EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation Research Articles

Abstract 12734: A Sex-Stratified Analysis of Social Determinants of Health and Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a heightened risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Current prediction models often overlook potential sex differences, as well as the combined influence of gendered social determinants of health (SDOH) with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The objective of this study is to compare the associations between social determinants and adverse outcomes in models stratified by sex. Methods: Participants were sourced from the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation (ESC-EHRA EORP-AF) General Long-Term Registry. Alongside CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc variables, SDOH factors, including education, living arrangements, gender inequality index (GII), and EQ-5D-5L questionnaire subscales, were evaluated. The primary outcome was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality. We evaluated the predictive performance of various models using C-statistics, including individual CHA2DS2-VASc components, SDOH only, and a combined model. Results: Among 11,096 patients (mean age: 69.2 years; 40.7% females) from 27 European countries, sex-stratified analyses indicated fewer SDOH associations with composite outcomes in females compared to males. For both females and males, higher self-reported health and regular exercise were associated with lower risk of composite outcomes. In the male model only, a higher education level, higher GII, reduced mobility, reduced self-care ability, alcohol use, and smoking were all associated with an increased risk of MACE and all-cause mortality (Figure 1). The combined model demonstrated modest superior predictive performance, while the improvement when combining CHA2DS2-VASc and SDOH components appears more pronounced in males compared to females. Conclusions: The study highlights the distinct impact of SDOH in AF, with males exhibiting a wider range of SDOH factors associated with outcomes.

Outcomes of digoxin vs. beta blocker in atrial fibrillation: report from ESC-EHRA EORP AF Long-Term General Registry.

The safety of digoxin therapy in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains ill-defined. We aimed to evaluate the effects of digoxin over beta-blocker therapy in AF. Patients with AF who were treated with either digoxin or a beta blocker from the ESC-EHRA EORP AF (European Society of Cardiology-European Heart Rhythm Association EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation) General Long-Term Registry were included. Outcomes of interest were all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) mortality, non-CV mortality, quality of life, and number of patients with unplanned hospitalizations. Of 6377 patients, 549 (8.6%) were treated with digoxin. Over 24months, there were 550 (8.6%) all-cause mortality events and 1304 (23.6%) patients with unplanned emergency hospitalizations. Compared to beta blocker, digoxin therapy was associated with increased all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.90 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.48-2.44)], CV mortality [HR 2.18 (95% CI 1.47-3.21)], and non-CV mortality [HR 1.68 (95% CI 1.02-2.75)] with reduced quality of life [health utility score 0.555 (±0.406) vs. 0.705 (±0.346), P<0.001] but no differences in emergency hospitalizations [HR 1.00 (95% CI 0.56-1.80)] or AF-related hospitalizations [HR 0.95 (95% CI 0.60-1.52)]. On multivariable analysis, there were no differences in any of the outcomes between both groups, after accounting for potential confounders. Similar results were obtained in the subgroups of patients with permanent AF and coexisting heart failure. There were no differences in outcomes between AF patients receiving digoxin with and without chronic kidney disease. Poor outcomes related to the use of digoxin over beta-blocker therapy in terms of excess mortality and reduced quality of life are associated with the presence of other risk factors rather than digoxin per se. The choice of digoxin or beta-blocker therapy had no influence on the incidence of unplanned hospitalizations.

Анализ антитромботической терапии у пожилых людей во врачебной клинической практике центров семейной медицины Кыргызской Республики

