Renal function and risk of stroke and bleeding in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: Comparison between uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulants and warfarin administration

Abstract Background Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is known for the combining risks of thromboembolism (TE) and major bleedings. This urges a better understanding and optimization of the intraprocedural anticoagulation management. Differences in unfractionated heparin (UFH) requirements and anticoagulation time (ACT) levels between patients on different uninterrupted oral anticoagulation (OAC) agents have been studied. However, the clinical relevance, in terms of periprocedural TE and bleeding events, of UFH administration according to ACT monitoring among patients on different OAC agents, needs to be addressed. Objective To evaluate how the ACT monitoring and differences in intraprocedural UFH requirements among different anticoagulant agents, may translate to clinical outcome, in terms of periprocedural incidence of thromboembolic and bleeding events. Methods We retrospectively studied 1571 cases who underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation between January 2011 and May 2017. Cases were on an uninterrupted oral OAC therapy of Vitamin K Antagonists (VKA)(713), Rivaroxaban (RG)(385), Dabigatran (DG)(260), Apixaban (AG)(192) and Edoxaban (EG)(21). First ACT measurements after the initial bolus of UFH (1ehz748.0610U), mean ACT measurements, total UFH doses/kg (Body Weight)/min (duration of procedure) and incidence of major periprocedural events were compared among the above OAC groups. Results The mean ACT (sec) was significantly lower in the AG and greater in the VKA (313,7±47 vs 340,5±49, p<0,001). Significantly lower UFH doses (U/kg/min) were required to reach the target ACT in VKA compared to RG, DG, AG and EG (0,69±0,4 vs 1,41±0,76; 1,42±0,7; 1,63±0,8; 1,37±0,4 respectively, p<0,001) The proportion of patients who achieved a target ACT value within 30 minutes after the fixed first UFH Bolus of 10 000 U was significantly lower in DG and AG compared to VKA, EG and RG group (51,5% and 49% vs 53%, 71,4%, and 61,8% respectively p=0,005). The incidence of periprocedural TE events and bleedings showed no significant difference among OAC groups. However, the 22 patients with a periprocedural TE event had significantly lower UFH doses (U)/ Duration of catheter ablation (min) compared to the ones without periprocedural TE (62,71±44,5 vs 94,4±66,4, p=0,026), despite equivalent mean ACT values between these two groups. Patients with a periprocedural TE had also a significantly older Age (69,6±10 vs 64±10 p=0,01, higher CHADSVASC Score (3,64±1,76 vs 2,63±1,7 p=0,006), longer duration of procedure (188,9±79,1 vs 144,9±57 p=0,0001) and higher pre-Ablation INR values (2,2±0,6 vs 1,7±0,6 p=0,002). Conclusions The average UFH doses required to reach the target ACT were lower in VKA than in NOAC- groups. The incidence of periprocedural TE events and bleedings was equivalent among OAC groups. Patients with TE showed a lower UFH requirement compared to no-TE group, with both groups having mean ACT ≥300 sec.

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122 Are We Effective Prescribers? A Retrospective Audit of DOAC Prescribing Post Embolic Stroke for Non Valvular Atrial Fibrillation

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz103.70 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. iii17-iii65

Author(s):

Karen Dennehy ◽

Joseph Morris ◽

Diarmaid Hughes ◽

Kate Donlon ◽

Thomas Walsh

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Renal Function ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Embolic Stroke ◽

Haemorrhagic Transformation ◽

Retrospective Audit ◽

Online Laboratory ◽

Number Of Patients

Abstract Background Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are indicated for stroke prophylaxis in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, which is responsible for up to 20% of all ischaemic strokes(1). We performed a retrospective audit of all consecutive stroke patients in an Irish teaching hospital over a 1-year period to investigate the rate of incorrect dosing and any risk factors for this occurring. Methods We assessed our hospital stroke database from January to December 2017. Our research focused on DOAC prescribing in non valvular atrial fibrillation post embolic stroke. We collected data on baseline characteristics, choice of anticoagulation, dosing, and assessment of renal function, with follow up renal function if available. We reviewed electronic discharge summaries, online laboratory systems and completed a chart review. Results There was a total of 116 people with atrial fibrillation who developed an embolic stroke in our centre, of which 68 were eligible for anticoagulation using a DOAC (59). The main reasons for omission were CKD and haemorrhagic transformation. Patients were discharged on either Apixaban (32 patients), Rivaroxoban (32 patients), or Dabigatran (4 patients). Following our review, we established that 54/68 (79%) of patients were correctly anticoagulated. Over 20% of patients were incorrectly dosed and there was a clear tendency to under-dose 13/14 (93%). There were significant differences between the correct and incorrect dosing groups, with the latter group of patients being older and more at risk of polypharmacy. Renal function did not differ significantly between the groups at discharge or follow up and none of the incorrectly dosed patients were on a concurrent anti platelet. Conclusion A significant number of patients prescribed DOAC in hospital were not appropriately anticoagulated (21%), a majority of which were under-dosed. The patients who were under-dosed were older and more likely to be on 5 or more medications.

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