scholarly journals P127: A prospective study of the management and outcomes of patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation and/or flutter presenting to emergency departments

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S101-S102
Author(s):  
B. H. Rowe ◽  
P. Duke ◽  
S. Patrick ◽  
K. Lobay ◽  
M. Haager ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Chronic Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Common Prior

Introduction: Patients with new onset and chronic atrial fibrillation and/or flutter (AFF) present to emergency departments (ED) with symptoms requiring acute management decisions. Most research has focused on patients with acute (<48 hours and/or <7 days with adequate anticoagulation) presentations of AFF and for whom rhythm control is considered safe. This study explored the demographic characteristics, risk factors, anticoagulant/anti-platelet prescription, and outcomes for patients with symptomatic AFF. Methods: A convenience sample of adult patients presenting to the one of three hospitals affiliated with the University of Alberta with symptoms of acute AFF were enrolled, within a fee-for-service billing environment. Following informed consent, a trained researcher administered a survey to each patient, recorded administrative details (e.g., triage, times, laboratory tests) from the ED information system, a chart review on treatments was conducted and patients were contacted for follow-up at 7 days via telephone. Descriptive (median and interquartile range {IQR} and proportions) and simple (t-tests, chi-square) statistics are presented for continuous and dichotomous outcomes, respectively. Results: Overall, 217 patients were enrolled; the median age was 64 (IQR: 55, 73) and 132 (61%) were male. Overall, 42 (19.4%) patients arrived by ambulance; 8 (4%) spontaneously converted or were diagnosed with another arrhythmia between arrival and obtaining an ECG. A prior history of AFF was common 152 (71%), as were the following cardiovascular and other risk factors: 176 (81.1%) consumed alcohol, 104 (48%) were current or former smokers, 86 (39.6%) had hypertension, 22 (10%) had CAD, and 10 (5%) had COPD. These patients most commonly reported palpitations 183 (84%) as their dominant symptom. Anti-platelets and anticoagulants were common prior to the ED 145 (67%), and 36 (17%) of patients were discharged from the ED without one of these medications. Overall, 80 (37%) patients had chronic AFF or an unknown timeline; no efforts were made to restore NSR in these patients. A dominant pattern for electrical cardioversion was observed; of 129 cases where cardioversion was attempted, 84 (65%) had electrical first and 45 (35%) had chemical first cardioversion attempts. Overall, 22 (49%) of 45 patients receiving chemical first were successfully converted to NSR. Patients with AFF history who were cardioverted were less likely hospitalized than those not-cardioverted (3% vs. 16%, p=0.006); 21 (10%) were admitted to hospital. Conclusion: In this center, patients with AFF often present to the ED with high acuity, with severe symptoms and receive aggressive care. The use of anticoagulants suggests an appreciation of thrombo-embolic risks, both in the community and ED settings. Like many EDs, this center appears to have a signature for AFF management, related to evidence gaps, physician preferences, and perhaps funding models.

scholarly journals P110: A prospective cohort study to evaluate sex differences in presentations and management for patients presenting to emergency departments with atrial fibrillation and flutter

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S95-S96
Author(s):  
B. H. Rowe ◽  
S. Patrick ◽  
P. Duke ◽  
K. Lobay ◽  
M. Haager ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Before And After ◽  
History Of ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation And Flutter

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation and flutter (AFF) represent the most common arrhythmia presentations to emergency departments (EDs). Some research suggests that women with AFF experience different symptoms, receive different treatment and have worse outcomes than men. This study explored sex differences in risk factors, medication, and outcomes before and after ED visits for acute AFF. Methods: Adult patients presenting to the one of three hospitals affiliated with the University of Alberta with acute AFF were enrolled. Following informed consent, each patient completed a survey administered by a trained researcher, administrative ED information (e.g., ED times) was collected from the ED information system, a chart review on treatments was conducted and patients were contacted for follow-up at 7 days via telephone. Descriptive (median and interquartile range {IQR} and proportions) and simple (Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, chi-square, z-proportion) statistics are presented for continuous and dichotomous outcomes. Results: Overall, 217 patients were enrolled; the median age was 64 years (IQR: 55, 73) and 39% were female. Males presenting to the ED with AFF were 10 years younger than females (p<0.001); however, females weighed significantly less (median weight 69 vs. 95 kg; p<0.001), consumed less alcohol (12 vs 60 drinks/year; p<0.001) and were less likely to be ex-smokers (p=0.022) than men with AFF. Women arrived by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (p=0.037), experienced palpitations (p=0.042), and reported a history of hypertension (p=0.022) more frequently than men. Females were more often prescribed oral anticoagulants before (p= 0.041) and after (p=0.011) the ED visit, and females with a history of AFF were less likely to present without anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy (p=0.015). Overall, both sexes had similar attempts at cardioversion (59.4% vs. 61.3%) and hospitalizations (12.5% vs. 8.6%), respectively. If initial chemical cardioversion failed, females were more likely to receive subsequent electrical cardioversion (60.0% vs. 26.7%, p=0.036) than men. Conclusion: Overall, both women and men present frequently to the ED with AFF. Compared to men with AFF, women present with symptoms 10 years later, have different risk factors, experience more severe symptoms and use EMS more commonly; however, outcomes were similar. Unexplained sex-based variations in-ED and post-ED management are evident and these differences warrant further scrutiny.

