, such as digoxin, and direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs), such as dabigatran, are absorbed from the duodenum and proximal jejunum.^98,99 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery involves the creation of a small gastric pouch that connects directly to the distal jejunum, bypassing the distal stomach, duodenum, and proximal jejunum, altering the intestinal length and transient time. The changes noted in CYP3A4 expression following gastric bypass or surgical restriction may also impact bioavailability of various DOACs.⁹⁹ Dabigatran failure has been reported in patients with a history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or short-bowel syndrome.⁹⁹ The efficacy of DOACs in patients with a history of major gastrointestinal surgery, particularly to the stomach or small intestine, has been investigated in small, case-controlled and case series only. An investigation of 18 patients undergoing bariatric surgery compared with matched controls showed no difference in serum concentrations postoperatively for those receiving apixaban or dabigatran, but significantly lower levels for those receiving rivaroxaban.¹⁰⁰ However, a study of single-dose rivaroxaban showed no difference in pharmacokinetic parameters in 12 patients undergoing bariatric surgery.¹⁰¹ Apixaban appears to be least affected by postoperative changes to the gastrointestinal tract due to high rate of absorption occurring in the small bowel and ascending colon and should be the preferred DOAC in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.^99,100 In patients undergoing more extensive gastrointestinal-tract resections, DOACs should be avoided until well-conducted studies are available.

Summary of gastrointestinal and liver diseases and AF

There are multiple limitations to the current research investigating the association between various gastrointestinal conditions and their treatments with AF. First, the majority of studies are small and cross-sectional in design, which inhibits our ability to determine causality because of uncertain temporality, and the potential for residual confounding. Gastrointestinal diseases and AF share common risk factors (Figure 1) and most studies incompletely account for overlapping risk factors. Residual confounding and positive publication biases may contribute to many of the positive associations reported in the literature. There is a paucity of well-designed prospective studies evaluating gastrointestinal or liver diseases as risk factors for AF. Finally, it is unknown if treatment of gastrointestinal or liver disease reduces AF incidence or recurrence.

AF predisposing to gastrointestinal disease

Mesenteric ischemia

In patients with AF, ischemia is predominantly secondary to cardioembolic events rather than from in situ thromboembolism.¹⁰² Major risk factors for cardioembolic events in patients with AF include history of prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, age greater than 75 years, hypertension, and structural heart disease.¹⁰³ In particular, women with AF are at increased risk for thromboembolic events, including mesenteric ischemia¹⁰⁴ (Table 1). Emboli to the visceral–mesenteric vasculature are the second most common site of peripheral thromboembolic disease after the vessels in the upper and lower extremities.¹⁰⁵ In a Taiwan-based study of patients with AF, the risk of developing mesenteric ischemia was higher with increasing CHA₂DS₂-VASc score¹⁰⁶ and those with a score ⩾ 2 had a threefold increase in risk compared with those having a score of 0.¹⁰⁷

Table 1.

