Highlights of the survey:
- Treating gingivitis within three months after heart surgery to correct an irregular heart rhythm, known as atrial fibrillation (AFib), can reduce the chances of it coming back.
- Inflamed gums may predict the recurrence of AFib after heart removal, a procedure to correct the irregular heartbeat.
- Patients with AFib should be screened for gingivitis and encouraged to seek dental treatment, the researchers said.
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DALLAS, April 10, 2024 — Treating gingivitis in the 3 months following a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation (AFib) can reduce oral inflammation and may reduce AFib recurrence, according to new research published today in Journal of the American Heart Associationan open-access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of American adults age 30 and older have some form of periodontal disease or gingivitis, with the incidence increasing with age.
This study is one of the first to investigate the potential effects of gum disease treatment AFib. AFib is a condition in which the heart beats irregularly, increasing the risk of stroke by five times. More than 12 million people in the US are expected to have AFib by 2030, according to the American Heart Association 2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics.
“Gum disease can be modified by dental intervention. Proper management of gum disease appears to improve the prognosis of AFib, and many people around the world could benefit from it,” said study lead author Shunsuke Miyauchi, MD, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Center for of Health at Hiroshima University. in Japan engaged in general cardiology, arrhythmia practice and research.
Researchers followed 97 patients who had undergone a nonsurgical procedure to correct AFib (radiofrequency catheter excision) and treated for gingivitis along with 191 ablation patients who did not receive treatment for gingivitis. Catheter ablation is a procedure that uses radio frequency energy to destroy a small area of heart tissue causing fast and irregular heartbeats. This study found that a marker measuring the severity of gum inflammation was associated with the return of AFib.
After the ablation procedure, during a mean follow-up period of between 8.5 months and 2 years, the researchers found:
- AFib recurred in 24% of all participants throughout the follow-up period.
- Patients with severe gingivitis who were treated after heart catheter ablation were 61% less likely to experience AFib recurrence, compared with ablation patients who did not receive treatment for severe gingivitis.
- Patients who had AFib relapses had more severe gingivitis than those without relapses.
- Having gingivitis, being female, having an irregular heartbeat for more than two years, and having a left atrial tumor were predictors of AFib recurrences. A left atrial tumor often leads to AFib recurrence as it involves thickening and scarring of the connective tissues, Miyauchi explained.
Miyauchi noted that, “While the main findings were consistent with their expectations, we were surprised how useful a quantitative marker of gingivitis, known as periodontal inflammatory surface area, or PISA, could be in cardiovascular clinical practice.”
While the American Heart Association does not recognize oral health as a risk factor for heart disease, it recognizes that oral health can be an indicator of overall health and well-being. Bacteria from inflamed teeth and gums can travel through the bloodstream to the rest of the body, including the heart and brain. Chronic gum inflammation can be associated with other systemic health conditions, such as coronary heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Study details and history:
- A total of 288 adults (66% men, 34% women) treated for AFib were enrolled in this study.
- The single-center study was conducted from April 1, 2020, to July 31, 2022, at Hiroshima University Hospital in Hiroshima, Japan, and all participants were Asian.
- Enrollees were examined by a dentist before undergoing catheter ablation for AFib.
“We are now working on further research to uncover the mechanism behind the relationship between gum disease and AFib,” Miyauchi said.
Study limitations include: a small number of patients enrolled from a single center; Patients were not randomized to receive dental treatment. Periodontal status was not monitored after baseline among participants who did not receive treatment for gum disease. and inflammatory markers were not reassessed after the ablation procedure.
Co-authors, disclosures, and sources of funding are listed in the manuscript.
Studies published in the scientific journals of the American Heart Association are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the Association. The Union makes no representations or warranties as to their accuracy or reliability. The Union receives funding mainly from private individuals. foundations and corporations (including pharmaceuticals, device manufacturers, and others) also donate to and fund specific Union programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing scientific content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association’s overall financial information are available here.
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