Введение. Риски тромбоза и кровотечения с возрастом увеличиваются одновременно, при этом пожилой контингент извлекает больше пользы от антитромботической терапии, чем лица молодого возраста. Цель исследования: изучить ситуацию с назначением антикоагулянтной терапии у пациентов пожилого и старческого возраста с фибрилляцией предсердий (ФП) при центрах семейной медицины южных регионов Кыргызской Республики. Материалы и методы. Из 2000 амбулаторных карт медицинского наблюдения отобрано 470 пациентов с неклапанной ФП, которые имели показания для назначения антитромботической терапии: 187 (39,8%) мужчин, 283 (60,2%) женщины, из них 212 (45,1%) городских жителей и 258 (54,9%) сельских жителей. Средний возраст обследованных составил 69,5 ± 10,2 лет. Результаты. Из 377 (80,2%) пациентов должная антикоагулянтная терапия была назначена 162 (42,9%), антиагрегантная терапия — 191 (50,6%), и терапия не была назначена 24 (6,4%) больным при наличии абсолютных показаний. В качестве антикоагулянтной терапии 148 больным был назначен варфарин, адекватная антикоагуляция к концу года составила всего 12,2%. Новый оральный антикоагулянт — ривароксабан был назначен 14 (8,6%) пациентам. Врачами-терапевтами сельской местности 50% больным при необходимости антикоагулянтов была назначена антиагрегантная терапия. Заключение. В южных регионах республики наблюдается неблагоприятная ситуация с назначением антикоагулянтной терапии и ведением пациентов пожилого и старческого возраста. Необходимо продолжить исследования по другим регионам страны для получения полноценной и реальной картины по проблеме и выработки единой и соответствующей рекомендации. Background. The risks of thrombosis and bleeding increase simultaneously with age. At the same time, the elderly population derives more benefit from antithrombotic therapy than young individuals. Objectives: to study the current state of the anticoagulant therapy prescription for elderly and senile patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at the centers of family medicine in the southern regions of the Kyrgyz Republic. Patients/Methods. From 2000 outpatient medical records, 470 patients with nonvulvar AF were selected who had indications for prescribing antithrombotic therapy: 187 (39.8%) men, 283 (60.2%) women; 212 (45.1%) were urban residents and 258 (54.9%) were village residents. The average age was 69.5 ± 10.2 years. Results. From among 377 (80.2%) patients, needful anticoagulant therapy was prescribed to 162 (42.9%), 191 (50.6%) patients received antiplatelet therapy and therapy was not prescribed to 24 (6.4%) patients in the presence of absolute indications. Warfarin as anticoagulant therapy was prescribed to 148 patients; adequate anticoagulation by the end of the year was only 12.2%. A new oral anticoagulant — rivaroxaban was prescribed to 14 (8.6%) patients. In non-urban area primary care physicians prescribed antiplatelet therapy to 50% of patients who needed anticoagulants. Conclusions. An unfavorable situation is observed with the prescription of anticoagulant therapy and management of elderly and senile patients in the southern regions of the republic. It is necessary to continue study in other regions of the country in order to obtain a complete and real picture of the problem, and to develop a unified and relevant recommendation.

Relationship between frailty and all-cause mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the ESC-EHRA EURObservational research programme AF general long-term registry

Abstract Introduction Frailty is a major health determinant for cardiovascular disease. Thus far, data on frailty in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are limited. Aims To evaluate frailty in a large contemporary cohort of European AF patients, the relationship with oral anticoagulant (OAC) prescription and with risk of all-cause death. Methods We analyzed patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry. A 38-items frailty index (FI) was derived from baseline characteristics according to the accumulation of deficits model proposed by Rockwood and Mitnitsky. All-cause mortality was the primary study outcome. Results Out of the 11096 AF enrolled patients, data for evaluating frailty were available for 6557 (59.1%) patients who have been included in this analysis (mean [SD] age 68.9 [11.5], 37.7% females). Baseline median [IQR] CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED were 3 [2–4] and 1 [1–2], respectively. At baseline, median [IQR] FI was 0.16 (0.12–0.23), with 1276 (19.5%) patients considered “not-frail” (FI&amp;lt;0.10), 4033 (61.5%) considered “pre-frail” (FI 0.10–0.25) and 1248 (19.0%) considered “frail” (FI≥0.25). Age, female prevalence, CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED progressively increased across the FI classes (all p&amp;lt;0.001). Use of OAC progressively increased among FI classes; after adjustments FI was not associated with OAC prescription (odds ratio [OR]: 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98–1.19 for each 0.10 FI increase). Conversely, FI was directly associated with vitamin K antagonist (VKA) use (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.18–1.34 for each 0.10 FI increase) and inversely associated with non-VKA OACs (NOACs) use (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.77–0.88). FI was significantly correlated with CHA2DS2-VASc (Rho= 0.516, p&amp;lt;0.001). Over a median [IQR] follow-up of 731 [704–749] days, there were 569 (8.7%) all-cause death events. Kaplan-Meier curves [Figure] showed an increasing cumulative risk for all-cause death according to FI categories. A Cox multivariable analysis, adjusted for age, sex, type of AF and use of OAC, found that increasing FI as a continuous variable was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.40–1.73 for each 0.10 FI increase). An association with all-cause death risk was found across the FI categories (HR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.23–2.38 and HR: 2.88, 95% CI: 2.02–4.12, respectively for pre-frail and frail patients compared to non-frail ones). FI was also predictive of all-cause death (c-index: 0.660, 95% CI: 0.637–0.682; p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusions In a European contemporary cohort of AF patients the burden of frailty is significant, with almost 1 out of 5 patients found to be “frail”. Frailty influenced significantly the choice of OAC therapy and was associated with (and predictive of) all-cause death at follow-up. Kaplan-Meier Curves Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Since the start of EORP programme, several companies have supported it with unrestricted grants.

