Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation who Survived from Bleeding Event: The Results from COOL-AF Thailand Registry.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding events are often reported among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), irrespective of antithrombotic use. This study is to determine clinical outcomes of patients with AF who survived from bleeding event. METHODS: We analyzed data from COOL-AF (Cohort of Antithrombotic Use and Optimal International Normalized Ratio Levels in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) Thailand registry. Outcomes of patients who experienced any bleeding were compared with patients who had never bleed. Time updated multivariate Cox-proportional hazard models were used to estimate the risk for clinical outcomes of patients with and without bleeding. RESULTS: Of total 3,405 patients (mean age: 67.8 ± 11.3 years; 41.9% female) in COOL-AF registry, 609 patients (17.9%) reported bleeding event occurs and 568 patients (93.3%) survived though hospital discharge. Patients who survived major bleeding (n = 126) were at increased risk for both death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 4.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.91-6.75, p < 0.001) and stroke/systemic embolism (adjusted HR: 4.49, 95% CI: 2.19-9.24, p < 0.001). Minor bleeding also increased subsequent death (adjusted HR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.56-2.90, p < 0.001). Up to 30% of patients who survived major bleeding and 6.3% of minor bleedings discontinued oral anticoagulation. Discontinuation was associated with very high death rate (42.1%), whereas patients who resumed oral anticoagulation after bleeding had lower mortality (10%). The most common causes of death in patients who survived a bleeding event were not related to cardiovascular causes nor bleeding. CONCLUSION: Patients with AF who have bleeding events have an increased risk for subsequent death and stroke and systemic embolism. These patients should be identified as vulnerable clinically complex patients and require a holistic approach to their AF management.

Clinical outcomes of obese and nonobese patients with atrial fibrillation according to associated metabolic abnormalities: A report from the COOL-AF registry.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective was to determine the influence of obesity and associated metabolic status on clinical outcomes of Asian patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: This study was based on a prospective multicenter of patients with nonvalvular AF. Patients were classified as obese and nonobese and being metabolic unhealthy was defined as having at least one of the three cardiovascular risk factors including dyslipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus. Outcomes were a primary composite outcome of all-cause death, ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (SSE), acute myocardial infarction (MI), and heart failure (HF), as well as the individual end points. RESULTS: There were a total of 3141 enrolled patients (mean age 67.4 ± 11.1 years; 41.0% female), of whom 1566 (49.9%) were obese and 2564 (81.6%) were metabolic unhealthy. During a mean follow-up of 32.2 ± 8.3 months, the incidence rate of the composite outcome, all-cause death, SSE, MI, and HF were 7.21 (6.63-7.82), 3.86 (3.45-4.30), 1.48 (1.23-1.77), 0.47 (0.33-0.64), and 2.84 (2.48-3.23) per 100 person-years, respectively. Metabolic unhealthy nonobese subjects were at higher risk of the composite outcomes than metabolic unhealthy obese subjects with hazard ratio (HR) 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-1.66, p < .001. Metabolic unhealthy obese subjects tend to have an increased risk of the composite outcomes compared to those metabolic healthy obese (HR 1.36, 95% CI 0.91-2.02, p = .133). Metabolic healthy obese subjects were not associated with increased risk. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic unhealthy obese subjects were associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes in AF patients, whereas metabolically healthy obesity was not associated with an increased risk.

The Tip of the Iceberg-Concealing of Advanced Conduction Abnormality.

This case report describes a patient in their 80s who presented with dyspnea and syncope during exercise and a history of essential hypertension and Parkinson disease.

