Asundexian versus Apixaban in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Stroke prevention with direct-acting oral anticoagulant agents in patients with atrial fibrillation confers a risk of bleeding and limits their use. Asundexian, an activated factor XI (XIa) inhibitor, is an oral anticoagulant that may prevent strokes with less bleeding. METHODS: In a phase 3, international, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation in a 1:1 ratio to receive asundexian at a dose of 50 mg once daily or standard-dose apixaban. The primary efficacy objective was to determine whether asundexian is at least noninferior to apixaban for the prevention of stroke or systemic embolism. The primary safety objective was to determine whether asundexian is superior to apixaban with respect to major bleeding events. RESULTS: A total of 14,810 randomly assigned patients were included in the intention-to-treat population. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 73.9±7.7 years, 35.2% were women, 18.6% had chronic kidney disease, 18.2% had a previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, 16.8% had received oral anticoagulants for no more than 6 weeks, and the mean CHA2DS2-VASc score (range, 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating a greater risk of stroke) was 4.3±1.3. The trial was stopped prematurely at the recommendation of the independent data monitoring committee. Stroke or systemic embolism occurred in 98 patients (1.3%) assigned to receive asundexian and in 26 (0.4%) assigned to receive apixaban (hazard ratio, 3.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.46 to 5.83). Major bleeding occurred in 17 patients (0.2%) who received asundexian and in 53 (0.7%) who received apixaban (hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.55). The incidence of any adverse event appeared to be similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atrial fibrillation at risk for stroke, treatment with asundexian at a dose of 50 mg once daily was associated with a higher incidence of stroke or systemic embolism than treatment with apixaban in the period before the trial was stopped prematurely. There were fewer major bleeding events with asundexian than with apixaban during this time. (Funded by Bayer; OCEANIC-AF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05643573; EudraCT number, 2022-000758-28.).

Validation of a Supportive and Palliative Care Indicator Tool Among Patients Hospitalized Due to Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care, including symptom alleviation and advance-care planning, is relevant for patients with heart failure (HF). The Supportive and Palliative Care Indicator Tool (SPICT) is a tool for identifying patients who may benefit from palliative-care assistance but has not been validated in patients hospitalized due to HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical backgrounds, symptom burdens and outcomes were evaluated using the SPICT as assessed on admission in consecutive hospitalized patients with HF. SPICT-positive was defined when 2 or more general indicators and a New York Heart Association class ≥ III were present. Of 601 patients hospitalized due to HF (mean age: 79 ± 12 years; male, 314 [52%]; and mean left ventricular ejection fraction: 44 ± 18%), 100 (17%) patients were SPICT-positive. SPICT-positive patients were older (85 ± 9 vs 78 ± 12 years; P < 0.001) and had higher clinical frailty scales (6 ± 1 vs 4 ± 1 points; P < 0.001), whereas symptom burdens assessed by the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale were not different (17 [13, 28] vs 20 [11, 26] points; P = 0.97) when compared with patients who were SPICT-negative. During the median follow-up period of 518 days, 178 patients (30%) died. Being SPICT-positive was independently associated with higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 3.49, 95% confidence interval: 2.41-5.05; P < 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, New York Heart Association class IV, Get-With-The-Guideline risk score, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels, and left ventricular ejection fractions. CONCLUSIONS: In patients admitted for HF, being SPICT-positive was significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality rates, suggesting the utility of the SPICT as an indicator to initiate advance-care planning for end-of-life care among patients hospitalized due to HF.

10-Year Trends of Antithrombotic Therapy Status and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Renal Dysfunction　- The Fushimi AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) has undergone major changes following the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in 2011. However, the transition of anticoagulation therapy for AF patients with severe renal dysfunction remains to be elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Follow-up data, including creatinine clearance (CrCl), were available for 3,706 patients in the Fushimi AF Registry. We divided patients into 3 groups based on CrCl as follows: (1) CrCl ≥50 mL/min; (2) 50 mL/min>CrCl≥30 mL/min; and (3) CrCl <30 mL/min. In patients with CrCl ≥50 mL/min and 50>CrCl≥30 mL/min, prescription of oral anticoagulants increased year-by-year from 2011 to 2021 with a growing proportion of DOAC; however, the prescription of oral anticoagulants remained almost unchanged in those with CrCl <30 mL/min. In patients with CrCl ≥50 mL/min and 50 mL/min>CrCl≥30 mL/min, the incidence of adverse events, including stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding, was lower among patients enrolled after 2014 than before 2013. However, these trends were not seen in patients with CrCl <30 mL/min. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the increased use of DOAC in patients with AF since 2011, anticoagulation therapy for AF patients with severe renal dysfunction has largely remained unchanged, and a reduction in adverse events in those patients has not been observed.