Gastrointestinal complications of atrial fibrillation or treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Condition	Incidence/prevalence	Severity	Presentation	Diagnosis	Treatment
Mesenteric ischemia	Incident rate 0.74 events/1000 person-years¹⁰⁴	Ranges from mild/self-limited to catastrophic^108–110	Early: minimal and nonspecific abdominal pain¹¹⁰ Late: severe abdominal pain, shock	High clinical suspicion; contrast-enhanced CT showing bowel wall thickening, loss of bowel wall enhancement, pneumatosis, or portal venous gas^108,109	Angiography with catheter-directed therapy, mechanical thrombectomy, or laparotomy^111–114
Solid organ ischemia	Unknown, likely underdiagnosed	Usually not severe, as the involved organs have a well-developed collateral circulation and efficient compensatory mechanisms¹¹⁵	May involve the liver, spleen, or gallbladder; often occurs along with mesenteric ischemia¹¹⁰⁸	Often asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally on imaging^115,116	Supportive care
Esophageal ulceration	Prevalence postablation: 5–15%;¹¹⁷ wide variation between studies and ablation technique	Ranges from mild to severe	Often asymptomatic or may have chest discomfort, nausea or fever post-AF ablation¹¹⁸	Direct visualization via EGD after ruling out AE fistula	Prevention: monitor the relationship of the esophagus to the ablation site using dynamic intra-ablation imaging^119,140 and utilize esophageal temperature probes;¹²⁰ titrate energy delivered to high-risk locations during the procedure; use cryoablation¹²¹ Treatment: proton-pump inhibitor therapy before and after ablation¹²²
AE fistula	Incidence after catheter AF ablation: 0.01% and 0.2%^123,124 Incidence after surgical AF ablation: 1.5%¹²⁵	Frequently fatal; mortality rate 70–80%^126,127	Late complication of AF ablation usually presenting in the first 2–3 weeks postablation¹²⁸ Symptoms are often nonspecific, such as fever, generalized malaise, leukocytosis, recurrent neurologic events from septic or air embolization^127,129	High clinical suspicion; contrast-enhanced CT or MRI showing communication between the left atrium and esophagus¹³⁰ EGD is contraindicated, given risk of fatal air embolization¹³¹	Emergent surgery with either direct or transthoracic extracardiac repair with or without cardiopulmonary bypass¹²⁶ Consider esophageal stenting in select cases^132,133 Systemic antibiotic therapy
Esophageal–pericardial fistula	Rare	Severe	Severe chest or epigastric pain and fever	Evidence of pericardial effusion or pericarditis on electrocardiogram, CT scan or echocardiography	Conservative management with esophageal stenting, pericardial drainage, and systemic antibiotics¹³⁴
Gastroparesis	Incidence after catheter AF ablation: 1.1–6.7%^140,141	Usually self-limited	Nausea, vomiting, epigastric fullness, discomfort, or bloating¹³⁷	Monitor for symptoms during and postprocedure Gastric-emptying scan	Conservative management; most recover spontaneously within 6 months¹³⁵

AE, atrio-esophageal; AF, atrial fibrillation; CT, computed tomography; EGD, esophagogastroduodenoscopy; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.

AF treatments predisposing to gastrointestinal disease

Catheter ablation for AF and gastrointestinal complications

Several gastrointestinal complications may result from catheter-directed AF ablation, ranging from gastroparesis to severe esophageal injury or atrio-esophageal fistula (Table 1). Gastroparesis, defined by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction, may result from collateral injury to the vagus nerve, which innervates the pylorus and gastric antrum and is important for gastric emptying,¹³⁸ during pulmonary vein isolation procedures. There are several mechanisms which have been implicated as the cause for esophageal injury. First, the close proximity of the esophagus to the thermal energy source if ablation is performed along the posterior wall of the left atrium confers risk for thermal injury (Figure 2).¹³⁹ Whereas, there is considerable variation between individuals, the esophagus often traverses the left-side of the posterior wall of the left atrium¹⁴⁰ with a separation distance of less than 5 mm of tissue.¹⁴¹ Individual variation in the size and thickness of the left atrium, and the presence of epicardial fat between the left atrium and esophagus also impact the degree of esophageal thermal injury.^140,141 Procedure-related factors, including the use of general anesthesia,¹⁴² the magnitude and duration of local tissue heating,¹⁴⁰ and the orientation, size or type of the ablation catheter used may also contribute to esophageal injury. The odds of esophageal injury is reported to increase by 1.4 for every 1°C increase in temperature.¹⁴³ The second possible mechanism for esophageal ulceration with AF ablation involves injury to the vagal anterior esophageal plexus, with subsequent impaired contraction of the lower esophageal sphincter predisposing to gastric reflux and esophagitis. Finally, thermal injury of the arterial supply to the esophagus may induce ischemia, impact healing, and promote ulcer formation.

Anticoagulation and liver injury

Patients with AF on treatment with warfarin or DOACs are at risk for liver injury, though the risk is relatively small. DOACs, with the exception of dabigatran, undergo hepatic metabolism through either glucuronidation or the cytochrome P450 system. An early direct thrombin inhibitor, ximelagatran, was withdrawn from the market after safety concerns regarding hepatotoxicity emerged.¹⁴⁴ A study from a large US-based healthcare database identified 960 hospitalizations for liver injury over 14 months of follow up (7.3 events per 1000 person-years) among patients with nonvalvular AF treated with DOACs.¹⁴⁵ The risk of liver injury was lowest for patients treated with dabigatran and highest for those treated with warfarin, whereas rivaroxaban and apixaban users had intermediate risk.¹⁴⁵ Risk factors for liver-injury hospitalization included underlying hepatobiliary disease, history of alcohol-use disorder, cancer, anemia, kidney disease, and heart failure.¹⁴⁵ In a large Canadian administrative database, DOACs were not associated with an increased risk of severe liver injury compared with warfarin.¹⁴⁶ Though liver injury is a relatively rare complication, clinicians and patients should consider risk factors for liver injury when choosing a specific oral anticoagulant.