Cohort profile: the ESC EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation III (AF III) Registry.

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) EURObservational Research Programme (EORP)-Atrial Fibrillation (AF) III Registry aims to identify contemporary patterns in AF management in clinical practice, assess their compliance with the 2016 ESC AF Guidelines, identify major gaps in guideline implementation, characterize the clinical practice settings associated with good vs. poor guideline implementation and assess and compare the 1-year outcome of guideline-adherent vs. guideline non-adherent management strategies. Consecutive adult AF patients (n = 8306) were enrolled between 1 July 2018 and 15 July 2019, and individual patient data were prospectively collected across 192 centres and 31 participating countries during the 3-month enrolment period per centre. The Registry collected baseline and 1-year follow-up data in the eight main domains: patient demographic/enrolment setting, AF diagnosis/characterization, diagnostic assessment, stroke prevention treatments, arrhythmia-directed therapies, integrated AF management, major outcomes (death, non-fatal stroke or systemic embolic event, and non-fatal bleeding event), and the quality of life questionnaire. The EORP-AF III Registry is an international, prospective registry of care and outcomes of patients treated for AF, which will provide insights into the contemporary patterns in AF management, ESC AF Guidelines implementation in routine practice and barriers to optimal management of this highly prevalent arrhythmia.

Arterial hypertension in patients with atrial fibrillation in Europe: A report from the EURObservational Research Programme pilot survey on atrial fibrillation

BackgroundHypertension (HTN) is the most prevalent co-morbidity among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients; the relationship between the two is bidirectional, with an incremental effect on adverse outcomes. PurposeTo study clinical features, treatment patterns and 1year outcomes amongst AF patients with HTN in the EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot Registry, a prospective multi-national survey conducted by the European Society of Cardiology in 9 European countries. MethodsOf 3119 enrolled AF patients, 2194 were diagnosed with HTN (AF-HTN) and 909 were normotensive (AF-NT) (16 patients had unknown HTN status). We compared baseline clinical features, management strategy and 1-year outcomes in terms of all-cause death, cardiovascular (CV) death, and any thrombosis-related event (TE: stroke, transient ischemic attack, acute coronary syndrome, coronary intervention, cardiac arrest, peripheral/pulmonary embolism) in AF-HTN vs AF-NT patients. ResultsThe AF-HTN patients had more prevalent CV risk factors and comorbidities (median CHA2DS2-VASc score (IQR) 4 (3, 5) in AF-HTN, versus 2 (1, 3) in AF-NT; p<0.01). Crude rate of all-cause death and any TE event was higher in AF-HTN (194 (11.2%) versus 60 (8.2%), p=0.02). Kaplan-Meier analysis curves for death by hypertensive status showed no significant differences between the subgroups (log rank test, p=0.22). On logistic regression analysis, HTN did not emerge as an independent risk factor for outcomes (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.76–1.54). ConclusionAF-HTN patients have a higher prevalence of comorbidities and this conferred a higher risk for a composite endpoint of all-cause death and thromboembolic events. In this cohort HTN did not independently predict all-cause mortality at 1-year.