Initial hemodynamic status and Acute Mortality in Cancer patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism: from the COMMAND VTE Registry.

BACKGROUND: Initial hemodynamic status in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) concerns their acute clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, the characteristics of initial hemodynamic dysfunction and acute mortality in PE patients with active cancer is still controversial. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 1715 PE patients in the COMMAND VTE Registry to compare initial hemodynamic dysfunction, management strategies, and mortality outcomes at 30 days after PE diagnosis between patients with and without active cancer (N = 393 and N = 1322). RESULTS: The patients with active cancer showed lower prevalence of right ventricular dysfunction (35.4% vs. 49.5%, P < 0.001), shock (6.4% vs. 11.6%, P = 0.003), and cardiac arrest (1.8% vs. 5.5%, P = 0.002) at PE diagnosis, compared with those without. The patients with active cancer less frequently received systemic thrombolysis (4.1% vs. 12.6%, P < 0.001) than those without. There was no significant difference in the cumulative 30-day incidence of PE-related death between patients with and without active cancer (4.1% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.89). The cumulative 30-day incidence of all-cause death was significantly higher in patients with active cancer than in those without (11.5% vs. 4.9%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PE patients with active cancer less frequently present with initial hemodynamic dysfunction at PE diagnosis, compared with those without. Nevertheless, PE patients with active cancer still show a similar risk of PE-related death and a higher risk of all-cause death at 30 days after PE diagnosis, suggesting the importance of prudent management for this patient population even if their initial hemodynamic status are not compromised.

Low-Dose Edoxaban in Very Elderly Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Implementation of appropriate oral anticoagulant treatment for the prevention of stroke in very elderly patients with atrial fibrillation is challenging because of concerns regarding bleeding. METHODS: We conducted a phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven trial to compare a once-daily 15-mg dose of edoxaban with placebo in elderly Japanese patients (≥80 years of age) with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who were not considered to be appropriate candidates for oral anticoagulant therapy at doses approved for stroke prevention. The primary efficacy end point was the composite of stroke or systemic embolism, and the primary safety end point was major bleeding according to the definition of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. RESULTS: A total of 984 patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive a daily dose of 15 mg of edoxaban (492 patients) or placebo (492 patients). A total of 681 patients completed the trial, and 303 discontinued (158 withdrew, 135 died, and 10 had other reasons); the numbers of patients who discontinued the trial were similar in the two groups. The annualized rate of stroke or systemic embolism was 2.3% in the edoxaban group and 6.7% in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19 to 0.61; P<0.001), and the annualized rate of major bleeding was 3.3% in the edoxaban group and 1.8% in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.87; 95% CI, 0.90 to 3.89; P = 0.09). There were substantially more events of gastrointestinal bleeding in the edoxaban group than in the placebo group. There was no substantial between-group difference in death from any cause (9.9% in the edoxaban group and 10.2% in the placebo group; hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.36). CONCLUSIONS: In very elderly Japanese patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who were not appropriate candidates for standard doses of oral anticoagulants, a once-daily 15-mg dose of edoxaban was superior to placebo in preventing stroke or systemic embolism and did not result in a significantly higher incidence of major bleeding than placebo. (Funded by Daiichi Sankyo; ELDERCARE-AF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02801669.).

Impact of glycated hemoglobin on 2-year clinical outcomes in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: sub-analysis of ANAFIE Registry, a large observational study.