Predicting the Absolute Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Asian Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Comparing the COOL-AF Risk Score with CARS/mCARS Models for Absolute Risk and the CHA2DS2-VASc Score.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were (1) to validate the CARS and mCARS methods in an Asian population with atrial fibrillation (AF) and (2) to compare the CARS and mCARS models for absolute risk using the COOL-AF method and CHA2DS2VASc scores for the prediction of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism (SSE). METHODS: We analyzed the results from a prospective nationwide multicenter AF registry. Follow-up data were collected for 3 years. The main outcomes were SSE. Predictive models of the 3-year SSE of the COOL-AF model, the CHA2DS2VASc score, the CARS for the no-OAC group, and the mCARS for the OAC group were developed and evaluated by C-statistics, and calibration plots were created for the whole group, as well as for oral anticoagulant (OAC) users and no-OAC patients. RESULTS: We studied 3405 patients (mean age: 67.8 years; 58.2% male, 75.4% OAC). The incidence rates of SSE were 1.51 (1.26-1.78), 1.93 (1.39-2.60), and 1.37 (1.10-1.68) for all patients, no-OAC patients, and OAC patients, respectively. For the whole population, the COOL-AF score had a C-statistic of 0.697 (0.682-0.713), which was superior to the CHA2DS2-VASc [0.655 (0.639-0.671)]. For the no-OAC group, the CARS predicted SSE with a C-statistic of 0.685 (0.652-0.716), which was similar to the CHA2DS2-VASc [0.684 (0.651-0.7150] and COOL-AF models [0.692 (0.659-0.723)]. For the OAC group, the mCARS had a C-statistic of 0.687 (0.669-0.705) that was similar to the COOL-AF [0.704 (0.686-0.721)] and better than the CHA2DS2-VASc score [0.655 (0.637-0.674)]. CONCLUSIONS: The calculation of the individual absolute risks using the CARS and mCARS models can predict SSE in an Asian population. Small differences were evident between the COOL-AF and CHA2DS2-VASc scores.

Comparative validation of HAS-BLED, GARFIELD-AF and ORBIT bleeding risk scores in Asian people with atrial fibrillation treated with oral anticoagulant: A report from the COOL-AF registry.

AIMS: Comparative data between the HAS-BLED, GARFIELD-AF and ORBIT score are limited in anticoagulated Asian patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We compared the performance of the 3 scores in a nationwide registry. METHODS: AF patients treated with oral anticoagulants in the COOL-AF registry were studied. We fitted the variables of the HAS-BLED, GARFIELD-AF and ORBIT score to major bleeding in Cox model. We explored a modified HAS-BLED by addition of sex and body weight. Discrimination, calibration, net reclassification index (NRI) and decision curve analysis were used to compare the performance of the 3 models. RESULTS: Of 3402 patients in the registry, 2568 patients who received oral anticoagulant at baseline were studied. Majority of patients (91.1%) received warfarin. The rate of major bleeding was 2.11 per 100 person-years. The C-statistics of the GARFIELD-AF, HAS-BLED, modified HAS-BLED and ORBIT score were 0.65 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-0.67), 0.66 (95%CI 0.64-0.68), 0.69 (95%CI 0.67-0.71) and 0.64 (95%CI 0.62-0.66) respectively. There was good agreement between predicted and observed bleeding in the deciles of HAS-BLED and GARFIELD-AF scores, while the modified HAS-BLED score and ORBIT score overestimated the risk in the last decile. The modified HAS-BLED score had superior NRI than the HAS-BLED score (26.9%, 95%CI 9.7%-42.2%) and the ORBIT score (31.9%, 95%CI 9.0-53.6%). The NRI between the modified HAS-BLED and GARFIELD-AF score was similar. The net benefit curve of the 4 models were overlapping among different thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical utility for bleeding prediction of GARFIELD-AF, HAS-BLED, modified HAS-BLED and ORBIT scores were similar in anticoagulated Asian patients with AF participating in the COOL-AF registry. We found no advantage of the ORBIT over HAS-BLED score for bleeding risk prediction, even in direct oral anticoagulant users.

Impact of Achieving Blood Pressure Targets and High Time in Therapeutic Range on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Adherent to the Atrial Fibrillation Better Care Pathway: A Report From the COOL-AF Registry.