Patients with chronic liver disease often have abnormalities in coagulation and a prolonged international normalization ratio; however, they are not protected against stroke and systemic thromboembolism associated with AF.¹⁴⁷ On average, patients with hepatic impairment who receive warfarin have a lower proportion of time spent within the therapeutic range and are at increased risk for bleeding events compared with those without liver disease.¹⁴⁸ A recent study based on the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database showed that those with cirrhosis treated with warfarin had a lower risk of ischemic stroke [hazard ratio (HR) 0.76, 95% CI 0.58–0.99] and no increased risk of intracranial bleeding compared with nonwarfarin users.¹⁴⁹ A limited number of studies have evaluated the safety of DOACs in patients with hepatic impairment.¹⁵⁰ In a retrospective cohort study of patients with chronic liver disease and AF, rates of all-cause bleeding were similar between the groups treated with DOACs and warfarin.¹⁵¹ However, in a prospective, multicenter cohort study, warfarin, but not DOACs, was associated with an increased risk for major bleeding among those with liver fibrosis; though the sample size was small.¹⁵² In patients with moderate hepatic impairment, as defined by the Child–Pugh category, DOACs should be used with caution and use should be limited to dabigatran and apixaban because these agents show similar bioavailability compared with controls, and no dose adjustments are needed.¹⁵³ DOACs should be avoided in patients with severe hepatic dysfunction, defined as Child–Pugh C cirrhosis, because of bleeding concerns.¹⁵⁴

Prior studies evaluating the management of esophageal varices in patients who are receiving anticoagulation for AF are limited. The American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy considers esophageal band ligation as a high-bleeding-risk procedure.¹⁵⁵ The risks of stopping anticoagulation, with or without bridging therapy, in the setting of high-bleeding-risk procedures needs to be considered for the individual patient; there is no universal agreement across various practice guidelines.^155,156 Additional studies are needed to determine the utility of alternative treatment approaches, such as the use of nonselective beta blockage, and the optimal use and timing of anticoagulation in patients with cirrhosis and varices.

Amiodarone and liver injury

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug used in the treatment of ventricular and atrial arrhythmias, including AF, which is associated with asymptomatic elevations in liver biochemical tests in up to 30% of patients after intravenous administration, or among those who use amiodarone long term.¹⁵⁷ Symptomatic hepatitis or liver failure and cirrhosis from amiodarone is fortunately very rare (0–3% of amiodarone users), but the risk is higher for prolonged users and with high doses.¹⁶³ In a meta-analysis of approximately 740 patients on low-dose amiodarone for at least 1 year, there were no statistically significant increases in gastrointestinal or liver-related adverse events compared with placebo.¹⁵⁹ Amiodarone-induced liver injury includes steatosis and steatohepatitis and can be difficult to distinguish from NAFLD.¹⁶⁰ Because amiodarone concentrates in the liver and has a relatively long half-life, amiodarone-induced liver injury can take time to resolve and may even become apparent after amiodarone has been discontinued.¹⁶⁰

