RESUMO
AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) progression is associated with adverse outcome, but the role of the circadian or diurnal pattern of AF onset remains unclear. We aim to assess the association between the time of onset of AF episodes with the clinical phenotype and AF progression in patients with self-terminating AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Reappraisal of AF: Interaction Between Hypercoagulability, Electrical Remodelling, and Vascular Destabilization in the Progression of AF study included patients with self-terminating AF who underwent extensive phenotyping at baseline and continuous rhythm monitoring with an implantable loop recorder (ILR). In this subanalysis, ILR data were used to assess the development of AF progression and the diurnal pattern of AF onset: predominant (>80%) nocturnal AF, predominant daytime AF, or mixed AF without a predominant diurnal AF pattern. The median follow-up was 2.2 (1.6-2.8) years. The median age was 66 (59-71) years, and 117 (42%) were women. Predominant nocturnal (n = 40) and daytime (n = 43) AF onset patients had less comorbidities compared to that of mixed (n = 195) AF patients (median 2 vs. 2 vs. 3, respectively, P = 0.012). Diabetes was more common in the mixed group (12% vs. 5% vs. 0%, respectively, P = 0.031), whilst obesity was more frequent in the nocturnal group (38% vs. 12% vs. 27%, respectively, P = 0.028). Progression rates in the nocturnal vs. daytime vs. mixed groups were 5% vs. 5% vs. 24%, respectively (P = 0.013 nocturnal vs. mixed and P = 0.008 daytime vs. mixed group, respectively). CONCLUSION: In self-terminating AF, patients with either predominant nocturnal or daytime onset of AF episodes had less associated comorbidities and less AF progression compared to that of patients with mixed onset of AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02726698.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial , Feminino , Masculino , Humanos , Fibrilação Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilação Atrial/epidemiologia , Eletrocardiografia Ambulatorial/métodos , Comorbidade , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
AIMS: The recent 4S-AF (scheme proposed by the 2020 ESC AF guidelines to address stroke risk, symptom severity, severity of AF burden and substrate of AF to provide a structured phenotyping of AF patients in clinical practice to guide therapy and assess prognosis) scheme has been proposed as a structured scheme to characterize patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to assess whether the 4S-AF scheme predicts AF progression in patients with self-terminating AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed 341 patients with self-terminating AF included in the well-phenotyped Reappraisal of Atrial Fibrillation: Interaction between HyperCoagulability, Electrical remodelling, and Vascular Destabilization in the Progression of AF (RACE V) study. Patients had continuous monitoring with implantable loop recorders or pacemakers. AF progression was defined as progression to persistent or permanent AF or progression of self-terminating AF with >3% burden increase. Progression of AF was observed in 42 patients (12.3%, 5.9% per year). Patients were given a score based on the components of the 4S-AF scheme. Mean age was 65 [interquartile range (IQR) 58-71] years, 149 (44%) were women, 103 (49%) had heart failure, 276 (81%) had hypertension, and 38 (11%) had coronary artery disease. Median CHA2DS2-VASc (the CHA2DS2-VASc score assesses thromboembolic risk. C, congestive heart failure/left ventricular dysfunction; H, hypertension; A2, age ≥ 75 years; D, diabetes mellitus; S2, stroke/transient ischaemic attack/systemic embolism; V, vascular disease; A, age 65-74 years; Sc, sex category (female sex)) score was 2 (IQR 2-3), and median follow-up was 2.1 (1.5-2.6) years. The average score of the 4S-AF scheme was 4.6 ± 1.4. The score points from the 4S-AF scheme did not predict the risk of AF progression [odds ratio (OR) 1.1 95% CI 0.88-1.41, C-statistic 0.53]. However, excluding the symptoms domain, resulting in the 3S-AF (4S-AF scheme without the domain symptom severity, only including stroke risk, severity of AF burden and substrate of AF) scheme, predicted the risk of progression (OR 1.59 95% CI 1.15-2.27, C-statistic 0.62) even after adjusting for sex and age. CONCLUSIONS: In self-terminating AF patients, the 4S-AF scheme does not predict AF progression. The 3S-AF scheme, excluding the symptom domain, may be a more appropriate score to predict AF progression. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02726698 for RACE V.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial , Insuficiência Cardíaca , Hipertensão , Ataque Isquêmico Transitório , Acidente Vascular Cerebral , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fibrilação Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilação Atrial/epidemiologia , Ataque Isquêmico Transitório/diagnóstico , Ataque Isquêmico Transitório/epidemiologia , Ataque Isquêmico Transitório/etiologia , Medição de Risco/métodos , Fatores de Risco , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/diagnóstico , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/epidemiologia , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/etiologiaRESUMO
