Arterial Thromboembolism in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and CHA2DS2-VASc Score 1: A Nationwide Study

BACKGROUND

Oral anticoagulation is suggested in patients with atrial fibrillation and a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥1 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes, stroke, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, and sex score). To assess granular differences within CHA2DS2-VASc 1, the incidence of arterial thromboembolism according to CHA2DS2-VASc 1 subgroups was examined.

METHODS

The Danish National Patient Registry and the Danish Prescription Registry were linked on a nationwide level to identify patients with atrial fibrillation from 2000 to 2021 without oral anticoagulation and categorized according to CHA2DS2-VASc score: CHA2DS2-VASc 0 (male and female subjects); CHA2DS2-VASc 1 (hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, vascular disease, and age 65-74 years); or CHA2DS2-VASc 2 (age ≥75 years without other risk factors). Female sex was not considered a risk factor in any risk group. The outcome was arterial thromboembolism (ischemic stroke, embolism of extremity, or transient cerebral ischemia). Study groups were compared using Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

We included 26 701 patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc 0 score; 22 915 with CHA2DS2-VASc 1 (1483 patients with heart failure, 9066 with hypertension, 843 with diabetes, 770 with vascular disease, and 10 753 who were 65 to 74 years of age); and 14 525 patients with CHA2DS2-VASc 2 (≥75 years of age without other risk factors). With a median of 1 year of observation time, the cumulative incidence of arterial thromboembolism was 0.6% (n=154 [95% CI, 0.6%-0.8%]), 1.4% (n=16 [95% CI, 0.8%-2.2%]), 1.9% (n=141 [95% CI, 1.6%-2.2%]), 1.7% (n=12 [95% CI, 0.9%-2.9%]), 2.0% (n=13 [95% CI, 1.1%-3.4%]), 2.3% (n=187 [95% CI, 2.0%-2.7%]), and 4.4% (n=533 [95% CI, 4.1%-4.8%]) for CHA2DS2-VASc 0, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, vascular disease, age 65 to 74 years (CHA2DS2-VASc 1), and age ≥75 years (CHA2DS2-VASc 2), respectively. No statistically significant difference was identified among subgroups of CHA2DS2-VASc 1 (P=0.15 for difference).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with atrial fibrillation, all subgroups of CHA2DS2-VASc 1 were associated with lower incidence of arterial thromboembolism compared with age ≥75 years without other risk factors (ie, CHA2DS2-VASc 2) and a higher incidence compared with CHA2DS2-VASc 0. No statistically significant difference was identified between the subgroups of CHA2DS2-VASc 1. These findings support current recommendations that patients within this intermediate risk group could be identified with a similar risk of arterial thromboembolism.

Protocol for a randomised controlled trial comparing warfarin with no oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation on chronic dialysis: the Danish Warfarin-Dialysis (DANWARD) trial

INTRODUCTION

Atrial fibrillation is highly prevalent in patients on chronic dialysis. It is unclear whether anticoagulant therapy for stroke prevention is beneficial in these patients. Vitamin K-antagonists (VKA) remain the predominant anticoagulant choice. Importantly, anticoagulation remains inconsistently used and a possible benefit remains untested in randomised clinical trials comparing oral anticoagulation with no treatment in patients on chronic dialysis. The Danish Warfarin-Dialysis (DANWARD) trial aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of VKAs in patients with atrial fibrillation on chronic dialysis. The hypothesis is that VKA treatment compared with no treatment is associated with stroke risk reduction and overall benefit.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The DANWARD trial is an investigator-initiated trial at 13 Danish dialysis centres. In an open-label randomised clinical trial study design, a total of 718 patients with atrial fibrillation on chronic dialysis will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either standard dose VKA targeting an international normalised ratio of 2.0-3.0 or no oral anticoagulation. Principal analyses will compare the risk of a primary efficacy endpoint, stroke or transient ischaemic attack and a primary safety endpoint, major bleeding, in patients allocated to VKA treatment and no treatment, respectively. The first patient was randomised in October 2019. Patients will be followed until 1 year after the inclusion of the last patient.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol was approved by the Regional Research Ethics Committee (journal number H-18050839) and the Danish Medicines Agency (case number 2018101877). The trial is conducted in accordance with the Helsinki declaration and standards of Good Clinical Practice. Study results will be disseminated to participating sites, at research conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

NCT03862859, EUDRA-CT 2018-000484-86 and CTIS ID 2022-502500-75-00.

Efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulants according to kidney function among patients with atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with severely reduced kidney function have been excluded from randomized controlled trials and data on safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) according to kidney function remain sparse. The aim was to evaluate safety and efficacy of the DOACs across subgroups of kidney function.

METHODS

Using multiple Danish nationwide registers and laboratory databases, we included patients initiated on oral anticoagulants (OACs) with atrial fibrillation and available creatinine level and followed patients for 2 years to evaluate occurrence of stroke/thromboembolism (TE) and major bleeding.

RESULTS

Among 26,686 included patients, 3667 (13.7%) had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 30-49 mL/min/1.73m2 and 596 (2.2%) had an eGFR below 30 mL/min/1.73m2. We found no evidence of differences regarding the risk of stroke/TE between the OACs (p-value interaction>0.05 for all). Apixaban was associated with a lower 2-year risk of major bleeding compared to VKA (risk ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-0.93), and the risk difference was significantly larger among patients with reduced kidney function (p-value interaction 0.018). Rivaroxaban was associated with higher risk of bleeding compared to apixaban (risk ratio 1.78, 95%CI 1.32-2.39) among patients with eGFR 30-49 mL/min/1.73m2.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, we found no differences regarding the risk of stroke/TE, but apixaban was associated with a 21% lower relative risk of major bleeding compared to VKA. This risk reduction was even greater when comparing apixaban and rivaroxaban among patients with eGFR 15-30 mL/min/1.73m2, and when comparing apixaban to dabigatran and rivaroxaban among patients with eGFR 30-49 mL/min/1.73m2.

High-risk admission prior to transcatheter aortic valve replacement and subsequent outcomes

BACKGROUND

Severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis may cause heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or syncope; limited data exist on the occurrence of such events before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and their impact on subsequent outcomes. Thus, we investigated the association between a preceding event and outcomes after TAVR.

METHODS

From 2014 to 2021 all Danish patients who underwent TAVR were included. Preceding events up to 180 days before TAVR were identified. A preceding event was defined as a hospitalization for heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or syncope. The 1-year risk of all-cause death, and cardiovascular or all-cause hospitalization was compared for patients with versus without a preceding event using Kaplan-Meier, Aalen-Johansen, and in Cox regression analyses adjusted for patient characteristics.

RESULTS

Of 5,851 patients included, 759 (13.0%) had a preceding event. The median age was 81 years in both groups. Male sex and frailty were more prevalent in patients with a preceding event (males: 64.7% vs 55.2%, frailty: 49.6% vs 40.6%). The most common type of preceding event was a hospitalization for heart failure (n = 524). For patients with a preceding event, the 1-year risk of death was 11.7% (95% CI: 9.4%-14.1%) versus 8.0% (95% CI: 7.2%-8.7%) for patients without. The corresponding adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) was 1.29 (95%CI: 1.01-1.64). Mortality was highest for patients with a preceding event of a heart failure admission (1-year risk: 13.5% [95%CI: 10.5%-16.5%]). Comparing patients with a preceding event to those without, the 1-year risk for cardiovascular rehospitalization was 15.0% versus 8.2% (aHR 1.60 [95%CI: 1.29-1.99]) and 57.6% versus 50.6% for all-cause rehospitalization (aHR 1.08 [95%CI: 0.87-1.20]).

CONCLUSIONS

A hospitalization for heart failure, myocardial infarction, or syncope prior to TAVR was associated with a poorer prognosis and could represent a group to focus resource management on. Interventions to prevent preceding events and improvements in pre- and post-TAVR optimization of these patients are warranted.

Patient Characteristics, Microbiology, and Mortality of Infective Endocarditis After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

BACKGROUND

Infective endocarditis (IE) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is associated with high mortality and surgery is rarely performed. Thus, to inform on preventive measures and treatment strategies, we investigated patient characteristics and microbiology of IE after TAVI.

METHODS

Using Danish nationwide registries, we identified patients with IE after TAVI, IE after non-TAVI prosthetic valve (nTPV), and native valve IE. Patient characteristics; overall, early (≤12 m), and late IE (>12 m) microbiology; and unadjusted and adjusted mortality were compared.

RESULTS

We identified 273, 1022, and 5376 cases of IE after TAVI, IE after nTPV, and native valve IE. Age and frailty were highest among TAVI IE (4.8%; median age: 82 y; 61.9% frail). Enterococcus spp. were common for IE after TAVI (27.1%) and IE after nTPV (21.2%) compared with native valve IE (11.4%). Blood culture-negative IE was rare in IE after TAVI (5.5%) compared with IE after nTPV (15.2%) and native valve IE (13.5%). The unadjusted 90-day mortality was comparable, but the 5-year mortality was highest for IE after TAVI (75.2% vs 57.2% vs 53.6%). In Cox models adjusted for patient characteristics and bacterial etiology for 1-90 days and 91-365 days, there was no significant difference in mortality rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IE after TAVI are older and frailer, enterococci and streptococci are often the etiologic agents, and are rarely blood culture negative compared with other IE patients. Future studies regarding antibiotic prophylaxis strategies covering enterococci should be considered in this setting.