BACKGROUND: This ANAFIE Registry sub-analysis investigated 2-year outcomes and oral anticoagulant (OAC) use stratified by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels among Japanese patients aged ≥ 75 years with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) with and without clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: The ANAFIE Registry was a large-scale multicenter, observational study conducted in Japan; this sub-analysis included patients with baseline HbA1c data at baseline. The main endpoints evaluated (stroke/systemic embolic events [SEE], major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, cardiovascular death, all-cause death, and net clinical outcome [a composite of stroke/SEE, major bleeding, and all-cause death]) were stratified by HbA1c levels (< 6.0%; 6.0% to < 7.0%; 7.0% to < 8.0%; and ≥ 8.0%). RESULTS: Of 17,526 patients with baseline HbA1c values, 8725 (49.8%) patients had HbA1c < 6.0%, 6700 (38.2%) had 6.0% to < 7.0%, 1548 (8.8%) had 7.0% to < 8.0%, and 553 (3.2%) had ≥ 8.0%. Compared with other subgroups, patients with HbA1c ≥ 8.0% were more likely to have lower renal function, higher CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores, higher prevalence of non-paroxysmal AF, and lower direct OAC (DOAC) administration, but higher warfarin administration. The HbA1c ≥ 8.0% subgroup had higher event rates for all-cause death (log-rank P = 0.003) and net clinical outcome (log-rank P = 0.007). Similar trends were observed for stroke/SEE. In multivariate analysis, risk of all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.46 [95% confidence interval 1.11-1.93]) and net clinical outcome (aHR 1.33 [1.05-1.68]) were significantly higher in the HbA1c ≥ 8.0% subgroup. No significant differences were observed in risks of major bleeding or other outcomes in this and other subgroups. No interaction was observed between HbA1c and OACs. Use/non-use of antidiabetic drugs was not associated with risk reduction; event risks did not differ with/without injectable antidiabetic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Among elderly Japanese patients with NVAF, only HbA1c ≥ 8.0% was associated with increased all-cause death and net clinical outcome risks; risks of the events did not increase in other HbA1c subgroups. Relative event risks between patients treated with DOACs and warfarin were not modified by HbA1c level. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000024006; date of registration: September 12, 2016.

Echocardiographic Parameters of Left Atrial Structure and Function and Clinical Outcomes at 2 Years in Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation　- The ANAFIE Echocardiographic Substudy.

BACKGROUND: This prospective ANAFIE Registry substudy investigated the relationship between the echocardiographic parameters of left atrial (LA) structure and function and clinical outcomes at 2 years among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients aged ≥75 years.Methods and Results: Outcomes of 1,474 elderly non-valvular AF (NVAF) patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography at baseline were analyzed by categories of maximum LA volume index (max. LAVi) and LA emptying fraction (LAEF) total. Baseline mean±standard deviation LAEF total and max. LAVi were 28.2±14.9% and 54.2±25.9 mL/m2, respectively. Proportions of oral anticoagulant (OAC), direct OAC, and warfarin use were 92.7%, 68.7%, and 24.0%, respectively. Patients with LAEF total ≤45.0% (n=1,213) vs. >45.0% (n=224) were at higher risk of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.19, P=0.021) and heart failure (HF) hospitalization (HR: 2.25, P=0.045). Risk of all-cause death was higher with max. LAVi >48.0 mL/m2(n=656) vs. ≤48.0 mL/m2(n=621) (HR: 1.69, P=0.048). Subgroups with abnormal LA function and structure had increased incidence of cardiac/cardiovascular events and HF hospitalization. No significant interaction was observed between echocardiographic parameters and OAC type. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly Japanese patients with NVAF and LAEF total ≤45.0% were at higher risk of cardiovascular events and HF hospitalization, and those with max. LAVi >48.0 mL/m2were at higher risk of all-cause death.

Causes of Death in Elderly Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation　- Results From the ANAFIE Registry.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on mortality in atrial fibrillation (AF) included a limited number of elderly patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). This subanalysis of the ANAFIE Registry evaluated 2-year mortality according to causes of death of elderly non-valvular AF (NVAF) patients in the DOAC era.Methods and Results: The ANAFIE Registry was a multicenter prospective observational study. Mean patient age was 81.5 years and 57.3% of patients were male. Of the 32,275 patients completing the study, 2,242 died. The most frequent causes of death were cardiovascular (CV) death (32.4%), followed by infection (17.1%) and malignancy (16.1%). Incidence rates of CV-, malignancy-, and infection-related death were 1.20, 0.60, and 0.63 per 100 person-years, respectively. Patients aged ≥85 years showed increased proportions of non-CV and non-malignancy deaths and a decreased proportion of malignancy deaths compared with patients aged <85 years. The incidence of death due to congestive heart failure/cardiogenic shock, infection, and renal disease was higher in patients aged ≥85 than those aged <85 years. Compared with warfarin, DOACs were associated with a significantly lower risk of death by intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, and renal disease. CONCLUSIONS: This subanalysis described the mortality according to causes of death of Japanese elderly NVAF patients in the DOAC era. Our results imply that a more holistic approach to comorbid conditions and stroke prevention are required in these patients.