Clinically recognized atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with higher risk of complications, including ischemic stroke, cognitive decline, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and death. It is increasingly recognized that AF frequently is undetected until complications such as stroke or heart failure occur. Hence, the public and clinicians have an intense interest in detecting AF earlier. However, the most appropriate strategies to detect undiagnosed AF (sometimes referred to as subclinical AF) and the prognostic and therapeutic implications of AF detected by screening are uncertain. Our report summarizes the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's virtual workshop focused on identifying key research priorities related to AF screening. Global experts reviewed major knowledge gaps and identified critical research priorities in the following areas: (1) role of opportunistic screening; (2) AF as a risk factor, risk marker, or both; (3) relationship between AF burden detected with long-term monitoring and outcomes/treatments; (4) designs of potential randomized trials of systematic AF screening with clinically relevant outcomes; and (5) role of AF screening after ischemic stroke. Our report aims to inform and catalyze AF screening research that will advance innovative, resource-efficient, and clinically relevant studies in diverse populations to improve the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of patients with undiagnosed AF.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial/diagnóstico , Idoso , Pesquisa Biomédica , Educação , Humanos , Programas de Rastreamento , National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (U.S.) , Resultado do Tratamento , Estados Unidos , Interface Usuário-ComputadorRESUMO
AIMS: The Routine vs. Aggressive risk factor driven upstream rhythm Control for prevention of Early persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in heart failure (HF) (RACE 3) trial demonstrated that targeted therapy of underlying conditions improved sinus rhythm maintenance at 1 year. We now explored the effects of targeted therapy on the additional co-primary endpoints; sinus rhythm maintenance and cardiovascular outcome at 5 years. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with early persistent AF and mild-to-moderate stable HF were randomized to targeted or conventional therapy. Both groups received rhythm control therapy according to guidelines. The targeted group additionally received four therapies: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), statins, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and cardiac rehabilitation. The presence of sinus rhythm and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality at 5-year follow-up were assessed. Two hundred and sixteen patients consented for long-term follow-up, 107 were randomized to targeted and 109 to conventional therapy. At 5 years, MRAs [76 (74%) vs. 10 (9%) patients, P < 0.001] and statins [81 (79%) vs. 59 (55%), P < 0.001] were used more in the targeted than conventional group. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/ARBs and physical activity were not different between groups. Sinus rhythm was present in 49 (46%) targeted vs. 43 (39%) conventional group patients at 5 years (odds ratio 1.297, lower limit of 95% confidence interval 0.756, P = 0.346). Cardiovascular mortality and morbidity occurred in 20 (19%) in the targeted and 15 (14%) conventional group patients, P = 0.353. CONCLUSION: In patients with early persistent AF and HF superiority of targeted therapy in sinus rhythm maintenance could not be preserved at 5-year follow-up. Cardiovascular outcome was not different between groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00877643.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial , Insuficiência Cardíaca , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases , Antagonistas de Receptores de Angiotensina/uso terapêutico , Inibidores da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial/complicações , Fibrilação Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilação Atrial/tratamento farmacológico , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico , Insuficiência Cardíaca/tratamento farmacológico , Humanos , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases/uso terapêutico , Antagonistas de Receptores de Mineralocorticoides/uso terapêutico , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
AIMS: We hypothesize that in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), verapamil is associated with lower AF progression compared to beta blockers or no rate control. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this pre-specified post hoc analysis of the RACE 4 randomized trial, the effect of rate control medication on AF progression in paroxysmal AF was analysed. Patients using Vaughan-Williams Class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs were excluded. The primary outcome was a composite of first electrical cardioversion (ECV), chemical cardioversion (CCV), or atrial ablation. Event rates are displayed using Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox regression analyses are used to adjust for baseline differences. Out of 666 patients with paroxysmal AF, 47 used verapamil, 383 used beta blockers, and 236 did not use rate control drugs. The verapamil group was significantly younger than the beta blocker group and contained more men than the no rate control group. Over a mean follow-up of 37 months, the primary outcome occurred in 17% in the verapamil group, 33% in the beta blocker group, and 33% in the no rate control group (P = 0.038). After adjusting for baseline characteristics, patients using verapamil have a significantly lower chance of receiving ECV, CCV, or atrial ablation compared to patients using beta blockers [hazard ratio (HR) 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19-0.83] and no rate control (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.44-0.93). CONCLUSION: In patients with newly diagnosed paroxysmal AF, verapamil was associated with less AF progression, as compared to beta blockers and no rate control.