Use of statins and adverse outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: An analysis from the EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) general registry pilot phase

BackgroundDespite oral anticoagulation being highly effective in reducing stroke and thromboembolism, patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) still have a significant residual excess in mortality risk. Additional management strategies are needed to reduce the mortality risk seen in AF patients. MethodsAncillary analysis from the EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) General Pilot Registry, to evaluate 1-year outcomes in AF patients according to statin use at baseline. ResultsOf 2636 patients, 1286 (48.8%) patients used statins at baseline. Patients prescribed statins had more comorbidities. At 1-year follow-up, logistic regression analysis adjusted for AF type, symptomatic status and CHA2DS2-VASc score demonstrated that statin use was inversely associated with CV death (odds ratio [OR]: 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30–0.82, p<0.0001), all-cause death (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37–0.73, p<0.0001) and the composite outcome of CV death/any thromboembolic event/bleeding (OR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.52–0.98, p<0.0001). Similar findings were observed for ‘high risk’ subgroups including the elderly, primary prevention and high thromboembolic risk AF patients.Survival analysis showed that statins prescribed patients had a lower risk of all-cause death at follow-up (p=0.0433). Multivariate Cox regression analysis found that statin use remained independently associated with a lower risk for all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.42–0.88, p=0.0077). ConclusionsStatin use in AF patients was associated with improved outcomes, with an independent association with a lower risk of all-cause death at 1-year follow-up.

80Use of statins and adverse outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: the EURObservational research programme atrial fibrillation (EORP-AF) general pilot registry

80Use of statins and adverse outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: the EURObservational research programme atrial fibrillation (EORP-AF) general pilot registry

Direct oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation patients aged 75 years or older: Efficacy and safety balance

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common heart rhythm disorders in the population. Researchers revealed a direct relationship between their incidence and a patient's age long ago. One of the most challenging issues of clinical practice in patients with AF is anticoagulant therapy used in the so-called very elderly patients aged 75 years and older when age itself is a risk factor for developing both thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events due to anticoagulants, regardless of the mechanism of action of the latter. However, scientific data regarding the treatment and prevention of thromboembolic events in elderly and senile patients with AF are very scarce and often uninformative. The data from the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation Registry Pilot Phase (EORP-AF Pilot) and the randomized clinical studies RELY, ROCKET AF, ARISTOTLE, and AVERROES were analyzed to identify the most safe and most effective anticoagulant for elderly patients (over 75 years). Relying on the analyses of literature data, the authors propose an algorithm based on clinical characteristics for choosing the anticoagulant for patients older than 75 years.

'Real-world' atrial fibrillation management in Europe: observations from the 2-year follow-up of the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation General Registry Pilot Phase.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly associated with a high risk of stroke, thromboembolism, and mortality. The 1-year follow-up of the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot Registry demonstrated a high mortality but good outcomes with European Society of Cardiology guideline-adherent therapy. Whether these 'real-world' observations on patients managed by European cardiologists extend to 2 years remains uncertain. In this report from the EORP-AF General Registry Pilot Phase, we provide data on the 2-year follow-up outcomes. Consistent with the 1-year follow-up report, only a small proportion of patients were symptomatic (24.9%), with minor differences between the different AF subtypes. Persistence of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy remains high at 2-years, with ∼80% of patients treated with OAC. The prescribing rates of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are progressively increasing (13.7% at 2 years). Rate and rhythm control approaches remained consistent across the entire follow-up observation. Overall mortality rates remained high, with 5.0% of patients dead during the 2-year follow-up, mostly due to cardiovascular causes (61.8%). Atrial fibrillation readmissions were frequent, particularly related to arrhythmias and heart failure. On multivariate analyses, any cardiovascular reason for admission rather than AF was significantly associated with increased mortality during the 2-year follow-up. In this 2-year follow-up report from EORP-AF, mortality rates with AF remain high from cardiovascular causes, despite the high prevalent use of OAC. Improved management strategies to reduce major adverse outcomes in AF patients are needed.

