Regular exercise after a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and lower risks of cardiovascular disease: a nationwide population-based study

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
H.J Ahn ◽  
S.R Lee ◽  
E.K Choi ◽  
K.D Han ◽  
J.H Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Regular Exercise ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Before And After ◽  
New Diagnosis ◽  
Drop Outs

Abstract Introduction There is a paucity of information about cardiovascular impacts related to the change of exercise habit after a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to investigate the influence of exercise on the risk of cardiovascular outcomes, such as ischemic stroke, heart failure (HF), and all-cause death, in patients with AF. Methods We included 66,692 patients with newly diagnosed AF (36.4% female, mean age 59.5 years, mean CHA2DS2-VASc 1.9) who underwent two serial health examinations before and after diagnosis of AF from 2010 to 2016, as provided by Korean National Health Insurance Corporation. The individuals self-reported a degree and frequency of exercise by questionnaires and doing vigorous physical activities ≥3 times/week or moderate physical activities ≥5 times/week was defined as a regular exercise group. The study population was divided into four categories according to the status of regular exercise before and after AF diagnosis: persistent non-exerciser (64.0%), new exerciser (13.4%), exercise drop-outs (12.5%), and exercise maintainer (10.1%). The primary outcomes were ischemic stroke, HF, and all-cause death during the follow-up. Results During a median 3.4 years follow-up, ischemic stroke, HF, and all-cause death occurred in 1905, 13112, and 2627 patients, respectively (incidence rates 8.5, 64.8, and 11.5 per 1,000 person-years, respectively). The change in exercise habits did not have a significant association with the risk of ischemic stroke (Figure 1). Regarding HF, those who newly initiated or maintained exercise after AF diagnosis showed a lower risk than those who do not exercise: hazard ratio, HR 0.93; 95% confidence interval, CI [0.88 to 0.98] and 0.90 [0.85 to 0.96] for each group, all p<0.001. Any experience of exercise involvement was associated with a lower risk of mortality than those without exercise: HR 0.76 [0.68–0.87] for new exerciser, 0.87 [0.78–0.98] for exercise drop-outs, and 0.62 [0.53–0.73] for exercise maintainer, all p<0.0001. Conclusions Patients who started or continued exercising after a new diagnosis of AF showed a lower risk of HF and mortality, but did not show an association with ischemic stroke. Regular exercise might improve the cardiovascular outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed AF. Figure 1. CV impacts of exercise on AF patients Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Regular exercise is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia in patients with a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation: a nationwide population-based study

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J.H Lim ◽  
S.R Lee ◽  
E.K Choi ◽  
J.P Yun ◽  
H.J Ahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Alzheimer’S Dementia ◽  
P Value ◽  
Regular Exercise ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Exercise Habit ◽  
New Diagnosis

Abstract Introduction Regular exercise is known to decrease the risk of dementia. There is a paucity of information about the impact of the change of exercise habit on cardiovascular outcomes after a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to investigate whether regular exercise is associated with the risk of developing dementia in patients with AF. Methods Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we enrolled patients with newly diagnosed AF who had undergone health screening between 2010 and 2016. The study population was divided into four groups based on the consistency of regular exercise before and after AF diagnosis: (1) persistent non-exerciser, (2) exercise starter, (3) exercise quitter, and (4) exercise maintainer. We investigated the association between exercise and the risk of dementia. Results A total of 126,555 patients were included (mean age 62.7 years, male 62.0%, and mean CHA2DS2-VASc Score 2.7). During a median follow-up duration of 3.0 years, 5,943 patients were newly diagnosed as dementia (1.57 per 100 person-years). Among patients with incident dementia, 4,410 patients had Alzheimer's dementia and 951 patients had vascular dementia (1.16 and 0.25 per 100 person-years, respectively). Persistent non-exerciser, exercise starter, quitter, and maintainer groups were 65.1%, 12.8%, 12.7%, and 9.4%, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, we found that exercise was associated with a lower risk of developing overall dementia. When compared to persistent non-exerciser, exercise starter and maintainer showed reduced risk of developing dementia (hazard ratio [HR] 0.80, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.73–0.88 and HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.54–0.73, respectively, all p-value <0.0001), but exercise quitter showed no significant risk reduction (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.88–1.03, Figure). Alzheimer's dementia showed consistent results: a 20% lower risk with exercise starter, and a 37% lower risk with exercise maintainer. Change of exercise habit, however, did not affect the risk of vascular dementia (all, p-value >0.05, Figure). Conclusions Regular exercise showed a lower risk of dementia in patients with new-onset AF. Starting exercise even after the diagnosis of AF was beneficial to patients who had little physical activity previously. These findings may support physicians to recommend that AF patients should start exercise or keep their physical activity to reduce the risk of dementia. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Exercise and the Risk of Dementia in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 3126
Author(s):  
Jaehyun Lim ◽  
So-Ryoung Lee ◽  
Eue-Keun Choi ◽  
Kyung-Do Han ◽  
Jin-Hyung Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Incident Dementia ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Korean National Health Insurance ◽  
New Diagnosis ◽  
New Onset