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial , Ablação por Cateter , Antiarrítmicos/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilação Atrial/tratamento farmacológico , Fibrilação Atrial/epidemiologia , Ablação por Cateter/efeitos adversos , Cardioversão Elétrica/efeitos adversos , Cardioversão Elétrica/métodos , Humanos , Masculino , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Current atrial fibrillation (AF) guidelines recommend screening for AF in individuals above 65 years or with other characteristics suggestive of increased stroke risk. Several mobile health (mHealth) approaches are available to identify AF. Although most wearables or ECG machines include algorithms to detect AF, an ECG confirmation of AF is necessary to establish a suspected diagnosis of AF. Early detection of AF is important to allow early initiation of AF management, and early rhythm control therapy lowered risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes among patients with early AF aged >75 or with a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 and cardiovascular conditions in the EAST-AFNET 4 study. Strategies for early AF detection should be always linked to a comprehensive work-up infrastructure organized within an integrated care pathway to allow early initiation and guidance of AF treatment in newly detected AF patients. In this review article, we summarize strategies and mHealth approaches for early AF detection and the transition to early AF management including AF symptoms evaluation and assessment of AF progression as well as AF risk factors.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial , Acidente Vascular Cerebral , Telemedicina , Fibrilação Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilação Atrial/terapia , Eletrocardiografia , Humanos , Medição de Risco , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
AIMS: Maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is challenging. We explored the efficacy of class I and III antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) in patients with persistent AF and mild to moderate heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS: In the RACE 3 trial, patients with early persistent symptomatic AF and short history of mild to moderate HF with preserved or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were randomized to targeted or conventional therapy. Both groups received AF and HF guideline-driven treatment. Additionally, the targeted-group received mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and/or receptor blockers, and cardiac rehabilitation. Class I and III AADs could be instituted in case of symptomatic recurrent AF. Eventually, pulmonary vein isolation could be performed. Primary endpoint was sinus rhythm on 7-day Holter after 1-year. Included were 245 patients, age 65 ± 9 years, 193 (79%) men, AF history was 3 (2-6) months, HF history 2 (1-4) months, 72 (29.4%) had HF with reduced LVEF. After baseline electrical cardioversion (ECV), 190 (77.6%) had AF recurrences; 108 (56.8%) received class I/III AADs; 19 (17.6%) flecainide, 36 (33.3%) sotalol, 3 (2.8%) dronedarone, 50 (46.3%) amiodarone. At 1-year 73 of 108 (68.0%) patients were in sinus rhythm, 44 (40.7%) without new AF recurrences. Maintenance of sinus rhythm was significantly better with amiodarone [n = 29/50 (58%)] compared with flecainide [n = 6/19 (32%)] and sotalol/dronedarone [n = 9/39 (23%)], P = 0.0064. Adverse events occurred in 27 (25.0%) patients, were all minor and reversible. CONCLUSION: In stable HF patients with early persistent AF, AAD treatment was effective in nearly half of patients, with no serious adverse effects reported.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial , Insuficiência Cardíaca , Idoso , Antiarrítmicos/efeitos adversos , Fibrilação Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilação Atrial/tratamento farmacológico , Feminino , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico , Insuficiência Cardíaca/tratamento farmacológico , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Volume Sistólico , Função Ventricular EsquerdaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Nurse-led integrated care is expected to improve outcome of patients with atrial fibrillation compared with usual-care provided by a medical specialist. METHODS AND RESULTS: We randomized 1375 patients with atrial fibrillation (64 ± 10 years, 44% women, 57% had CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 2) to receive nurse-led care or usual-care. Nurse-led care was provided by specialized nurses using a decision-support tool, in consultation with the cardiologist. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death and cardiovascular hospital admissions. Of 671 nurse-led care patients, 543 (81%) received anticoagulation in full accordance with the guidelines against 559 of 683 (82%) usual-care patients. The cumulative adherence to guidelines-based recommendations was 61% under nurse-led care and 26% under usual-care. Over 37 months of follow-up, the primary endpoint occurred in 164 of 671 patients (9.7% per year) under nurse-led care and in 192 of 683 patients (11.6% per year) under usual-care [hazard ratio (HR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69 to 1.04, P = 0.12]. There were 124 vs. 161 hospitalizations for arrhythmia events (7.0% and 9.4% per year), and 14 vs. 22 for heart failure (0.7% and 1.1% per year), respectively. Results were not consistent in a pre-specified subgroup analysis by centre experience, with a HR of 0.52 (95% CI 0.37-to 0.71) in four experienced centres and of 1.24 (95% CI 0.94-1.63) in four less experienced centres (P for interaction <0.001). CONCLUSION: Our trial failed to show that nurse-led care was superior to usual-care. The data suggest that nurse-led care by an experienced team could be clinically beneficial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01740037). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01740037).