Relationship Between Direct Oral Anticoagulant Doses and Clinical Outcomes in Elderly Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation　- ANAFIE Registry Sub-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: This sub-analysis of the ANAFIE Registry, a prospective, observational study of >30,000 Japanese non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients aged ≥75 years, assessed the prevalence of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) under-dose prevalence, identified the factors of under-dose prescriptions, and examined the relationship between DOAC dose and clinical outcomes.Methods and Results: Patients, divided into 5 groups by DOAC dose (standard, over-, reduced, under-, and off-label), were analyzed for background factors, cumulative incidences, and clinical outcome risk. Endpoints were stroke/systemic embolic events (SEE), major bleeding, and all-cause death during the 2-year follow-up. Of 18,497 patients taking DOACs, 20.7%, 3.8%, 51.6%, 19.6%, and 4.3%, were prescribed standard, over-, reduced, under-, and off-label doses. Factors associated with under-dose use were female sex, age ≥85 years, reduced creatinine clearance, history of major bleeding, polypharmacy, antiplatelet agents, heart failure, dementia, and no history of catheter ablation or cerebrovascular disease. After confounder adjustment, under-dose vs. standard dose was not associated with the incidence of stroke/SEE or major bleeding but was associated with a higher mortality rate. Patients receiving an off-label dose showed similar tendencies to those receiving an under-dose; that is, they showed the highest mortality rates for stroke/SEE, major bleeding, and all-cause death. CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate low DOAC doses (under- or off-label dose) were not associated with stroke/SEE or major bleeding but were associated with all-cause death.

Clinical application of artificial intelligence algorithm for prediction of one-year mortality in heart failure patients.

Risk prediction for heart failure (HF) using machine learning methods (MLM) has not yet been established at practical application levels in clinical settings. This study aimed to create a new risk prediction model for HF with a minimum number of predictor variables using MLM. We used two datasets of hospitalized HF patients: retrospective data for creating the model and prospectively registered data for model validation. Critical clinical events (CCEs) were defined as death or LV assist device implantation within 1 year from the discharge date. We randomly divided the retrospective data into training and testing datasets and created a risk prediction model based on the training dataset (MLM-risk model). The prediction model was validated using both the testing dataset and the prospectively registered data. Finally, we compared predictive power with published conventional risk models. In the patients with HF (n = 987), CCEs occurred in 142 patients. In the testing dataset, the substantial predictive power of the MLM-risk model was obtained (AUC = 0.87). We generated the model using 15 variables. Our MLM-risk model showed superior predictive power in the prospective study compared to conventional risk models such as the Seattle Heart Failure Model (c-statistics: 0.86 vs. 0.68, p < 0.05). Notably, the model with an input variable number (n = 5) has comparable predictive power for CCE with the model (variable number = 15). This study developed and validated a model with minimized variables to predict mortality more accurately in patients with HF, using a MLM, than the existing risk scores.

Impact of Previous Stroke on Clinical Outcome in Elderly Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: ANAFIE Registry.

BACKGROUND: We determined the long-term event incidence among elderly patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in terms of history of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) and oral anticoagulation. METHODS: Patients aged ≥75 years with documented nonvalvular atrial fibrillation enrolled in the prospective, multicenter, observational All Nippon Atrial Fibrillation in the Elderly Registry between October 2016 and January 2018 were divided into 2 groups according to history of stroke/TIA. The primary end point was the occurrence of stroke/systemic embolism within 2 years, and secondary end points were major bleeding and all-cause death within 2 years. Cox models were used to determine whether there was a difference in the hazard of each end point in patients with/without history of stroke/TIA, and in ischemic stroke/TIA survivors taking direct oral anticoagulants versus those taking warfarin. RESULTS: Of 32 275 evaluable patients (13 793 women [42.7%]; median age, 81.0 years), 7304 (22.6%) had a history of stroke/TIA. The patients with previous stroke/TIA were more likely to be male and older and had higher hazard rates of stroke/systemic embolism (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.25 [95% CI, 1.97-2.58]), major bleeding (1.25, 1.05-1.49), and all-cause death (1.13, 1.02-1.24) than the other groups. Of 6446 patients with prior ischemic stroke/TIA, 4393 (68.2%) were taking direct oral anticoagulants and 1668 (25.9%) were taking warfarin at enrollment. The risk of stroke/systemic embolism was comparable between these 2 groups (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.71-1.14]), while the risk of major bleeding (0.67, 0.48-0.94), intracranial hemorrhage (0.57, 0.39-0.85), and cardiovascular death (0.71, 0.51-0.99) was lower among those taking direct oral anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS: Patients aged ≥75 years with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and previous stroke/TIA more commonly had subsequent ischemic and hemorrhagic events than those without previous stroke/TIA. Among patients with previous ischemic stroke/TIA, the risk of hemorrhagic events was lower in patients taking direct oral anticoagulants compared with warfarin. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique Identifier: UMIN000024006.

