Liraglutide Mortality Effect on Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Introduction: Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) utilized for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, has been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular events. However, it is also associated with increased heart rate and reduced heart rate variability. In this study, we investigate the effect of liraglutide in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: TriNetX global research network provided aggregate data for this retrospective cohort study of AF patients on liraglutide that were matched to AF patients not on liraglutide from January 1, 2016, through November 13, 2021. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, acute heart failure episode, and acute coronary syndrome episode. Results: 16,214 AF patients on liraglutide were propensity score matched to AF patients not on liraglutide. They were matched for demographics, cardiovascular procedures, cardiovascular medications, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and diabetic medications. AF patients on liraglutide were found to have a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.631 – 0.711, p < 0.001). There was a tendency toward lower risk of stroke, acute heart failure, and acute coronary syndrome but was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Liraglutide is associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality in AF patients. These findings are limited due to the retrospective nature of the study. Further examination is needed of liraglutide effect on mortality in AF patients.