Background We aimed to determine the effect of integrating Atrial Fibrillation Better Care pathway compliance in relation to achievement of systolic blood pressure (SBP) targets and good control of time in therapeutic range (TTR) on clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods and Results We prospectively enrolled patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation  from 27 hospitals in Thailand. All clinical outcomes were recorded. Main outcomes were the composite of all-cause death or ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (SSE), as well as secondary outcomes of all-cause death, SSE, major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, and heart failure. An SBP of 120 to 140 mm Hg was considered good blood pressure control. Target TTR was a TTR ≥65%. A total of 3405 patients were studied (mean age 67.8 years, 41.8% female). Full ABC pathway compliance was evident in 42.7%. For blood pressure control, 41.9% had SBP within target, whereas 35.9% of those on warfarin had TTR within target. The incidence rates of all-cause death/SSE, all-cause death, SSE, major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, and heart failure were 5.29, 4.21, 1.51, 2.25, 0.78, and 2.84 per 100 person-years respectively. Adjusted hazard ratios and 95% CI of Atrial Fibrillation Better Care pathway compliance for all-cause death/SSE, all-cause death, and heart failure were 0.76 (0.62-0.94), 0.79 (0.62-0.99), and 0.69 (0.51-0.94), respectively, compared with noncompliance. Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Better Care compliance and SBP within target had a better outcome or TTR within target had better outcomes. Conclusions In COOL-AF (Cohort of Antithrombotic Use and Optimal International Normalized Ratio Level in Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation in Thailand), a multicenter nationwide prospective cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation, achieving SBP within target and TTR ≥ 65% has added value to Atrial Fibrillation Better Care pathway compliance in the reduction of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Risk of atrial fibrillation among patients with premature ventricular complexes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is more likely found in patients with premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). Nonetheless, the outcomes of previous investigations remain inconclusive. To evaluate the link between PVCs and the risk of AF, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Potentially eligible studies were found by searching for published publications indexed in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception to April 13, 2021, looking for studies that assessed the risk of AF in patients with PVCs vs. those who did not have PVCs. Dersimonian and Laird's random-effect, generic inverse variance technique was used to calculate the pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The meta-analysis includes 6 cohort studies (1 prospective and 5 retrospective cohort studies) with a total of 9,662,088 individuals. We found that patients with PVCs have a significantly higher risk of AF than individuals without PVCs with the pooled RR of 1.90 (95% CI: 1.51-2.39, I2=83%). CONCLUSIONS: PVCs are significantly related with a 1.90-fold higher incidence of AF, according to the present systematic review and meta-analysis. Nonetheless, further research is needed to determine how this connection should be treated in clinical practice if it is causal.

Left Atrial Diameter in the Prediction of Thromboembolic Event and Death in Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: This study aimed to determine the predictive value of left atrial diameter (LAD), and the incremental prognostic value of LAD in combination with CHA2DS2-VASc score for predicting thromboembolic event and all-cause death in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: This is a prospective study from 27 hospitals during 2014−2017. LADi is LAD data indexed by body surface area, and LADi in the 4th quartile (LADi Q4) was considered high. Results: A total of 2251 patients (mean age 67.4 years, 58.6% male) were enrolled. Mean follow-up duration was 32.3 months. Rates of thromboembolic events and all-cause death were significantly higher in LADi Q4 patients than in LADi Q1−3 patients (2.89 vs. 1.11 per 100 person-years, p < 0.001, and 7.52 vs. 3.13 per 100 person-years, p < 0.001, respectively). LADi Q4 is an independent predictor of thromboembolic events and all-cause death with an adjusted hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval of 1.94 (1.24−3.05) and 1.81 (1.38−2.37), respectively. LADi has incremental prognostic value on top of the CHA2DS2-VASc score with the increase in global chi-square for thromboembolism (p = 0.005) and all-cause death (p < 0.001). Conclusions: LADi is an independent predictor of thromboembolic event and has incremental prognostic value in combination with CHA2DS2-VASc score in AF patients.

The Rate of Clinical Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation according to Antithrombotic Strategy: The COOL-AF Registry.

Background: Ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), major bleeding, and death are common outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, so appropriate antithrombotic therapy is crucial. The objective of this study was to investigate the rate of ischemic stroke/TIA, major bleeding, and death compared among AF patients who received oral anticoagulant (OAC) alone, antiplatelet alone, or OAC plus antiplatelet. Methods: Prospective data from the COOL-AF Registry (Thailand's largest multicenter nationwide AF registry) were analyzed. Clinical, laboratory, and medication data were collected at baseline and during follow-up. Clinical outcomes, including ischemic stroke/TIA, major bleeding, and death, were collected. Results: There were 3,148 patients included. Mean age was 68.1 ± 10.8 years and 1,826 (57.7%) were male. AF was paroxysmal in 998 (31.7%), persistent in 603 (19.2%), and permanent in 1,547 (49.1%). The mean follow-up duration was 25.7 ± 10.6 months. The median rates of ischemic stroke/TIA, major bleeding, and death were 1.49 (1.21-1.81), 2.29 (1.94-2.68), and 3.89 (3.43-4.40) per 100 person-years. Antiplatelet alone, OAC plus antiplatelet, and OAC alone were used in 582 (18.5%), 308 (9.8%), and 2,258 (71.7%) patients, respectively. Antiplatelet alone significantly increased the risk of ischemic stroke/TIA and death compared to OAC alone. OAC plus antiplatelet significantly increased the risk of death compared to OAC alone. Conclusions: Antiplatelet was used in 890 (28.3%) AF, of whom 582 (18.5%) received antiplatelet alone, and 308 (9.8%) received antiplatelet and OAC. OAC plus antiplatelet significantly increased the risk of death without additional stroke prevention benefit. Antiplatelet alone should not be used in patients with AF.

