Cardiovascular Events In Atrial Fibrillation Patients Research Articles

R2-CHA2DS2-VASc Score for Cardiovascular Event Prediction After Bioprosthetic Valve Replacement - Subanalysis From the BPV-AF Registry.

There are few studies evaluating the prognostic prediction method in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients after bioprosthetic valve (BPV) replacement. The R2-CHA2DS2-VASc score is increasingly used for the prediction of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with AF, device implantation, and acute coronary syndrome. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the R2-CHA2DS2-VASc score for future CV events in AF patients after BPV replacement. The BPV-AF, an observational, multicenter, prospective registry, enrolled AF patients who underwent BPV replacement. The primary outcome measure was a composite of stroke, systemic embolism, CV events including heart failure requiring hospitalization, and cardiac death. A total of 766 patients was included in the analysis. The mean R2-CHA2DS2-VASc score was 5.7±1.8. Low (scores 0-1), moderate (scores 2-4), and high (scores 5-11) R2-CHA2DS2-VASc score groups consisted of 12 (1.6%), 178 (23.2%), and 576 (75.2%) patients, respectively. The median follow-up period was 491 (interquartile range 393-561) days. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a higher incidence of the composite CV events in the high R2-CHA2DS2-VASc score group (log rank test; P<0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that the R2-CHA2DS2-VASc score as a continuous variable was an independent predictor of composite CV outcomes (hazard ratio 1.36; 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.55; P<0.001). The R2-CHA2DS2-VASc score is useful for CV risk stratification in AF patients after BPV replacement.

Cardiovascular Outcomes With an Early Rhythm Control Strategy in Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review

In practice, atrial fibrillation (AF) is typically managed by controlling ventricular rate given similar long-term outcomes and a more tolerable drug profile when compared to rhythm control. However, despite treatment via rate control, patients remain at increased risk for cardiovascular complications. This systematic review provides a summary of literature evaluating the effectiveness of early rhythm control (ERC, initiated within 2 years of diagnosis) in AF in reducing cardiovascular complications. A systematic review utilizing the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was performed to identify literature evaluating effectiveness of rhythm control strategies and cardiovascular complication reduction rates in ERC. A total of three literature articles meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included for evaluating the benefit of ERC. One of these examined was a trial that directly compared antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) versus catheter ablation (CA) therapy in maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR). This systematic review shows that ERC is associated with a reduction of cardiovascular events in AF patients compared to other treatment strategies.

Association of pulmonary vein isolation and major cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation

BackgroundPatients with atrial fibrillation (AF) face an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence suggests that early rhythm control including AF ablation may reduce this risk.MethodsTo compare the risks for cardiovascular events in AF patients with and without pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), we analysed data from two prospective cohort studies in Switzerland (n = 3968). A total of 325 patients who had undergone PVI during a 1-year observational period were assigned to the PVI group. Using coarsened exact matching, 2193 patients were assigned to the non-PVI group. Outcomes were all-cause mortality, hospital admission for acute heart failure, a composite of stroke, transient ischemic attack and systemic embolism (Stroke/TIA/SE), myocardial infarction (MI), and bleedings. We calculated multivariable adjusted Cox proportional-hazards models.ResultsOverall, 2518 patients were included, median age was 66 years [IQR 61.0, 71.0], 25.8% were female. After a median follow-up time of 3.9 years, fewer patients in the PVI group died from any cause (incidence per 100 patient-years 0.64 versus 1.87, HR 0.39, 95%CI 0.19–0.79, p = 0.009) or were admitted to hospital for acute heart failure (incidence per 100 patient-years 0.52 versus 1.72, HR 0.44, 95%CI 0.21–0.95, p = 0.035). There was no significant association between PVI and Stroke/TIA/SE (HR 0.94, 95%CI 0.52–1.69, p = 0.80), MI (HR 0.43, 95%CI 0.11–1.63, p = 0.20) or bleeding (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.50–1.12, p = 0.20).ConclusionsIn our matched comparison, patients in the PVI group had a lower incidence rate of all-cause mortality and hospital admission for acute heart failure compared to the non-PVI group.ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT02105844, April 7th 2014.Graphical abstract

