Impact of different anticoagulation management strategies on outcomes in atrial fibrillation: Dutch and Belgian results from the GARFIELD-AF registry.

BACKGROUND: The uptake rate of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) for the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) was far lower in the Netherlands (NL) compared to Belgium (BE). Also, patients on VKA in NL were treated with a higher target international normalized ratio (INR) range of 2.5 to 3.5. OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect of these differences on thromboembolism (TE) and bleeding. METHODS: Data from the GARFIELD-AF registry was used. Patients with new-onset AF and ≥1 investigator-determined risk factor for stroke were included between 2010 and 2016. Event rates from 2 years of follow-up were used. RESULTS: In NL and BE, 1186 and 1705 patients were included, respectively. Female sex (42.3% vs 42.2%), mean age (70.7 vs 71.3 years), CHA2 DS2 -VASc (3.1 vs 3.1), and HAS-BLED score (1.4 vs 1.5) were comparable between NL and BE. At diagnosis in NL vs BE, 72.1% vs 14.6% received vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and 17.8% vs 65.5% NOACs, varying greatly across cohorts. Mean INR was 2.9 (±1.0) and 2.4 (±1.0) in NL and BE, respectively. Event rates per 100 patient-years in NL and BE, respectively, of all-cause mortality (3.38 vs 3.90; hazard ratio [HR] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-1.15), ischemic stroke/TE (0.82 vs 0.72; HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.62-2.11), and major bleeding (2.06 vs 1.54; HR 1.33, 95% CI 0.89-1.99) did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: In GARFIELD-AF, despite similar characteristics, patients on anticoagulants were treated differently in NL and BE. Although the rate of major bleeding was 33% higher in NL, variations in bleeding, mortality, and TE rates were not statistically significant.

Treatment patterns in anticoagulant therapy in patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in Belgium: results from the GARFIELD-AF registry.

Background: AF, anticoagulation, NOACs, changing patterns of prescription. Methods: We describe baseline data and treatment patterns of patients recruited in Belgium in the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF). Recruitment began when novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were introduced and provides a unique picture of changing treatment patterns over time. 1713 patients with a new (≤6 weeks duration) diagnosis of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and at least one investigator-defined stroke risk factor were recruited between May 2012 and August 2016, and will be prospectively followed for at least 2 years. Results: Overall, anticoagulant use in Belgium was higher than in the rest of Europe: 80.1% of patients received an anticoagulant ± antiplatelet (AP) therapy (14.5% on vitamin K antagonists; 65.6% on NOAC), 10.7% AP therapy and 9.3% no antithrombotic therapy. Over time, we observed an increase in anticoagulant use and a decrease in AP use for stroke prevention. NOAC use in Belgium was the highest of Europe at the study start, with many countries catching up later. In high stroke risk patients (CHA2DS2-VASc ≥2), anticoagulants were used in 84.3%, leaving 15.7% unprotected. In low risk patients (CHA2DS2-VASc 0-1) anticoagulants were overused (58.7%). Factor Xa inhibitors were used more frequently than direct thrombin inhibitors. Conclusion: Guideline adherence on stroke prevention was higher in Belgium than in the rest of Europe, and increased over time. NOAC use in Belgium was the highest of Europe at the study start, with many countries catching up later. Possible reasons are discussed. Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01090362.

Mid-term follow up of triple valve surgery in a western community: predictors of survival.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Triple valve surgery remains a challenge, although with an improved survival rate compared to historical data. Aws assessment was made as to whether the type of valve surgery, underlying valve lesion and pathology were independent predictors of outcome. The patient characteristics were also described according to the type of surgery performed. METHODS: A total of 166 consecutive patients underwent triple valve surgery and were followed up between October 1972 and June 2006. The clinical and operative variables were obtained retrospectively by physicians. The median follow up was 6.11 years (interquartile range 2.13-10.43). RESULTS: The overall 30-day mortality was 10%, five-year survival 70%, and 10-year survival 60%. In patients with three mechanical valves, survival at five years was 90%, and 85% at 10 years, compared to 40% at five years and 30% at 10 years in patients with three bioprostheses. Among all patients with a mechanical valve in the aortic and mitral positions, those with a tricuspid bioprosthesis were compared to patients with tricuspid repair. The survival rate at 10 years was 60%, and similar between groups. The survival rate of patients with aortic and mitral bioprostheses and tricuspid repair was comparable to that in patients with three bioprostheses. Multivariable analyses showed that the type of tricuspid surgery, age, and NYHA functional class were each significant and independent predictors of survival, with a tricuspid mechanical prosthesis favoring survival. According to the type of surgery, the patient groups differed in their cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular risk profiles. CONCLUSION: Triple-valve surgery is a difficult procedure, with greatly improved survival rates compared to historically reported data. The decision of prosthetic valve type and repair should be tailored to the individual patient, as both patient characteristics and chosen surgery appear to determine survival and morbidity. In young patients, a mechanical prosthesis should also be considered in the tricuspid position.

Transcatheter patent foramen ovale closure: a treatment for refractory hypoxaemia.

Right-to-left intracardiac shunt through a patent foramen ovale sometimes induces a significant arterial oxygen desaturation. We describe two cases of severe hypoxia due to a patent foramen ovale, treated successfully by transcatheter closure of the intracardiac shunt. One case occurred after implantation of a cardiac assist device, the other patient presented with a platypnoeaorthodeoxia syndrome. Clinical considerations are outlined.

Conduction disorder and QT prolongation secondary to long-term treatment with chloroquine.

A patient with polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, long QT interval and conduction disorders secondary to long-term treatment with chloroquine is presented.