Atrial Fibrillation

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory F. Michaud ◽  
Roy M. John
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Right Atrial ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Clinical Consequences

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an abnormal rhythm characterized by chaotic atrial electrical activity resulting in loss of atrial contraction, an irregular and unpredictable heart rate, and a tendency for thrombus formation. The prevalence of AF is estimated at 1 to 2%, but it’s likely higher than that because one-third of patients may have no symptoms and might never seek medical attention. Data suggest that 1 in 4 people over the age of 40 will develop AF in their lifetime. About 10% of patients over age 80 have experienced the arrhythmia, and some estimates predict the prevalence will double in the next 50 years. This chapter discusses the pathophysiology, genetics, diagnosis, classification, and treatment of AF. Figures show atrial fibrillation and coarse atrial fibrillation plus common right atrial flutter. One algorithm is for oral anticoagulation therapy, and a second shows a recommended hierarchical choice of antiarrhythmic therapies versus catheter ablation for recurrent symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Tables list classification, diagnostic evaluation of, clinical consequences of, and conditions often associated with atrial fibrillation. Three scoring systems are included: 1) for congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and transient ischemic attack; 2) to assess the risk of bleeding with oral anticoagulation, and 3) data and proportion of patients from the Euro Heart Survey. Other tables include long-term anticoagulation guidelines for atrial fibrillation, intravenous drugs used for acute rate control, oral drugs used for chronic rate control, and antiarrhythmic drugs for conversion of atrial fibrillation and/or maintenance of sinus rhythm. In addition, there’s a summary of randomized trials weighing rate control and rhythm control strategies, plus schemes for categorizing thromboembolism risk. This review contains 4 highly rendered figures, 13 tables, and 129 references.

Atrial Fibrillation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory F. Michaud ◽  
Roy M. John
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Right Atrial ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Clinical Consequences

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an abnormal rhythm characterized by chaotic atrial electrical activity resulting in loss of atrial contraction, an irregular and unpredictable heart rate, and a tendency for thrombus formation. The prevalence of AF is estimated at 1 to 2%, but it’s likely higher than that because one-third of patients may have no symptoms and might never seek medical attention. Data suggest that 1 in 4 people over the age of 40 will develop AF in their lifetime. About 10% of patients over age 80 have experienced the arrhythmia, and some estimates predict the prevalence will double in the next 50 years. This chapter discusses the pathophysiology, genetics, diagnosis, classification, and treatment of AF. Figures show atrial fibrillation and coarse atrial fibrillation plus common right atrial flutter. One algorithm is for oral anticoagulation therapy, and a second shows a recommended hierarchical choice of antiarrhythmic therapies versus catheter ablation for recurrent symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Tables list classification, diagnostic evaluation of, clinical consequences of, and conditions often associated with atrial fibrillation. Three scoring systems are included: 1) for congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and transient ischemic attack; 2) to assess the risk of bleeding with oral anticoagulation, and 3) data and proportion of patients from the Euro Heart Survey. Other tables include long-term anticoagulation guidelines for atrial fibrillation, intravenous drugs used for acute rate control, oral drugs used for chronic rate control, and antiarrhythmic drugs for conversion of atrial fibrillation and/or maintenance of sinus rhythm. In addition, there’s a summary of randomized trials weighing rate control and rhythm control strategies, plus schemes for categorizing thromboembolism risk. This chapter contains 129 references

Atrial Fibrillation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory F. Michaud ◽  
Roy M. John
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Right Atrial ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Clinical Consequences

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an abnormal rhythm characterized by chaotic atrial electrical activity resulting in loss of atrial contraction, an irregular and unpredictable heart rate, and a tendency for thrombus formation. The prevalence of AF is estimated at 1 to 2%, but it’s likely higher than that because one-third of patients may have no symptoms and might never seek medical attention. Data suggest that 1 in 4 people over the age of 40 will develop AF in their lifetime. About 10% of patients over age 80 have experienced the arrhythmia, and some estimates predict the prevalence will double in the next 50 years. This chapter discusses the pathophysiology, genetics, diagnosis, classification, and treatment of AF. Figures show atrial fibrillation and coarse atrial fibrillation plus common right atrial flutter. One algorithm is for oral anticoagulation therapy, and a second shows a recommended hierarchical choice of antiarrhythmic therapies versus catheter ablation for recurrent symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Tables list classification, diagnostic evaluation of, clinical consequences of, and conditions often associated with atrial fibrillation. Three scoring systems are included: 1) for congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and transient ischemic attack; 2) to assess the risk of bleeding with oral anticoagulation, and 3) data and proportion of patients from the Euro Heart Survey. Other tables include long-term anticoagulation guidelines for atrial fibrillation, intravenous drugs used for acute rate control, oral drugs used for chronic rate control, and antiarrhythmic drugs for conversion of atrial fibrillation and/or maintenance of sinus rhythm. In addition, there’s a summary of randomized trials weighing rate control and rhythm control strategies, plus schemes for categorizing thromboembolism risk. This review contains 4 highly rendered figures, 14 tables, and 129 references.