Influence of gender on the clinical outcomes of Asian non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients: insights from the prospective multicentre COOL-AF registry.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of gender on clinical outcomes of Asian non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients. DESIGN: This is a cohort study. SETTING: 27 university and regional hospitals in Thailand. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES MEASURES: The clinical outcomes were ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA), major bleeding, intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), heart failure and death. Follow-up data were recorded every 6 months until 3 years. Differences in clinical outcomes between males and females were determined. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the effect of gender on clinical outcomes. Survival analysis and log-rank test were performed to determine the time-dependent effect of clinical outcomes, and the difference between males and females. Effect of oral anticoagulant (OAC) on outcomes and net clinical benefit of OAC was assessed. The analysis was performed both for the whole dataset and propensity score matching with multiple imputation. RESULTS: A total of 3402 patients (mean age: 67.4±11.3 years; 58.2% male) were included. Average follow-up duration 25.7±10.6 months (7192.6 persons-year). Rate of ischaemic stroke/TIA, major bleeding, ICH, heart failure and death were 1.43 (1.17-1.74), 2.11 (1.79-2.48), 0.70 (0.52-0.92), 3.03 (2.64-3.46) and 3.77 (3.33-4.25) per 100 person-years. Females had increased risk for ischaemic stroke/TIA and heart failure and males had increased risk for major bleeding and ICH. Ischaemic stroke/TIA risk in females and major bleeding and ICH risk in males remained even after correction for age, comorbid conditions and anticoagulation treatment. OAC reduced the risk of ischaemic stroke/TIA in males and females, and markedly increased the risk of major bleeding and ICH in males. CONCLUSIONS: Females had a higher risk of ischaemic stroke/TIA and heart failure, and a lower risk of major bleeding and ICH compared with males. OAC reduced risk of ischaemic stroke/TIA in females, and markedly increased risk of major bleeding and ICH in males.

Characteristics and antithrombotic treatment patterns of patients with concomitant coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation from Thailand's COOL-AF registry.

BACKGROUND: Concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are common in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and antithrombotic treatment patterns of patients with concomitant CAD and AF from the COhort of antithrombotic use and Optimal INR Level in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in Thailand (COOL-AF Thailand) registry. METHODS: Registry enrollment criteria included patients aged ≥ 18 years who were diagnosed with AF for any duration at any of 27 public hospitals located across Thailand during 2014-2017. The That Clinical Trials Registry study registration number is TCTR20160113002. Statistical comparisons of characteristics and treatment strategies were performed between patients with and without CAD. RESULTS: Of a total of 3461 AF patients, 557 had concomitant CAD (16.1%). Patients with concomitant CAD and AF were significantly older, more likely to be male, had more comorbidities, and had more cardiovascular implantable electronic devices. History of stroke/transient ischemic attack and prior bleeding was not significantly different between groups. CHA2DS2-VASc score and HAS-BLED score were both higher in patients with CAD than in patients without CAD (4.17 vs. 2.78, p < 0.001, and 2.01 vs. 1.45, p < 0.001, respectively). Utilization of oral anticoagulant was less in patients with CAD (76.0% vs. 84.3%, p < 0.001). Concomitant use of antiplatelet was found to be a major cause of oral anticoagulant (OAC) underutilization. Specifically, the rate of OAC prescription was 95.9% in patients without antiplatelet, and 43.7% in patients with antiplatelet. Among patients with CAD who were on OAC, the rate of concomitant antiplatelet prescription was still high. In this group, 63% of patients were on triple therapy when percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug eluting stent was performed within 1 year, and 32.2% of patients without prior PCI or acute coronary syndrome were taking at least one antiplatelet with OAC. CONCLUSION: Among patients with concomitant CAD and AF, physicians were reluctant to discontinue antiplatelet. The use of antiplatelet discourages physicians from prescribing OAC. Underutilization of OAC may increase the risk of ischemic stroke, and an inappropriate combination of OAC and antiplatelet may increase the risk of bleeding. Trial registration The trial has been registered with the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR) which complied with WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform dataset. The Registration Number is TCTR20160113002 (05/01/2016).

