Abstract WMP115: Hemorrhagic and Ischemic Stroke in Patients on Oral Anticoagulants for Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation With and Without Antiplatelet Therapy

Abstract

Introduction: Antiplatelet (APT) therapy is challenging in patients on oral anticoagulants (OACs) for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who have coronary artery diseases (CAD). Analyzing large scale registry of consecutive patients with NVAF should provide further guide for the safety and efficacy of combination therapy. Methods: We conducted historical multicenter registry at 71 centers in Japan between March 2017 and March 2018. The eligibility criteria were patients on OACs for NVAF on February 2013. There were no exclusion criteria and consecutive patients who met the eligibility criteria were registered. All patients were followed until March 2017. Co-primary endpoints were ischemic strokes including transient ischemic attack and hemorrhagic stroke including subarachnoid hemorrhage. The secondary endpoints were all-cause mortality, ischemic events (acute coronary syndrome, ischemic strokes, or systemic embolism), and major bleedings defined by ISTH and TIMI criteria. We estimated HRs of OACs and APT combination relative to OACs alone by Cox proportional hazard model adjusting for clinically relevant confounders. Results: Median age was 74 (range 20-101) years of 7826 registered patients. Sustained NVAF accounted for 49% and 73% of patients had history of CAD. Cumulative incidences of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke at 4 years were 3.8% and 0.91% in No-APT group while 5.3% and 1.2% in APT group, respectively (Figure). Adjusted HRs (95%CI) of APT group for ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke were 1.03 (0.76-1.40) and 1.27 (0.67-2.4), respectively. Adjusted HRs (95%CI) for all-cause mortality, ischemic events, and major bleedings were 0.98 (0.79-1.23), 0.98 (0.74-1.32), and 1.25 (1.00-1.57), respectively. Conclusions: Adding APT in patients on AOC for NVAF did not decrease ischemic strokes and not increase hemorrhagic strokes. Because combination therapy might increase the risk of major bleedings, OAC alone should be prioritized.