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial , Insuficiência Cardíaca , Acidente Vascular Cerebral , Idoso , Anticoagulantes/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial/terapia , Feminino , Hospitalização , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Papel do Profissional de Enfermagem , Modelos de Riscos ProporcionaisRESUMO
AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) often starts as a paroxysmal self-terminating arrhythmia. Limited information is available on AF patterns and episode duration of paroxysmal AF. In paroxysmal AF patients, we longitudinally studied the temporal AF patterns, the association with clinical characteristics, and prevalence of AF progression. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this interim analysis of the Reappraisal of AF: Interaction Between HyperCoagulability, Electrical Remodelling, and Vascular Destabilisation in the Progression of AF (RACE V) registry, 202 patients with paroxysmal AF were followed with continuous rhythm monitoring (implantable loop recorder or pacemaker) for 6 months. Mean age was 64 ± 9 years, 42% were women. Atrial fibrillation history was 2.1 (0.5-4.4) years, CHA2DS2-VASc 1.9 ± 1.3, 101 (50%) had hypertension, 69 (34%) heart failure. One-third had no AF during follow-up. Patients with long episodes (>12 hours) were often men with more comorbidities (heart failure, coronary artery disease, higher left ventricular mass). Patients with higher AF burden (>2.5%) were older with more comorbidities (worse renal function, higher calcium score, thicker intima media thickness). In 179 (89%) patients, 1-year rhythm follow-up was available. On a quarterly basis, average daily AF burden increased from 3.2% to 3.8%, 5.2%, and 6.1%. Compared to the first 6 months, 111 (62%) patients remained stable during the second 6 months, 39 (22%) showed progression to longer AF episodes, 8 (3%) developed persistent AF, and 29 (16%) patients showed AF regression. CONCLUSIONS: In paroxysmal AF, temporal patterns differ suggesting that paroxysmal AF is not one entity. Atrial fibrillation burden is low and determined by number of comorbidities. Atrial fibrillation progression occurred in a substantial number. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02726698.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial , Insuficiência Cardíaca , Marca-Passo Artificial , Idoso , Fibrilação Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilação Atrial/epidemiologia , Espessura Intima-Media Carotídea , Progressão da Doença , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Sistema de RegistrosRESUMO
AIMS: An integrated chronic care programme in terms of a specialized outpatient clinic for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), has demonstrated improved clinical outcomes. The aim of this study is to assess all-cause mortality in patients in whom AF management was delivered through a specialized outpatient clinic offering an integrated chronic care programme. METHODS AND RESULTS: Post hoc analysis of a Prospective Randomized Open Blinded Endpoint Clinical trial to assess all-cause mortality in AF patients. The study included 712 patients with newly diagnosed AF, who were referred for AF management to the outpatient service of a University hospital. In the specialized outpatient clinic (AF-Clinic), comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and patient-centred AF care was provided, i.e. nurse-driven, physician supervised AF treatment guided by software based on the latest guidelines. The control group received usual care by a cardiologist in the regular outpatient setting.After a mean follow-up of 22 months, all-cause mortality amounted 3.7% (13 patients) in the AF-Clinic arm and 8.1% (29 patients) in usual care [hazard ratio (HR) 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23-0.85; P = 0.014]. This included cardiovascular mortality in 4 AF-Clinic patients (1.1%) and 14 patients (3.9%) in usual care (HR 0.28; 95% CI 0.09-0.85; P = 0.025). Further, 9 patients (2.5%) died in the AF-Clinic arm due to a non-cardiovascular reason and 15 patients (4.2%) in the usual care arm (HR 0.59; 95% CI 0.26-1.34; P = 0.206). CONCLUSION: An integrated specialized AF-Clinic reduces all-cause mortality compared with usual care. These findings provide compelling evidence that an integrated approach should be widely implemented in AF management.
