Population-level analyses of alcohol consumption as a predictor of acute atrial fibrillation episodes

Studying short-term relationships between acute alcohol consumption and discrete atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes has proven difficult given the need for AF assessments shortly after acute and excessive drinking 1 – 4 . Here, we analyzed breathalyzer data and identified eight recurrent and nationally recognized events associated with increased alcohol consumption. Using these events as instrumental variables, we analyzed data from emergency department (ED) visits for AF in California. Using multivariable adjusted Poisson regression models to compare rates of AF and new-onset AF during and 6 d after instrumental variable events compared with all other days of the year, alcohol consumption inferred from these events was associated with a statistically significant increase in ED visits for AF and for new-onset AF. Our data suggest that acute alcohol consumption in the general population is associated with a higher risk of discrete AF episodes as well as for new-onset (incident) AF.