Abstract P285: Pattern of Atrial Fibrillation and Risk of Outcomes: The Loire Valley Atrial Fibrillation Project

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amitava Banerjee ◽  
Sophie Taillandier ◽  
Jonas B Olesen ◽  
Deirdre A Lane ◽  
Benedicte Lallemand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Vascular Disease ◽  
Real World ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Previous Stroke ◽  
Hospital Institution

Background: The risk of stroke and thromboembolism (TE) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) can be classified in commonly-used stroke risk stratification scores. The role of the pattern of atrial fibrillation in risk prediction is unclear in contemporary ‘real world’ cohorts. Methods: Patients diagnosed with NVAF in a four-hospital-institution between 2000 and 2010 were identified and included. Event rates of stroke/TE were calculated according to pattern of AF, i.e. paroxysmal, persistent and permanent, defined by consensus guidelines. Independent risk factors of stroke/TE were investigated by Cox regression. Results: Among 7156 patients with NVAF, 4176 (58.4%) patients with paroxysmal, 376 (5.3%) with persistent and 2604 (36.3%) with permanent NVAF patterns were included. In non-anticoagulated patients, the overall stroke/TE event rate per 100 person-years was 1.29 (95% CI 1.13–1.47). Paroxysmal NVAF patients were more likely to be female (p<0.001). Persistent NVAF patients were less likely to have prior history of stroke (p–0.002) and vascular disease (p<0.001), and more likely to have hypertension (p<0.001) and vitamin K antagonist therapy (p<0.001). Permanent NVAF patients were more likely to have diabetes (p<0.001), heart failure therapy (p<0.001) and less likely to have dyslipidaemia (p<0.001). Compared with paroxysmal NVAF, rates of stroke/TE (p=0.001), bleeding (p<0.001) and all-cause mortality (p<0.001) were significantly higher in permanent NVAF patients but not in persistent NVAF patients. In multivariate analyses, only previous stroke (hazard ratio, HR 2.58, 95% CI 2.08–3.21), vascular disease (HR 1.34,1.12–1.61), heart failure (HR 1.20,1.00–1.44), age≥75 years (HR 2.75, 2.16–3.50) and age 65–74 years (HR 1.60,1.22–2.09) increased stroke/TE risk, but persistent (HR1.13, 0.76–1.70) and permanent (HR 1.44,0.96–2.16) patterns of NVAF did not. Conclusion: In this large ‘real world’ cohort of NVAF patients, there were significant differences in rates of stroke, TE, death and bleeding between patterns of NVAF, however only previous stroke, age, heart failure and vascular disease (not pattern of NVAF) independently increased the risk of stroke/TE, death and bleeding in multivariate analyses. Therefore, the risk of stroke is similar across all patterns of NVAF and antithrombotic therapy should be based on clinical risk factors not NVAF pattern.

scholarly journals Prevention of stroke in chronic andrecurrent atrial fibrillation

2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Maree Kelly ◽  
Debra Kerr ◽  
Ruth Hew
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
High Risk ◽  
American Heart ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Heart Association ◽  
Chronic Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Thromboembolic Stroke ◽  
History Of

The objective was to determine the proportion of patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) in atrialfibrillation (AF) who are at high risk of thromboembolic stroke as defined by the American Heart Association andwho might benefit from anticoagulation therapy.We enrolled all patients identified as having AF between 28th June 1999 and 26th March 2000. Data collectedincluded demographic information, presenting complaint, discharge diagnosis, risk factors for thromboembolic stroke,contraindications to anticoagulation (as defined by the Stroke Prevention in AF Investigators), admission anddischarge medications, and cardiac rhythm on presentation and at discharge.193 patients were identified within the study period. Two patient histories were not available for review. 121 patientshad a prior history of AF. Of these, 65 patients were at high risk for thromboembolic stroke and had no contra-indicationto anticoagulation therapy. 43 (66%) were on Warfarin at presentation but 14 (22%) were on Aspirinand 8 (12%) were on neither.34% of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation presenting to the ED, at high risk of thromboembolic stroke andwithout contra-indication to anticoagulation, were not anticoagulated on presentation. ED attendance provides anopportunity for intervention for the prevention of stroke in this group.