Assuntos
Assistência Ambulatorial/organização & administração , Anticoagulantes/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial/terapia , Atenção à Saúde/organização & administração , Mortalidade , Equipe de Assistência ao Paciente/organização & administração , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto/métodos , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/prevenção & controle , Antagonistas Adrenérgicos beta/uso terapêutico , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Antiarrítmicos/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial/complicações , Cardiologia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/mortalidade , Enfermagem Cardiovascular , Causas de Morte , Sistemas de Apoio a Decisões Clínicas , Glicosídeos Digitálicos/uso terapêutico , Gerenciamento Clínico , Feminino , Fidelidade a Diretrizes , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Enfermeiros Especialistas , Assistência Centrada no Paciente , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto , Modelos de Riscos Proporcionais , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/etiologiaRESUMO
AIMS: Bridging anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who need to interrupt vitamin K antagonists for procedures is a clinical dilemma. Currently, guidelines recommend clinicians to take the stroke and bleeding risk into consideration, but no clear thresholds are advised. To aid clinical decision making, we aimed to develop a model in which periprocedural bridging therapy is compared with withholding anticoagulation in AF patients, for several bleeding and stroke risk groups. METHODS AND RESULTS: A model was developed to simulate both a bridge and a non-bridge cohort, using simulated international normalized ratio (INR) values for patients on warfarin, acenocoumarol, and phenprocoumon. For both clinical strategies, stroke and bleeding risks were included and outcomes were stratified by CHA2DS2-VASc or CHADS2 and HAS-BLED groups. Quality-adjusted life expectancy was the main outcome considered. Our analyses show bridging to only be beneficial for patients with HAS-BLED scores equal or lower to 2 and with CHA2DS2-VASc scores of 6 or higher. For patients using acenocoumarol bridging may be beneficial starting at a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 7. Post-procedural time to therapeutic INR has a significant influence on the results: no significant benefit of bridging was found for patients reaching therapeutic INR values within 5 days. CONCLUSION: When deciding whether to bridge anticoagulation, clinicians should consider the patient's individual stroke and bleeding risk, while also considering the patient's post-procedural INR management. In practice, only a small subset of patients is expected to benefit from bridging anticoagulation treatment.
Assuntos
Acenocumarol/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial , Hemorragia , Femprocumona/uso terapêutico , Acidente Vascular Cerebral , Varfarina/uso terapêutico , Suspensão de Tratamento/normas , Anticoagulantes/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial/complicações , Fibrilação Atrial/tratamento farmacológico , Simulação por Computador , Hemorragia/induzido quimicamente , Hemorragia/prevenção & controle , Humanos , Coeficiente Internacional Normatizado/métodos , Cadeias de Markov , Medição de Risco/métodos , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/etiologia , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/prevenção & controle , Tempo para o TratamentoRESUMO
AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) reduces quality of life (QoL). We aim to evaluate effects of targeted therapy of underlying conditions on QoL in patients with AF and heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS: The Routine versus Aggressive risk factor driven upstream rhythm Control for prevention of Early atrial fibrillation in heart failure (RACE 3) study randomized patients with early persistent AF and HF to targeted or conventional therapy. Both groups received guideline-driven treatment. The targeted group received four additional therapies: mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists; statins; angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and/or receptor blockers; and cardiac rehabilitation including physical activity, dietary restrictions, and counselling. Quality of life was analysed in 230 patients at baseline and 1 year with available Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), University of Toronto AF Severity Scale (AFSS) questionnaires, and European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) class. Improvements in SF-36 subscales were larger in the targeted group for physical functioning (Δ12 ± 19 vs. Δ6 ± 22, P = 0.007), physical role limitations (Δ32 ± 41 vs. Δ17 ± 45, P = 0.018), and general health (Δ8 ± 16 vs. Δ0 ± 17, P < 0.001). Dyspnoea at rest improved more (Δ-0.8 ± 1.3 vs. Δ-0.4 ± 1.2, P = 0.018) and EHRA class was lower at 1-year follow-up in the targeted group. Patients with AF at 1 year, improvement in physical functioning (Δ9 ± 9 vs. Δ-3 ± 16, P = 0.001), general health (Δ7 ± 16 vs. Δ-7 ± 19, P = 0.004), and social functioning (Δ6 ± 23 vs. Δ-4 ± 16, P = 0.041) were larger in the targeted group. CONCLUSION: A strategy aiming to treat underlying conditions improved QoL more compared with conventional therapy in patients with early persistent AF and HF. Its benefit was even observed in patients in AF at 1 year. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00877643.
