Few studies have addressed the pattern of atrial fibrillation (AF) in rural Africa. The purpose of the study was to assess the epidemiology and long-term prognosis of AF in rural African patients in the Regional Hospital Center (RHC) of Tenkodogo, Burkina Faso.

Overall, 107 of 1805 cardiac cases presented with AF (prevalence of 5.9%). Six patients were excluded. Mean age was 66.56 ± 14.92 years, and 53.47% were female. Hypertension was the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor (59.41%). Congestive heart failure (HF) was reported in 85.15% of the study patients at presentation. Most of the study population presented with severe underlying heart disease (93.1%), and hypertensive heart disease was the most prevalent with 45.54% of the cases. The mean CHA₂DS₂VASc score in patients with non-valvular heart disease (n = 91) was 3.33 ± 1.25 (extremes 1–6) while the risk of bleeding was low (HAS-BLED score ≤ 1) in 82 patients (81.2%). Oral anticoagulation was prescribed in few cases (5.26%). During a follow-up period of 74.43 ± 23.94 weeks, acute HF and stroke occurred in respectively 43 and 6 patients. Forty-one patients (40.59%) died. The overall survival rate was 69% at 6-month and 59.4% at 1-year follow-up. Patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy were at higher risk of death than other patients (log-rank test = 11.88, p < 0.001) over time.

AF is not rare in rural African patients and is associated with an increased long-term risk of HF, stroke, and mortality.