Durheim MT, et al. - Researchers used the Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation, a prospective registry that enrolled outpatients with atrial fibrillation (AF) not secondary to reversible causes, in order to assess the link between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and symptoms, quality of life (QoL), treatment, and outcomes among patients with AF. From both academic and community settings, patients with and without a diagnosis of COPD were recruited and compared. The presence of comorbid COPD in AF patients was found to be related to higher symptom burden, worse QoL, and worse cardiovascular and bleeding outcomes. Cardiovascular risk factors, AF treatment, or smoking history did not completely explain these links.