Assuntos
Antagonistas de Receptores de Angiotensina/uso terapêutico , Inibidores da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial/terapia , Reabilitação Cardíaca , Insuficiência Cardíaca/terapia , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases/uso terapêutico , Antagonistas de Receptores de Mineralocorticoides/uso terapêutico , Qualidade de Vida , Atividades Cotidianas , Idoso , Fibrilação Atrial/complicações , Fibrilação Atrial/fisiopatologia , Fibrilação Atrial/psicologia , Aconselhamento , Dietoterapia , Exercício Físico , Feminino , Nível de Saúde , Insuficiência Cardíaca/complicações , Insuficiência Cardíaca/fisiopatologia , Insuficiência Cardíaca/psicologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Desempenho Físico Funcional , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a progressive disease. Targeted therapy of underlying conditions refers to interventions aiming to modify risk factors in order to prevent AF. We hypothesised that targeted therapy of underlying conditions improves sinus rhythm maintenance in patients with persistent AF. Methods and results: We randomized patients with early persistent AF and mild-to-moderate heart failure (HF) to targeted therapy of underlying conditions or conventional therapy. Both groups received causal treatment of AF and HF, and rhythm control therapy. In the intervention group, on top of that, four therapies were started: (i) mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), (ii) statins, (iii) angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and/or receptor blockers, and (iv) cardiac rehabilitation including physical activity, dietary restrictions, and counselling. The primary endpoint was sinus rhythm at 1 year during 7 days of Holter monitoring. Of 245 patients, 119 were randomized to targeted and 126 to conventional therapy. The intervention led to a contrast in MRA (101 [85%] vs. 5 [4%] patients, P < 0.001) and statin use (111 [93%] vs. 61 [48%], P < 0.001). Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers were not different. Cardiac rehabilitation was completed in 109 (92%) patients. Underlying conditions were more successfully treated in the intervention group. At 1 year, sinus rhythm was present in 89 (75%) patients in the intervention vs. 79 (63%) in the conventional group (odds ratio 1.765, lower limit of 95% confidence interval 1.021, P = 0.042). Conclusions: RACE 3 confirms that targeted therapy of underlying conditions improves sinus rhythm maintenance in patients with persistent AF. Trial Registration number: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00877643.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial/etiologia , Fibrilação Atrial/terapia , Insuficiência Cardíaca/complicações , Insuficiência Cardíaca/terapia , Idoso , Inibidores da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial/tratamento farmacológico , Aconselhamento , Dieta Saudável , Terapia por Exercício , Feminino , Insuficiência Cardíaca/tratamento farmacológico , Humanos , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases/uso terapêutico , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Antagonistas de Receptores de Mineralocorticoides/uso terapêutico , Comportamento de Redução do RiscoRESUMO
Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and prevalence increases with age. Patients with AF have a high risk of stroke, and screening for AF is recommended in all people aged 65 years or older to identify patients eligible for stroke prevention. A handheld, single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) device can be used for systematic screening in the population at risk. The objective of this study is to estimate the cost-effectiveness of screening for AF in primary care with the MyDiagnostick® during seasonal influenza vaccination in the Netherlands. Methods and results: Lifetime costs and effects of a single screening session for AF detection were assessed from a societal perspective with a decision analytic model consisting of a straightforward decision tree and a joining Markov model. The decision model simulated all patients aged 65 years and over attending the seasonal influenza vaccination in the Netherlands. Event probabilities were derived from clinical trials. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the impact of important model assumptions as well as determining the relative effect of individual parameters. Screening for AF with the MyDiagnostick® in all patients older than 65 years that attend seasonal influenza vaccination in the Netherlands would decrease the overall costs by 764 and increase the quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) by 0.27 years per patient. Early detection of AF would prevent strokes and leads to beneficial health effects with subsequent cost savings. This screening method would have an estimated probability of 99.8% for being cost-effective at a conservative willingness-to-pay of 20 000/QALY. Conclusion: Screening for AF in primary care with a handheld, single-lead ECG during seasonal influenza vaccination is very likely to be cost saving for identifying new cases of AF in the Dutch population aged 65 years and over. Active screening for AF with a single-lead, handheld ECG device during seasonal influenza vaccination could be implemented in primary care.