Antithrombotic Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation with Stable Coronary Disease.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data from randomized trials evaluating the use of antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease. METHODS: In a multicenter, open-label trial conducted in Japan, we randomly assigned 2236 patients with atrial fibrillation who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) more than 1 year earlier or who had angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease not requiring revascularization to receive monotherapy with rivaroxaban (a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant) or combination therapy with rivaroxaban plus a single antiplatelet agent. The primary efficacy end point was a composite of stroke, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring revascularization, or death from any cause; this end point was analyzed for noninferiority with a noninferiority margin of 1.46. The primary safety end point was major bleeding, according to the criteria of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis; this end point was analyzed for superiority. RESULTS: The trial was stopped early because of increased mortality in the combination-therapy group. Rivaroxaban monotherapy was noninferior to combination therapy for the primary efficacy end point, with event rates of 4.14% and 5.75% per patient-year, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55 to 0.95; P<0.001 for noninferiority). Rivaroxaban monotherapy was superior to combination therapy for the primary safety end point, with event rates of 1.62% and 2.76% per patient-year, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.89; P = 0.01 for superiority). CONCLUSIONS: As antithrombotic therapy, rivaroxaban monotherapy was noninferior to combination therapy for efficacy and superior for safety in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease. (Funded by the Japan Cardiovascular Research Foundation; AFIRE UMIN Clinical Trials Registry number, UMIN000016612; and ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02642419.).

The impact of kidney function in patients on antithrombotic therapy: a post hoc subgroup analysis focusing on recurrent bleeding events from the AFIRE trial.

BACKGROUND: The success of antithrombotic therapies is assessed based on thrombotic and bleeding events. Simultaneously assessing both kinds of events might be challenging, and recurrent bleeding events are often ignored. We tried to confirm the effects of kidney function on outcome events in patients undergoing antithrombotic therapy. METHODS: As a post hoc subgroup analysis of the Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events with Rivaroxaban in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease (AFIRE) trial, a randomized clinical trial with a median follow-up of 36 months, patients were divided into high and low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) groups with a cutoff value of 50 mL/min. The cumulative incidence of bleeding and crude incidence of recurrent bleeding per 100 patient-years were calculated. We used the Cox regression model with multiple failure time data for recurrent bleeding events. RESULTS: Among 2092 patients, 1386 (66.3%) showed high eGFR. The cumulative bleeding events per 100 patients at 1 year were 5.4 and 6.2 in the high and low eGFR groups, respectively. The difference continued to increase over time. The hazard ratio for time to the first bleeding event in the high eGFR group was 0.875 (95% confidence interval 0.701-1.090, p = .234) and that for the first composite event was 0.723 (95% confidence interval 0.603-0.867, p < .000). The recurrent bleeding events per 100 person-years were 11.3 and 15.3 in the high and low eGFR groups, respectively, with a rate ratio of 0.738 (95% confidence interval 0.615-0.886, p = .001). During the observation period, the risk of bleeding changed with time. It peaked soon after the study enrollment in both groups. It decreased continuously in the high eGFR group but remained high in the low eGFR group. CONCLUSIONS: We reaffirmed that kidney function affects bleeding events in patients on antithrombotic therapy, considering recurrent events. Patients should have detailed discussions with physicians regarding the possible bleeding events when continuing antithrombotic therapy, especially in patients with decreased kidney function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000016612 . ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02642419 . Registered on 21 October 2015.

Prognosis of elderly non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients stratified by B-type natriuretic peptide: ELDERCARE-AF subanalysis.

