Preventing bleeding and thromboembolic complications in atrial fibrillation patients undergoing surgery

Neurologists feel uneasy when asked about temporary anticoagulant interruption for surgery in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Rational decisions can be made based on current scientific evidence. Method Critical review of international guidelines and selected references pertaining to bleeding and thromboembolism during periods of oral anticoagulant interruption. Results Withholding oral anticoagulants leads to an increased risk of perioperative thromboembolism, depending on factors such as age, renal and liver function, previous ischemic events, heart failure etc. Surgeries are associated with a variable risk of bleeding - from minimal to very high. Individualized decisions about preoperative drug suspension, bridging therapy with heparin and time to restart oral anticoagulants after hemostasis can significantly reduce these opposing risks. Conclusion Rational decisions can be made after discussion with all Health care team professionals involved and consideration of patient fears and expectations. Formal written protocols should help managing antithrombotic treatment during this delicate period.

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Prevalence of Valvular and Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation and the Application of Antithrombotic Treatment in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.5113 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 58 (231) ◽

Author(s):

Sahadeb Prasad Dhungana ◽

Rinku Ghimire

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Risk Stratification ◽

Tertiary Care Hospital ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

International Normalized Ratio ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Clinical Practices ◽

Antithrombotic Treatment ◽

Increased Risk

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation is a common atrial tachyarrhythmia with an increased risk of thromboembolism. This study aims to provide information about the application of antithrombotic treatment based on risk stratification schemes for stroke in real-life clinical practices. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in 260 patients admitted at the tertiary care hospital with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation from January 2019 to February 2020 after approval from the Institutional Review Committee (ref. no. 207/2018). Convenient sampling was used. Predisposing conditions for atrial fibrillation, risk factors for stroke, and the use of antithrombotics were obtained based on the pre-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Results: The prevalence of valvular and non-valvular atrial fibrillation was 125 (48.0%), and 135 (51.9%) respectively. Among patients with a non-valvular variant, 102 (75.5%) had a CHA2DS2VASC score of ≥ 2 who were eligible for oral anticoagulants, 13 (9.6 %) patients received it with a majority having sub-therapeutic international normalized ratio. Among patients with valvular type, only 47 (37.6%) patients were receiving oral anticoagulants and 20 (42.5%) patients achieved therapeutic international normalized ratio. Two hundred forty three (93.4%) patients had dilated left atrium (≥40mm), 119 (45.9%) had hypertension and 27 (10.3%) had diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: Antithrombotics were markedly underused in patients with atrial fibrillation. There is a need for proper application of risk stratification schemes for stroke and appropriate use of antithrombotics to prevent thromboembolism.

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Abstract 16732: Urinary 11-Dehydro-Thromboxane B2 is Associated With Vascular and Non-Vascular Events in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.130.suppl_2.16732 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽

Author(s):

Daniele Pastori ◽

Pasquale Pignatelli ◽

Roberto Cangemi ◽

William Hiatt ◽

Alessio Farcomeni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cardiovascular Events ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Cardiovascular Death ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Thromboxane B2 ◽

Vascular Events ◽

Residual Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Anticoagulated Patients

Introduction: Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (AF) patients show high residual cardiovascular risk despite oral anticoagulants. Urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (TxB2) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, but its predictive value in anticoagulated AF patients is unknown. Hypothesis: Aim of this was to assess whether urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2 is a predictor of cardiovascular events in anticoagulated patients with AF. Methods: Prospective single-center cohort study, including 864 consecutive AF patients. Mean time of follow-up was 30.0 months yielding 2062 person-years of observation. Urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2 was measured at baseline. The primary end-point was the composite of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, cardiac revascularization, cardiovascular death and deaths from any cause. Results: Cardiovascular events occurred in 98 (11.3%), whilst 81 patients died (9.4%), including 55 from cardiovascular and 26 from non-cardiovascular causes. At baseline, urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2 levels were higher in patients who experienced a cardiovascular event (p<0.001). An increased rate of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death and all-cause death was observed across tertiles of 11-dehydro-TxB2 (p<0.001). On Cox proportional hazards analysis, CHA2DS2-VASc score, second and third tertile of 11-dehydro-TxB2, compared to the first tertile, were significant predictors of vascular and non-vascular events. On a logistic regression analysis, 11-dehydro-TxB2 levels progressively increase with increasing CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Conclusions: Urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2 predicts residual risk of cardiovascular events in anticoagulated atrial fibrillation patients. Urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2 progressively increases with increasing CHA2DS2-VASc score suggesting that anticoagulated patients with high CHA2DS2-VASc score may need additional antithrombotic strategies.