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilação Atrial/economia , Eletrocardiografia/economia , Custos de Cuidados de Saúde , Programas de Rastreamento/economia , Testes Imediatos/economia , Atenção Primária à Saúde/economia , Idoso , Fibrilação Atrial/epidemiologia , Fibrilação Atrial/terapia , Tomada de Decisão Clínica , Simulação por Computador , Redução de Custos , Análise Custo-Benefício , Técnicas de Apoio para a Decisão , Árvores de Decisões , Eletrocardiografia/instrumentação , Feminino , Humanos , Vacinas contra Influenza/administração & dosagem , Masculino , Cadeias de Markov , Programas de Rastreamento/instrumentação , Modelos Econômicos , Países Baixos/epidemiologia , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Anos de Vida Ajustados por Qualidade de Vida , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/economia , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/epidemiologia , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/prevenção & controle , VacinaçãoRESUMO
AIMS: To assess the yield of screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) with a hand-held single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) device during influenza vaccination in primary care in the Netherlands. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used the MyDiagnostick to screen for AF in persons who participated in influenza vaccination sessions of ten Dutch primary care practices. In case of suspected AF detection by the stick, the recorded 1-min ECG registrations were analysed by a cardiologist. We scrutinized electronic medical files of the general practitioners to obtain information about the cases screened. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the relation between patient characteristics and a new screen-detected diagnosis of AF. In total, 3269 persons were screened for AF during the influenza vaccination sessions of 10 general practitioner practices. As a result, 37 (1.1%) new cases of AF were detected. Prior transient ischeamic attack or stroke (OR 6.05; 95%CI 1.93-19.0), and age (OR 1.09 per year; 95% CI 1.05-1.14) were independent predictors for such newly screen-detected AF. Of the 37 screen-detected AF cases, 2.7% had a CHA2DS2-VASc of 0, 18.9% a score of 1, and 78.4% a score of 2 or more. The majority needed oral anticoagulant therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Screening seems feasible with an easy to use single-lead, hand-held ECG device with automatic AF detection during influenza vaccination in primary care and results in a '1-day' yield of 1.1% new cases of AF. TRIAL REGISTRATION CLINICALTRIALSGOV: NCT02006524.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilação Atrial/epidemiologia , Eletrocardiografia/instrumentação , Programas de Rastreamento/métodos , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Vacinas contra Influenza/administração & dosagem , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise Multivariada , Países Baixos/epidemiologia , Atenção Primária à Saúde , Distribuição por Sexo , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/complicaçõesRESUMO
AIMS: Randomized trials showed non-inferior or superior results of the non-vitamin-K-antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared with warfarin. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of dabigatran (direct thrombin inhibitor) vs. acenocoumarol (vitamin K antagonist) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in daily clinical practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this observational study, we evaluated all consecutive patients who started anticoagulation because of AF in our outpatient clinic from 2010 to 2013. Data were collected from electronic patient charts. Primary outcomes were stroke or systemic embolism and major bleeding. Propensity score matching was applied to address the non-randomized design. In total, 920 consecutive AF patients were enrolled (442 dabigatran, 478 acenocoumarol), of which 2 × 383 were available for analysis after propensity score matching. Mean follow-up duration was 1.5 ± 0.56 year. The mean calculated stroke risk according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.5%/year in dabigatran vs. 3.7%/year acenocoumarol-treated patients. The actual incidence rate of stroke or systemic embolism was 0.8%/year [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2-2.1] vs. 1.0%/year (95% CI: 0.4-2.1), respectively. Multivariable analysis confirmed this lower but non-significant risk in dabigatran vs. acenocoumarol after adjustment for the CHA2DS2-VASc score [hazard ratio (HR)dabigatran = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.20-2.63, P = 0.61]. According to the HAS-BLED score, the mean calculated bleeding risk was 1.7%/year in both groups. Actual incidence rate of major bleeding was 2.1%/year (95% CI: 1.0-3.8) in the dabigatran vs. 4.3%/year (95% CI: 2.9-6.2) in acenocoumarol. This over 50% reduction remained significant after adjustment for the HAS-BLED score (HRdabigatran = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.22-0.93, P = 0.031). CONCLUSION: In 'real-world' patients with AF, dabigatran appears to be as effective, but significantly safer than acenocoumarol.
