A preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025 found that metformin, a diabetes medication, reduced irregular heartbeat events in overweight/obese adults with atrial fibrillation (AFib). The study, META-AF, analyzed 99 adults with AFib and obesity/overweight who underwent catheter ablation and received either usual care or usual care plus metformin.
Key Findings
- Reduced AFib episodes: 78% of the metformin group had no AFib episodes lasting 30 seconds or more, compared to 58% in the usual care group.
- Fewer repeat ablations: The metformin group had fewer patients who needed a repeat ablation or electric shock (6% vs 16%).
- Minimal weight change: Weight changes were minimal in all participants, suggesting weight loss wasn’t the primary reason for metformin’s benefits.
Implications
The study suggests metformin may be a useful adjunct to standard care for AFib patients with obesity, potentially reducing recurrent episodes. However, larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and compare metformin with other diabetes medications.