Background: It is unclear whether exercise would reduce dementia in patients with a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between the change in physical activity (PA) before and after new-onset AF and the risk of incident dementia. Methods: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we enrolled a total of 126,555 patients with newly diagnosed AF between 2010 and 2016, who underwent health examinations within two years before and after their diagnosis of AF. The patients were divided into four groups: persistent non-exercisers, exercise starters, exercise quitters, and exercise maintainers. Results: Based on a total of 396,503 person-years of follow-up, 5943 patients were diagnosed with dementia. Compared to persistent non-exercisers, exercise starters (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81–0.94), and exercise maintainers (aHR 0.66; 95% CI 0.61–0.72) showed a lower risk of incident dementia; however, the risk was similar in exercise quitters (aHR 0.98; 95% CI 0.92–1.05) (p-trend < 0.001). There was a J-shaped relationship between the dose of exercise and the risk of dementia, with the risk reduction maximized at 5–6 times per week of moderate-to-vigorous PA among exercise starters. Conclusion: Patients who initiated or continued regular exercise after diagnosis of AF were associated with a lower risk of dementia than persistent non-exercisers, with no risk reduction associated with exercise cessation. Our findings may provide evidence for the benefit of exercise prescription to patients with new-onset AF to prevent incident dementia regardless of their current exercise status.

scholarly journals Association between exercise habits and stroke, heart failure, and mortality in Korean patients with incident atrial fibrillation: A nationwide population-based cohort study

PLoS Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. e1003659
Author(s):  
Hyo-Jeong Ahn ◽  
So-Ryoung Lee ◽  
Eue-Keun Choi ◽  
Kyung-Do Han ◽  
Jin-Hyung Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Health Examination ◽  
Regular Exercise ◽  
Exercise Habits ◽  
Before And After

Background There is a paucity of information about cardiovascular outcomes related to exercise habit change after a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the association between exercise habits after a new AF diagnosis and ischemic stroke, heart failure (HF), and all-cause death. Methods and findings This is a nationwide population-based cohort study using data from the Korea National Health Insurance Service. A retrospective analysis was performed for 66,692 patients with newly diagnosed AF between 2010 and 2016 who underwent 2 serial health examinations within 2 years before and after their AF diagnosis. Individuals were divided into 4 categories according to performance of regular exercise, which was investigated by a self-reported questionnaire in each health examination, before and after their AF diagnosis: persistent non-exercisers (30.5%), new exercisers (17.8%), exercise dropouts (17.4%), and exercise maintainers (34.2%). The primary outcomes were incidence of ischemic stroke, HF, and all-cause death. Differences in baseline characteristics among groups were balanced considering demographics, comorbidities, medications, lifestyle behaviors, and income status. The risks of the outcomes were computed by weighted Cox proportional hazards models with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) during a mean follow-up of 3.4 ± 2.0 years. The new exerciser and exercise maintainer groups were associated with a lower risk of HF compared to the persistent non-exerciser group: the hazard ratios (HRs) (95% CIs) were 0.95 (0.90–0.99) and 0.92 (0.88–0.96), respectively (p < 0.001). Also, performing exercise any time before or after AF diagnosis was associated with a lower risk of mortality compared to persistent non-exercising: the HR (95% CI) was 0.82 (0.73–0.91) for new exercisers, 0.83 (0.74–0.93) for exercise dropouts, and 0.61 (0.55–0.67) for exercise maintainers (p < 0.001). For ischemic stroke, the estimates of HRs were 10%–14% lower in patients of the exercise groups, yet differences were statistically insignificant (p = 0.057). Energy expenditure of 1,000–1,499 MET-min/wk (regular moderate exercise 170–240 min/wk) was consistently associated with a lower risk of each outcome based on a subgroup analysis of the new exerciser group. Study limitations include recall bias introduced due to the nature of the self-reported questionnaire and restricted external generalizability to other ethnic groups. Conclusions Initiating or continuing regular exercise after AF diagnosis was associated with lower risks of HF and mortality. The promotion of exercise might reduce the future risk of adverse outcomes in patients with AF.