Growth differentiation factor 15 and the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation after elective percutaneous coronary intervention

Aim. To study the predictive value of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Material and methods. The study included 150 patients (men, 69,3%) with AF receiving direct oral anticoagulants in combination with two (89,3%) or one antiplatelet agent (10,7%) after elective PCI. Median age was 71,0 [interquartile range, 66,0; 77,0] years. The median follow-up was 11,5 months [interquartile range, 8,0; 12,0]. The efficacy endpoint was the sum of cardiovascular events (CVEs), including cardiovascular death, ischemic stroke, venous thromboembolism, peripheral arterial thrombosis, acute coronary syndrome, and the need for emergency PCI. The safety endpoint was considered to be BARC type 2-5 bleeding. Prior to PCI, blood plasma samples were taken from patients to determine GDF-15 and D-dimer by enzyme immunoassay.Results. The incidence of CVEs was 16%. The incidence of BARC type 2-5 bleeding was 24,7%. The median GDF-15 level was 1270,0 pg/ml [953,0; 1778,0]. According to multiple regression, the GDF-15 level is associated with D-dimer (t=3,20; p=0,0018), diabetes (t=3,97; p=0,0001) and SYNTAX score II (t=4,77; p&lt;0,0001). In patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease, the GDF-15 level was significantly lower than in patients with three-vessel disease (p=0,0119). According to the ROC analysis, a GDF-15 &gt;1191 pg/ml (p=0,0076) increases the likelihood of CVE (area under the curve, 0,647; confidence interval (CI), 0,5650,723). According to Kaplan-Meier survival curves, significant differences were found in terms of absence of CVEs during the follow-up period between the groups of patients with a GDF-15 &gt;1191 and those with GDF-15 &lt;1191 pg/ml (76% vs 94%, p=0,0032; relative risk, 4,36; CI 1,50-7,48). The relationship of GDF-15 level with BARC type 2-5 bleeding was not revealed.Conclusion. GDF-15 is a novel marker of CVE in AF patients after elective PCI.

The relationship between diastolic blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation: the Fushimi AF registry

Abstract Background Hypertension is one of the major risk factors of cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, relationship between diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and cardiovascular events in AF patients remains unclear. Methods The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of AF patients in Japan. Follow-up data were available in 4,466 patients, and 4,429 patients with available data of DBP were examined. We divided the patients into three groups; G1 (DBP&amp;lt;70 mmHg, n=1,946), G2 (70≤DBP&amp;lt;80, n=1,321) and G3 (80≤DBP, n=1,162), and compared the clinical background and outcomes between groups. Results The proportion of female was grater in G1 group, and the patients in G1 group were older and had higher prevalence of heart failure (HF), diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD). Prescription of beta blockers was higher in G1 group, but that of renin-angiotensin system-inhibitors and calcium channel blocker was comparable. During the median follow-up of 1,589 days, in Kaplan-Meier analysis, the incidence rates of cardiovascular events (composite of cardiac death, ischemic stroke and systemic embolism, major bleeding and HF hospitalization during follow up) were higher in G1 group and G3 group than G2 group (Figure 1). When we divided the patients based on the systolic blood pressure (SBP) at baseline (≥130 mmHg or &amp;lt;130 mmHg), the incidence of rates of cardiovascular events were comparable among groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis including female gender, age (≥75 years), higher SBP (≥130 mmHg), DM, pre-existing HF, CKD, low left ventricular ejection fraction (&amp;lt;40%) and DBP (G1, G2, G3) revealed that DBP was an independent determinant of cardiovascular events (G1 group vs. G2 group; hazard ratio (HR): 1.40, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.19–1.64, G3 group vs. G2 group; HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01–1.49). When we examined the impact of DBP according to 10 mmHg increment, patients with very low DBP (&amp;lt;60 mmHg) (HR: 1.50,95% CI:1.24–1.80) and very high DBP (≥90 mmHg) (HR: 1.51,95% CI:1.15–1.98) had higher incidence of cardiovascular events than patients with DBP of 70–79 mmHg (Figure 2). However, when we examined the impact of SBP according to 20 mmHg increment, SBP at baseline was not associated with the incidence of cardiovascular events (Figure 3). Conclusion In Japanese patients with AF, DBP exhibited J curve association with higher incidence of cardiovascular events. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

