Warfarin Versus Warfarin and Dipyridamole on the Incidence of Arterial Throms Embolism in Prosthetic Heart Valve Patients

Author(s):  
S.M. Rajah ◽  
N. Sreeharan ◽  
S. Rao ◽  
D.A. Watson

The effect of Warfarin (W) was compared with a combination of Warfarin and Dipyridamole (W+D) on the incidence of arterial thrombo-embolism in patients with prosthetic heart valves in a prospective randomised study. Sixty-four and 53 patients were allocated to W and W+D. The two groups were comparable as regards age, sex, arrhythmias and site and type of valves. The dose of W was determined by regular monitoring of prothrombin ratio 0.9 - 3) and that of D by monitoring serum D levels to between 2 and 4 μmol/l. The mean period of follow-up was 26.98 months (range 1 to 36) for W and 22.02 months (range 1 to 36) for W+D. Six patients in W and 1 in W+D developed arterial thrombo-embolic episodes giving an incidence of 0.0035 per patient month for W and 0.0009 per patient month for W+D. An actuarial analysis of the yearly incidence of thrombo-embolism confirmed the superiority of W+D over W. Of the 6 failures in W, 5 were in sinus rhythm and 1 in atrial fibrillation and all had cerebral embolic episodes. The failure in W+D was a patient in atrial fibrillation who died suddenly 6 weeks after surgery and the post-mortem showed clots on both mitral and aortic prostheses.

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e033712
Author(s):  
José Miguel Rivera-Caravaca ◽  
Francisco Marín ◽  
María Asunción Esteve-Pastor ◽  
Josefa Gálvez ◽  
Gregory Y.H. Lip ◽  
...  

IntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) is characterised by a high stroke risk. Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are the most commonly used oral anticoagulants (OACs) in Spain, but their efficacy and safety depend on the time in therapeutic range of International Normalized Ratio (INR) 2.0–3.0 over 65%–70%. Unfortunately, the difficulties of maintaining an optimal level of anticoagulation and the complications of VKAs (particularly haemorrhagic ones), frequently lead to cessation of this therapy, which has been associated with higher risk of adverse events (AEs), including ischaemic stroke. Our aims are as follows: (1) to evaluate the quality of oral anticoagulation with VKAs, the prevalence of poor quality of anticoagulation, and to identify factors predisposing to poor quality anticoagulation; and (2) to identify patients who will stop OAC and to investigate what factors influence the decision of OAC withdrawal.Methods and analysisProspective observational cohort study including outpatients newly diagnosed with AF and naïve for OACs from July 2016 to June 2018 in an anticoagulation clinic. Patients with prosthetic heart valves, rheumatic mitral valves or valvular AF will be excluded. Follow-up will extend for up to 3 years. During this period, the INR results and changes in the anticoagulant therapy will be recorded, as well as all AEs, or any other information that would be relevant to the proper conduct of research.Ethics and disseminationAll patients were informed about the nature and purpose of the study, and the protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hospital General Universitario Morales Meseguer (reference: EST:20/16). This is an observational study focusing on ‘real life’ practice and therefore all treatments and follow-up will be performed in accordance to the routine clinical practice with no specific interventions or visits. The results of our study will be disseminated by presentations at national and international meetings, and publications in peer-reviewed journals.


1977 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Baele ◽  
E. Matthys ◽  
G. De Cock ◽  
M. Thiery ◽  
F. Barbier

