scholarly journals Atrial fibrillation: a geriatric perspective on the 2020 ESC guidelines

Author(s):  
M. Cristina Polidori ◽  
Mariana Alves ◽  
Gulistan Bahat ◽  
Anne Sophie Boureau ◽  
Serdar Ozkok ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Task Force for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation (AF) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) published in 2020 the updated Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation with the contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the ESC and the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS). Methods and results In this narrative viewpoint, we approach AF from the perspective of aging medicine and try to provide the readers with information usually neglected in clinical routine, mainly due to the fact that while the large majority of AF patients in real life are older, frail and cognitively impaired, these are mostly excluded from clinical trials, and physicians’ attitudes often prevail over standardized algorithms. Conclusions On the basis of existing evidence, (1) opportunistic AF screening by pulse palpation or ECG rhythm strip is cost-effective, and (2) whereas advanced chronological age by itself is not a contraindication to AF treatment, a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) including frailty, cognitive impairment, falls and bleeding risk may assist in clinical decision making to provide the best individualized treatment.

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 496-510
Author(s):  
Daorong Pan ◽  
Xiaomin Ren ◽  
Zuoying Hu

The optimal strategy of antithrombotic therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention remains to be a question to be answered. The major challenge in such population is the balance between the benefit of reduced stroke and coronary ischemic events, against the risk of increased bleeding complications. Thus, both thrombotic and bleeding risk assessments should be included into clinical decision-making process for such patients. Currently, there is limited evidence based on randomized trials with adequate power to show the superiority of any strategy in the beneficial profile of safety and efficacy, thus limited recommendations are provided by clinical guidelines. Given the recent advancement in this field, our review provided an overview of the available risk stratification schemes for stroke and bleeding risk for AF patients, discussed the multiple questions in the optimal regimens of oral antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy, and summarized evidence and recommendations related to long-term antithrombotic therapy for AF patients receiving stent implications.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Vogt

AbstractThe uptake of the QbTest in clinical practice is increasing and has recently been supported by research evidence proposing its effectiveness in relation to clinical decision-making. However, the exact underlying process leading to this clinical benefit is currently not well established and requires further clarification. For the clinician, certain challenges arise when adding the QbTest as a novel method to standard clinical practice, such as having the skills required to interpret neuropsychological test information and assess for diagnostically relevant neurocognitive domains that are related to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or how neurocognitive domains express themselves within the behavioral classifications of ADHD and how the quantitative measurement of activity in a laboratory setting compares with real-life (ecological validity) situations as well as the impact of comorbidity on test results. This article aims to address these clinical conundrums in aid of developing a consistent approach and future guidelines in clinical practice.


Author(s):  
Anna K. Eigenbrodt ◽  
Håkan Ashina ◽  
Sabrina Khan ◽  
Hans-Christoph Diener ◽  
Dimos D. Mitsikostas ◽  
...  

AbstractMigraine is a disabling primary headache disorder that directly affects more than one billion people worldwide. Despite its widespread prevalence, migraine remains under-diagnosed and under-treated. To support clinical decision-making, we convened a European panel of experts to develop a ten-step approach to the diagnosis and management of migraine. Each step was established by expert consensus and supported by a review of current literature, and the Consensus Statement is endorsed by the European Headache Federation and the European Academy of Neurology. In this Consensus Statement, we introduce typical clinical features, diagnostic criteria and differential diagnoses of migraine. We then emphasize the value of patient centricity and patient education to ensure treatment adherence and satisfaction with care provision. Further, we outline best practices for acute and preventive treatment of migraine in various patient populations, including adults, children and adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and older people. In addition, we provide recommendations for evaluating treatment response and managing treatment failure. Lastly, we discuss the management of complications and comorbidities as well as the importance of planning long-term follow-up.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Fauchier ◽  
Adeline Samson ◽  
Gwendoline Chaize ◽  
Anne-Françoise Gaudin ◽  
Alexandre Vainchtock ◽  
...  

Introduction/Hypothesis: Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with worse clinical outcomes in many cardiovascular (CV) disease states. There is a lack of data on real world specific causes of deaths in AF patients. The objective of this study was to provide features and causes of deaths of patients with AF seen in French hospitals. Methods: This French cohort study was based on the national hospitalization database (PMSI) covering hospital care for the entire population. All discharged dead patients in 2012 with a previous diagnosis of AF were identified. Cause of death was defined as the principal diagnosis of the last hospitalization stay. Thromboembolic risk scores (HAS-BLED, HEMORR2HAGES and ATRIA) and bleeding risk scores (CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc) calculations were based on a 5-year look-back period of medical history. Results: In 2012, 533,044 AF patients were identified through the PMSI; among them 50,165 (9.4%) died in French hospitals. Deceased patients were older than patients discharged alive (82.3±9.3 vs. 78.0±11.4; p<0.001). They more often suffered from hypertension (73% vs. 70%), diabetes (27% vs. 24%), renal failure (39% vs. 23%), cancer (30% vs. 19%) and, liver failure (9% vs. 5%) (p<0.001 in all cases). Mean stroke and bleeding risk scores were significantly higher for dead patients: CHADS2 was 2.7±1.3 vs. 2.3±1.3 (p<0.001), CHA2DS2-VASc was 4.6±1.6 vs. 4.0±1.8 (p<0.001), HAS-BLED was 2.6±1.1 vs. 2.2±1.1 (p<0.001), HEMORR2HAGES was 3.0±1.4 vs. 2.3±1.5 (p<0.001) and ATRIA was 4.4±2.4 vs. 3.3±2.4 (p<0.001). Cardiovascular (CV)-related deaths represented 34% of all deaths, including heart failures (15.0%), strokes (8.5%), hemorrhages (1.4%) and, TIA/Systemic embolism (1.3%) (cf. Table1). Conclusions: In this systematic analysis of a real-life contemporary AF population, about 10% of deaths were related to stroke/TIA/SE. Despite CV events were a major cause of deaths; a greater part of deaths was related to non-CV causes.


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