RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Inflammation may promote atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation. This study aimed to evaluate a short-term anti-inflammatory treatment with colchicine following ablation of AF. METHODS: Patients scheduled for ablation were randomized to receive colchicine 0.6 mg twice daily or placebo for 10 days. The first dose of the study drug was administered within 4 hours before ablation. Atrial arrhythmia recurrence was defined as AF, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia >30 s on two 14-day Holters performed immediately and at 3 months following ablation. RESULTS: The modified intention-to-treat population included 199 patients (median age, 61 years; 22% female; 70% first procedure) who underwent radiofrequency (79%) or cryoballoon ablation (21%) of AF. Antiarrhythmic drugs were prescribed at discharge in 149 (75%) patients. Colchicine did not prevent atrial arrhythmia recurrence at 2 weeks (31% versus 32%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.98 [95% CI, 0.59-1.61]; P=0.92) or at 3 months following ablation (14% versus 15%; HR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.45-2.02]; P=0.89). Postablation chest pain consistent with pericarditis was reduced with colchicine (4% versus 15%; HR, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.09-0.77]; P=0.02) and colchicine increased diarrhea (26% versus 7%; HR, 4.74 [95% CI, 1.95-11.53]; P<0.001). During a median follow-up of 1.3 years, colchicine did not reduce a composite of emergency department visit, cardiovascular hospitalization, cardioversion, or repeat ablation (29 versus 25 per 100 patient-years; HR, 1.18 [95% CI, 0.69-1.99]; P=0.55). CONCLUSIONS: Colchicine administered for 10 days following catheter ablation did not reduce atrial arrhythmia recurrence or AF-associated clinical events, but did reduce postablation chest pain and increase diarrhea.
Asunto(s)
Fibrilación Atrial , Ablación por Catéter , Colchicina , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Fibrilación Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilación Atrial/prevención & control , Ablación por Catéter/efectos adversos , Ablación por Catéter/métodos , Dolor en el Pecho/prevención & control , Colchicina/efectos adversos , Colchicina/uso terapéutico , Diarrea/etiología , Recurrencia , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Oral anticoagulation significantly reduces the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and the decision to initiate therapy is based on assessing the patient's yearly risk of stroke. Although warfarin remains the drug of choice in patients with AF and artificial mechanical valves, the novel anticoagulation agents are becoming the drug of choice for all other patients with AF, because of their efficacy, safety, and ease of use. This article summarizes the current evidence for stroke prevention in AF, including valvular AF, subclinical AF, AF in patients with renal insufficiency, as well as stroke prevention around AF cardioversion.