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Should the Presence or Extent of Coronary Artery Disease be Quantified in the CHA2DS2-VASc Score in Atrial Fibrillation? A Report from the Western Denmark Heart Registry

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1675401 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 118 (12) ◽

pp. 2162-2170 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Kamilla Steensig ◽

Kevin Olesen ◽

Troels Thim ◽

Jens Nielsen ◽

Svend Jensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Coronary Artery Disease ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Coronary Angiography ◽

Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Independent Risk Factor ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Artery Disease

Background Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have an increased risk of ischaemic stroke. The risk can be predicted by the CHA2DS2-VASc score, in which the vascular component refers to previous myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease and aortic plaque, whereas coronary artery disease (CAD) is not included. Objectives This article explores whether CAD per se or extent provides independent prognostic information of future stroke among patients with AF. Materials and Methods Consecutive patients with AF and coronary angiography performed between 2004 and 2012 were included. The endpoint was a composite of ischaemic stroke, transient ischaemic attack and systemic embolism. The risk of ischaemic events was estimated according to the presence and extent of CAD. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated in reference to patients without CAD and adjusted for parameters included in the CHA2DS2-VASc score and treatment with anti-platelet agents and/or oral anticoagulants. Results Of 96,430 patients undergoing coronary angiography, 12,690 had AF. Among patients with AF, 7,533 (59.4%) had CAD. Mean follow-up was 3 years. While presence of CAD was an independent risk factor for the composite endpoint (adjusted IRR, 1.25; 1.06–1.47), extent of CAD defined as 1-, 2-, 3- or diffuse vessel disease did not add additional independent risk information. Conclusion Presence, but not extent, of CAD was an independent risk factor of the composite thromboembolic endpoint beyond the components already included in the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Consequently, we suggest that significant angiographically proven CAD should be included in the vascular disease criterion in the CHA2DS2-VASc score.

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Oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation with valvular heart disease and bioprosthetic heart valves

Heart ◽

10.1136/heartjnl-2019-314767 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 105 (18) ◽

pp. 1432-1436 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Aaqib H Malik ◽

Srikanth Yandrapalli ◽

Wilbert S Aronow ◽

Julio A Panza ◽

Howard A Cooper

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Major Bleeding ◽

Valvular Heart Disease ◽

Heart Valves ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Cardiac Events ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Randomised Controlled

ObjectiveCurrent guidelines endorse the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, little is known about their safety and efficacy in valvular heart disease (VHD). Similarly, there is a paucity of data regarding NOACs use in patients with a bioprosthetic heart valve (BPHV). We, therefore, performed a network meta-analysis in the subgroups of VHD and meta-analysis in patients with a BPHV.MethodsPubMed, Cochrane and Embase were searched for randomised controlled trials. Summary effects were estimated by the random-effects model. The outcomes of interest were a stroke or systemic embolisation (SSE), myocardial infarction (MI), all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiac events, major bleeding and intracranial haemorrhage (ICH).ResultsIn patients with VHD, rivaroxaban was associated with more ICH and major bleeding than other NOACs, while edoxaban 30 mg was associated with least major bleeding. Data combining all NOACs showed a significant reduction in SSE, MI and ICH (0.70, [0.57 to 0.85; p<0.001]; 0.70 [0.50 to 0.99; p<0.002]; and 0.46 [0.24 to 0.86; p<0.01], respectively). Analysis of 280 patients with AF and a BPHV showed similar outcomes with NOACs and warfarin.ConclusionsNOACs performed better than warfarin for a reduction in SSE, MI and ICH in patients with VHD. Individually NOACs performed similarly to each other except for an increased risk of ICH and major bleeding with rivaroxaban and a reduced risk of major bleeding with edoxaban 30 mg. In patients with a BPHV, results with NOACs seem similar to those with warfarin and this needs to be further explored in larger studies.

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Problems of Cardioembolic Stroke Primary and Secondary Prevention in the Latvian Population / Kardioemboliska Cerebrāla Infarkta Primārās un Sekundārās Profilakses Problēmas Latvijā

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences Section B Natural Exact and Applied Sciences ◽

10.1515/prolas-2015-0029 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 69 (5) ◽

pp. 199-204

Author(s):

Kristaps Jurjāns ◽

Santa Sabeļnikova ◽

Evija Miglāne ◽

Baiba Luriņa ◽

Oskars Kalējs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Secondary Prevention ◽

Patient Group ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Antiplatelet Agents ◽

Cardioembolic Stroke ◽

University Hospital ◽

Primary And Secondary Prevention ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Very High

