Association of Blood Groups with Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

The study sought to evaluate the association between blood group status, including the ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood group systems, and atrial fibrillation (AFib) in a cohort of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization or intervention. The final study cohort consisted of 909 patients. The demographic variables, characteristics, comorbidities, and medications of the patients were retrieved from the hospital electronic medical record system, patient charts, and/or records from the national health system database. The patients were categorized according to the presence or absence of AFib. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to adjust for the influence of differences in the patients' baseline features, comorbid situations, and drug usage on AFib. AFib was present in 9.0% (n = 82) of the study population. Non-O blood group (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.170, p = 0.331) and RhD− phenotype (SMD = −0.054, p = 0.629) were numerically more prevalent in patients with AFib than in those without AFib before PSM, with no statistical significance. PSM yielded 78 patients in each group. Non-O blood group (SMD = −0.055, p = 0.980) and RhD− phenotype (SMD = −0.036, p = 0.821) were numerically more prevalent in patients with AFib than in those without AFib after PSM, with no statistical significance. Multivariable logistic regression analysis performed after PSM revealed that ABO blood type (overall p = 0.986) and RhD+ blood phenotype (odds ratio = 0.907, 95% confidence interval: 0.356–2.313, p = 0.838) were not associated with AFib. The study did not demonstrate a significant association between AFib and blood group status, including the ABO and Rh systems.