[Anticoagulant therapy in cancer patients with atrial fibrillation. Considering age factor.]

The current issue of the choice of anticoagulant therapy of atrial fibrillation (AF) in cancer patients is considered. It is noted that the difficulty of choosing an anticoagulant in malignancies is largely determined by age-related factors, such as comorbid cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney dysfunction, metabolic disorders common for in elderly patients. Current data on the risk assessment of hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications of AF in cancer patients in the aspect of age presented. During and after cancer treatment, the risk of developing AF can increase, also in connection with the age-associated pathology. Possible reasons of it are discussed. The choice of different anticoagulants groups in patients treated with anticancer therapy, including direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) is considered. According to available data from observational studies, it is the DOAC that is a promising, relatively safe and effective choice for cancer patients with AF, and therefore their use should be actively studied in randomized trials, considering the factor of age. It is particularly noted that solving this problem requires the interdisciplinary involvement of cardiologists, oncologists, and sometimes, geriatrics, to individualize treatment for each case and to offer the most effective therapy.

Statin therapy in the primary prevention of early atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the role of statin therapy in the prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients without prior atrial fibrillation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 206 patients, aged 57.2±7.9 years (mean±SD), who underwent isolated CABG is carried out. All patients are divided into two groups. The first group (nSt-patients) includes the patients who did not receive statin therapy prior to CABG (n=82). The second group (St-patients) includes the patients who received statin therapy prior to CABG (n=124). Both groups received the statin therapy from the first day after CABG. The risk of occurrence of POAF is evaluated using the Cox-regression model. RESULTS: The rate of POAF was 25.6% in nSt-patients and 6.5% in St-patients (P=0.020). On the 4th day after CABG, white blood cells (WBC) count was 11.0 (9.0, 13.0)×109/mL (medians with inter-quartile ranges) in nSt-patients and 9.0 (7.6, 10.2)×109/mL in St-patients (P<0.001). The peak WBC numbers occurred on the day of POAF onset. The Cox-regression analysis shows that only two factors (statin therapy and number of grafts) had significant influence on the POAF onset. Odds ratio of POAF event prediction by statin therapy was 0.20 (95%CI: 0.08-0.51), P<0.001. Each subsequent graft increased the risk of POAF in 2.1 times. CONCLUSION: Statin therapy carried out prior to the CABG is an effective approach to primary prevention of POAF in early postoperative period. Statin therapy after CABG in nSt-patients does not give prophylactic effect observed in St-patients.

[META-ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL STUDIES ON THE USE OF STATINS FOR PREVENTION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION SOON AFTER CORONARY BYPASS SURGERY].

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) develops in the early postoperative period in each third patient undergoing coronary bypass surgery (CBPS). Multifactorial pathogenesis of postoperative AF is unclear. The concept of postoperative inflammation as a potential basic mechanism of this condition has been implied in many studies. Pre- and postoperative treatment with antiinflammatory statins proved beneficial as a means for reducing the frequency of AF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The meta-analysis is based on the results of 15 clinical studies carried out in the last 15 years. They included 9369 patients of whom 5598 (59.75%) used statins and 3771 (49.25%) did not receive them. The following endpoints were evaluated in the early postoperative periods: fiequency of AF, overall lethality, frequency of cerebral circulation disorders and myocardial infarction. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were calculated, levels of inflammation markers before and after surgery and duration of hospitalization were determined. RESULTS: Statins decreased the frequency of AF soon after CBPS (OR 0,481 at 95% CI 0,345-0,672; p = 0,000), they did not influence overall lethality (OR 0,837 at 95% CI 0,501-1,399: p = 0,497) and frequency of myocardial infarction (OR 1,001 at 95% CI 0,702-1,426; p = 0,997), but decreased frequency of cerebral circulation disorders (OR 0,067 at 95% Cl 0,037- 0,121; p = 0,000). Also, they reduced duration of hospitalization and serum levels of inflammation markers. CONCLUSION: Results of clinical studies available to date leave no doubt that statins produce anti-inflammatory and anti-arrhythmic effects. Meta-analysis of relevant studies confirmed on the whole the positive role of statin therapy prior to CBPS.

[Efficacy of Statin Therapy in the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation in Early Postoperative Period after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting].

BACKGROUND: The incidence of the postoperative atrialfibrillation (POAF) after open heart surgery is up to 65%. Statin therapy has shown conflicting data in the prevention of the POAF. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was eo evaluate the role of statin therapy in the primary prevention of AF after CABG. METHODS: Group 1 (n = 82) included those patients who received no statin therapy and the Group 2 (n = 124) included those patients who did receive statin therapy for at least three days prior to the operation and for all days in the postoperative period. WBC count in different periods after surgery and rate of AF were evaluated. The risk of occurrence of postoperative AF was evaluated using the Cox-regression model and odds ratio. RESULTS: A retrospective analysis of 206 medical records of the patients without pre-existing AF after CABG was performed. The rate of AF was 26% in Group 1 and 6.5 % in Group 2 (p = 0.0001). On Day 4 after surgery, WBC count was 11 (9;13) in the first group and 9 (7.6;10.2) x 10(9) e/L in the second group (p = 0.000001). "Statin use" and "number of grafts" and were found to be statistically meaningful: p = 0.002 and p = 0.0125 respectively (χ2 = 28.3; p < 0.001). In accordance with the Cox model of regression, the risk of AF was 0.201 for "statin use"; and 2.099 for "number of grafts". Odds ratio was 0.2 (95% CI 0.08-0.5). CONCLUSION: Statin therapy prior to and after GABG wasfound to be an effective method of primary prevention of AF in the early postoperative period.