Antithrombin III (AT III) activity was assayed on heat defibrinated plasma using a synthetic chromogenic substrate, benzoyl-Phe-Val-Arg-p. nitroanilide. AT III activity in 30 normal subjects averaged 95% ± 18 (± 1 SD). As AT III is synthesized in the liver, we measured its activity in 72 samples from 44 patients with hepatic cirrhosis. The mean activity (49% ± 23) was significantly lower than in the control group. AT III activity was also measured in 32 patients with prosthetic heart valves receiving sodium warfarin therapy. The mean activity in this group (90% ± 23) fell in the normal range. It also did not differ significantly from the mean activity (95% ± 29) in a similar (matched for sex and age) group of 32 subjects, also treated with sodium warfarin but for other reasons than bearing a prosthetic heart valve. As low AT III levels have been reported in women using a combined oral contraceptive, we also measured AT III in 19 women receiving trimonthly injections of 150 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate as contraception. AT III levels in this group of women (102% ± 23) were found to be normal. So the oestrogen in the combined contraceptive may be responsible for the reported fall in serum AT III activity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Melgaard ◽  
T F Overvad ◽  
M Jensen ◽  
P B Nielsen ◽  
G Y H Lip ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) and valvular heart disease (VHD) often coexist. They are independent causes of mortality and morbidity, and both have been associated with risk of thromboembolic events. Historically, the definition of VHD in AF patients has been inconsistent, which led to the proposal of a new classification of AF patients with VHD: the “Evaluated Heartvalves, Rheumatic or Artificial” (EHRA) valve classification, categorizing patients into: EHRA Type 1 VHD and EHRA Type 2 VHD. EHRA Type 1 VHD comprises AF patients with mitral stenosis (moderate-severe, of rheumatic origin) or a mechanical prosthetic valve replacement. EHRA Type 2 VHD includes AF patients with any other heart valve disease or a bioprosthetic valve replacement. The thromboembolic risk in this latter heterogeneous group is uncertain and, thus, identifying clinically relevant predictors of thromboembolism will facilitate more individualized risk stratification and identify high-risk subgroups, thereby, optimize prevention strategies. Purpose In a large nationwide cohort study, we aimed to identify clinically relevant predictors of thromboembolism in AF patients with EHRA Type 2 VHD. Methods We conducted a cohort study of AF patients with co-existing EHRA Type 2 VHD, identified by ICD-10 codes using record linkage between nationwide registries in Denmark from 2000 through 2018. Time-to-event analysis was applied to describe the association between EHRA Type 2 VHD and risk of thromboembolism. We used a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model with time since incident AF diagnosis as the underlying time axis to estimate predictors of the outcome at 5-years of follow-up. Parameters included were clinically relevant risk factors, statin therapy, antithrombotic therapy, and time since VHD diagnosis. Results A total of 27,254 patients with EHRA Type 2 VHD was identified. After 5 years of follow-up, the rate of thromboembolism was 3.27 per 100 person-years. History of thromboembolism (HR: 4.85, 95% CI: 4.43–5.31) and age ≥75 (HR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.70–2.28) were the strongest predictors of thromboembolism, but age 65–74, female sex, vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia/hypercholesterolemia, history of bleeding, and increasing CHA2DS2-VASc score were also independent predictors [Figure]. Predictors of thromboembolism Conclusion Among AF patients with VHD beyond mitral stenosis and mechanical prosthetic heart valves, the rate of thromboembolism is high after 5 years of follow-up. The strongest clinically relevant predictors of thromboembolism are history of thromboembolism and age ≥75. Future studies examining the optimal antithrombotic prevention strategy for EHRA Type 2 VHD are encouraged. Acknowledgement/Funding The study was supported by “The BMS/Pfizer European Thrombosis Investigator Initiated Research Program 2018 (ERISTA)” and the Obel Family Foundation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Hamatani ◽  
M Iguchi ◽  
Y Aono ◽  
K Ishigami ◽  
S Ikeda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of death, stroke/systemic embolism and heart failure (HF). Plasma natriuretic peptide (NP) level is an important prognostic marker in HF patients. However, little is known regarding the prognostic significance of plasma NP level in AF patients without HF. Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between plasma NP level and clinical outcomes such as all-cause death, stroke/systemic embolism and HF hospitalization during follow-up period in AF patients without HF. Methods The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of AF patients in our city. The inclusion criterion of the registry is the documentation of AF at 12-lead electrocardiogram or Holter monitoring at any time, and there are no exclusion criteria. We started to enroll patients from March 2011, and follow-up data were available for 4,466 patients by the end of November 2019. From the registry, we excluded 1,220 patients without a pre-existing HF (defined as having one of the following; prior hospitalization for HF, New York Heart Association class ≥2, or left ventricular ejection fraction <40%). Among 3,246 AF patients without HF, we investigated 1,189 patients with the data of plasma BNP (n=401) or N-terminal pro-BNP (n=788) level at the enrollment. We divided the patients according to the quartile of each plasma BNP or NT-pro BNP level and compared the backgrounds and outcomes between these 4 groups stratified by plasma NP level. Results Of 1,189 patients, the mean age was 72.1±10.2 years, 454 (38%) were female and 684 (58%) were paroxysmal AF. The mean CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc score were 1.6±1.1 and 2.9±1.5, respectively. Oral anticoagulants were prescribed in 671 (56%) at baseline. The median (interquartile range) BNP and N-terminal pro-BNP level were 84 (38, 176) and 500 (155, 984) pg/ml, respectively. Patients with high plasma NP level were older, and demonstrated lower prevalence of paroxysmal AF, higher CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores and higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease and oral anticoagulants prescription (all P<0.01). A total of 165 all-cause death, 114 stroke/systemic embolism and 103 HF hospitalization occurred during the median follow-up period of 5.0 years. Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that higher plasma NP level was significantly associated with the incidences of all-cause death, stroke/systemic embolism and HF hospitalization in AF patients without HF (Figure 1A). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that plasma NP level could stratify the risk of clinical outcomes even after adjustment by type of AF, CHA2DS2-VASc score, chronic kidney disease and oral anticoagulant prescription (Figure 1B). Conclusion Plasma NP level is a significant prognostic marker for all-cause death, stroke/systemic embolism and HF hospitalization in AF patients without HF, suggesting the importance of measuring plasma NP level in AF patients even without HF. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


1998 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 617-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
PATRICK R. HUNZIKER ◽  
BERNHARD SPÖNDLIN ◽  
STEPHAN HEDIGER ◽  
DIETER BURCKHARDT ◽  
WOLFGANG BRETT ◽  
...  