Preeclampsia and Long-Term Risk of Venous Thromboembolism

Importance

As venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality, identifying women at increased risk of VTE is of great importance. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder with generalized endothelial dysfunction. Some studies suggest that preeclampsia is associated with an increased risk of VTE, but much controversy exists.

Objective

To examine the association between preeclampsia and the risk of VTE during pregnancy, during the puerperium, and after the puerperium.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This observational cohort study used Danish nationwide registries to identify all eligible primiparous women who gave birth in Denmark from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2016. The women were followed up from primiparous pregnancy to incident VTE, emigration, death, or the end of the study (December 31, 2016). Statistical analyses were carried out from January to May 2023.

Exposure

Preeclampsia during primiparous pregnancy.

Main Outcomes and Measure

The main outcome was incident VTE, and the secondary outcome was all-cause mortality.

Results

A total of 522 545 primiparous women (median age, 28 years [IQR, 25-31 years]) were included, and 23 330 (4.5%) received a diagnosis of preeclampsia. Women with preeclampsia were of similar age to women without preeclampsia but had a higher burden of comorbidities. During a median follow-up of 10.2 years (IQR, 5.2-15.4 years), preeclampsia was associated with a higher incidence of VTE compared with no preeclampsia (incidence rate, 448.8 [95% CI, 399.9-503.5] vs 309.6 [95% CI, 300.6-319.9] per 1000 patient-years, corresponding to an unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] of 1.45 [95% CI, 1.29-1.63] and an adjusted HR of 1.43 [95% CI, 1.27-1.61]). When stratified according to the subcategories of VTE, preeclampsia was associated with an increased rate of deep vein thrombosis (unadjusted HR, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.32-1.72] and adjusted HR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.31-1.70]) as well as pulmonary embolism (unadjusted HR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.09-1.76]; adjusted HR, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.08-1.73]). These findings held true in landmark analyses during pregnancy, during the puerperium, and after the puerperium.

Conclusions and Relevance

This cohort study suggests that preeclampsia was associated with a significantly increased risk of VTE during pregnancy, during the puerperium, and after the puerperium, even after thorough adjustment. Future studies should address how to improve the clinical management of women with a history of preeclampsia to prevent VTE.

Frailty and Recurrent Hospitalization After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background For frail patients with limited life expectancy, time in hospital following transcatheter aortic valve replacement is an important measure of quality of life; however, data remain scarce. Thus, we aimed to investigate frailty and its relation to time in hospital during the first year after transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Methods and Results From 2008 to 2020, all Danish patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement and were alive at discharge were included. Using the validated Hospital Frailty Risk Score, patients were categorized in the low, intermediate, and high frailty groups. Time in hospital and mortality up to 1 year are reported according to frailty groups. In total, 3437 (57.6%), 2277 (38.1%), and 257 (4.3%) were categorized in the low, intermediate, and high frailty groups, respectively. Median age was ≈81 years. Female sex and comorbidity burden were incrementally higher across frailty groups (low frailty: heart failure, 24.1%; stroke, 7.2%; and chronic kidney disease, 4.5%; versus high frailty: heart failure, 42.8%; stroke, 34.2%; and chronic kidney disease, 29.2%). In the low frailty group, 50.5% survived 1 year without a hospital admission, 10.8% were hospitalized >15 days, and 5.8% of patients died. By contrast, 26.1% of patients in the high frailty group survived 1 year without a hospital admission, 26.4% were hospitalized >15 days, and 15.6% died within 1 year. Differences persisted in models adjusted for sex, age, frailty, and comorbidity burden (excluding overlapping comorbidities). Conclusions Among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, frailty is strongly associated with time in hospital and mortality. Prevention strategies for frail patients to reduce hospitalization burden could be beneficial.

Trends in percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion and 1-year mortality: a nationwide cohort study

Background

Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is increasingly used for stroke prevention in high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation and contraindication for oral anticoagulation. However, studies evaluating comorbidities and mortality remain scarce.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in patient characteristic over time and 1-year risk of death.

Methods

Using Danish nationwide registers, we included all patients undergoing first-time LAAO between 2013 and 2021. To evaluate changes in patient characteristics, the study population was stratified according to calendar year of LAAO procedure: 2013–2015, 2016–2018, and 2019–2021. Baseline patient characteristics were defined from 10 years prior to date of LAAO procedure. Antithrombotic therapy was defined as claimed prescriptions within 180 days prior to LAAO procedure. Patients were then followed until either emigration, death, one year of full follow-up, or end of study period. Baseline frailty risk was estimated with The Hospital Frailty Risk Score, a validated frailty risk assessment tool based on ICD-10 codes. The 1-year unadjusted risk of death was estimated with the Aalen-Johansen method.

Results

In total, 1,306 patients underwent LAAO. The number of LAAO increased from 201 procedures in 2013–2015 to 586 in 2019–2021. During follow-up, the age of the patients remained stable (2013–2015: median age: 70 years; 2016–2018: median age 69 years; 2019–2021: median age 69 years). Fewer patients had a history of ischemic stroke (2013–2015: 44.3% vs 2019–2021: 27.6%), hemorrhagic stroke (2013–2015: 32.8% vs 2019–2021: 21.0%), and previous bleeding (2013–2015: 71.1% vs 2019–2021: 59.2%). Median CHA2DS2-VASs score decreased over time (2013–2015: 4 vs 2019–2021: 3) and same trend was found in median HAS-BLED score (2013–2015: 3 vs 2019–2021: 2).

In addition, fewer patients were categorized as high frailty risk (2013–2015: 16.9% vs 2019–2021: 8.9%). However, there was an increase in patients with a history of cancer (2013–2015: 11.9% vs 2019–2021: 18.9%). The use of antiplatelet therapy prior to LAAO decreased while the use of oral anticoagulation increased (2013–2015: 50.2% vs 2019–2021: 68.9%) due to a marked increase in non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants and a decrease in vitamin K antagonists (Figure 1).

In total, 88 (7.22%) patients died within one year of LAAO procedure. The 1-year all-cause mortality risk in each period were similar (2013–2015: 7.0%; 2016–2018: 7.1%; 2019–2021: 6.9%). [Figure 2]

Conclusion

In the years 2013–2021, the annual number of LAAO procedures increased. The age of patients remained stable. Comorbidity burden decreased and fewer patients were at high frailty risk, but the 1-year mortality risks were similar. Our real-life data suggest that profiles of patients undergoing LAAO has changed considerably over time.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Oral fluoroquinolones and risk of aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm: a nationwide nested case-control study

Background

Oral fluoroquinolones are commonly prescribed antibiotics. Observational studies have shown an association between fluoroquinolone-use and subsequent risk of aortic aneurysm (AA) and aortic dissection (AD) due to a potential collagen degrading effect of fluoroquinolones.

Purpose

To investigate if fluoroquinolone-use was associated with increased rates of AA or AD in patients without known aortic disease. Secondly, to investigate if fluoroquinolone-use was associated with increased all-cause mortality and aortic interventions in high-risk patients with known aortic disease.

Methods

We used a nested case-control study design in which individuals aged 30–100 years from 2003 to 2018 were included from Danish nationwide registers. Exclusion criteria were bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta, and connective tissue disease. A main cohort and a secondary high-risk cohort were defined. The main cohort comprised patients without history of AA/AD in which two case definitions were used: 1) A broad case definition of first-time AA/AD. 2) A severe case definition of ruptured AA/AD. The high-risk cohort comprised patients surviving index AA/AD admission in which cases were defined as all-cause mortality and aortic interventions.

Cases were matched on age, sex, and year of inclusion in a 1:30 ratio with controls. For the main cohort, a potential dose-response effect was investigated using groups of cumulative defined daily doses (cDDD) of fluoroquinolones. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for fluoroquinolone-use compared with amoxicillin as an active comparator were obtained from time-dependent Cox regression models using multiple exposure windows.

Results

The main cohort comprised 4.81 million individuals with 43,280 cases. Short-term 30-day, intermediate-term 90-day, and long-term 1-year fluoroquinolone use were all not associated with AA/AD (30-day HR 1.18 [95% CI: 0.84 to 1.66]; 90-day HR 1.12 [95% CI 0.96 to 1.30]; 1-year HR 1.00 [95% CI 0.93 to 1.07]). Using a severe case definition of ruptured AA/AD yielded comparable results. For the dose-response analysis, increasing cDDD did not confer increased rates of AA/AD (1–5 cDDD: Reference group; 6–10 cDDD: HR 1.03 [95% CI: 0.87 to 1.23]; >10 cDDD: HR 1.00 [95% CI 0.83 to 1.29]) (Figure 1).

The secondary high-risk cohort included 20,195 patients surviving index admission with 9,183 cases of all-cause mortality and 1,768 cases of aortic interventions. The 30-day HR for all-cause mortality was 1.21 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.60) and the 60-day HR 1.06 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.26). No association with aortic interventions was found either (Figure 2).

Conclusion

Fluroquinolone-use was not associated with AA/AD. Furthermore, fluoroquinolone-use was not associated with all-cause mortality or aortic interventions in potentially susceptible patients with known aortic disease. These findings do not support an increased risk of AA/AD with fluoroquinolone-use.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Readmission after transcatheter aortic valve implantation according to frailty

Background

Readmissions and time spent hospitalized following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are important parameters of patient autonomy, particularly for frail patients with limited life-expectancy. Yet, such data remain scarce.