Polish and European management strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation. Data from the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation General Registry Pilot Phase (EORP-AF Pilot)

Despite continued efforts of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) to unify management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) across Europe, interregional differences in guideline adherence are likely. The aim of the study was to compare treatment strategies depending on baseline characteristics of AF patients between Poland and other members of the European Union (EU). We analyzed the baseline data and treatment strategies in participants of the ESC registry: the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation General Registry Pilot Phase. A total of 3119 consecutive patients with AF diagnosed within the last year were included in 67 centers from 9 countries, including 419 patients enrolled in 15 Polish centers. A rhythm control strategy was more frequent in Poland than in other EU countries (20.8% vs 11.9%; P <0.0001). Catheter ablation for AF was also used more frequently in Polish cardiology wards (13.9% vs 8.3%; P = 0.0017), while amiodarone at discharge was used less frequently (12.0% vs 22.7%; P <0.0001). In-hospital use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and non-VKA anticoagulants was less frequent in Polish patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 2 or higher than in patients from other EU countries (61.1% vs 79.0%; P <0.0001), but overall anticoagulation rates at discharge were similar to those in other countries (83.3% vs 82.6%). A rhythm control-oriented strategy in patients with AF with the use of ablation in cardiology wards is more frequent in Poland than in other EU countries. Similar to other EU countries, compliance with the ESC guidelines regarding anticoagulation in AF patients is suboptimal in Poland. Undertreatment was observed in a significant proportion of patients at high risk of stroke, while a large group of low-risk patients are overtreated. Differences between the types of recruiting centers in Poland and other EU countries might have influenced the results.

'Real-world' management and outcomes of patients with paroxysmal vs. non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in Europe: the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) General Pilot Registry.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has different presentations (first detected, paroxysmal, persistent, permanent), with uncertain impact on outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical presentation, management, and outcome of paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal AFs within the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation General Pilot Registry. Overall 2589 patients with available 1-year follow-up data were evaluated according to AF type. Patients with paroxysmal AF (26.8%) were younger, had lower prevalence of heart disease (particularly valvular), and major co-morbidities, as well as lower CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED scores. Patients with first-detected AF (29.9%) had characteristics similar to persistent AF patients (25.9%), but lower use of oral anticoagulants. Patients with permanent AF represented 17.4% of the cohort. At 1 year, the rate of stroke/transient ischaemic attack and thromboembolism was low (0.6-1.0%) and did not differ between paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal AFs. All-cause mortality was higher in non-paroxysmal vs. paroxysmal AF (log rank test, P = 0.0018). Using a multivariable Cox model, non-paroxysmal AF was not an independent predictor of death during follow-up. Independent predictors of death were age, chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, restrictive cardiomyopathy, and physical activity. In this 'real-world' contemporary observational registry, patients with non-paroxysmal AF had a worse outcome, in terms of all-cause mortality, which was related to a more severe clinical profile. The risk of stroke at 1 year was relatively low, perhaps reflecting the high rates of anticoagulation use in this cohort.

Age-Related Differences in Presentation, Treatment, and Outcome of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in Europe: The EORP-AF General Pilot Registry (EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation)

ObjectivesThis study sought to compare age-related differences in presentation, treatment, and outcome of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a wide cohort of European subjects. BackgroundAF is the most common sustained arrhythmia in the elderly. MethodsWe evaluated all patients enrolled in the EORP-AF (EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation) General Pilot Registry in 70 centers of 9 European countries. ResultsAmong 3,119 subjects, 1,051 (33.7%) were age ≥75 years. Permanent AF was significantly more common in the elderly, who had a higher prevalence of hypertension, valvular diseases, chronic heart failure, coronary artery disease, renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and prior hemorrhagic event or a transient ischemic attack. Common diagnostic tests were underused in older subjects. Despite their higher stroke risk, the use of oral anticoagulants was significantly lower in the elderly (76.7% vs. 82.8%; p = 0.0012), whereas aspirin and clopidogrel alone or in combination were more often prescribed. Rate control was the management of choice in the older group, with electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation performed less frequently than in the younger age group. Antiarrhythmic drugs were significantly less prescribed in the elderly (29.8% vs. 41.7%; p < 0.0001). At the 1-year follow-up, mortality (11.5% vs. 3.7%; p < 0.0001) and the composite of stroke/transient ischemic attack, systemic thromboembolism, and/or death (13.6% vs. 4.9%; p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in the ≥75 years of age cohort. ConclusionsIn older patients, AF is more often associated with comorbidities. Rate control is the preferred therapeutic approach. Despite a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score, the use of oral anticoagulation is suboptimal. In elderly subjects, the rate of adverse events is higher at follow-up.