Anticoagulation and gastrointestinal bleeding

Gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the most frequent complications of anticoagulation therapy for AF. Patients with AF on anticoagulation who experience major gastrointestinal bleeding may have an underlying gastrointestinal malignancy, which was observed in 8.1% of bleeding events in one large study.¹⁶¹ Over multiple observational studies, the major bleeding rate for apixaban has ranged from 2.29% to 2.38% per 100 patient-years.¹⁶² Whereas the rates of major bleeding are more variable in the published literature for dabigatran and rivaroxaban, overall, DOACs have similar or lower rates of major bleeding compared with warfarin.^162,163 Of the DOACs, rivaroxaban has the highest major bleeding rate (up to 6% per 100 patient-years),¹⁶² which has been confirmed in multiple studies.¹⁴⁵ In a systematic review of 28 studies, apixaban was the only DOAC to have lower rates of gastrointestinal hemorrhage compared with warfarin (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.42–0.95).¹⁶⁴ However, in a larger meta-analysis of 43 studies, there was no difference in major gastrointestinal bleeding with apixaban compared with warfarin.¹⁶⁵ In this study, dabigatran had a slightly, but significantly, increased risk of major gastrointestinal bleeding compared with warfarin (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.04–1.55) and rivaroxaban had the highest risk (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.15–1.7).¹⁶⁵ Edoxaban was only evaluated in one of these trials, showing no difference in major gastrointestinal bleeding compared with warfarin (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.78–1.11).¹⁶⁵ Though trials directly comparing the DOACs are not available, the existing ‘real world’ data and multiple meta-analyses on gastrointestinal bleeding suggest that apixaban may have fewer major bleeding complications compared with dabigatran and rivaroxaban, and may be the optimal treatment for patients with an underlying history of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, or those at increased risk of bleeding.^145,164,165

Future directions

In summary, compared with our understanding of cardiometabolic risk factors for AF, substantial knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of the interrelations between gastrointestinal and liver diseases, and AF. Although the pathophysiology of AF has been extensively studied, the mechanisms that may predispose patients with gastrointestinal and liver diseases to AF are poorly understood. Adequately powered longitudinal studies evaluating the associations between gastrointestinal and liver diseases, and AF are needed. These studies should be adjusted for shared cardiac and gastrointestinal disease risk factors, which may confound the relations. Whereas gastrointestinal and liver diseases are not likely to be a major contributors to AF risk, understanding the mechanisms underlying any associations may further our understanding of AF and lead to novel preventative and treatment strategies.

Our current understanding of the microbiome and how gut organisms contribute to health and disease is in its infancy. Preclinical data show promising connections between the microbiome and AF. Large cohorts of participants well phenotyped for cardiometabolic diseases, including prevalent and incident AF, with a detailed assessment of the microbiome and large-scale serum metabolomic data, are lacking. Such cohorts may help us elucidate the metabolic by-products of microbiota so that we may understand how the microbiome impacts systemic inflammation and disease states.

Complications associated with both AF and its treatment contributing to gastrointestinal and liver diseases are rare, but often give rise to significant morbidity and mortality. AF-associated cardioembolic disease, which often leads to gastrointestinal complications, can be minimized with anticoagulation. However, AF is underdiagnosed¹⁶⁶ and patients are often undertreated.¹⁶⁷ Additional resources aimed at identifying patients with AF and ensuring AF patients have access to treatments, including DOACs, are needed in order to prevent gastrointestinal complications of AF.

Whereas the recognition and understanding of gastrointestinal complications of AF ablation is improving, additional studies are needed to study the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of various prevention strategies. This is of particularly importance as the number of AF ablation procedures continues to grow.

Conclusion

A bidirectional relationship between gastrointestinal and liver diseases, and AF, exists. An enhanced understanding of the pathophysiology and mechanisms by which gastrointestinal diseases may contribute to AF may lead to novel preventative and treatment strategies. Finally, the development of new and improved treatments for AF should focus on minimizing gastrointestinal and liver complications.

Footnotes

Acknowledgements

Emelia Benjamin and Robert Helm contributed equally to this work.

Funding

Dr Long is supported in part by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, K23 DK113252, and the Boston University School of Medicine Department of Medicine Career Investment Award.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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Gastrointestinal and liver diseases and atrial fibrillation: a review of the literature

Abstract

Keywords

Key points

Search strategy

Pathophysiology and mechanisms of AF

Gastrointestinal disease predisposing to AF

Inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastrointestinal malignancy

Alcoholic liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Microbiome

Gastrointestinal tract infections

Treatment of gastrointestinal and liver disease promoting AF

Gastrointestinal disease may alter efficacy of AF treatments

Malabsorption

Summary of gastrointestinal and liver diseases and AF

AF predisposing to gastrointestinal disease

Mesenteric ischemia

AF treatments predisposing to gastrointestinal disease

Catheter ablation for AF and gastrointestinal complications

Anticoagulation and liver injury

Amiodarone and liver injury

Anticoagulation and gastrointestinal bleeding

Future directions

Conclusion

Footnotes

Acknowledgements

Funding

Conflict of interest statement

References