BACKGROUND: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a risk factor for stroke and cardiac death in patients with atrial fibrillation. We hypothesized the prognostic outcomes of very elderly non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients ineligible for standard anticoagulation treatment would vary according to BNP stratification. METHODS: In this subanalysis of the ELDERCARE-AF trial, patients were stratified by BNP levels at enrollment, and clinical outcomes compared among BNP subgroups. Hazard ratios were adjusted for age, atrial fibrillation type, body mass index, creatine clearance, congestive heart failure, and D-dimer. BNP levels were measured using chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassays. RESULTS: In total, 984 patients (average age: 86.6 years) not considered eligible for oral anticoagulant therapy at approved doses for stroke prevention were included. The BNP levels at enrollment were <200 (low), 200 to <400 (moderate), and ≥400 (high) pg/mL in 428, 300, and 256 patients, respectively. The number (%) of patients with stroke or systemic embolism (SSE) was 7 (1.2%), 24 (5.9%), and 28 (8.6%) in the low, moderate, and high BNP subgroups, respectively (adjusted hazard ratio 3.82, P = .0025 for low vs moderate BNP and 4.76, P = .0007 for low vs high BNP). There was no significant difference in major bleeding incidence between the BNP subgroups. Edoxaban 15 mg was associated with a consistent reduction in SSE vs placebo in all BNP subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Stratification by BNP level was associated with the incidence of SSE for very elderly non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients ineligible for standard anticoagulation treatment, and the effect of edoxaban 15 mg was consistent across BNP levels.

Prevalence, Temporal Change, and Determinants of Anxiety and Depression in Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression may be under-recognized in patients with heart failure (HF). We therefore investigated the prevalence and temporal change of these symptoms in hospitalized patients with HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively evaluated consecutive hospitalized patients with HF using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) on admission and at discharge. The HADS-A (anxiety) and HADS-D (depression) scores were categorized as follows; 0-7, no symptoms; 8-10, mild; and 11-21, significant anxiety or depression. Symptom worsening was defined as the HADS category at discharge being poorer than that on admission. Of 224 patients (mean age 77.5 years), 35 (16%) and 62 (28%) had significant symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively. During hospitalization, the HADS-A significantly decreased (on admission; median 6 [interquartile range (IQR) 3-9] vs at discharge; median 4 [IQR 2-7], P < .01), whereas the HADS-D did not improve (on admission; median 8 [IQR 5-11] vs at discharge; median 8 [IQR 4-11], P =.82). Anxiety and depression worsened during hospitalization in 19 (10%) and 40 (21%) patients, respectively. Advanced age, higher natriuretic peptide levels, and acute-on-chronic HF were associated with worsening anxiety, and longer hospitalization length was associated with worsening depression. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety and depression were common and depression persisted during HF hospitalization.

Is Progression From Paroxysmal to Sustained Atrial Fibrillation Bad News?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia and associated with increased morbidity and mortality resulting from thromboembolism and heart failure. AF often presents initially as paroxysmal and may progress to a sustained form over time. Sustained forms of AF may be associated with increased symptoms and cardiovascular morbidity, and AF progression may be associated with increased risk of clinically adverse events and outcomes. The present review discusses the clinical factors of arrhythmia progression and risk stratification available to assess the probability of AF progression. Furthermore, currently available treatment options for preventing AF progression are explored and evaluated.

Effect of Cancer on Clinical Outcomes in Elderly Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation　- Substudy of the ANAFIE Registry.

BACKGROUND: Data on outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and active cancer are scarce. The effect of active cancer on thrombosis and bleeding risks in elderly (≥75 years) patients with non-valvular AF (NVAF) enrolled in the All Nippon AF In the Elderly (ANAFIE) Registry were prospectively analyzed.Methods and Results:In this subanalysis of the ANAFIE Registry, a prospective, multicenter, observational study conducted in Japan, we compared the incidence rates of clinical outcomes between active cancer and non-cancer groups. Relationships between primary outcomes and anticoagulation status were evaluated. Of the 32,725 patients enrolled in the Registry, 3,569 had active cancer at baseline; 92.0% of active cancer patients received anticoagulants (23.7%, warfarin; 68.2%, direct oral anticoagulants [DOACs]). Two-year probabilities of stroke/systemic embolic events (SEE) were similar in the cancer (3.33%) and non-cancer (3.16%) groups. Patients with cancer had greater incidences of major bleeding (2.86% vs. 2.04%), all-cause death (10.95% vs. 6.77%), and net clinical outcomes (14.63% vs. 10.00%) than those without cancer. In patients without cancer, DOACs were associated with a decreased risk of stroke/SEE, major bleeding, all-cause death, and net clinical outcome compared with warfarin. No between-treatment differences were observed in patients with active cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Active cancer had no effect on stroke/SEE incidence in elderly NVAF patients, but those with cancer had higher incidences of major bleeding events and all-cause death than those without cancer.