scholarly journals Risk of dementia according to smoking cessation after newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation: a nationwide cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H J Lee ◽  
S R Lee ◽  
E K Choi ◽  
J H Jung ◽  
K D Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Alzheimer’S Dementia ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Incident Dementia ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Never Smokers ◽  
New Onset

Abstract Background Incident atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of dementia. There are limited data about the impact of smoking cessation after AF diagnosis on the risk of incident dementia. Purpose To evaluate the association between changes in smoking status after newly diagnosed AF and the risk of dementia. Methods Among patients with new-onset AF between 2010 and 2016, those who received a national health checkup exam within 2 years before and after the AF diagnosis were included. Patients who had prevalent dementia were excluded. Subjects were categorized into 4 groups according to the status of smoking before and after AF diagnosis: (1) never smoker; (2) ex-smoker; (3) quit-smoker after AF diagnosis; and (4) current smoker. The primary outcome was incident dementia during follow-up. Results A total of 126,252 patients were included (mean age 63, SD 12.0; men 62%; mean CHA2DS2-VASc 2.7). During a median 3 years of follow-up, dementia occurred in 5,925 patients (1.11 per 1000 person-years [1000PY]) (Alzheimer's dementia 1.5 per 1000 PY and vascular dementia 0.24 per 1000 PY, respectively). Never smokers, ex-smokers, quit-smokers, and current smokers were 52%, 27%, 7%, and 14% of the total study population, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, quit-smokers showed a higher risk of dementia than never smokers (hazard ratio [HR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.32), but the risk was significantly decreased when compared to current smokers (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72–0.95). Alzheimer's dementia and vascular dementia showed consistent results as main (Figure). Conclusion All types of smoking were associated with a significantly higher risk of dementia in patients with new-onset AF. Smoking cessation after AF diagnosis showed a lower risk of dementia compared to patients smoking persistently. These findings may support the promotion of smoking cessation to lower the risk of dementia in patients with new-onset AF. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

scholarly journals Lower risk of stroke after alcohol abstinence in patients with incident atrial fibrillation: a nationwide population-based cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S R Lee ◽  
E K Choi ◽  
J H Jung ◽  
K D Han ◽  
S Oh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Ischaemic Stroke ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Health Examination ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Alcohol Abstinence ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Before And After

Abstract Background In a recent study, alcohol abstinence reduced the atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in patients with AF. However, the relationship between alcohol consumption and incident stroke in patients with AF per se remains unclear. Purpose To evaluate the association between alcohol consumption status (and its changes) after newly diagnosed AF and the risk of ischaemic stroke. Methods Using the Korean nationwide claims and health examination database, we included subjects who were newly diagnosed with AF between 2010 and 2016. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the status of alcohol consumption before and after AF diagnosis: non-drinkers; abstainers from alcohol after AF diagnosis; and current drinkers. The primary outcome was incident ischaemic stroke during follow-up. Results Among a total of 97,869 newly diagnosed AF patients, 51% were non-drinkers, 13% were abstainers, and 36% were current drinkers. After inverse probability of treatment weighting, baseline characteristics of three groups were well-balanced. Compared to current drinkers, abstainers and non-drinkers were associated with a lower risk of ischaemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77–0.96 for abstainers and HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.70–0.81 for non-drinkers, respectively). Amongst current drinkers, there was a dose-response relationship between the amount of alcohol consumption and the risk of ischaemic stroke. Conclusion Current alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke in patients with newly diagnosed AF, and alcohol abstinence after AF diagnosis could reduce the risk of ischaemic stroke. Lifestyle intervention, including attention to alcohol consumption, should be encouraged as a part of a comprehensive approach to AF management to improve clinical outcomes. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