P1876Atrial fibrillation related symptoms and cardiovascular outcomes

Abstract Background Comprehensive information on the impact of atrial fibrillation (AF)-related symptoms and quality of life (QoL) on adverse outcomes is sparse. Purpose We aimed to investigate whether AF-related symptoms and/or QoL are associated with cardiovascular outcomes in a large cohort of AF patients. Methods A total of 3902 participants with documented AF from two nationwide prospective cohort studies in Switzerland were included. Information on AF-related symptoms was assessed yearly by standardized questionnaires, QoL was quantified using a visual analog scale (0–100, with higher scores indicating better QoL). The primary endpoint was a composite of stroke and systemic embolism. The secondary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure and myocardial infarction. We assessed associations using multivariable, time-updated Cox proportional-hazards models including age, sex, study cohort, history of heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, prior stroke, prior myocardial infarction, vascular disease and prior catheter ablation for AF as covariates. Results Mean age was 72 years, and 72% were male. The median QoL score was 75 points, and 2572 (66%) participants had AF-related symptoms. Symptomatic individuals were younger (71 vs 75 years) and had more often paroxysmal AF (29 vs 23%) (p for both &lt;0.001). The most frequent symptoms were palpitations (42%), dyspnea (25%) and fatigue (18%). In multivariable, time-updated models, the hazard ratio (HR) was 1.24 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.72; 2.11, p=0.43) for the primary endpoint and HR 0.83 (95% CI 0.65; 1.06, p=0.14) for the secondary endpoint in symptomatic vs non-symptomatic individuals. There was a significant, inverse association for a 5-point increase in the QoL score with both the primary (HR 0.94 (95% CI 0.88; 0.99), p=0.04) and secondary (HR 0.91 (95% CI 0.88; 0.93), p&lt;0.0001) endpoints. Conclusions AF-related symptoms are not associated with adverse cardiovascular events in AF patients. In contrast, QoL is inversely associated with to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

P1258Left atrial dimension and risk of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with and without atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background The prognostic value of left atrial (LA) dimensions measured by transthoracic echocardiogram among patients with versus without atrial fibrillation (AF) is uncertain. We aimed to investigate the association of LA echocardiographic parameters with the risk of cardiovascular events in AF patients compared to non-AF patients. Methods MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from inception to July 2018. Records were retained if they studied the association between LA echocardiographic parameters and cardiovascular outcomes in AF patients, and in populations with no or less than 10% of AF patients. Left atrial dimensions had to be measured by transthoracic echocardiography, and parameters of interest were the following: LA diameter (LAD), LA diameter indexed to body surface (LADI), LA volume (LAV) and LA volume indexed to body surface (LAVI). Data were independently abstracted by 2 reviewers and pooled using inverse variance random-effects meta-analysis. The primary outcome was incident stroke and thromboembolic events. Secondary outcomes were heart failure, all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Results Twenty-three studies of AF patients (14'939 patients) and 69 studies of non-AF patients (52'654 patients) were included. Summary of the meta-analyses for the associations of LA parameters with cardiovascular outcomes is presented in the Figure. Increasing LAD was significantly associated with the risk of stroke and thromboembolic events in non-AF patients (P=0.03), but not among AF patients (P=0.27), and the association did not differ between population (P for difference=0.05) (Figure, A). Greater LADI was associated with risk of stroke and thromboembolic events in AF patients (P&lt;0.001) and in non-AF patients (P=0.04), but the association did not differ between populations (P for difference=0.49). For MACE, increasing LADI was significantly associated with the outcome in AF patients (P&lt;0.001) and in non-AF patients (P&lt;0.001), but the association was stronger in non-AF populations (P for difference&lt;0.001). Increasing LAVI was associated with high risk of MACE in AF patients (P=0.03) and in non-AF populations (P&lt;0.001). Again, the correlation was stronger among non-AF patients (P for difference&lt;0.001). Other associations did not differ between populations, and meta-analysis of LAV was not conducted by the limited number of studies. Summary of meta-analysis Conclusions Left atrial echocardiographic parameters are powerful predictors of adverse cardiovascular events, mainly among individuals without AF.