Cardiac arrhythmia during early-week and mid-week dialysis in hemodialysis patients.

Data on cardiac arrhythmia and electrolyte changes during the dialysis cycle have been limited. Fifty-two hemodialysis (HD) patients underwent 48-h Holter monitoring during early-week and mid-week HD sessions. Pre-HD and post-HD blood samples were collected in both HD sessions. The 48-h Holter data were divided into five phases: (1) 4-h during the early-week HD (HD1), (2) 12-h post-HD1, (3) 16-h period between Phases 2 and 4 (used as the patient's baseline electrocardiography [ECG]), (4) 12-h pre-HD2 phase, and (5) 4-h during the mid-week HD (HD2). The patients' mean age was 68.54 ± 13.37 years. We found that the dialysate-to-serum[K] gradient and changes of S[K] were significantly higher in HD1 than in HD2, as well as changes of S[Mg]. There were no significant ECG changes during the 4-h HD1 and HD2 when compared with the baseline ECG. Phase 2 of Holter ECG was the most common phase that showed significant changes (increased QT interval dispersion (QTD), increased ventricular events, increased number of premature ventricular contractions, ST elevation and ST depression), which was contributed from the dialysate[K] 2 mmol/L subgroup, but not the dialysate[K] 3 mmol/L subgroup. In the subgroup of patients with a high ultrafiltration rate (UFR; mean UFR ≥10 mL/kg/h), there were significantly increased ventricular events and ST-segment changes in Phase 2. In conclusion, ECG changes were associated with the dialysis cycle, significantly in the 12-h after early-week HD sessions. These may be associated with low dialysate[K] or high dialysate-to-S[K] gradient, high ultrafiltration rate and duration of the interdialytic interval.

Successful treatment of arrhythmia with ß-blocker and flecainide combination in pregnant patients with Andersen-Tawil syndrome: A case report and literature review.

Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS) is a rare disorder characterized by a triad of ventricular arrhythmia (VA), dysmorphic features, and periodic paralysis. Due to the rarity of this condition, less is known about physiologic effect of pregnancy to ATS and arrhythmia. There is no established guideline for peripartum or postpartum treatment and prevention of arrhythmia in ATS; thus, the clinical management is challenging. We reported two KCNJ2-associated ATS patients who got pregnant and underwent vaginal birth safely. Both individuals had VA, micrognathia without periodic paralysis. ß-blocker plus flecainide could be an effective treatment combination when monotherapy failed to control arrhythmia. VA of two pregnant patients with ATS could be controlled by either physiologic changes associated pregnancy or the combination treatment of ß-blocker and flecainide.

Association of premature ventricular complexes and risk of ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Recent studies have suggested that patients with premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) may have a higher risk of ischemic stroke. However, the data are limited and inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between PVCs and the risk of ischemic stroke. A comprehensive literature review was conducted by searching for published articles indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception through September 25, 2020, to identify studies that compared the risk of ischemic stroke between patients with PVCs and individuals without PVCs. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method of Dersimonian and Laird. A total of four observational studies (2 prospective and 2 retrospective cohort studies) with 42 677 participants met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. We found that patients with PVCs have a significantly higher risk of ischemic stroke than individuals without PVCs with the pooled RR of 1.31 (95% CI, 1.07-1.60, I2 = 43%). From our systematic review and meta-analysis, we found that PVCs are associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke. Whether this association is causal and how it should be addressed in clinical practice require further investigations.

Adherence to Anticoagulant Guideline for Atrial Fibrillation Improves Outcomes in Asian Population: The COOL-AF Registry.