Purpose

To investigate actual time spent hospitalized the first year after TAVI. Secondly, to investigate time spent hospitalized according to frailty risk.

Methods

Through Danish, nationwide registries, we included all patients undergoing TAVI and alive at discharge between January 2008 and June 2020. From discharge, patients were followed until death, emigration, end of study period, or one year of follow-up, whichever came first. During follow-up, all in-patient hospital admissions were identified according to ICD-10 diagnosis codes. Length of stay was calculated, and cumulative numbers of days hospitalized was presented. Further, the proportion of patients dying within one year of follow-up was calculated.

Using The Hospital Frailty Risk Score, a validated frailty risk assessment tool, patients were categorized as low, intermediate, and high frailty risk. We then evaluated the time spent hospitalized stratified by frailty risk group.

Results

The study population comprised 5,464 patients undergoing first-time TAVI with a median age of 81 years among whom 55.2% were males. After one year, 445 (8.1%) patients had died. In total, 2,452 (44.9%) of TAVI patients survived one year and were never admitted, whereas 3,012 (55.1%) patients were admitted at least once or died within one year of TAVI. Of these, 1,200 (21.9%) patients were admitted for more than two weeks or died within one year of TAVI (Figure 1).

Regarding frailty, 3,296 (60.3%), 1,965 (36.0%), and 203 (3.7%) patients were classified as low, intermediate, and high frailty risk, respectively. In the low frailty risk group, 6.2% of patients died within one year and 50.4% survived one year without a hospital admission. By contrast, 16.7% of patients in the high frailty risk group died within one year and only 24.6% survived one year without a hospital admission. Further, 17.1% of patients in the low frailty risk group were admitted for more than two weeks or died within one year of TAVI compared with 47.3% in the high frailty risk group (Figure 2).

Conclusion

Readmissions in the first year after transcatheter aortic valve implantation were common and time spent hospitalized after transcatheter aortic valve implantation was significant. Our results were clearly related to frailty, which should be considered for future prevention strategies.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Discontinuation of direct oral anticoagulants among patients with atrial fibrillation according to gender and cohabitation status: a nationwide cohort study

AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of discontinuing treatment with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) according to cohabitation status and gender.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the Danish national registers, we identified 32 364 patients with AF aged 40-90 years undergoing treatment with DOACs. The study period was from 2013 to 2017, and patients were followed for 2 years, or until death, outcome, or emigration. The main outcome was discontinuation of DOAC treatment for at least 30 days. The absolute 2-year risk of DOAC discontinuation was highest among men living alone [35.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 37.3-34.1%]. Men living alone had a 4.6% (95% CI: 6.4-2.8%) higher absolute risk of discontinuation and a 12% [hazard ratio (HR): 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04-1.20] higher relative risk of discontinuation compared with men living with a partner. Female patients living alone likewise had a higher absolute risk of DOAC discontinuation (2.6%, 95% CI: 4.4-0.09%) compared with female patients living with a partner, yet no statistically significant difference in relative risk. In an analysis evaluating gender, we found male gender to be associated with a significantly higher relative risk of DOAC discontinuation (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.26-1.40) compared with female gender (P-value for interaction with cohabitant status = 0.5996).

CONCLUSION

In this nationwide population study, male gender and living alone were associated with a higher risk of DOAC discontinuation among patients with AF.

Diabetes increases the risk of bone fractures in patients on kidney replacement therapy: A Danish national cohort study

BACKGROUND

Patients treated with dialysis or living with a kidney transplant (kidney replacement therapy, KRT) have an increased risk of bone fracture. Patients with diabetes also have an increased risk of fracture. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of diabetes in patients on KRT aggravates the risk of fracture.

METHODS

Nationwide Danish registries were used in this retrospective cohort study. All prevalent adult patients on hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) on 1st of January 2000 and all incident patients starting KRT (HD, PD, kidney transplanted (KTX)) until 31st of December 2011 were included in the KRT group. Adult persons not on KRT and without diabetes on 1st of January 2000 were used as a reference group. Patients were separated in groups with and without (+/-) diabetes. They were followed until first fracture, emigration, death, or end-of-study on 31st of December 2016.

RESULTS

A total of 4,074,085 not on KRT +/- diabetes and 9053 patients on KRT +/- diabetes were included. Comparing the different groups with diabetes to the corresponding group without diabetes, the unadjusted HR (95% CI) for any first fracture were 1.2 (1.0-1.3) in the HD population, 1.4 (1.1-1.7) in the PD population, and 1.7 (1.4-2.2) in the KTX population. Further adjustments for age, sex, prior fractures, comorbidity and medication did not change these results significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes increases the risk of fracture in patients on KRT.

Thromboembolic and bleeding complications following primary total knee arthroplasty : a Danish nationwide cohort study

AIMS

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of thromboprophylactic treatments in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS

Using nationwide medical registries, we identified patients with a primary TKA performed in Denmark between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2018 who received thromboprophylactic treatment. We examined the 90-day risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), major bleeding, and all-cause mortality following surgery. We used a Cox regression model to compute hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each outcome, pairwise comparing treatment with dalteparin or dabigatran with rivaroxaban as the reference. The HRs were both computed using a multivariable and a propensity score matched analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 27,736 primary TKA patients who received thromboprophylactic treatment (rivaroxaban (n = 18,846); dalteparin (n = 5,767); dabigatran (n = 1,443); tinzaparin (n = 1,372); and enoxaparin (n = 308)). In the adjusted multivariable analysis and compared with rivaroxaban, treatment with dalteparin (HR 0.68 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.92)) or dabigatran (HR 0.31 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.70)) was associated with a decreased risk of VTE. No statistically significant differences were observed for major bleeding or all-cause mortality. The propensity score matched analysis yielded similar results.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with dalteparin or dabigatran was associated with a decreased 90-day risk of VTE following primary TKA surgery compared with treatment with rivaroxaban. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(10):1571-1577.

Oral fluoroquinolones and risk of aortic or mitral regurgitation: a nationwide nested case-control study

AIMS

Reports have suggested an increased risk of aortic and mitral regurgitation associated with oral fluoroquinolones (FQs) resulting in a safety warning published by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). However, these findings have not yet been replicated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using Danish administrative registers, we conducted a nested case-control study in a nationwide cohort of individuals between 2005 and 2018. Cases were defined as the first occurrence of aortic or mitral regurgitation. Exposure of interest was the use of oral FQs. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained by fitting time-dependent Cox regression models, with penicillin V as comparator, to assess the association between FQ use and incident valvular regurgitation. We identified 38 370 cases of valvular regurgitation with 1 115 100 matched controls. FQ exposure was not significantly associated with increased rates of aortic or mitral regurgitation (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95-1.09) compared with penicillin V users. Investigating the cumulative defined daily doses (cDDD) of FQs yielded similar results with no significant association between increasing FQ use and valvular regurgitation (e.g. HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.95-1.23 for cDDD >10 compared with cDDD 1-5). These results were consistent across several analyses including a cohort of patients with hypertension and using a case definition based on valvular surgical interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

In a nationwide nested case-control study, FQs were not significantly associated with increased rates of valvular regurgitation. Our findings do not support a possible causal connection between FQ exposure and incident valvular regurgitation.

MO483CHA2DS2-VASC SCORE IN PATIENTS WITH EGFR<30 ML/MIN/1.73 M2 AND ATRIAL FIBRILLATION*

Background and Aims

CHA2DS2-VASc score (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, female sex) is a validated tool for evaluation of risk of stroke and systemic emboli in patients with atrial fibrillation without nephropathy. The validity of risk determination based on the CHA2DS2-VASc score in patients with severe nephropathy is untested. We investigate the validity of the CHA2DS2-VASc score in patients with eGFR<30 ml/min/1.73m2 (including dialysis treated patients) and atrial fibrillation without anticoagulation treatment.

Method

In a retrospective cohort study, all patients with atrial fibrillation and eGFR<30 ml/min/1.73 m2 were identified in nationwide Danish registers between 2008 and 2018 with subsequent exclusion of patients initiating anticoagulation treatment based on redeemed prescriptions. Cumulative incidences of stroke stratified on CHA2DS2-VASc score were computed using the Aalen-Johansen estimator, and one-year risk of stroke was calculated with comparison of CHA2DS2-VASc score based on Cox regression models adjusted for age, sex and dialysis status with G-computation of one-year risk standardized to the distribution of risk factors in the sample.

Results

From 2,452 patients with eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2 and de novo atrial fibrillation, a total of 1,575 patients (64.2%) without anticoagulation treatment were included. Mean age was 78.0 years (standard deviation ±12.2), 53.3% were male, and 25.5% were on dialysis. The distribution of patients into CHA2DS2-VASc score categories of 0-1, 2, 3, 4 and ≥5 was 8.7%, 14.5%, 24.6%, 24.7% and 27.5%, respectively.

Cumulative incidence of stroke in non-dialysis dependent and dialysis-dependent patients are shown in the figure.

