Identification of Immunomodulators Associated With Atrial Fibrillation Reporting: Analysis of the WHO Pharmacovigilance Database

Atrial fibrillation is the most prevalent sustained arrhythmia worldwide with a great morbimortality. Some populations are more at risk to develop atrial fibrillation like patients suffering from inflammatory diseases or patients suffering from cancers. This is at least explained by the inflammatory environment related to these both conditions. Many experimental studies and clinical studies support the role of inflammation and immunity in atrial fibrillation genesis by modulating atrial action potential et by promoting fibrosis.

Immunomodulators are drugs used to stimulate or inhibit the immune system for two main indications : cancers and immune disorder diseases which both promote atrial fibrillation. Due to their interactions with inflammation and immunity, immunomodulatores may further promote the risk of atrial fibrillation, particularly in a population already at risk.

Based on the World Health Organization global database, the main objective of this study is to investigate the association between immunomodulators and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation reported in the database.

A disproportionality analysis will be performed. It will aim to assess whether immunomodulators are associated with a greater risk of atrial fibrillation.

Secondary objectives aim to describe the cases of atrial fibrillation among immunomodulators associated with atrial fibrillation in the main analysis, to describe coprescription among immunomodulators associated with atrial fibrillation in the main analysis, to analyse the role of immunomoduloators medical indication in the overrisk of atrial fibrillation, and to try to highlight some immune mechanisms promoting atrial fibrillation regarding the immunomodulators associated with atrial fibrillation in the main analysis.