There's a condition known as atrial fibrillation, a common type of arrhythmia that increases the risk of stroke and even heart failure. In advanced cases, it can be treated with catheter ablation.
Now, Assistant Professor Shunsuke Miyauchi from Hiroshima University in Japan and his colleagues have demonstrated that gum disease might be a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Treating gum disease after atrial fibrillation surgery could reduce the risk of heart disease recurrence. The findings were published in the American Heart Association Journal on April 10th.
Regular dental checkups can prevent gum disease. The team recruited 288 patients with gum disease who had undergone atrial fibrillation ablation therapy. Of these, 97 received treatment for gum disease three months later.
Over a two-year follow-up period, 24% of participants experienced atrial fibrillation again, but those who received gum disease treatment after ablation had a 61% reduced risk of recurrence.
The risk of atrial fibrillation recurrence was higher in patients with more severe gum disease.
Miyauchi explained that inflamed or ulcerated gum tissue can allow bacteria and inflammatory immune proteins into the bloodstream, potentially affecting the heart.
Researchers also measured levels of inflammatory proteins in participants' blood before ablation therapy and found higher levels in those with severe gum disease. Miyauchi noted that higher antibody levels against gum disease-related bacteria were associated with higher rates of atrial fibrillation recurrence.
The team encourages atrial fibrillation patients to treat gum disease when necessary. Prevention methods include brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily, using dental floss or interdental brushes daily, and scheduling regular dental visits.
Nieca Goldberg from NYU Grossman School of Medicine noted that the study, with only 97 participants receiving gum disease treatment, is relatively small. "Nevertheless, it does lay the groundwork for future research in this area."
For more information, refer to the related paper: link.