Asymptomatic Atrial Fibrillation: Clinical Correlates, Management, and Outcomes in the EORP-AF Pilot General Registry

ObjectiveAtrial fibrillation is often asymptomatic, but outcomes require further characterization. The study objective was to investigate the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with atrial fibrillation who were prospectively enrolled in the EurObservational Research Programme – Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry. MethodsA total of 3119 patients were enrolled, and 1237 (39.7%) were asymptomatic (European Heart Rhythm Association [EHRA] score I). Among symptomatic patients, 963 (51.2%) had mild symptoms (EHRA score II) and 919 (48.8%) had severe or disabling symptoms (EHRA III-IV). Permanent atrial fibrillation was 3-fold more common in asymptomatic patients than in symptomatic patients. ResultsOn multivariate analysis, male gender (odds ratio [OR], 1.630; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.384-1.921), older age (OR, 1.019; 95% CI, 1.012-1.026), previous myocardial infarction (OR, 1.681; 95% CI, 1.350-2.093), and limited physical activity (OR, 1.757; 95% CI, 1.495-2.064) were associated significantly with asymptomatic (EHRA I) atrial fibrillation. Fully asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (absence of current and previous symptoms) was present in 520 patients (16.7%) and was associated independently with male gender, age, and previous myocardial infarction. Appropriate guideline-based prescription of oral anticoagulants was lower in these patients, and aspirin was prescribed more frequently. Mortality at 1 year was more than 2-fold higher in asymptomatic patients compared with symptomatic patients (9.4% vs 4.2%, P < .0001) and was associated independently with older age and comorbidities, including chronic kidney disease and chronic heart failure. ConclusionsAsymptomatic atrial fibrillation is common in daily cardiology practice and is associated with elderly age, more comorbidities, and high thromboembolic risks. A higher 1-year mortality was found in asymptomatic patients compared with symptomatic patients.

Prognosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation patients by European cardiologists: one year follow-up of the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation General Registry Pilot Phase (EORP-AF Pilot registry).

The EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation General Registry Pilot Phase (EORP-AF Pilot) provides systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of 3119 subjects with AF from 9 member European Society of Cardiology (ESC) countries. In this analysis, we report the development of symptoms, use of antithrombotic therapy and rate vs. rhythm strategies, as well as determinants of mortality and/or stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA)/peripheral embolism during 1-year follow-up in this contemporary European registry of AF patients. The registry population comprised consecutive in- and out-patients with AF presenting to cardiologists in participating ESC countries. Consecutive patients with AF documented by ECG were enrolled. Follow-up was performed by the local investigator, initially at 1 year, as part of a long-term cohort study. At the follow-up, patients were frequently asymptomatic (76.8%), but symptoms are nevertheless common among paroxysmal and persistent AF patients, especially palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Oral anticoagulant (OAC) use remains high, ∼78% overall at follow-up, and of those on vitamin K antagonist (VKA), 84% remained on VKA during the follow-up, while of those on non-VKA oral anticoagulant (NOAC) at baseline, 86% remained on NOAC, and 11.8% had changed to a VKA and 1.1% to antiplatelet therapy. Digitalis was commonly used in paroxysmal AF patients. Of rhythm control interventions, electrical cardioversion was performed in 9.7%, pharmacological cardioversion in 5.1%, and catheter ablation in 4.4%. Despite good adherence to anticoagulation, 1-year mortality was high (5.7%), with most deaths were cardiovascular (70%). Hospital readmissions were common, especially for atrial tachyarrhythmias and heart failure. On multivariate analysis, independent baseline predictors for mortality and/or stroke/TIA/peripheral embolism were age, AF as primary presentation, previous TIA, chronic kidney disease, chronic heart failure, malignancy, and minor bleeding. Independent predictors of mortality were age, chronic kidney disease, AF as primary presentation, prior TIA, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, malignancy, minor bleeding, and diuretic use. Statin use was predictive of lower mortality. In this 1-year follow-up analysis of the EORP-AF pilot general registry, we provide data on the first contemporary registry focused on management practices among European cardiologists, conducted since the publication of the new ESC guidelines. Overall OAC use remains high, although persistence with therapy may be problematic. Nonetheless, continued OAC use was more common than in prior reports. Despite the high prescription of OAC, 1-year mortality and morbidity remain high in AF patients, particularly from heart failure and hospitalizations.