Abstract Atrial fibrillation is one of major risk factors of cerebral infarction. The use of oral anticoagulants is the only evidence-based method of reducing the risk of cardioembolic accidents. The guidelines of oral anticoagulant admission and usage have been available since 2012. The results of this study show that of 550 stroke patients that were admitted to Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Rīga, Latvia, from 1 January 2014 until 1 July 2014, atrial fibrillation was diagnosed in 247 (45%) cases, and of these patients, only 8.5% used oral anticoagulants before the onset of stroke. Six months after discharge of 111 (44.9%) stroke survivors, five (4.5%) used no secondary prevention medication, 27 (24.3%) used antiplatelet agents, 54 (48.6%) warfarin, and 25 (22.5%) used target specific oral anticoagulants (TSOACs). The mortality rate was significantly higher in the patient group that used no secondary prevention medication or antiplatelet agents compared to the patient group that used oral anticoagulants. The use of oral anticoagulants for primary stroke prevention in Latvia is insufficient. The mortality of cardioembolic stroke in 180 days is very high - 40.4%. Secondary prevention is essential to prevent recurrent cardioembolic accidents.

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Anticoagulation in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease and Atrial Fibrillation: Confusion, Concerns and Consequences

Journal of Stroke ◽

10.5853/jos.2020.01886 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 306-316

Author(s):

Narender Goel ◽

Deepika Jain ◽

Danny B. Haddad ◽

Divya Shanbhogue

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Renal Disease ◽

End Stage Renal Disease ◽

Clinical Decision Making ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Stage Renal Disease ◽

End Stage ◽

Esrd Patients

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure and advanced age, along with an increased incidence of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF), thereby increasing the risk for cerebrovascular accidents. Systemic anticoagulation is therefore recommended in patients with ESRD with AF to reduce the risk and complications from thromboembolism. Paradoxically, these patients are at an increased risk of bleeding due to great degree of platelet dysfunction and impaired interaction between platelet and endothelium. Currently, CHA2DS2-VASc and Hypertension, Abnormal liver/kidney function, Stroke, Bleeding, Labile INR, Elderly, Drugs or alcohol (HAS-BLED) are the recommended models for stroke risk stratification and bleeding risk assessment in patients with AF. There is conflicting data regarding benefits and risks of medications such as antiplatelet agents, warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants in ESRD patients with AF. Moreover, there is no randomized controlled trial data to guide the clinical decision making. Hence, a multi-disciplinary approach with annual re-evaluation of treatment goals and risk-benefit assessment has been recommended. In this article, we review the current recommendations with risks and benefits of anticoagulation in patients with ESRD with AF.

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HEMATURIA AND OTHER KINDS OF BLEEDINGS ON NON-VITAMIN K ANTAGONIST ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: AN UPDATED OVERVIEW ON OCCURRENCE, PATHOMECHANISMS AND MANAGEMENT

Wiadomości Lekarskie ◽

10.36740/wlek202011135 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 73 (11) ◽

pp. 2528-2534

Author(s):

Dagmara Wojtowicz ◽

Anna Tomaszuk-Kazberuk ◽

Jolanta Małyszko ◽

Marek Koziński

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Vitamin K ◽

Anticoagulant Activity ◽

Vitamin K Antagonists ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Vitamin K Antagonist ◽

Bleeding Complications ◽

Reversal Agents ◽

Limited Availability ◽

Increased Risk

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are currently recommended for oral anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. In the setting, NOACs effectively prevent from stroke and systemic embolic events. In spite of the favorable safety profile of NOACs when compared with vitamin K antagonists, the use of any kind of anticoagulation is associated with an increased risk of bleeding. However, there is still a lack of direct comparisons of effectiveness and safety among NOACs. The results of indirect comparisons and meta-analyses suggest that the risk of various types of hemorrhagic complications differ among the particular NOACs. Management of bleeding in patients under NOAC therapy can be challenging because of limited availability of antidotes and the lack of routine laboratory test monitoring the NOAC anticoagulant effect. In case of life-threatening or critical site bleeding, reversal of NOAC anticoagulant activity is essential together with immediate implementation of causative treatment. Moreover, some patients on chronic NOAC therapy may require urgent surgery or invasive procedures. Specific reversal agents for NOACs have been developed, i.e. more widely available idarucizumab for the factor IIa inhibitor (dabigatran) and andexanet alfa for the factor Xa inhibitors (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban) with limited availability. This review summarizes the occurrence and management of NOAC-related bleeding complications with a particular emphasis on hematuria.

