Evaluation of the associations of pulmonary vein vertical diameter, cardiothoracic ratio, and atrial fibrillation combined hiatal hernia

Recent studies have suggested that there may be a relationship between hiatal hernia (HH) and atrial fibrillation (AF), but the specific mechanism is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics associated with HH and AF and to identify the potential relationship between the 2 diseases. The study comprised 180 patients with HH, of which 54 had AF. Every patient had chest computed tomography to quantify the cardiothoracic ratio, HH volume, thoracic cavity volume, and diameters of the pulmonary veins. The clinical data of all patients was acquired through an electronic medical record system. Patients who experienced AF had a noticeably smaller total pulmonary vein vertical diameter (TPVVD) and a higher cardiothoracic ratio compared to those who only had HH. Logistic multivariate regression study demonstrated a significant association between TPVVD, cardiothoracic ratio, and AF in individuals with HH. This study established a correlation between TPVVD, cardiothoracic ratio, and HH in conjunction with AF. Patient with HH who had a thinner TPVVD and a bigger cardiothoracic ratio were found to have a greater likelihood of suffering from AF.