Overall, standardized one-year risk of stroke was 3.3% (95%CI 1.3-6.4%), 2.5% (95%CI 1.0-4.1%), 5.9% (95%CI 3.9-8.2%), 5.1% (95%CI 3.6-7.0%), and 7.3% (95%CI 5.2-10.2%) for CHA2DS2-VASc score categories of 0-1, 2, 3, 4 and ≥5, respectively. Comparably, standardized one-year risk of stroke was 2.5% (95%CI 0.3-5.7%), 1.9% (95%CI 0.0-4.7%), 7.4% (95%CI 3.2-11.5%), 4.7% (95%CI 1.0-8.3%), and 16.5% (95%CI 7.9-27.2%) for CHA2DS2-VASc score categories of 0-1, 2, 3, 4 and ≥5, respectively, in dialysis-treated patients, and 4.3% (95%CI 1.0-10.3%), 2.9% (95%CI 1.1-4.9%), 5.5% (95%CI 3.5-8.1%), 5.1% (95%CI 3.4-7.1%), and 5.9% (95%CI 3.8-8.5%) for CHA2DS2-VASc score categories of 0-1, 2, 3, 4 and ≥5, respectively, in non-dialysis-dependent patients.

Conclusion

Overall, CHA2DS2-VASc score was associated with a progressive increase in one-year risk of stroke. Although the association was most obvious in non-dialysis dependent patients, discrepancy was evident with regard to risk in patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score ≤1 in both subgroups, albeit less so in adjusted analyses.

MO503SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF ANTICOAGULATION IN PATIENTS WITH EGFR<30 ML/MIN/1.73 M2 AND ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Background and Aims

Net benefit of anticoagulation in patients with eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2 and atrial fibrillation remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use, efficacy and safety of anticoagulation therapy in patients with eGFR<30 ml/min/1.73m2 (including dialysis treated patients) and atrial fibrillation.

Method

In a retrospective cohort study, all patients with atrial fibrillation and eGFR<30 ml/min/1.73 m2 were identified in nationwide Danish registers between 2008 and 2018. Cumulative incidences of stroke and major bleeding stratified on anticoagulation treatment were computed using the Aalen-Johansen estimator. One-year risks of stroke and major bleeding were calculated with comparison of treatment vs. no treatment based on Cox regression models adjusted for age, sex and dialysis status with G-computation of one-year risks standardized to the distribution of risk factors in the sample. Major bleeding was defined as any diagnosis of bleeding leading to hospitalization.

Results

A total of 2,452 patients with eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2 and de novo atrial fibrillation were identified. Mean age was 78.8 years, 51.3% were male and 20% received dialysis therapy. Anticoagulation therapy was initiated in 877 patients (35.8%), with warfarin accounting for 58.6% of all prescriptions.

Overall, one-year standardized risk of bleeding was 10.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.7%-12.7%) and 8.2% (95% CI 6.9%-9.5%) in patients with and without anticoagulation, while the risks of stroke were 3.6% (95% CI 2.6%-4.5%) and 5.1% (95% CI 4.1%-6.1%), respectively.

In subgroup analyses of patients dependent vs. non-dependent on dialysis, the standardized one-year risk of bleeding was 13.3% (95% CI 9.0%-19.8%) vs. 10.4% (95% CI 8.6%-12.4%) in patients with anticoagulation and 9.0% (95% CI 6.5%-12.0%) vs. 7.8% (95% CI 6.5%-9.2%) in patients without anticoagulation. While the risk of stroke was 3.5% (95% CI 0.8%-6.7%) vs. 3.5% (95% CI 2.5%-4.9%) in patients with anticoagulation and 5.7% (95% CI 3.5%-7.8%) vs. 4.9% (95% CI 3.7% vs. 6.3%) in patients without anticoagulation. Cumulative incidences of major bleeding and stroke are shown in the figure.

Conclusion

Use of anticoagulation was associated with increased risk of bleeding and reduced risk of stroke in patients with eGFR<30 ml/min/1.73 m2 and atrial fibrillation. Randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the benefit and harm of anticoagulation in this population.

One-year outcomes in atrial fibrillation presenting during infections: a nationwide registry-based study

AIMS

Thromboprophylaxis guidelines for patients with concurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) during infections are unclear and not supported by data. We compared 1-year outcomes in patients with infection-related AF and infection without AF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

By crosslinking Danish nationwide registry data, AF naïve patients admitted with infection (1996-2016) were identified. Those with AF during the infection (infection-related AF) were matched 1:3 according to age, sex, type of infection, and year with patients with infection without AF. Outcomes (AF, thromboembolic events) were assessed by multivariable Cox regression. The study population comprised 30 307 patients with infection-related AF and 90 912 patients with infection without AF [median age 79 years (interquartile range 71-86), 47.6% males in both groups]. The 1-year absolute risk of AF and thromboembolic events were 36.4% and 7.6%, respectively (infection-related AF) and 1.9% and 4.4%, respectively (infection without AF). In the multivariable analyses, infection-related AF was associated with an increased long-term risk of AF and thromboembolic events compared with infection without AF: hazard ratio (HR) 25.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 24.64-27.39 for AF and HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.98-2.22 for thromboembolic events. Further, differences in risks existed across different subtypes of infections.

CONCLUSION

During the first year after discharge, 36% of patients with infection-related AF had a new hospital contact with AF. Infection-related AF was associated with increased risk of thromboembolic events compared with infection without AF and our results suggest that AF related to infection may merit treatment and follow-up similar to that of AF not related to infection.

Validation of registration of pharmacological treatment in the Danish Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Registers

The aim of this study was to validate registration of pharmacological treatment in the Danish Hip Arthroplasty Register (DHR) and Danish Knee Arthroplasty Register (DKR). We conducted a population-based study in the Capital Region of Denmark, January 2012 to April 2016. Positive predictive value (PPV) and sensitivity were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for antithrombotic, antihemorrhagic and antibiotic treatment registered in the DHR and DKR using electronic health records as the reference standard. For the DHR, the PPV and sensitivity were 77.9% (95% CI: 77.2-78.6) and 99.6% (95% CI: 99.4-99.7) for antithrombotic treatment, 70.9% (95% CI: 70.1-71.7) and 97.4% (95% CI: 97.1-97.7) for antihemorrhagic treatment, and 82.9% (95% CI: 82.2-83.5) and 99.4% (95% CI: 99.3-99.5) for antibiotic treatment, respectively. For the DKR, the PPV and sensitivity were 80.6% (95% CI: 79.8-81.4) and 99.6% (95% CI: 99.4-99.7) for antithrombotic treatment, and 84.4% (95% CI: 83.7-85.1) and 100.0% (95% CI: 99.9-100.0) for antibiotic treatment, respectively. The PPV and sensitivity for overall pharmacological treatment registered in the DHR and DKR were generally high and acceptable for use in research.

Long-term Thromboembolic Risk in Patients With Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Left-Sided Heart Valve Surgery

Importance

New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication of cardiac surgery. However, data on the long-term risk of thromboembolism in patients who develop POAF after heart valve surgery are conflicting. In addition, data on stroke prophylaxis in this setting are lacking.

Objective

To assess the long-term risk of thromboembolism in patients developing new-onset POAF after isolated left-sided heart valve surgery relative to patients with nonsurgical, nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This observational cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2015, using Danish nationwide registries and the Eastern Danish Heart Surgery Database. Patients who developed POAF after isolated left-sided heart valve surgery (bioprosthetic aortic or mitral valve replacement and/or aortic or mitral valve repair) from 2000 through 2015 were included. These patients were matched with patients with nonsurgical NVAF in a 1:3 ratio by age, sex, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, a history of thromboembolism, ischemic heart disease, and year of diagnosis. Data analyses took place from January to March 2019.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Rates of thromboembolism.

Results

Of the 1587 patients who underwent isolated left-sided heart valve surgery, 741 patients (46.7%) developed POAF during admission. Of the 712 patients with POAF who were eligible for matching, 675 patients were matched with 2025 patients with NVAF and made up the study population. In the matched study population, the median age was 71 (interquartile range, 65-77) years, and 1600 (59.3%) were men. Oral anticoagulation therapy was initiated within 30 days postdischarge in 420 patients with POAF (62.9%) and in 1030 patients with NVAF (51.4%). The crude incidence rates of thromboembolism were 21.9 (95% CI, 17.4-27.6) and 17.7 (95% CI, 15.2-20.6) events per 1000 person-years for patients with POAF and patients with NVAF, respectively. In the adjusted analysis, the long-term risk of thromboembolism was similar in patients with POAF and NVAF (hazard ratio, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.88-1.68]). Oral anticoagulation therapy during follow-up was associated with a lower risk of thromboembolic events in patients with POAF (hazard ratio, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.22-0.90]) as well as patients with NVAF (hazard ratio, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.45-0.87]) compared with no anticoagulation therapy.

Conclusions and Relevance

New-onset POAF after isolated left-sided heart valve surgery was associated with a similar long-term risk of thromboembolism as NVAF. These data warrant studies addressing the role of anticoagulation therapy in POAF after left-sided heart valve surgery.

Assessing absolute stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation using a risk factor-based approach

AIM

To assess the risk of stroke and thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) based on risk factor combinations of the CHA2DS2-VASc score.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using nationwide Danish registries, patients with AF were included from 1997 to 2015 in this retrospective observational study. A multiple logistic regression, including interactions of history of stroke with age at AF, calendar year of AF, and the CHA2DS2-VASc score risk factors (congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, vascular disease, and female sex) were used to predict the personalized risks of stroke within 1 year. A total of 147 842 patients with AF were included in the study cohort (median age 76 years, range 20-100 years, 51% females). Within the first year, 6% of the cohort were diagnosed with stroke. The predicted personalized 1-year absolute risk of stroke varied widely within each CHA2DS2-VASc score. To estimate the personalized risk of stroke an online calculator was created, the Calculator of Absolute Stroke Risk (CARS), which allows calculation of all the possible combinations of the CHA2DS2-VASc score (https://hjerteforeningen.shinyapps.io/riskvisrr/).