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P4745Concomitant oral anticoagulant and antidepressant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and risk of stroke and bleeding: a population based cohort study

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehz745.1121 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

J J Komen ◽

P Hjemdahl ◽

A K Mantel - Teeuwisse ◽

O H Klungel ◽

B Wettermark ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Oral Anticoagulant ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Anticoagulant Treatment ◽

Oral Anticoagulant Treatment ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Antidepressant Use

Abstract Background Anticoagulation treatment reduces the risk of stroke but increases the risk of bleeding in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Antidepressants use is associated with increased risk for stroke and bleeds. Objective To assess the association between antidepressant use in AF patients with oral anticoagulants and bleeding and stroke risk. Methods All AF patients newly prescribed with an oral anticoagulant in the Stockholm Healthcare database (n=2.3 million inhabitants) from July 2011 until 2016 were included and followed for one year or shorter if they stopped claiming oral anticoagulant treatment or had an outcome of interest. Outcomes were severe bleeds and strokes, requiring acute hospital care. During follow-up, patients were considered exposed to antidepressant after claiming a prescription for the duration of the prescription. With a time-varying Cox regression, we assessed the association between antidepressant use and strokes and bleeds, adjusting for confounders (i.e., age, sex, comorbidities, comedication, and year of inclusion). In addition, we performed a propensity score matched analysis to test the robustness of our findings. Results Of the 30,595 patients included after claiming a prescription for a NOAC (n=13,506) or warfarin (n=17,089), 4 303 claimed a prescription for an antidepressant during follow-up. A total of 712 severe bleeds and 551 strokes were recorded in the cohort. Concomitant oral anticoagulant and antidepressant use was associated with increased rates of severe bleeds (4.7 vs 2.7 per 100 person-years) compared to oral anticoagulant treatment without antidepressant use (aHR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.12–1.80), but not significantly associated with increased stroke rates (3.5 vs 2.1 per 100 person-years, aHR 1.23, 95% CI: 0.93–1.62). No significant differences were observed between different oral anticoagulant classes (i.e., warfarin or NOAC) or different antidepressant classes (i.e., SSRI, TCA, or other antidepressant). Additional propensity-score matched analyses yielded similar results but showed a significantly increased risk for stroke (HR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.08–2.02). Incidence rates of strokes and bleeds Conclusion Concomitant use of an oral anticoagulant and an antidepressant, irrespective of type, is associated with an increased bleeding risk. Increased awareness and a critical consideration for the need of an antidepressant is recommended in this population. Acknowledgement/Funding Swedish Heart Lung Foundation

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Edoxaban versus placebo, aspirin, or aspirin plus clopidogrel for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th15-05-0383 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 114 (08) ◽

pp. 403-409 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Lars Rasmussen ◽

Torben Larsen ◽

Andrew Blann ◽

Flemming Skjøth ◽

Gregory Lip

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Real World ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Published Data ◽

Real World Data ◽

Once Daily ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Reduced Risk

SummaryAs non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) brings a risk of stroke, oral anticoagulants (OAC) are recommended. In ‘real world’ clinical practice, many patients (who may be, or perceived to be, intolerant of OACs) are either untreated or are treated with anti-platelet agents. We hypothesised that edoxaban has a better net clinical benefit (NCB, balancing the reduction in stroke risk vs increased risk of haemorrhage) than no treatment or anti-platelet agents. We performed a network meta-analysis of published data from 24 studies of 203,394 AF patients to indirectly compare edoxaban with aspirin alone, aspirin plus clopidogrel, and placebo. Edoxaban 30 mg once daily significantly reduced the risk of all stroke, ischaemic stroke and mortality compared to placebo and aspirin. Compared to aspirin plus clopidogrel, there was a lower risk of intra-cranial haemorrhage (ICH). Edoxaban 60 mg once-daily had a reduced risk of any stroke and systemic embolism compared to placebo, aspirin, and aspirin plus clopidogrel. Mortality rates for both edoxaban doses were estimated to be lower compared to any anti-platelet, and significantly lower compared to placebo. With overall reduced risk of ischemic stroke and ICH, both edoxaban doses bring a NCB of mean (SD) 1.68 (0.15) saved events per 100 patients per year compared to anti-platelet drugs in a clinical trial population. The NCB was demonstrated to be lower, at 0.77 (0.12) events saved (p< 0.01) when modeled to data from a ‘real world’ cohort of AF patients. In conclusion, edoxaban is likely to provide even better protection from stroke and ICH than placebo, aspirin alone, or aspirin plus clopidogrel in both clinical trial populations and unselected community populations. Both edoxaban doses would also bring a positive NCB compared to anti-platelet drugs or placebo/non-treatment based on ‘real world’ data.Note: The review process for this paper was fully handled by Christian Weber, Editor in Chief.

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