Background and Purpose- Guideline adherent oral anticoagulant (OAC) management of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation has been associated with improved outcomes, but limited data are available from Asia. We aimed to investigate outcomes in patients who received guideline compliant management compared with those who were OAC undertreated or overtreated, in a large nationwide multicenter cohort of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in Thailand. Methods- Patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were prospectively enrolled from 27 hospitals-all of which are data contributors to the COOL-AF Registry (Cohort of Antithrombotic Use and Optimal INR Level in Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation in Thailand). Patients were categorized as follows: (1) guideline adherence group when OAC was given in high-risk or intermediate-risk, but not in low-risk patients; (2) undertreatment group when OAC was not given in the high-risk or intermediate-risk groups; and (3) overtreatment group when OAC was given in the low-risk group or when OAC was given in combination with antiplatelets without indication. Results- A total of 3327 patients who had follow-up clinical outcome data were included. The mean age of patients was 67.4 years and 58.1% were male. The numbers of patients in the guideline adherence group, undertreatment group, and overtreatment group were 2267 (68.1%), 624 (18.8%), and 436 (13.1%) patients, respectively. The overall rate of ischemic stroke, major bleeding, all bleeding, and death was 3.0%, 4.4%, 15.1%, and 7.8%, respectively. Undertreated patients had a higher risk of ischemic stroke and death compared with guideline adherent patients, and overtreated patients had a higher risk of bleeding and death compared with OAC guideline-managed patients. Conclusions- Adherence to OAC management guidelines is associated with improved clinical outcomes in Asian nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients. Undertreatment or overtreatment was found to be associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes compared with guideline-adherent management.

History of major bleeding predicts risk of clinical outcome of patients with atrial fibrillation: results from the COOL-AF registry.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical outcomes between patients with and without history of major bleeding according to types of antithrombotic medications in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). METHODS: We conducted a multicenter registry of patients with NVAF during 2014 to 2017 in Thailand. The following data were collected: demographic data, type of NVAF, medical illness, components of CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores, history of bleeding and severity, investigations, and antithrombotic medications. Clinical outcomes were death, bleeding, and ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA). RESULTS: There were a total of 3218 patients. The average age was 67.3 ± 11.3 years, and 58.3% were men. Sixty-nine patients (2.14%) had a history of major bleeding. Antithrombotic use was, as follows: 2126 patients (75.3%) received oral anticoagulant (OAC) alone, 555 (17.2%) received antiplatelet alone, 298 (9.3%) received both, and 239 (7.4%) received neither. During follow-up, 9.9% had major adverse outcomes, including death (5.9%), ischemic stroke/TIA (2.5%), and major bleeding (4.0%). There were no significant differences in the types of antithrombotic medications between patients with and without history of major bleeding. Multivariate analysis revealed old age, low body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and history of major bleeding to be independently associated with major adverse outcome. Adverse events significantly increased in patients with OAC plus antiplatelet. CONCLUSIONS: History of major bleeding was identified as a factor that significantly affects clinical outcome. Inappropriate use of OAC plus antiplatelet should be avoided. Special caution should be made in this high-risk patients.

Prevalence of atrial arrhythmia in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Little is known about atrial involvement in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Recent studies have suggested that atrial arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter (AFL), and atrial tachycardia, was common among these patients although the reported prevalence varied considerably across the studies. The current systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with the aim of comprehensively investigating the prevalence of overall atrial arrhythmia and each atrial arrhythmia subtype in the setting of ARVC by identifying all relevant studies and combining their results together. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted by searching for published articles indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception through to 22 September 2019 to identify cohort studies of patients with ARVC that described the prevalence of atrial arrhythmia among the participants. The pooled prevalence across studies was calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird with a double arcsine transformation. RESULTS: A total of 16 cohort studies with 1986 patients with ARVC were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of overall atrial arrhythmia among patients with ARVC was 17.9% [95% confidence interval (CI), 13.0-24.0%; I 88%], the pooled prevalence of atrial fibrillation of 12.9% (95% CI, 9.6-17.0%; I 78%), the pooled prevalence of AFL of 5.9% (95% CI, 3.7-9.2%; I 70%), and the pooled prevalence of atrial tachycardia of 7.1% (95% CI, 3.7-13.0%; I 49%). CONCLUSION: Atrial arrhythmia is common among patients with ARVC with the pooled prevalence of approximately 18%, which is substantially higher than the reported prevalence of atrial arrhythmia in the general population.

Efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus vitamin K antagonist (VKA) among patients with atrial fibrillation and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background/objectives: Long-term oral anticoagulant therapy is recommended for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who develop atrial fibrillation (AF) to prevent cardioembolic complications. In patients with non-valvular AF, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has been proved to be non-inferior to adjusted-dose vitamin K antagonist (VKA). However, the role of DOACs in patients with AF in the setting of HCM has not been fully established.Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted by searching for published articles indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception through 1 May 2019. Eligible studies must start with recruitment of patients with AF in the setting of HCM who received either DOACs or VKA. The studies must follow them for the occurrence of ischaemic stroke. Hazard ratio (HR) and confidence interval (CI) of developing ischaemic stroke between the two groups must be reported. Pooled HR was calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird.Results: A total of three retrospective cohort studies with 4,418 participants met the eligibility criteria and were included into the meta-analysis. A significantly lower risk of all-cause death was observed in the DOACs group than in the VKA group with the pooled HR of 0.43 (95% CI, 0.33-0.58, I2 = 0%). However, the risk of ischaemic stroke among patients with AF and HCM who received DOACs was not significantly different from those who received VKA with the pooled HR of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.73-1.22, I2 = 0%). Both major bleeding and intracranial bleeding were also not significantly different between those who received DOACs versus those who received VKA with the pooled HR of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.70-1.26, I2 = 0%) and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.27-1.37, I2 = 0%), respectively.Conclusions: The current study found that the risk of all-cause death was significantly reduced but the risk of ischaemic stroke, major bleeding and intracranial bleeding were not significantly different between patients with AF and HCM who had received DOACs and those who received VKA.

SAMe-TT2R2 score for prediction of suboptimal time in therapeutic range in a Thai population with atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: International normalised ratio (INR) control is an important factor in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) being treated with warfarin. INR control was previously reported to be poorer among Asians compared to Westerners. We aimed to validate the SAMe-TT2R2 score for prediction of suboptimal INR control (defined as time in therapeutic range [TTR] < 65% in the Thai population) and to investigate TTR among Thai NVAF patients being treated with warfarin. METHODS: INR data from patients enrolled in a multicentre NVAF registry was analysed. Clinical and laboratory data was prospectively collected. TTR was calculated using the Rosendaal method. Baseline data was compared between patients with and without suboptimal INR control. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify variables independently associated with suboptimal INR control. RESULTS: A total of 1,669 patients from 22 centres located across Thailand were included. The average age was 69.1 ± 10.7 years, and 921 (55.2%) were male. The mean TTR was 50.5% ± 27.5%; 1,125 (67.4%) had TTR < 65%. Univariate analysis showed hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, renal disease and SAMe-TT2R2 score to be significantly different between patients with and without optimal TTR. The SAMe-TT2R2 score was the only factor that remained statistically significant in multivariate analysis. The C-statistic for the SAMe-TT2R2 score in the prediction of suboptimal TTR was 0.54. CONCLUSION: SAMe-TT2R2 score was the only independent predictor of suboptimal TTR in NVAF patients being treated with warfarin. However, due to the low C-statistic, the score may have limited discriminative power.

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and risk of ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) has been traditionally considered as a benign rhythm disorder. However, recent studies have suggested that patients with PSVT may have a higher risk of ischemic stroke although the data are limited and inconclusive. The current systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with the aims to identify all available studies and summarize their results together to better characterize the risk of ischemic stroke among patients with PSVT. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted by searching for published articles indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception through November 11, 2018 to identify all observational studies that compared the risk of ischemic stroke between patients with PSVT and individuals without PSVT. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. RESULTS: A total 5 studies (4 cohort studies and 1 case-control study) with 4 886 977 participants met the eligibility criteria and were included into the meta-analysis. The risk of ischemic stroke among patients with PSVT was significantly higher than individuals without PSVT with the pooled RR of 2.03 (95% CI, 1.22-3.38, I 2 = 89%). CONCLUSION: This study found that PSVT is associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke. Whether this association is causal and how it should be addressed in clinical practice require further investigations.