CONCLUSION

Calculation of the individual risk using a risk factor-based approach as opposed to using average risk for a particular CHA2DS2-VASc score can improve risk estimates. Furthermore, CARS can assist in the communication of the stroke risk for a more evidence-based shared decision-making of whether to initiate oral anticoagulation therapy.

Secondary stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation patients with chronic kidney disease: a nationwide cohort study

AIMS

Oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy as secondary stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unexplored and poses a clinical treatment dilemma. We assessed the long-term risk of thromboembolic events according to post-stroke OAC therapy in AF patients with CKD after their first ischaemic stroke.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We identified Danish AF patients with CKD who presented with first-time ischaemic stroke from 2005 to 2014. Chronic kidney disease was defined as a diagnosis code for CKD before baseline, defined as 100 days after stroke discharge. Post-stroke antithrombotic therapy (OAC therapy and antiplatelet therapy) was identified from prescription claims from discharge to baseline. Cumulative incidences and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of thromboembolic events according to post-stroke OAC therapy were examined. Of 1252 AF patients with CKD presenting with ischaemic stroke, 631 (50.4%) patients were on OAC therapy and 621 (49.6%) were on antiplatelet therapy alone at baseline [median age 76 (interquartile range, IQR 71-83) and 80 (IQR 72-86), respectively]. The median follow-up period was 1.9 years (IQR 0.8-3.6). Cumulative incidence rates of thromboembolic events and bleeding showed no significant difference between those on OAC therapy and antiplatelet therapy. The results from the multivariable analysis revealed similar results: thromboembolic risk was not modified by OAC treatment [adjusted HR 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73-1.09] nor was the risk of bleeding (adjusted HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.67-1.17).

CONCLUSION

Oral anticoagulation in patients with CKD and prior stroke was not associated with a reduced risk of recurrent thromboembolic events compared with antiplatelet therapy.

Rivaroxaban Versus Apixaban for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation

Background:

The comparative effectiveness of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is uncertain, as they have not been compared directly in randomized trials. Previous observational comparisons of NOACs are likely to be biased by unmeasured confounders. We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban and apixaban for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), using practice variation in preference for NOAC as an instrumental variable.

Methods and Results:

Patients started on apixaban or rivaroxaban after newly diagnosed AF were identified using Danish nationwide registries. Patients were categorized according to facility preferences for type of NOAC, independent of actual treatment, measured as fraction of the prior 20 patients with AF initiated on rivaroxaban in the same facility. Facility preference for NOAC was used as an instrumental variable. The occurrence of stroke/thromboembolism, major bleeding, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality over 2 years of follow-up were investigated using adjusted Cox regressions. We analyzed 6264 patients with AF initiated on rivaroxaban or apixaban. NOAC preference was strongly related to actual choice of treatment but not associated with any other measured baseline characteristics. Patients treated in facilities that had preference for rivaroxaban had more major bleeding: compared with patients treated in facilities that used rivaroxaban in 0% to 20% of cases, the adjusted hazard ratio for bleeding was 1.06 when treated in a facility with 25% to 40% use; 1.41 with 45% to 60% use; 1.51 with 65% to 80% use; and 1.81 with 0% to 100% use ( P trend =0.01). Higher facility preference for rivaroxaban was not significantly associated with increased risk of stroke/thromboembolism ( P trend =0.06), myocardial infarction ( P trend =0.65), or all-cause mortality ( P trend =0.89). When we used the instrumental variable to model the causal relationship between choice of NOAC and major bleeding, relative risk with rivaroxaban was 1.89 (95% CI, 1.06–2.72) compared with apixaban.

Conclusions:

Using instrumental variable estimation in a cohort of patients with AF, rivaroxaban was associated with higher risk of major bleeding compared with apixaban. No significant associations to other outcomes were found in main analyses.

All-cause mortality, stroke, and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease

AIMS 

To compare the risk of all-cause mortality, stroke, and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and valvular heart disease (VHD) treated with vitamin K antagonist (VKA) or factor Xa-inhibitors (FXa-I; rivaroxaban and apixaban).

METHODS AND RESULTS 

We cross-linked data from Danish nationwide registries identifying patients with AF and VHD (aortic stenosis/insufficiency, mitral insufficiency, bioprosthetic heart valves, mitral-, and aortic valve repair) initiating VKA or FXa-I between January 2014 and June 2017. Outcomes were all-cause mortality, stroke, and bleeding. Using cause-specific Cox regression, we reported the standardized absolute 2-year risk of the outcomes and absolute risk differences (ARD). We identified 1115 (41.7%), 620 (23.1%), and 942 (35.2%) patients initiating treatment with VKA, rivaroxaban, and apixaban, respectively. The standardized absolute risk (95% confidence interval) of all-cause mortality associated with VKA treatment was 34.1% (30.4-37.8%) with corresponding ARD for FXa-I of -2.7% (-6.7% to 1.4%). The standardized absolute risk of stroke for VKA was 3.8% (2.2-5.4%) with corresponding ARD for FXa-I of -0.1% (-2.0% to 1.8%). The standardized risk of bleeding for VKA was 10.4% (7.2-12.9%) with corresponding ARD for FXa-I of -2.0% (-5.1% to 1.1%). The risk of bleeding was significantly reduced in subgroup analyses of apixaban compared with VKA [ARD: -3.9% (-7.0% to -0.9%)] and rivaroxaban [ARD: -5.6% (-9.5% to -1.7%)].

CONCLUSION 

In this nationwide cohort study, there were no significant differences in the risks of all-cause mortality, stroke, and bleeding in patients with AF and VHD treated with VKA compared with FXa-I.

Resumption of oral anticoagulation following traumatic injury and risk of stroke and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation: a nationwide cohort study

Aims

We examined the risks of all-cause mortality, stroke, major bleeding, and recurrent traumatic injury associated with resumption of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and non-VKAs oral anticoagulants (NOACs) following traumatic injury in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.

Methods and results

This was a Danish nationwide registry-based study (2005-16), including 4541 oral anticoagulant (OAC)-treated AF patients experiencing traumatic injury (defined as traumatic brain injury, hip fracture, or traumatic torso or abdominal injury). Within 90 days following discharge from traumatic injury, 60.6% resumed VKA (median age = 80, CHA2DS2-VASc = 4, HAS-BLED = 2), 16.7% resumed NOAC (median age = 81, CHA2DS2-VASc = 4, HAS-BLED = 2), and 22.7% did not resume OAC treatment (median age = 81, CHA2DS2-VASc = 4, HAS-BLED = 3). Switch from VKA to NOAC occurred among 9.5%. Since 2009, the trend in OAC resumption increased (P-value <0.0001), in particular with NOACs (P-value <0.0001). Follow-up started 90 days after discharge, and time-varying multiple Cox regression analyses were used for comparisons. Compared with non-resumption, VKA and NOAC resumption were associated with lower hazard [95% confidence interval (CI)] of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 0.48 (0.42-0.53) and HR 0.55 (0.47-0.66), respectively] and ischaemic stroke [HR 0.56 (0.43-0.72) and HR 0.54 (0.35-0.82), respectively], increased major bleeding hazard [HR 1.30 (1.03-1.64) and HR 1.15 (0.81-1.63), respectively], and similar hazard of recurrent traumatic injury [HR 0.93 (0.73-1.18) and HR 0.87 (0.60-1.27), respectively].

Conclusion

AF patients resuming VKA and NOAC treatment following traumatic injury have lower hazard of all-cause mortality and ischaemic stroke, increased hazard of major bleeding but without additional hazards of recurrent traumatic injury. Withholding OAC following a traumatic injury in AF patients may not be warranted.

Risk of gastrointestinal bleeding associated with oral anticoagulation and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with atrial fibrillation: a nationwide study

Aims

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are displacing vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could increase gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) risks among these patients. The aim of this study was to examine the risk of GIB among Danish AF patients taking oral anticoagulants (OACs) and NSAIDs.

Methods and results

Using nationwide administrative registries, we determined concomitant NSAID use among anticoagulant-naïve patients with AF initiating OACs between August 2011 and June 2017. We calculated short-term absolute risks differences and hazard ratios (HRs) for GIB based on multiple adjusted cause-specific Cox regressions with time-dependent NSAID treatment. Among 41 183 patients [median age 70 years (interquartile range 64–78); 55% men], 21% of patients on NOACs and 18% on VKA were co-prescribed NSAIDs. The differences in absolute risk [95% confidence interval (CI)] of GIB within 14 days of commencing concomitant NSAID therapy (vs. no concomitant NSAID therapy) were 0.10% (0.04–0.18%) for NOACs and 0.13% (0.03–0.24%) for VKA. NOACs overall were associated with less GIB than VKA [HR 0.77 (95% CI 0.69–0.85)]. Compared with OACs alone, concomitant NSAIDs doubled the GIB risk associated with NOACs overall [HR 2.01 (95% CI 1.40–2.61)] and with VKA [HR 1.95 (95% CI 1.21–2.69)].

Conclusion

Among this nationwide AF population taking OACs, concomitant NSAID therapy increased the short-term absolute risk of GIB. Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants alone were associated with lower GIB risks than VKA but concomitant NSAIDs abolished this advantage. The findings align with post hoc analyses from randomized studies. Physicians should exercise appropriate caution when prescribing NSAIDs for patients with AF taking NOACs or VKA.