Assuntos
Acenocumarol/uso terapêutico , Anticoagulantes/uso terapêutico , Antitrombinas/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial/tratamento farmacológico , Coagulação Sanguínea/efeitos dos fármacos , Dabigatrana/uso terapêutico , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/prevenção & controle , Acenocumarol/efeitos adversos , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Anticoagulantes/efeitos adversos , Antitrombinas/efeitos adversos , Fibrilação Atrial/sangue , Fibrilação Atrial/diagnóstico , Fibrilação Atrial/epidemiologia , Distribuição de Qui-Quadrado , Dabigatrana/efeitos adversos , Intervalo Livre de Doença , Monitoramento de Medicamentos/métodos , Registros Eletrônicos de Saúde , Feminino , Hemorragia/induzido quimicamente , Hemorragia/epidemiologia , Humanos , Incidência , Coeficiente Internacional Normatizado , Estimativa de Kaplan-Meier , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise Multivariada , Países Baixos/epidemiologia , Segurança do Paciente , Pontuação de Propensão , Modelos de Riscos Proporcionais , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/diagnóstico , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/epidemiologia , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) burden, duration and number of episodes with healthcare utilisation and quality of life in patients with early paroxysmal AF without a history of AF. METHODS: In this observational cohort study, we included 417 patients with paroxysmal AF from the Reappraisal of Atrial Fibrillation: interaction between hyperCoagulability, Electrical remodelling and Vascular destabilisation in the progression of AF (RACE V) Study. Patients were monitored with an insertable cardiac monitor for 1 year. Outcomes collected were healthcare utilisation, and quality of life assessed using the Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale and EuroQol EQ-5D-5L questionnaires. RESULTS: During 1 year of follow-up, 63 973 AF episodes were detected in 353 (85%) patients. The median AF burden was 0.7% (IQR 0.1-4.0%). AF ablation was performed more frequently in patients with intermediate-to-high AF burdens (>0.2%) (16.2% vs 5.9%, p=0.01) and longer AF episode duration (>1 hour) (15.8% vs 2.0%, p=0.01), whereas cardioversions were more frequent in patients with longer episode duration (>1 hour) (9.5% vs 0%, p=0.04) and intermediate (0.2-1.9%) (but not high) AF burdens (13.6% vs 4.2%, p=0.01). Patients with many episodes (>147) reported higher symptom severity (p=0.001). No differences in symptom severity nor in EQ-5D-5L scores according to AF burden or duration were observed. CONCLUSION: In patients with early paroxysmal AF, higher AF burden and longer episode duration were associated with increased rates of healthcare utilisation but not with symptoms and quality of life. Patients with a higher number of episodes experienced more severe symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02726698.
Assuntos
Fibrilação Atrial , Qualidade de Vida , Humanos , Fibrilação Atrial/terapia , Feminino , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Fatores de Tempo , Ablação por Cateter/estatística & dados numéricos , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Cardioversão Elétrica/estatística & dados numéricos , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Long-term endurance exercise is suspect to elevate the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), but little is known about cardiovascular outcome and disease progression in this subgroup of AF patients. We investigated whether previous exercise level determines cardiovascular outcome. METHODS: In this post hoc analysis of the RACE 4 randomized trial, we analyzed all patients with a completed questionnaire on sports participation. Three subgroups were made based on lifetime sports hours up to randomization and previous compliance to the international physical activity guidelines. High lifetime hours of high dynamic activity patients were defined as more than 150 min·wk -1 of high-intensity physical exercise. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death and hospital admissions. RESULTS: A total of 879 patients were analyzed, divided in 203 high lifetime hours of high dynamic activity, 192 high lifetime hours of activity, and 484 low lifetime hours of activity patients. Over a mean follow-up of 36 months (±14), the primary endpoint occurred in 61 out of 203 (30%) high lifetime hours of high dynamic activity, 53 out of 192 (27%) high lifetime hours of activity, and 135 out of 484 (28%) low lifetime hours of activity patients ( P = 0.74). During follow-up, 42 high lifetime hours of high dynamic activity (35%), 43 high lifetime hours of activity (32%), and 104 low lifetime hours of activity patients (34%) with paroxysmal AF received electrical or chemical cardioversion or atrial ablation ( P = 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: In patients included in the RACE 4, there seems to be no relation between previous activity levels and cardiovascular outcome and the need for electrical or chemical cardioversion or atrial ablation. Cardiovascular outcome was driven by AF-related arrhythmic events.