scholarly journals The Number of Concomitant Drugs and the Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Routine Care Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

TH Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 04 (04) ◽  
pp. e417-e426
Author(s):  
Carline J. van den Dries ◽  
Sander van Doorn ◽  
Patrick Souverein ◽  
Romin Pajouheshnia ◽  
Karel G.M. Moons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Major Bleeding ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
P Value ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Mortality Effect

Abstract Background The benefit of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) on major bleeding was less prominent among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with polypharmacy in post-hoc randomized controlled trials analyses. Whether this phenomenon also exists in routine care is unknown. The aim of the study is to investigate whether the number of concomitant drugs prescribed modifies safety and effectiveness of DOACs compared with VKAs in AF patients treated in general practice. Study Design Adult, nonvalvular AF patients with a first DOAC or VKA prescription between January 2010 and July 2018 were included, using data from the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Primary outcome was major bleeding, secondary outcomes included types of major bleeding, nonmajor bleeding, ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality. Effect modification was assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression, stratified for the number of concomitant drugs into three strata (0–5, 6–8, ≥9 drugs), and by including the continuous variable in an interaction term with the exposure (DOAC vs. VKA). Results A total of 63,600 patients with 146,059 person-years of follow-up were analyzed (39,840 person-years of DOAC follow-up). The median age was 76 years in both groups, the median number of concomitant drugs prescribed was 7. Overall, the hazard of major bleeding was similar between VKA-users and DOAC-users (hazard ratio [HR] 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87–1.11), though for apixaban a reduction in major bleeding was observed (HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.68–0.98). Risk of stroke was comparable, while risk of nonmajor bleeding was lower in DOAC users compared with VKA users (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.88–0.97). We did not observe any evidence for an impact of polypharmacy on the relative risk of major bleeding between VKA and DOAC across our predefined three strata of concomitant drug use (p-value for interaction = 0.65). For mortality, however, risk of mortality was highest among DOAC users, increasing with polypharmacy and independent of the type of DOAC prescribed (p-value for interaction <0.01). Conclusion In this large observational, population-wide study of AF patients, risk of bleeding, and ischemic stroke were comparable between DOACs and VKAs, irrespective of the number of concomitant drugs prescribed. In AF patients with increasing polypharmacy, our data appeared to suggest an unexplained yet increased risk of mortality in DOAC-treated patients, compared with VKA recipients.

Association of Dyskalemias with Ischemic Stroke in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Transitioning to Dialysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ankur A. Dashputre ◽  
Keiichi Sumida ◽  
Fridtjof Thomas ◽  
Justin Gatwood ◽  
Oguz Akbilgic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Chronic Exposure ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Acute Exposure ◽  
Continuous Exposure ◽  
Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Hypo- and hyperkalemia are associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke. However, this association has not been examined in an advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> From among 102,477 US veterans transitioning to dialysis between 2007 and 2015, 21,357 patients with 2 pre-dialysis outpatient estimated glomerular filtration rates &#x3c;30 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup> 90–365 days apart and at least 1 potassium (K) each in the baseline and follow-up period were identified. We separately examined the association of both baseline time-averaged K (chronic exposure) and time-updated K (acute exposure) treated as categorized (hypokalemia [K &#x3c;3.5 mEq/L] and hyperkalemia [K &#x3e;5.5 mEq/L] vs. referent [3.5–5.5 mEq/L]) and continuous exposure with time to the first ischemic stroke event prior to dialysis initiation using multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 2,638 (12.4%) ischemic stroke events (crude event rate 41.9 per 1,000 patient years; 95% confidence interval [CI] 40.4–43.6) over a median (Q<sub>1</sub>–Q<sub>3</sub>) follow-up time of 2.56 (1.59–3.89) years were observed. The baseline time-averaged K category of hypokalemia (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 95% CI: 1.35, 1.01–1.81) was marginally associated with a significantly higher risk of ischemic stroke. However, time-updated hyperkalemia was associated with a significantly lower risk of ischemic stroke (aHR, 95% CI: 0.82, 0.68–0.98). The exposure-outcome relationship remained consistent when using continuous K levels for both the exposures. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> In patients with advanced CKD, hypokalemia (chronic exposure) was associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke, whereas hyperkalemia (acute exposure) was associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke. Further studies in this population are needed to explore the mechanisms underlying these associations.