2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 831-836
Author(s):  
A. S. Gerasimenko ◽  
O. V. Shatalova ◽  
V. S. Gorbatenko ◽  
V. I. Petrov

Aim. To study the frequency of prescribing antithrombotic agents in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in real clinical practice, to evaluate changes of prescriptions from 2012 till 2020.Material and methods. The medical records of inpatients (Form 003/y) with the diagnosis AF, hospitalized in the cardiological department were analyzed. According to the inclusion criteria, the patients were over 18 years of age, established diagnosis of non-valvular AF. There were two exclusion criteria: congenital and acquired valvular heart disease and prosthetic heart valves. In retrospective analysis we have included 263 case histories in 2012, 502 ones in 2016 and 524 in 2020. CHA2DS2-VASc score was used for individual stroke risk assessment in AF. The rational use of the antithrombotic therapy was evaluated according with current clinical practice guidelines at analyzing moment.Results. During period of observation the frequency of antiplatelet therapy significantly decreased from 25,5% to 5,5% (р<0.001), decreased the frequency of administration of warfarin from 71,9% to 18,3% (р<0.001). The frequency of use of direct oral anticoagulants increased in 2020 compared to 2016 (р<0.001). For patients with a high risk of stroke anticoagulant therapy was administered in 71.8% of cases in 2012, 88.5% in 2016 and 92.5% in 2020. Before discharge from hospital majority of patients (72%) achieved a desired minimum international normalized ratio (INR) from 2.0 to 3.0 in 2012. In 2016 and 2020 an only 33% and 40.6% of patients achieved INR (2.0-3.0).Conclusion. Doctors have become more committed to following clinical guidelines during the period of the investigation. In 2020 antithrombotic therapy for atrial fibrillation was suitable according to current clinical guidelines.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Ding ◽  
Jing Xu ◽  
Wei Ma ◽  
Bingwei Chen ◽  
Peigen Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background : The optimal dosage for cryoablation of atrial fibrillation (Cryo-AF) is still unknown. To evaluate the efficacy of an individualized freeze duration, we compared the clinical outcome of patients treated with a time-to-pulmonary vein isolation (TT-PVI) or temperature-guided ablation protocol to the outcome of patients treated with a conventional ablation protocol. Methods: A total of 164 consecutive patients were included in the study. One method employed was a conventional dosing protocol (at least 2 applications of 180 seconds each)(the Cryo-AF Conventional group n=84), and the second method had a shorter protocol that was based on the TT-PVI or achievement of -40°C within 60 seconds (the Cryo-AF Dosing group n=80). Results: We treated 656 pulmonary veins (PVs) with 1420 cryotherapy applications. The mean number of applications per patient was 8.7±0.8, with no difference between groups (Cryo-AF Conventional , 8.7±0.8 versus Cryo-AF Dosing ,8.6±0.8; P =0.359). The Cryo-AF Dosing group required significantly less total cryotherapy application time (990.60±137.77versus 1501.58±89.60 seconds; P <0.001) and left atrial dwell time (69.91±6.91 versus 86.48±7.03 minutes; P <0.001) than the Cryo-AF Conventional group. Additionally, the Cryo-AF Dosing group required significantly less total procedure time (95.03±6.50 versus 112.43±7.11 minutes; P <0.001). We observed acute ATP-induced or spontaneous vein electric reconnections in 13 veins (1.98%) after 20 minutes. The reconnection rates between the Cryo-AF Conventional and Cryo-AF Dosing groups were similar in that 2.98% and 0.94% of the initially isolated veins were reconnected, respectively, ( P =0.061). There was no difference in the recurrence rate of free atrial arrhythmia after a 1-year follow-up, which were 78.75% in the Cryo-AF Dosing group versus 78.57% in the Cryo-AF Conventional group ( P =0.978). Conclusion: A novel Cryo-AF dosing protocol guided by temperature or the TT-PVI can be used to individualize an ablation strategy. This new protocol can lead to a significant reduction in duration of the procedure, the cryoenergy dosage and the left atrial dwell time. The procedure had equal safety and similar acute and 1-year follow-up outcomes compared to the conventional approach.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Othman Smadi ◽  
Anas Abdelkarim ◽  
Samer Awad ◽  
Thakir D. Almomani

The prosthetic heart valve is vulnerable to dysfunction after surgery, thus a frequent assessment is required. Doppler electrocardiography and its quantitative parameters are commonly used to assess the performance of the prosthetic heart valves and provide detailed information on the interaction between the heart chambers and related prosthetic valves, allowing early detection of complications. However, in the case of the presence of subaortic stenosis, the accuracy of Doppler has not been fully investigated in previous studies and guidelines. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the accuracy of the parameters in such cases to get early detection, and a proper treatment plan for the patient, at the right time. In the current study, a CFD simulation was performed for the blood flow through a Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valve (BMHV) with concomitant obstruction in the Left Ventricle Outflow Tract (LVOT). The current study explores the impact of the presence of the subaortic on flow patterns. It also investigates the accuracy of (BMHV) evaluation using Doppler parameters, as proposed in the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) guidelines.


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