Blood hydrogen peroxide break-down activity in healthy subjects and in patients at risk of cardiovascular events

Background and aimsAntioxidant status has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular events (CVEs). The aim of the study was to develop an assay measuring serum hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) break-down activity (HBA) of healthy subjects (HS) and to validate it in a cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). MethodsWe developed the HBA assay in 121 HS and validated it in 842 AF patients. The occurrence of CVEs was registered and correlated with HBA in AF during a median follow-up of 30.6 months (3226 patient-years). A combined endpoint of CVEs included fatal/non-fatal ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death and transient ischemic attack. ResultsIn HS, median HBA was 61.2% [IQR: 52.9–69.4]. AF patients disclosed lower HBA than 30 HS balanced for age and sex (48.6% [IQR: 24.7–65.1] vs. 59.4% [IQR: 49.2–66.2], p < 0.001). During a mean follow-up of 30.6 months (3226 patient-years), 168 CVEs occurred (5.2%/year). A multivariable Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis showed that age group 3 (71–80 years, HR:5.419, p = 0.020), age group 4 (>80 years, HR:9.783, p = 0.002), diabetes (HR:1.464, p = 0.049), previous cardiac events (HR:1.887, p = 0.001) and HBA (below median, HR:2.313, p < 0.001) predicted CVEs. ConclusionsWe developed an easy assay to measure serum HBA, which was associated with CVEs in AF patients. This assay may represent an additional useful tool for cardiovascular risk stratification and should be validated in other high-risk populations.

Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein and risk for death and cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation

Inflammation has been associated with cardiovascular disease and the burden of atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study we evaluate inflammatory biomarkers and future cardiovascular events in AF patients in the RE-LY study. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) (n = 6,187), and fibrinogen (n = 4,893) were analyzed at randomization; outcomes were evaluated by Cox models and C-statistics. Adjusted for clinical risk factors IL-6 was independently associated with stroke or systemic embolism (P = .0041), major bleedings (P = .0001), vascular death (P < .0001), and a composite thromboembolic outcome (ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism and vascular death) (P < .0001). CRP was independently related to myocardial infarction (P = .0047), vascular death (P = .0004), and the composite thromboembolic outcome (P = .0001). When further adjusted for cardiac (troponin and N-terminal fragment B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP]) and renal (cystatin-C) biomarkers on top of clinical risk factors IL-6 remained significantly related to vascular death (P < .0001), major bleeding (P < .0170) and the composite thromboembolic outcome (P < .0001), and CRP to myocardial infarction (.0104). Fibrinogen was not associated with any outcome. C-index for stroke or systemic embolism increased from 0.615 to 0.642 (P = .0017) when adding IL-6 to the clinically used CHA2DS2-VASc risk score with net reclassification improvement of 28%. In patients with AF, IL-6 is related to higher risk of stroke and major bleeding, and both markers are related to higher risk of vascular death and the composite of thromboembolic events independent of clinical risk factors. Adjustment for cardiovascular biomarkers attenuated the prognostic value, although IL-6 remained related to mortality, the composite of thromboembolic events, and major bleeding, and CRP to myocardial infarction.

The relation between flow mediated dilation and atrial fibrillation

We have read the article “Flow-mediated dilation is associated with cardiovascular events (CVE) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients” by Perri and coworkers [ [1] Perri L. Pastori D. Pignatelli P. Violi F. Loffredo L. Flow-mediated dilation is associated with cardiovascular events in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients. Int. J. Cardiol. Jan 20 2015; 179 (Elsevier Ireland Ltd): 139-143 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (20) Google Scholar ]. In that very well-designed and presented study Perri and coworkers tried to evaluate the association between endothelial dysfunction, as assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and CVE in AF patients. They concluded that in AF patients low FMD is associated with increased risk of CVE suggesting that impaired artery dilatation predisposes to atherosclerotic complications.