Atrial Fibrillation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory F. Michaud ◽  
Roy M. John
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Right Atrial ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Clinical Consequences

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an abnormal rhythm characterized by chaotic atrial electrical activity resulting in loss of atrial contraction, an irregular and unpredictable heart rate, and a tendency for thrombus formation. The prevalence of AF is estimated at 1 to 2%, but it’s likely higher than that because one-third of patients may have no symptoms and might never seek medical attention. Data suggest that 1 in 4 people over the age of 40 will develop AF in their lifetime. About 10% of patients over age 80 have experienced the arrhythmia, and some estimates predict the prevalence will double in the next 50 years. This chapter discusses the pathophysiology, genetics, diagnosis, classification, and treatment of AF. Figures show atrial fibrillation and coarse atrial fibrillation plus common right atrial flutter. One algorithm is for oral anticoagulation therapy, and a second shows a recommended hierarchical choice of antiarrhythmic therapies versus catheter ablation for recurrent symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Tables list classification, diagnostic evaluation of, clinical consequences of, and conditions often associated with atrial fibrillation. Three scoring systems are included: 1) for congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and transient ischemic attack; 2) to assess the risk of bleeding with oral anticoagulation, and 3) data and proportion of patients from the Euro Heart Survey. Other tables include long-term anticoagulation guidelines for atrial fibrillation, intravenous drugs used for acute rate control, oral drugs used for chronic rate control, and antiarrhythmic drugs for conversion of atrial fibrillation and/or maintenance of sinus rhythm. In addition, there’s a summary of randomized trials weighing rate control and rhythm control strategies, plus schemes for categorizing thromboembolism risk. This review contains 4 highly rendered figures, 14 tables, and 129 references.

Consideration of non-valvular atrial fibrillation with left atrial appendage thrombus formation despite under appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Shiraki ◽  
H Tanaka ◽  
K Yamashita ◽  
Y Tanaka ◽  
K Sumimoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Volume Index ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation Therapy

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently sustained cardiac arrhythmia, with a prevalence of about 2–3% in the general population. In accordance with CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc score, appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy such as warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) significantly reduced the risk of thromboembolic events. However, left atrial (LA) thrombus can be detected in the LA appendage (LAA) in AF patients despite appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy. Purpose Our purpose was to investigate the associated factors of LAA thrombus formation in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients despite under appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy. Methods We retrospectively studied consecutive 286 NVAF patients for scheduled catheter ablation or electrical cardioversion for AF in our institution between February 2017 and September 2019. Mean age was 67.1±9.4 years, 79 patients (29.5%) were female, and 140 (52.2%) were paroxysmal AF. All patients underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography before catheter ablation or electrical cardioversion. All patients received appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy including warfarin or DOAC for at least 3 weeks prior to transesophageal echocardiography based on the current guidelines. LAA thrombus was defined as an echodense intracavitary mass distinct from the underlying endocardium and not caused by pectinate muscles by at least three senior echocardiologists. Results Of 286 NVAF patients with under appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy, LAA thrombus was observed in 9 patients (3.3%). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, paroxysmal AF, CHADS2 score ≥3, left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), LA volume index (LAVI), mitral inflow E and mitral e' annular velocities ratio (E/e'), and LAA flow were associated with LAA thrombus formation. It was noteworthy that multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LAA flow was independent predictor of LAA thrombus (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59–0.89, p<0.005) as well as LVEF. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified the optimal cutoff value of LAA flow for predicting LAA thrombus as ≤15cm/s, with a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 93%, and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.95. Conclusions LAA flow was strongly associated with LAA thrombus formation even in NVAF patients with appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy. According to our findings, further strengthen of oral anticoagulation therapy or percutaneous transcatheter closure of the LAA may be considered in NVAF patients with appropriate oral anticoagulation therapy but low LAA flow, especially <15cm/s. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

P4774Older patients with atrial fibrillation and comorbidities are less likely to be treated with oral anticoagulation: insights from a nationwide study

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P V Rasmussen ◽  
M L Hansen ◽  
G Gislason ◽  
J Pallisgaard ◽  
M Ruwald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Rhythm Control ◽  
Forest Plot ◽  
Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽  
Morbidity Burden ◽  
Improvement Programs