Switching from vitamin K antagonist to dabigatran in atrial fibrillation: differences according to dose

AIMS

In atrial fibrillation (AF) patients 150 mg b.i.d. dabigatran is the standard dose, yet guidelines recommend 110 mg b.i.d. when bleeding risk is high. It is unknown to which extend these recommendations are followed in patients switching from vitamin K antagonist (VKA) to dabigatran. The aim of this study was to investigate if AF patients are switched from VKA to the appropriate dose of dabigatran.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using nationwide registries (22 August 2011 to 31 December 2012), we identified VKA-experienced AF patients with available creatinine values who switched to dabigatran. European guidelines criteria 2012 on dabigatran dosing were examined: age ≥80 years, HAS-BLED ≥3, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<50 mL/min/1.73 m2, or use of interacting drugs. We identified 1626 VKA-experienced AF patients who switched to dabigatran 110 mg (820 patients) or 150 mg (806 patients). Patients who switched to 110 mg compared with 150 mg were older [median age 82 years (Q1-Q3: 77-86) vs. 68 years (Q1-Q3: 64-74)], more often females (54% vs. 35%), had a higher comorbidity burden, higher proportion with CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 (98% vs. 80%), and more with a HAS-BLED score ≥3 (46% vs. 28%). Patients switched to 110 mg had a higher absolute risk of mortality compared with patients switched to 150 mg. Overall, 26% were inappropriately dosed and 14% were switched to 110 mg although the higher dose was indicated. Furthermore, 39% of patients switched to 150 mg fulfilled one or more criteria for 110 mg, this mostly driven by high HAS-BLED scores (28.2% of patients on 150 mg). Female sex, age ≥80 years, eGFR < 50 mL/min/1.73 m2, drugs interacting with dabigatran, and prior bleeding were associated with switch to 110 mg. Patients inappropriately dosed had similar risk of mortality as patients appropriately dosed.

CONCLUSION

Among VKA-experienced AF patients one in four were switched to a dabigatran dose contrary to guideline recommendations.

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants vs. vitamin-K antagonists in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease: a nationwide cohort study

Background

We aimed to compare effectiveness and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) versus vitamin-K antagonists (VKA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not receiving dialysis.

Methods

By using personal identification numbers, we cross-linked individual-level data from Danish administrative registries. We identified every citizen with a prior diagnosis of AF and CKD who initiated NOAC or VKA (2011–2017). An external analysis of 727 AF patients with CKD (no dialysis) was performed to demonstrate level of kidney function in a comparable population. Study outcomes included incidents of stroke/thromboembolisms (TEs), major bleedings, myocardial infarctions (MIs), and all-cause mortality. We used Cox proportional hazards models to determine associations between oral anticoagulant treatment and outcomes.

Results

Of 1560 patients included, 1008 (64.6%) initiated VKA and 552 (35.4%) initiated NOAC. In a comparable population we found that 95.3% of the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 59 mL/min. Patients treated with NOAC had a significantly decreased risk of major bleeding (hazard ratio (HR): 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.26–0.84) compared to VKA. There was not found a significant association between type of anticoagulant and risk of stroke/TE (HR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.39–1.78), MI (HR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.18–1.11), or all-cause mortality (HR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.77–1.26).

Conclusion

NOAC was associated with a lower risk of major bleeding in patients with AF and CKD compared to VKA. No difference was found in risk of stroke/TE, MI, and all-cause mortality.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing primary total hip and knee arthroplasty: A narrative review

In this narrative review of the real-world effectiveness and safety of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis following primary total hip and knee arthroplasty, a total of 12 non-interventional observational studies were included. Pharmacological thromboprophylaxis included warfarin, heparins, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, acetylsalicylic acid, and fondaparinux. The absolute risks varied across the included studies. These variations can be explained by differences in patient populations, drug exposure, follow-up time, and definition of outcomes, which makes it a challenge to compare the risk estimates. These findings emphasize the need for a large population-based real-world study to provide comparable risk estimates associated with different pharmacological thromboprophylaxis.

P4799Long-term thromboembolic risk in patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation after left-sided heart valve surgery

Background

New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication of cardiac surgery. However, data on the long-term risk of thromboembolism in patients who develop POAF after heart valve surgery are sparse. In addition, data on stroke prophylaxis in this setting are lacking.

Objective

To assess the long-term risk of thromboembolism in patients developing new-onset POAF following isolated left-sided heart valve surgery relative to patients with nonsurgical, nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Methods

Using data from the Eastern Danish Heart Surgery Database and Danish nationwide registries, we identified patients who developed POAF following isolated left-sided heart valve surgery (i.e. biologic aortic/mitral valve replacement or aortic/mitral valve repair) from 2000 through 2015. These patients were matched with patients with nonsurgical NVAF in a 1:4 ratio by age, sex, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, a history of thromboembolism, ischemic heart disease, and year of diagnosis. Long-term risk of thromboembolism was examined by the Aalen-Johansen estimator and cause-specific Cox regression models adjusted for comorbidities, concomitant pharmacotherapy, and oral anticoagulation therapy as a time-dependent covariate.

Results

A total of 1,539 patients undergoing isolated left-sided heart valve surgery were identified. Of these, 716 (46.5%) patients developed POAF after surgery. A total of 630 patients with POAF were matched with 2,520 patients with NVAF. In the matched study population, the median age was 71 years (25th-75th percentile 66–77 years) and 59.5% were men. Oral anticoagulation therapy was initiated within 30 days post-discharge in 62.7% and 51.4% of these patients, respectively. Compared with NVAF, POAF was not associated with a significantly different 5-year absolute risk of thromboembolism (10.7% [95% confidence interval [CI], 8.0%-13.9%] versus 8.9% [95% CI, 7.6%-10.2%] in the POAF and NVAF group, respectively) (Figure). In the adjusted analysis, the long-term risk of thromboembolism was similar in patients with POAF and NVAF (hazard ratio [HR] 1.01 [95% CI, 0.71–1.44]). Anticoagulation therapy during follow-up was associated with a lower risk of thromboembolic events in patients with POAF (HR 0.45 [95% CI, 0.18–0.99]) as well as NVAF (HR 0.58 [95% CI, 0.42–0.80]) compared with no anticoagulation therapy.

Conclusions

New-onset POAF following isolated left-sided heart valve surgery was associated with a similar long-term risk of thromboembolism compared with NVAF. Future studies addressing the role of oral anticoagulation therapy in POAF after heart valve surgery are warranted to examine the efficacy and safety as well as the timing and duration of anticoagulation therapy.

3052Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are safe and effective alternatives to warfarin across subgroups by renal function: results from Danish registries

Background

All non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have some degree of renal excretion, and patients with severely reduced renal function have been excluded from randomized controlled clinical trials of stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). Influence of renal function on outcomes has not been assessed in previous real-world studies of NOACs in AF.

Purpose

To assess influence of renal function on efficacy and safety of dabigatran, rivaroxaban or apixaban vs. warfarin.

Methods

Using nationwide registries, we identified all Danish AF patients who initiated warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban or apixaban between 2012 and 2016. We included patients with a plasma creatinine measurement within 14 days from drug initiation and calculated estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Hazard ratio (HR) of stroke/thromboembolism (TE) or major bleeding according to oral anticoagulation was calculated using multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analyses with warfarin as reference.

Results

We included 14,673 AF patients who started first-time oral anticoagulation within 14 days from AF diagnosis, and our study population comprised 2482 (16.9%) initiators of dabigatran (median age 72, 44.5% women), 3806 (25.9%) initiators of rivaroxaban (median age 75, 48.0% women), 5067 (34.5%) initiators of apixaban (median age 76, 48.8% women), and 3318 (22.6%) initiators of warfarin (median age 75, 45.4% women). eGFR was >50, 30–50 and 15 to <30 mL/min/1.73m2 in 10,281 (83.1%), 2079 (14.2%) and 404 (2.8%) patients at baseline. After adjustment for age, sex, year of inclusion, income, cohabitation status, eGFR, hemoglobin, medications and comorbidities, the HRs for stroke/TE compared to warfarin were 0.94 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74–1.20) for dabigatran, 1.06 (CI 0.84–1.34) for rivaroxaban, and 1.10 (CI 0.88–1.36) for apixaban. There were no significant heterogeneities in HRs of stroke/TE across subgroups by eGFR. Apixaban (HR 0.74, CI 0.62–0.89) was associated with lower risk of major bleeding compared to warfarin, rivaroxaban (HR 1.06, CI 0.88–1.27) with risk of major bleeding comparable to warfarin, and there were no significant heterogeneities in risk of major bleeding with rivaroxaban or apixaban across subgroups by eGFR. Dabigatran was associated with lower risk of bleeding among patients with eGFR >50 mL/min/1.73m2, but not among patients with eGFR 30–50 mL/min/1.73m2 (interaction P=0.03).

Conclusions

In a large real-world cohort, renal function had no significant influence on efficacy or safety of apixaban or rivaroxaban when compared with warfarin. Dabigatran was associated with lower risk of bleeding among patients with normal or mildly decreased renal function, but not among patients with moderately decreased renal function.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This study was funded by an unrestricted grant from the Capital Region of Denmark, Foundation for Health Research.

P4792Dabigatran versus vitamin K antagonists in patients with atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and valvular heart disease (VHD) are both associated with an increased risk of stroke. Outside post-hoc analyses of randomized controlled trials, knowledge on the effectiveness and safety of dabigatran in patients with AF and VHD is scarce.