Abstract 176: Long Term Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation According to Location and Burden of Cerebral Microbleeds

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae-Jin Song ◽  
Jinkwon Kim ◽  
Dongbeom Song ◽  
Yong-Jae Kim ◽  
Hyo Suk Nam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Hemorrhagic Stroke ◽  
Independent Predictor ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Long Term Mortality

Background: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) were predictive of mortality in elderly and considered as a putative marker for risk of intracranial hemorrhage. Stroke patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) require anticoagulation, which increases the risk of hemorrhages. We investigated association of CMBs with the long term mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients with NVAF. Methods: During 6 years , consecutive ischemic stroke patients who had NVAF and who had undergone brain MRI with a gradient-recalled echo sequence were enrolled. Long-term mortality and causes of death were identified using data from Korean National Statistical Office. Survival analysis was performed whether the presence, number and location of CMBs were related with all causes, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular mortality during follow-up. Results: Total 506 patients were enrolled during the study period and were followed up for median 2.5 years. CMBs were found in 30.8% of patients (156/506). Oral anticoagulation with warfarin was prescribed at discharge in 477 (82.7%) patients. During follow up, 177 (35%) patients died and cerebrovascular death was noted in 93 patients (81 ischemic stroke and 12 hemorrhagic stroke). After adjusting age, sex and significant variables in univariate analysis (p<0.1), multiple CMBs (≥5) were the independent predictor for all-cause, cardiovascular and ischemic stroke mortalities. The strictly lobar CMBs were associated with hemorrhagic stroke mortality in multivariate Cox regression analysis (HR 4.776, p=0.032) (Figure 1). Conclusions: Multiple CMBs were the independent predictor for the long term mortality in stroke patients with NVAF. Among them, patients with strictly lobar CMBs had a high risk of death due to hemorrhagic stroke. Our findings suggest that detection of CMBs in stroke patients with NVAF are of clinical relevance for predicting long term outcome and that particular concern is necessary in those with strictly lobar CMBs for their increased risk of death due to hemorrhagic stroke. Figure 1.

Abstract MP75: Geographic Variation in Stroke Rates and Oral Anticoagulation Use among Medicare Beneficiaries with Atrial Fibrillation

Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inmaculada Hernandez ◽  
Samir Saba ◽  
Yuting Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
The West ◽  
North Central ◽  
Census Division ◽  
Adjusted Rate ◽  
West North Central