Echocardiographic Structure and Function in Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in Japan　- The ANAFIE Echocardiographic Substudy.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiographic data on the cardiac structure and function in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) are limited. This subcohort study of the ANAFIE Registry analyzed echocardiographic parameters to identify cardiac structural and functional characteristics.Methods and Results:Of 32,726 subjects in the ANAFIE population, 1,494 (4.6%) were entered as the echocardiography subcohort. Half of the patients, including those with persistent and permanent AF, older age (≥80 years), and CHADS2score ≥2, had left atrial (LA) volume index ≥48 mL/m2, indicating severe LA enlargement. LA enlargement significantly correlated with impaired LA reservoir function, regardless of age and CHADS2score. Types of AF and rhythm were strongly related to LA volume and reservoir function (P<0.0001). Moderate-to-severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitation were significantly more common, and the early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to mitral annulus velocity ratio was significantly higher among patients with than without HF history (all, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this subcohort, LA enlargement correlated with impaired LA reservoir function. Elderly patients with non-valvular AF and a history of HF had LA enlargement and dysfunction, increased LV mass index, low LV ejection fraction, and high heart rate.

Association of Concomitant Coronary Artery Disease With Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation　- The Fushimi AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients often have concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD); however, there are little data on clinical characteristics and outcomes of such patients in daily clinical practice in Japan.Methods and Results: The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of AF patients in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Follow-up data were available for 4,464 patients, and the median follow up was 5.1 (interquartile range: 2.3-8.0) years. History of CAD was present in 647 patients (14%); of those patients, 267 (41%) had history of myocardial infarction (MI). Patients with CAD were older and had more comorbidities than those without CAD. The crude incidences (% per patient-year) of cardiovascular events were significantly higher in patients with CAD than those without CAD (cardiac death: 1.8 vs. 0.7, stroke or systemic embolism [SE]: 2.9 vs. 2.1, MI: 0.6 vs. 0.1, composite of those events: 5.1 vs. 2.8, respectively, all log-rank P<0.01). After multivariate adjustment, concomitant CAD was associated with incidence of cardiac events, and history of MI was associated with incidence of MI; however, neither history of CAD nor MI was associated with the incidence of stroke/SE. CONCLUSIONS: In Japanese AF patients, concomitant CAD was associated with higher prevalences of major co-morbidities and higher incidences of cardiovascular events; however, history of CAD was not associated with the incidence of stroke/SE.

Effect of Polypharmacy on Clinical Outcomes in Elderly Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation　- A Sub-Analysis of the ANAFIE Registry.

BACKGROUND: This All Nippon AF in the Elderly (ANAFIE) Registry sub-analysis evaluated the impact of polypharmacy on 2-year outcomes in a large, elderly (aged ≥75 years) Japanese population with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).Methods and Results: The ANAFIE Registry was a multicenter, prospective, observational study with a 24-month follow-up period. Of 32,275 enrolled NVAF patients, 31,419 were grouped by the number of prescribed concomitant medications (other than oral anticoagulants [OACs]): 0-4 [38.8%], 5-8 [43.3%], and ≥9 [17.9%]). Patients receiving more concomitant medications were older, had poor renal function, and suffered more comorbidities than those receiving fewer concomitant medications. Several patient background factors, including diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, and chronic kidney disease, were significantly correlated with an increased number of concomitant medications. With increasing medications, OAC prescription rates decreased, but the warfarin prescription rate increased, and the cumulative incidence rates of stroke/systemic embolic events (SEE), major bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, fracture/falls, cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death, and all-cause death significantly increased (each, P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, increasing medications was independently associated with increases in these events, except for stroke/SEE. There were no significant interactions between the number of medications and anticoagulant treatment with direct OAC or warfarin concerning the incidence of these events. CONCLUSIONS: Polypharmacy was frequent among elderly patients with NVAF who were older with more comorbidities, and was independently associated with a higher incidence of extracranial events.