Abstract Background Older patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) often have multiple chronic conditions adding complexity to treatment decisions. However, regarding older AF patients, the association between multimorbidity and quality of care has not been explored previously in a non-selected nationwide cohort. Purpose To investigate the association between morbidity burden and the treatment with oral anticoagulation therapy (OAC) and rhythm-control strategies in patients >65 years of age with incident AF in Denmark. Methods Using Danish nationwide registers, we identified all Danish AF patients >65 years of age hospitalized for incident AF between 2010 and 2016. Using logistic regression models, we estimated the association between morbidity burden (<2, 2–3, 4–5, and >5 comorbidities) and the likelihood of receiving AF specific treatments. Estimates were reported as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (OR, 95% CI) with <2 comorbidities as reference. The primary outcome of interest was OAC therapy initiation. Secondary outcomes were initiation of anti-arrhythmic drugs (Class IC and Class III) and AF related procedures (electrical cardioversion and radiofrequency ablation). All models were adjusted for age, sex and calendar year. Results A total of 49,802 AF patients were eligible for inclusion, with a median age of 77.5 years (Interquartile range [IQR] 71.8–83.8) and 24,983 (50.2%) were male. A total of 25,181 (50.6%) patients had <2 comorbidities, 18,714 (37.6%) had 2–3 comorbidities, 4,891 (9.8%) had 4–5 comorbidities, and 1,016 (2.0%) patients had >5 comorbidities. The median CHA2DS2-VASc score ranged from 3 (IQR 2–3) to 5 (IQR 4–5) in patients with <2 comorbidities and >5 comorbidities, respectively. Increasing morbidity burden was associated with decreasing odds of being treated with OAC therapy with the lowest odds in patients with >5 comorbidities (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.34–0.45) compared with AF patients with <2 comorbidities. (Figure 1) Using morbidity burden as a continuous variable, an increment of one comorbidity was associated with decreasing odds of initiating OAC therapy (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.84–0.86). Morbidity burden was associated with increased odds of being prescribed anti-arrhythmic medication with the highest odds in patients with >5 comorbidities (OR 2.50 95% CI 2.08–2.99). In contrast, having >5 comorbidities was associated with decreased odds of AF related procedures (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.23–0.43) compared to patients with <2 comorbidities. Forest plot of OAC initiation factors Conclusion Morbidity burden is strongly associated with OAC initiation and rhythm-control strategies in older patients with incident AF. Older AF patients with multimorbidity are less likely to be treated with OAC although these are the patients who benefit most from treatment. Therefore, initiatives and quality improvement programs should be done to close this important gap between clinical trials and clinical practice.

Atrial Fibrillation

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tareq Al-Salamah ◽  
Laura J. Bontempo
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Rate Control ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Heart Association ◽  
Heart Rhythm ◽  
Heart Beat ◽  
Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia characterized by chaotic atrial electrical activity.  It is associated with heart failure, stroke, and reduced quality of life. AF is frequently recurrent and refractory to treatment. These facts underscore the importance of recognizing this arrhythmia even in its asymptomatic form. This review covers the pathophysiology, stabilization and assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and disposition and outcomes of AF. Figures show AF, atrial flutter, and AF with preexcitation on a 12-lead electrocardiogram, rate control agent selection recommendations, and a decision-making algorithm for oral anticoagulation therapy. Tables list etiologies and risk factors for AF, American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society classification of AF, some of the clinical consequences of AF, diagnostic evaluation for AF, antiarrhythmic drugs for conversion of AF, drugs used for acute rate control of AF, CHA2DS2-VASc score calculation, CHA2DS2-VASc  adjusted stroke rate and treatment guidelines, scoring system to assess the risk of bleeding with oral anticoagulation: HAS-BLED (hypertension, abnormal renal/liver function, history of stroke, bleeding history or predisposition, labile international normalized ratio, elderly [65 years], drugs/alcohol concomitant), and HAS-BLED scores with proportion of patients from the Euro Heart Survey in each category and associated major bleeding risk.   This review contains 5 highly rendered figures, 10 tables, and 69 references Key words: Atrial fibrillation; Supraventricular tachycardia; Irregular heart beat; Cardioversion; Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation; Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation; Rate control; CHA2DS2-VASc scoring system; Rhythm control

Depression and Uptake of Oral Anticoagulation Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Medical Care ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Fenger-Grøn ◽  
Claus H. Vestergaard ◽  
Lars Frost ◽  
Dimitry S. Davydow ◽  
Erik T. Parner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation Therapy

scholarly journals Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation Cardioversion: What Is Crucial to Take into Account

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3212
Author(s):  
Fabiana Lucà ◽  
Simona Giubilato ◽  
Stefania Angela Di Fusco ◽  
Laura Piccioni ◽  
Carmelo Massimiliano Rao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Thromboembolic Events ◽  
Thromboembolic Risk ◽  
Pharmacological Cardioversion

The therapeutic dilemma between rhythm and rate control in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is still unresolved and electrical or pharmacological cardioversion (CV) frequently represents a useful strategy. The most recent guidelines recommend anticoagulation according to individual thromboembolic risk. Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have been routinely used to prevent thromboembolic events. Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) represent a significant advance due to their more predictable therapeutic effect and more favorable hemorrhagic risk profile. In hemodynamically unstable patients, an emergency electrical cardioversion (ECV) must be performed. In this situation, intravenous heparin or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) should be administered before CV. In patients with AF occurring within less than 48 h, synchronized direct ECV should be the elective procedure, as it restores sinus rhythm quicker and more successfully than pharmacological cardioversion (PCV) and is associated with shorter length of hospitalization. Patients with acute onset AF were traditionally considered at lower risk of thromboembolic events due to the shorter time for atrial thrombus formation. In patients with hemodynamic stability and AF for more than 48 h, an ECV should be planned after at least 3 weeks of anticoagulation therapy. Alternatively, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to rule out left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) should be performed, followed by ECV and anticoagulation for at least 4 weeks. Theoretically, the standardized use of TEE before CV allows a better stratification of thromboembolic risk, although data available to date are not univocal.

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