Background: Recent studies have shown strong geographic variation in oral anticoagulation (OAC) use in atrial fibrillation (AF); however, it remains unknown how this contributes to the geographic variation in ischemic stroke observed across the US. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the geographic variation in the initiation of OAC and the incidence of ischemic stroke in a cohort of Medicare beneficiaries newly diagnosed with AF. Methods: Using 2013-2014 claims data from a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries, we identified patients newly diagnosed with AF in 2013-2014 and categorized them according to their initiation of OAC. Our sample included 21,226 OAC initiators and 20,068 patients who did not initiate OAC therapy. We assigned each patient to one of the 9 US Census Divisions using the zip code, and collected their medical claims with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke. We constructed logistic regression models to estimate the average adjusted probability of OAC initiation and Poisson models to estimate the average adjusted rate of ischemic stroke, in each Census Division. Both estimates were adjusted for demographics, eligibility for Medicaid coverage and for low-income subsidy, enrollment in a Medicare Advantage Part D plan, and a comprehensive list of clinical characteristics. We computed the correlation between the average adjusted probability of OAC initiation and the average adjusted rate of ischemic stroke at the Census Division level. Results: The probability of OAC initiation was lowest in the West South Central (0.47) and highest in the West North Central (0.54) and New England (0.54). The average adjusted rate of ischemic stroke was lowest in the West North Central (0.09) and highest in the South Atlantic (0.14) and South West Central (0.14). The average adjusted probability of OAC initiation at the Census Division level and the average adjusted rate of ischemic stroke were inversely correlated, with R=-0.576, p-value=0.10. This suggests that variation in OAC initiation likely explains at least a third of geographic variation in ischemic stroke [R 2 =(-0.576) 2 =0.332]. Conclusions: Our results suggest that geographic variations in OAC initiation within the U.S. explain, in part, variations in the incidence of ischemic stroke among AF patients. Further mechanistic research using advanced causal mediation models is warranted.

Abstract 3681: Early Anticoagulation Is Not Associated With Hemorrhagic Transformation Of Ischemic Stroke In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. B Brouwers ◽  
Svetlana Lorenzano ◽  
Lyndsey H Starks ◽  
David M Greer ◽  
Steven K Feske ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Clinical Data ◽  
Infarct Volume ◽  
Hemorrhagic Transformation ◽  
P Value ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Nihss Score

Purpose: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a common and potentially devastating complication of ischemic stroke, however its prevalence, predictors, and outcome remain unclear. Early anticoagulation is thought to be a risk factor for HT which raises the clinical question when to (re)start anticoagulation in ischemic stroke patients who have a compelling indication, such as atrial fibrillation. We conducted a prospective cohort study to address this question and to identify association of hemorrhagic transformation with outcome measures in patients with atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study which enrolled consecutive patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke presenting to a single center over a three-year period. As part of the observational study, baseline clinical data and stroke characteristics as well as 3 month functional outcome were collected. For this sub-study, we restricted the analysis to subjects diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. CT and MRI scans were reviewed by experienced readers, blinded to clinical data, to assess for hemorrhagic transformation (using ECASS 2 criteria), microbleeds and infarct volumes in both admission and follow-up scans. Clinical and outcome data were analyzed for association with hemorrhagic transformation. Results: Of 94 patients, 63 had a history of atrial fibrillation (67.0%) and 31 had newly discovered atrial fibrillation (33.0%). We identified HT in 3 of 94 baseline scans (3.2%) and 22 of 48 follow-up scans (45.8%) obtained a median of 3 days post-stroke. In-hospital initiation of either anti-platelet (n = 36; OR 0.34 [95% CI 0.10-1.16], p-value = 0.09) or anticoagulation with unfractionated intravenous heparin or low molecular weight heparin (n = 72; OR 0.25 [95% CI 0.06-1.15], p-value = 0.08) was not associated with HT. Initial NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (median 13.0 [IQR 15.0] vs. 7.0 [IQR 10.0], p-value = 0.029) and baseline infarct volume (median 17 [IQR 42.03] vs. 5 [IQR 10.95], p-value = 0.011) were significantly higher in patients with HT compared to those without. Hemorrhagic transformation was associated with a significantly higher 48-hour median NIHSS score (20 [IQR 3.0] vs. 2 [IQR 3.25], p-value = 0.007) and larger final infarct volume (81.40 [IQR 82.75] vs. 9.95 [IQR 19.73], p-value < 0.001). Finally, we found a trend towards poorer 3-month modified Rankin Scale scores in subjects with HT (OR 11.25 [95% CI 0.97-130.22], p-value = 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with atrial fibrillation, initial NIHSS score and baseline infarct volume are associated with hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke. Early initiation of antithrombotic therapy was not associated with hemorrhagic transformation. Patients with hemorrhagic transformation were found to have a poorer short and long term outcome and larger final infarct volumes.

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