Regional differences in presentation and treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation in Europe: a report from the EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry.

Country differences in management practices are evident, and the publication of management guidelines by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and other learned societies has tried to recommend a uniform evidence-based approach to management. Despite the availability of guidelines and efforts to improve implementation, differences in guideline adherence are evident, and differences between countries and regions within Europe are therefore likely. In this analysis from the baseline dataset of the EORP-AF Pilot survey, we examined regional differences in presentation and treatment of contemporary patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Europe, as managed by European cardiologists. We focused on a subgroup of 902 hospital admitted patients in whom no rhythm control was performed or planned. Chronic heart failure was more common in East countries (P < 0.0001) while hypertension and peripheral artery disease were more common in South countries (both P < 0.0001). Previous bleeding and chronic kidney disease were more common in South countries (both P < 0.0001). A CHA2DS2-VASc score of ≥2 was highest in East and South countries (93.0 and 95.3%, respectively) compared with 80.8% in West countries (P < 0.0001). A HAS-BLED score of ≥3 was also highest in East and South countries (18.0 and 29.2% respectively) compared with 4.8% in West countries (P < 0.0001). Oral anticoagulation (OAC) use (either as OAC or OAC plus antiplatelet therapy) in West, East, and South countries was 72.0, 74.7, and 76.2%, respectively. Only antiplatelet therapy was used in 13.6, 15.4, and 12.4%, respectively. An initial rate control strategy only was most common in South countries (77.8%) (P < 0.0001). From the systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of AF in nine participating member ESC countries, we provide hypothesis-generating insights into regional management practices in Europe with regard to patient characteristics and treatment options.

A prospective survey in European Society of Cardiology member countries of atrial fibrillation management: baseline results of EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry

A prospective survey in European Society of Cardiology member countries of atrial fibrillation management: baseline results of EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry

A prospective survey in European Society of Cardiology member countries of atrial fibrillation management: baseline results of EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry

Given the advances in atrial fibrillation (AF) management and the availability of new European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines, there is a need for the systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of AF in ESC member countries. We conducted a registry of consecutive in- and outpatients with AF presenting to cardiologists in nine participating ESC countries. All patients with an ECG-documented diagnosis of AF confirmed in the year prior to enrolment were eligible. We enroled a total of 3119 patients from February 2012 to March 2013, with full data on clinical subtype available for 3049 patients (40.4% female; mean age 68.8 years). Common comorbidities were hypertension, coronary disease, and heart failure. Lone AF was present in only 3.9% (122 patients). Asymptomatic AF was common, particularly among those with permanent AF. Amiodarone was the most common antiarrhythmic agent used (∼20%), while beta-blockers and digoxin were the most used rate control drugs. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) were used in 80% overall, most often vitamin K antagonists (71.6%), with novel OACs being used in 8.4%. Other antithrombotics (mostly antiplatelet therapy, especially aspirin) were still used in one-third of the patients, and no antithrombotic treatment in only 4.8%. Oral anticoagulants were used in 56.4% of CHA2DS2-VASc = 0, with 26.3% having no antithrombotic therapy. A high HAS-BLED score was not used to exclude OAC use, but there was a trend towards more aspirin use in the presence of a high HAS-BLED score. The EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot Registry has provided systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of AF by cardiologists in ESC member countries. Oral anticoagulant use has increased, but novel OAC use was still low. Compliance with the treatment guidelines for patients with the lowest and higher stroke risk scores remains suboptimal.