A 62-year-old woman with no prior heart disease developed new-onset atrial fibrillation shortly after starting tirzepatide, requiring intensive care.
No prior CVDNew atrial fibrillation in a patient without cardiac history after starting tirzepatide
What the researchers found
New-onset atrial fibrillation requiring intensive care occurred in a patient with no prior cardiac history shortly after starting tirzepatide.
Why it matters
While tirzepatide is considered cardioprotective overall, clinicians should watch for rare cardiac rhythm disturbances in newly treated patients.
The numbers in context
Single case; 62-year-old woman; new-onset AF with rapid ventricular response; resolved after tirzepatide discontinuation.
How the study worked
Single case report with comprehensive cardiac and metabolic workup.
Who was studied
62-year-old woman with T2DM and obesity, no prior cardiovascular disease
What this study cannot tell us
Single case report — cannot prove causation. Temporal association does not equal causality.
How to read the evidence
Single case report — lowest evidence level but important for pharmacovigilance of a widely prescribed new drug.
When this study was published
Published in 2025, contributing to the growing post-marketing safety profile of tirzepatide.
The bigger picture
As tirzepatide use expands, post-marketing surveillance for rare cardiovascular adverse events becomes increasingly important.
Questions still open
- Is tirzepatide-associated AF dose-dependent?
- Should cardiac rhythm be monitored at tirzepatide initiation in susceptible patients?
Common questions
Can tirzepatide cause heart rhythm problems?
Should I worry about my heart on tirzepatide?
Read the original research
New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation Potentially Associated With Tirzepatide: A Case Report.
Cureus, 17(12), e99651
Citation
Purvez, Akhtar; Mirza, Mohd; Bashir, Mudhasir. (2025). New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation Potentially Associated With Tirzepatide: A Case Report.. Cureus, 17(12), e99651. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.99651