Myocardial performance index derived from pre-ejection period as a novel and useful predictor of cardiovascular events in atrial fibrillation

PurposeThe pre-ejection period-derived myocardial performance index measured from tissue Doppler echocardiography (PEPa-derived MPI) was reported to be associated with left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in atrial fibrillation (AF). However, its relationship with cardiovascular outcomes in AF has never been evaluated. This study sought to examine the ability of PEPa-derived MPI in predicting adverse cardiovascular events in AF patients. MethodsIn 196 persistent AF patients, we performed comprehensive echocardiography with measurement of PEPa-derived MPI using index beat method. The index beat was defined as the beat following the nearly equal preceding (RR1) and pre-preceding (RR2) intervals. The cycle length of index beat and RR1 and RR2 must be >500ms and the difference between RR1 and RR2 must be <60ms. Cardiovascular events were defined as cardiovascular death, nonfatal stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure. ResultsIn the multivariate analysis, chronic heart failure and increased ratio of transmitral E-wave velocity to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E/Ea) and PEPa-derived MPI (per 0.1 increase, hazard ratio, 1.104; 95% confidence interval, 1.032–1.182, p=0.004) were associated with increased cardiovascular events. The addition of PEPa-derived MPI to a Cox model containing chronic heart failure, systolic blood pressure, age, diabetes, prior stroke, left ventricular ejection fraction, and E/Ea provided an additional benefit in prediction of adverse cardiovascular events (p=0.015). ConclusionsIn AF patients, the PEPa-derived MPI was a useful predictor of adverse cardiovascular events and could offer an additional prognostic benefit over conventional clinical and echocardiographic parameters.

Prognostic Value of Myocardial Damage Markers in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure with Atrial Fibrillation

The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between myocardial damage caused by atrial fibrillation (AF) and subsequent cardiovascular events in AF patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We measured the serum levels of heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) and high-sensitivity troponin T in 402 consecutive CHF patients with chronic AF (CHF-AF, n=201) or sinus rhythm (CHF-SR, n=201). The patients with CHF-AF had higher H-FABP and troponin T levels than those with CHF-SR. In order to examine the prognostic value of myocardial damage markers in CHF-AF and CHF-SR patients, we followed the above patients and analyzed their clinical outcomes. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that both the serum H-FABP and troponin T levels independently predicted subsequent cardiovascular events. A Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that the rate of cardiovascular events was higher in the patients with elevated H-FABP and troponin T levels. The optimal cut-off values for the myocardial damage markers of cardiovascular events were higher in the CHF-AF patients than in the CHF-SR patients (H-FABP, 5.4 vs. 4.6 ng/mL and troponin T, 0.030 vs. 0.013 ng/mL). Myocardial damage advances in association with the presence of AF and is associated with subsequent cardiovascular events in both CHF-AF and CHF-SR patients. In this study, the cut-off values for the myocardial damage markers were higher in the CHF-AF patients than in the CHF-SR patients.

Oral anticoagulants vs. aspirin for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: the verdict is in.

There is an increased risk of stroke and other cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Three meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing oral anticoagulants (OAC) with aspirin (ASA) arrived at different conclusions regarding the relative efficacy of these agents to prevent ischemic stroke in AF patients. This article summarizes a recently published individual patient meta-analysis of all published RCTs comparing OAC and ASA in AF. In total, 4052 patients randomized to OAC or ASA were similar regarding important prognostic factors. Patients receiving OAC had a significantly lower risk of any stroke (hazard ratio [HR] 0.54 [95% CI 0.43-0.71]), ischemic stroke (HR 0.48 [0.37-0.63]), or cardiovascular events (HR 0.71 [0.59-0.85]). Patients receiving OAC were more likely to experience major bleeding (HR 1.71 [1.21-2.41]). The benefit of OAC was most prominent in patients at a high risk of stroke and other cardiovascular events, such as patients with hypertension, diabetes, or previous cerebrovascular events. Overall, OAC improves outcomes for cardiovascular events in AF patients but modestly increases the absolute risk of major bleeding. Since high-risk AF patients appear to benefit most from OAC, determining stroke risk in AF patients is very important.