scholarly journals Potential missed opportunities to prevent ischaemic stroke: prospective multicentre cohort study of atrial fibrillation-associated ischaemic stroke and TIA

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e028387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan Wilson ◽  
Gareth Ambler ◽  
Clare Shakeshaft ◽  
Gargi Banerjee ◽  
Andreas Charidimou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Ischaemic Stroke ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Previously Treated

ObjectiveWe report on: (1) the proportion of patients with known atrial fibrillation (AF); and (2) demographic, clinical or radiological differences between patients with known AF (and not treated) and patients with newly diagnosed AF, in a cohort of patients who presented with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) not previously treated with anticoagulation.DesignWe reviewed cross-sectional baseline demographic and clinical data from a prospective observational cohort study, (CROMIS-2).SettingPatients were recruited from 79 hospital stroke centres throughout the UK and one centre in the Netherlands.ParticipantsPatients were eligible if they were adults who presented with ischaemic stroke or TIA and AF and had not been previously treated with oral anticoagulation.Main outcome measuresProportion of patients with known AF before index ischaemic stroke or TIA from a cohort of patients who have not been previously treated with oral anticoagulation. Secondary analysis includes the comparison of CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores and other demographics and risk factors between those with newly diagnosed AF and those with previously known AF.ResultsOf 1470 patients included in the analysis (mean age 76 years (SD 10)), 622 (42%) were female; 999 (68%) patients had newly diagnosed AF and 471 (32%) patients had known AF. Of the 471 patients with known AF, 68% had a strong indication for anticoagulation and 89% should have been considered for anticoagulation based upon CHA2DS2-VASc score. Patients with known AF were more likely to have a prior history of dementia (4% vs 2%, p=0.02) and had higher HAS-BLED scores (median 3 vs 2). CHA2DS2-VASc, other risk factors and demographics were similar.ConclusionsAbout 1/3 of patients who present with stroke and have AF who have not been treated with oral anticoagulation have previously known AF. Of these patients, at least 68% were not adequately treated with oral anticoagulation.Trial registration numberNCT02513316.

scholarly journals Prevalence, risk factors, and complications associated with hyponatraemia following elective primary hip and knee arthroplasty

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Cunningham ◽  
Nicola Gallagher ◽  
Paul Hamilton ◽  
Leeann Bryce ◽  
David Beverland
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Fasting Glucose ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Retrospective Audit ◽  
Hip And Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Chi Square Analysis

Abstract Background Hyponatraemia, defined as a serum sodium [Na] concentration below 135 mmol/L, is common following surgery. As inpatient peri-operative stays shorten, there is a need to recognise pre-operative risk factors for post-operative hyponatraemia and complications associated with a peri-operative drop in Na. This audit aimed to investigate the prevalence of, risk factors for, and complications associated with hyponatraemia following elective primary hip and knee arthroplasty. Methods Data were collected within a retrospective audit of inpatient complications and unplanned reattendance or readmission at hospital in consecutive elective primary hip and knee arthroplasty patients in a single high throughput elective primary joint unit. The hospital’s electronic database identified 1000 patients who were admitted electively between February 2012 and June 2013 under the care of a single consultant orthopaedic surgeon for either total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or uni-compartmental knee arthroplasty. Groups were compared using appropriate tests, including chi-square analysis (or Fisher’s exact test), Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Wilcoxin signed-rank test. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with hyponatraemia. Results Of the total 1000 patients, 217 (21.7%) developed post-operative hyponatraemia. Of these, 177 (81.6%) had mild (Na 130–134 mmol/L), 37 (17.1%) had moderate (Na 125–129 mmol/L), and 3 (1.4%) had severe (Na < 125 mmol/L) hyponatraemia. In multivariate analysis, age, pre-operative Na, and fasting glucose on day 1 remained significantly associated with having hyponatraemia post-operatively. There were no significant differences in reattendance at emergency departments and/or readmission within 90 days between those who had post-operative hyponatraemia whilst in hospital (39/217 = 18.0%) and those who did not (103/783 = 13.2%), or between those who were discharged with hyponatraemia (18/108 = 16.7%) and those discharged with normal Na (124/880 = 14.1%). Conclusion Approximately one fifth of elective joint arthroplasty patients had post-operative hyponatraemia. In these patients, older age, lower pre-operative Na and higher fasting glucose predicted post-operative hyponatraemia. We found no evidence that those discharged with hyponatraemia had more reattendance at emergency departments or readmission to hospital. We suggest that otherwise well patients with mild hyponatraemia can safely be discharged and followed up in the community.

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