Objectives

To compare the risk of all-cause mortality, stroke, and bleeding in patients with AF and VHD treated with dabigatran or a vitamin K antagonist (VKA).

Methods

All Danish residents are provided a unique personal identification number enabling cross-linking of data from Danish nationwide registries. We identified all patients with AF and VHD initiating treatment with dabigatran or VKA between the 22nd of August 2011 and the 31st of December 2014. We defined VHD as aortic stenosis/regurgitation, mitral regurgitation, bioprosthetic heart valves, mitral-, and aortic valve repair. Outcomes were all-cause mortality, stroke, and bleeding. 2-year standardized absolute risks were calculated from cause-specific Cox regression models with death as competing risk.

Results

In total, 599 (27.3%) and 1,596 (72.7%) patients initiated treatment with dabigatran and VKA. The 2-year standardized absolute risk of all-cause mortality (95% CI) for VKA was 27.6% (25.1% to 30.1%) and 25.4% (21.8% to 29.0%) for dabigatran with a corresponding absolute risk difference of −2.2% (−6.3% to 1.9%) (Figure 1). The 2-year standardized absolute risk of stroke for VKA was 3.4% (2.3% to 4.5%) and 3.9% (2.2% to 5.5%) for dabigatran with a corresponding absolute risk difference of 0.5% (−1.6% to 2.5%). Lastly, the 2-year standardized absolute risk of bleeding for VKA was 8.2% (6.6% to 9.7%) and 7.6% (5.1% to 10.1%) for dabigatran with a corresponding absolute risk difference of −0.5% (−3.4% to 2.4%).

Figure 1

Conclusions

In this nationwide cohort study, we found no significant difference in the risk of all-cause mortality, stroke, or bleeding in patients with AF and VHD when comparing VKA to dabigatran.

P4779High facility preference for rivaroxaban in atrial fibrillation increases risk of major bleeding compared to facility preference for apixaban

Background

No randomized trial has compared efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in atrial fibrillation (AF). Previous real-world comparisons could be biased by patient characteristics of importance for treatment selection, but instrumental variables could potentially account for measured and unmeasured confounders.

Purpose

To compare efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban and apixaban using facility preference for type of NOAC as instrumental variable.

Methods

AF patients started on apixaban or rivaroxaban were identified using nationwide registries. We categorized patients according to facility preference for type of NOAC, measured as percentage of the prior 20 AF patients started on rivaroxaban in the same facility. Occurrence of stroke/thromboembolism (TE), major bleeding, myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality during two years of follow-up were investigated using adjusted Cox regressions. To further examine general frailty according to facility preferences we also investigated occurrence of cancer, urogenital tract infection, dehydration and fracture.

Results

We analyzed 6264 AF patients initiated on rivaroxaban or apixaban. Compared with patients treated in facilities that used rivaroxaban in 0–20% of cases, the adjusted hazard ratio for bleeding was 1.05 when treated in a facility with 25–40% use; 1.40 with 45–60% use; 1.50 with 65–80% use; and 1.81 for 85–100% use (Ptrend=0.002). Higher facility level use of rivaroxaban was not associated with increased risk of stroke/TE (Ptrend=0.06), myocardial infarction (Ptrend=0.87) or all-cause mortality (Ptrend=0.91), and there was no association between facility preference for rivaroxaban and risk of cancer (Ptrend=0.83), urogenital tract infection (Ptrend=0.49), dehydration (Ptrend=0.91) or fracture (Ptrend=0.47).

Characteristics by facility preference Percent of previous AF patients from facility started on rivaroxaban P for trend 0–20% 25–40% 45–60% 65–80% 85–100% No. of patients 1406 1421 1551 930 956 Received rivaroxaban, (%) 279, (19.8) 499, (35.1) 711, (45.8) 632, (68.0) 774, (81.0) <0.001 Standard dose, (%) 1216, (86.5) 1232, (86.7%) 1366, (88.1%) 793, (85.3%) 824, (86.2%) 0.62 Median age, (interquartile range) 70, (63.3–74) 69, (63–74) 70, (64–74) 70, (64–75) 70, (63–75) 0.11 Below median income, (%) 740, (52.6) 699, (49.2) 764, (49.3) 458, (49.3) 471, (49.3) 0.31 Prior stroke, (%) 99, (7.0) 115, (8.1) 134, (8.6) 69, (7.4) 74, (7.7) 0.56 Prior bleeding, (%) 136, (9.7) 141, (9.9) 163, (10.5) 91, (9.8) 97, (10.1) 0.51 Antiplatelet therapy, (%) 445, (31.7) 465, (32.7) 491, (31.7) 303, (32.6) 317, (33.2) 0.49

Rate of events according to instrument

Conclusion

High facility preference for rivaroxaban increases risk of major bleeding compared to facility preference for apixaban.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This study was funded by an unrestricted grant from the Capital Region of Denmark, Foundation for Health Research.

P4757Vitamin k antagonists are associated with higher risk of osteoporotic fractures compared to non-vitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulants among atrial fibrillation patients: a nationwide cohort study

Background/Introduction

Osteoporotic fractures are associated with high mortality and reduced life quality in an elderly population. Several studies report an increased risk of fractures among patients treated with oral anticoagulants (OAC), however, only sparse research has been made to clarify the difference between treatment with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) regarding the risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of osteoporotic fractures among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in long-term VKA or NOAC treatment.

Methods

Patients with AF were identified using Danish national registries and were included when they had undergone 180 days OAC treatment, and only if they had no prior use of osteoporosis medication. The study period was from 1 January 2013 until 30 June 2017, and patients were followed for 2 years, or until death, outcome or emigration. Outcomes were hip fracture, major osteoporotic fracture, any fracture, initiation of osteoporosis medication, and a combined endpoint. G-formula was used to determine standardized absolute risk, and multiple covariate adjusted Cox regressions were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR).

Results

Overall, 37,350 patients with AF were included; 32.6% received VKA treatment (median age 72 years, 61.8% men) and 67.4% received NOAC treatment (median age 73 years, 55.9% men). The standardized absolute 2-year risk of any fracture was low among NOAC treated patients (3.1%; 95% CI: 2.9% to 3.3%), and among VKA treated patients (3.8%; 95% CI: 3.4% to 4.2%).

NOAC was associated with a significantly lower relative risk of any fracture (HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.74 to 0.97), of major osteoporotic fractures (HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.99), and of initiating osteoporotic medication (HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.71 to 0.95). A combined endpoint showed that patients treated with NOAC had a significantly lower risk of suffering from any fracture or initiating osteoporosis medication (HR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.76 to 0.93).

Adjusted relative two-year risks

Conclusion

In a nationwide population, the absolute risk of osteoporotic fractures was low among AF patients on OAC, but NOAC was associated with a significantly lower risk of osteoporotic fractures compared to VKA.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Scholarship from The Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev and Gentofte

P926Comparative safety and effectiveness of vitamin K antagonist and direct oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background

Data on the comparative safety and effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are sparse.

Purpose

To examine the risk of thromboembolism, bleeding, and all-cause mortality in patients treated with DOACs versus VKAs.

Methods

Danish nationwide registries were used to identify all patients undergoing TAVI (2011–2016) with a history of AF and who were treated with oral anticoagulants. The risk of outcomes in patients treated with DOACs versus VKAs were examined by the Aalen-Johansen estimator and cause-specific Cox regression models.

Results

The study population comprised 762 patients (median age 82 [interquartile range 77–85], 52.9% men), of whom 216 (28.3%) and 546 (71.7%) patients were treated with DOACs and VKAs, respectively. The DOAC group was characterized by a higher prevalence of previous thromboembolism and a lower prevalence of chronic kidney disease compared with the VKA group. The distribution of age, sex, CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED score, and concomitant antiplatelet therapy was similar between groups. Compared with VKA, treatment with DOACs was not associated with a significantly different 3-year absolute risk of thromboembolism (9.5% [95% confidence interval [CI], 4.7%-16.2%] versus 7.7% [95% CI, 5.3%-10.8%] in the DOAC and VKA group, respectively), bleeding (5.3% [95% CI, 2.4%-10.0%] versus 6.3% [95% CI, 4.1%-9.0%]), and all-cause mortality (32.6% [95% CI, 21.9%-43.7%] versus 33.3% [95% CI, 28.3%-38.5%]). In adjusted analyses, treatment with DOACs, as compared with VKA treatment, was not associated with a significantly different risk of thromboembolism (hazard ratio [HR], 1.25 [95% CI, 0.61–2.57]), bleeding (HR, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.54–2.75]), and all-cause mortality (HR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.60–1.35]).

Conclusions

In patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing TAVI, treatment with DOACs was not associated with a significantly different risk of thromboembolism, bleeding, and all-cause mortality compared with treatment with VKA.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

3154The incidence of atrial fibrillation continues to increase across all socioeconomic subgroups: 30-year time trends from a Nationwide cohort

Introduction

The incidence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) has increased substantially throughout the last decades. Socioeconomic factors such as income and education are well known to be associated with the development of cardiovascular disease, however, the impact on long-term trends of AF incidence rates is yet to be described.

Purpose

This nationwide cohort study examined the temporal trends of AF incidence rates over a span of 30 years (from 1987 to 2016) in Denmark. Furthermore, the impact of income and education was outlined.

