We found high rates of AF among inpatients with acute heart failure or acute ischemic stroke in southwestern Uganda, comparable to studies from the United States and Europe, highlighting the need to address AF in Uganda with improved screening using long-term monitors, updated treatment protocols, and broadened access to cardiac care.
Holter monitoring detected atrial fibrillation in 42.0% of inpatients with acute heart failure or acute ischemic stroke at a regional referral hospital in Mbarara, Uganda.
The study cohort was predominantly female and nearly evenly split between acute heart failure and acute ischemic stroke.
Among participants with detected AF, the burden was substantial and the distribution of AF duration over the monitoring period was bimodal.
Participants had a moderate-to-high stroke risk profile by CHA2DS2VA score.
Older age and larger left atrial volume index were independently associated with AF detection.
AF rates in this Ugandan inpatient cohort were comparable to those reported in studies from the United States and Europe.
This study looked at how common atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular heart rhythm that raises stroke risk, is among hospitalized patients in southwestern Uganda. Researchers enrolled 250 patients at a regional referral hospital in Mbarara who were admitted with either acute heart failure or an ischemic stroke. Each patient had a heart ultrasound and wore a 24-hour heart rhythm monitor. AF was detected in about 42% of patients (105 of 250). Among those with AF, the irregular rhythm lasted on average about 11 hours of the monitoring period. Older age and a larger left atrium (an upper heart chamber) were linked to higher odds of having AF. The patients also had, on average, a moderate-to-high calculated risk of stroke. The rate of AF was similar to rates reported in studies from the United States and Europe. This research suggests AF may be a major but under-recognized problem in Uganda, where data have been scarce. The authors argue for better screening with longer-term heart monitors, updated treatment protocols, and wider access to cardiac care. Because the study only included hospitalized patients with heart failure or stroke at one hospital, the results may not apply to the general population.
Olds P, Twesigye P, Nakawesa L, Kasomba I, Haberer J, Fardous A. (2026). High Rates of Atrial Fibrillation among Inpatients with Heart Failure or Ischemic Stroke in Southwestern Uganda.. Annals of global health. https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.5389