Method

Patients were identified through linkage across Danish national registries from 1987 to 2016. We extracted data on the total number of inhabitants in Denmark aged ≥18 years, and used their age, sex, civil status, income and educational level for each calendar year. Data on socio economics were available from 1994. Income was defined by the average income over the prior 5 years and grouped into low (&lt;q1),&gt;Q3). Educational level was divided into primary school, high school, bachelor's degree, or master's degree. We defined incident AF as all first-time in- and outpatient diagnoses of AF. The incidence rates of AF were age-standardized per 1000 person-years for each calendar year and calculated for men and women separately.

Results

A total of 6,968,997 Danish inhabitants aged ≥18 years contributed to the study population from 1987 to 2016, and 393,183 (6%) developed AF over the study period. The age-standardized incidence rates of AF per 1000 person-years increased from 1.23 (CI 1.15:1.30) to 4.05 (CI 3.93:4.17) for men and from 1.13 (CI 1.06:1.30) to 3.56 (CI 3.44:3.68) for women from 1987 to 2016. Income status and educational level influenced the age-standardized incidence rates more significantly in women than men. The incidence rate from 1994 to 2016 for women with low income increased by a factor of 2.1 from 2.0 (CI 1.89:2.21) to 4.36 (CI 4.03:4.73). However, the high income group increased by a factor of 1.6 (from 1.74 (CI 1.10:3.32) to 2.83 (CI 2.29:3.55) per 1000 person-years). Moreover, the incidence rate for women with low educational level increased from 1.60 (CI 0.95:5.97) to 4.01 (CI 3.80:4.23) per 1000 person-years. The high educational group increased only by 1.2 (from 2.55 (CI 0.77:10.38) to 3.1 (CI 3.32:4.11) per 1000 person-years).

Conclusion

In a nationwide population, the incidence rate of AF continued to increase during a 30-year period. All socioeconomic subgroups experienced an increase in AF incidence, but the impact of low socioeconomic status was more significant among women than among men. The progressive growth in AF incidence has significant public health implications.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Danish Heart Foundation

Comparative thromboembolic risk in atrial fibrillation with and without a secondary precipitant-Danish nationwide cohort study

OBJECTIVES

We compared long-term outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with and without a secondary precipitant.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective cohort study based on Danish nationwide registries.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with AF with and without secondary precipitants (1996-2015) were matched 1:1 according to age, sex, calendar year, CHA₂DS₂-VASc score and oral anticoagulation therapy (OAC), resulting in a cohort of 39 723 patients with AF with a secondary precipitant and the same number of patients with AF without a secondary precipitant. Secondary precipitants included alcohol intoxication, thyrotoxicosis, myocardial infarction, surgery and infection in conjunction with AF.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES

The primary outcome in this study was thromboembolic events. Secondary outcomes included AF rehospitalisation and death. Long-term risks of outcomes were examined by multivariable Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

The most common precipitants were infection (55.0%), surgery (13.2%) and myocardial infarction (12.0%). The 5-year absolute risk of thromboembolic events (taking death into account as a competing risk) in patients with AF grouped according to secondary precipitants were 8.3% (alcohol intoxication), 8.5% (thyrotoxicosis), 12.1% (myocardial infarction), 11.6% (surgery), 12.2% (infection), 10.1% (>1 precipitant) and 12.3% (no secondary precipitant). In the multivariable analyses, AF with a secondary precipitant was associated with the same or an even higher thromboembolic risk than AF without a secondary precipitant. One exception was patients with AF and thyrotoxicosis: those not initiated on OAC therapy carried a lower thromboembolic risk the first year of follow-up than matched patients with AF without a secondary precipitant and no OAC therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, AF with a secondary precipitant was associated with the same thromboembolic risk as AF without a secondary precipitant. Consequently, this study highlights the need for more research regarding the long-term management of patients with AF associated with a secondary precipitant.

Outcomes Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Appropriate Anticoagulation Control

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients on a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) with time in therapeutic range (TTR) ≥70% are not recommended to switch to a direct oral anticoagulant according to guidelines.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to assess future TTR and risk of stroke/thromboembolism and major bleeding among AF patients on VKA with TTR ≥70%.

METHODS

The authors used Danish nationwide registries to identify AF patients on VKA from 1997 to 2011 with available international normalized ratio values. Patients were included 6 months after VKA initiation, divided according to TTR, and followed for 12 months after inclusion. Cox proportional hazard models estimated hazard ratios (HRs). TTR was examined both as a baseline variable and as a time-dependent covariate in the Cox models.

RESULTS

Of the 4,772 included AF patients still on VKA 6 months after initiation, 1,691 (35.4%) had a TTR ≥70%, and 3,081 (65.6%) had a TTR <70%. Among patients with prior TTR ≥70% still on treatment 12 months after inclusion, only 513 (55.7%) still had a TTR ≥70%. Compared with prior TTR ≥70%, prior TTR <70% was not associated with a higher risk of stroke/thromboembolism (HR: 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77 to 1.70) or major bleeding (HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.84 to 1.49). When the authors estimated TTR time-dependently during follow-up, TTR <70% was associated with an increased risk of stroke/thromboembolism (HR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.30 to 2.82) and major bleeding (HR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.76).

CONCLUSIONS

Among AF patients on VKA, almost one-half of patients with prior TTR ≥70% had TTR <70% during the following year. Prior TTR ≥70% per se had limited long-term prognostic value.

Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Anticoagulated Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Evidence is conflicting as to the efficacy of direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC) and vitamin K antagonist (VKA) for prevention of myocardial infarction (MI).

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the risk of MI associated with the use of apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and VKA in patients with atrial fibrillation.

METHODS

Patients with atrial fibrillation were identified using Danish health care registers and stratified by initial oral anticoagulant treatment. Standardized absolute 1-year risks were estimated based on Cox regression for hazard rates of MI hospitalizations and mortality. Reported were absolute risks separately for the oral anticoagulation treatments and standardized to the characteristics of the study population.

RESULTS

Of the 31,739 patients included (median age, 74 years; 47% females), the standardized 1-year risk of MI for VKA was 1.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3 to 1.8), apixaban was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.9 to 1.4), dabigatran was 1.2% (95% CI: 1.0 to 1.5), and rivaroxaban was 1.1% (95% CI: 0.8 to 1.3). No significant risk differences were observed in the standardized 1-year risks of MI among the DOACs: dabigatran versus apixaban (0.04%; 95% CI: -0.3 to 0.4), rivaroxaban versus apixaban (0.1%; 95% CI: -0.4 to 0.3), and rivaroxaban versus dabigatran (-0.1%; 95% CI: -0.5 to 0.2). The risk differences for DOACs versus VKA were all significant: -0.4% (95% CI: -0.7 to -0.1) for apixaban, -0.4% (95% CI: -0.7 to -0.03) for dabigatran, and -0.5% (95% CI: -0.8 to -0.2) for rivaroxaban.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant risk differences of MI were found in the direct comparisons of DOACs, and DOACs were all associated with a significant risk reduction of MI compared with VKA.

Thiazolidinediones are associated with a decreased risk of atrial fibrillation compared with other antidiabetic treatment: a nationwide cohort study

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between thiazolidinediones (TZDs) vs. other antidiabetic drugs and risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in diabetic patients.

Method and results

Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) increases the risk of AF by approximately 34%. TZD is an insulin sensitizer that also has anti-inflammatory effects, which might decrease the risk of AF compared with other antidiabetic drugs. We used data from the Danish nationwide registries to study 108 624 patients with diabetes and without prior AF who were treated with metformin or sulfonylurea as first-line drugs. The incidence of AF was significantly lower with TZD as the second-line antidiabetic treatment compared with other second-line antidiabetic drugs (P < 0.001). The 10 year cumulative incidence [95% confidence interval (95% CI)] of AF was 6.2% (3.1-9.3%) with TZD vs. 10.2% (9.8-10.6%) with other antidiabetic drugs. The decreased risk of AF remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities with a hazard ratio (95% CI) of 0.76 (0.57-1.00), P = 0.047 associated with TZD treatment compared with other antidiabetic drugs.

Conclusion

Use of a TZD to treat diabetes was associated with reduced risk of developing AF compared with other antidiabetic drugs as second-line treatment.

Comparative thromboembolic risk in atrial fibrillation patients with and without a concurrent infection

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare long-term thromboembolic risk in infection-related and non-infection-related atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS

Using Danish nationwide registries, we identified patients with first-time AF from 1996-2015 and performed a retrospective cohort study. We did a 1:1 match (upon sex, age, calendar year, and oral anticoagulation (OAC) status at the beginning of follow-up) of patients with infection-related (concurrent discharge diagnosis code for infection) and non-infection-related AF. Long-term outcomes were examined using multivariable Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

Our study population comprised 48,644 patients equally distributed on infection-related and non-infection-related AF. In both groups, those initiated on OAC therapy were younger than those not initiated on OAC therapy (median age 77 years, interquartile range 69-83 versus median age 79 years, interquartile range 71-86). During the 1st year of follow up, infection-related AF was associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events compared with non-infection-related AF: adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.44 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-1.78) for those initiated on OAC therapy and HR 1.17 (95% CI 1.06-1.28) for those not initiated on OAC therapy. In both groups, OAC therapy was associated with better outcomes than no OAC therapy (HR of thromboembolic events 0.75 (95% CI 0.68-0.83) and HR 0.70 (95% CI 0.63-0.78) for patients with infection-related and non-infection-related AF, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Infection was associated with an increased thromboembolic risk in patients with first-time AF. OAC therapy was associated with a similar risk-reduction in AF patients with and without a concurrent infection.