Should we initiate oral anticoagulants for patients with atrial fibrillation staying well without oral anticoagulants for years?

Background

Although non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were more and more commonly prescribed for stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), underuse of OACs is still not uncommon. Data about the initiations of OACs in AF patients who did not experience ischemic stroke without any OACs for years since incident AF was diagnosed were limited. We aimed to investigate the associations between the initiations of warfarin or NOACs and clinical outcomes among this population.

Methods

From January 1st, 2007 to December 31st, 2010, a total of 167,176 newly-diagnosed AF patients aged ≥20 years were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database as the study population. Among the study population, 32,917 patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score >1 for males or >2 for females who did not receive warfarin or NOACs and survived for at least 90 days after June 1st, 2015 were defined as the “original non-OAC cohort”. These patients were then categorized into 3 groups according to the stroke prevention strategies they received after June 1st, 2015; that is, without OACs (n=31,195), warfarin (n=230) and NOACs (n=1,492).

Results

Compared to patients staying on non-OACs, the risk of ischemic stroke was lower for patients who initiated NOACs (aHR 0.867; p=0.043). The risk of all-cause mortality was lower for patients who started to receive warfarin (aHR 0.876; p=0.036) or NOACs (aHR 0.798; p=0.047). The composite risk of ischemic stroke or major bleeding was also lower for patients who initiated warfarin (0.849; p<0.001) or NOACs (0.789; p<0.001) (Figure 1). Compared to warfarin, NOACs use was associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke (aHR 0.819; p<0.001), ischemic stroke or intracranial hemorrhage (aHR 0.927; p=0.042) or ischemic stroke or major bleeding (aHR 0.912; p<0.001).

Conclusions

Initiations of OACs, especially NOACs, should still be considered for AF patients who stayed well without OACs for years since incident AF was diagnosed.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Fish oil supplements increase atrial fibrillation risk in healthy individuals: a population-based cohort study and Mendelian randomization analysis

Background

There is a paucity of information on the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in healthy individuals taking fish oil supplements.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the epidemiologic and causal relationships between fish oil supplement intake and the long-term risk of AF.

Methods

From the population-based UK Biobank, we selected healthy individuals without a history of AF, other cardiac arrhythmias, or cardiovascular diseases, who were not taking lipid-lowering medications or dietary supplements other than fish oil. The 10-year risk of AF in Fish-Oil-Users vs. Non-Users was evaluated in the total population and propensity-score matched cohort. The causal relationship between n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and AF was evaluated using a two-sample summary-level Mendelian randomization analysis with fixed effects robust inverse-variance weighted method, using genetic instruments from previous studies genome-wide association studies for n-3 PUFA levels and AF, respectively.

Results

A total of 338,199 participants (aged 55.2±8.1, 44.3% men) were analysed. Of these, 35.0% (n=118,300) was taking fish oil supplements. The 10-year risk of AF was significantly higher in the Fish-Oil-Users than in the Non-Users (3.83% vs. 2.91%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.05, 95% CI [1.01–1.10], P=0.023). The result was consistent in the propensity-score matched cohort (propensity-score matched HR 1.06, 95% CI [1.00–1.12], P=0.043). The increased risk of AF by fish oil supplement was prominent in low-risk participants with healthy lifestyles. Among n-3 PUFA, the docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) showed significant causal estimates for the increased risk of AF (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% CI [1.08–1.22], P<0.001), while higher eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels caused a decrease of AF risk (OR 0.85, 95% CI [0.80–0.90], P<0.001).

Conclusion

Fish oil supplement intake significantly increased the long-term risk of AF in a healthy population. The causal effect of fish oil intake on the risk of AF may depend on the specific types of n-3 PUFA.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

The ideal environment for the development of postcardiac surgery atrial fibrillation: evidence for endothelial activation and poor cell-cell interaction

Introduction

The development of post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgeryis associated with pre-existing endothelial activation and systemic inflammation due to adhesion and transmigration of leukocytes into the interstitium. The electrical remodelling associated with AF causes changes in connexins, resulting in ineffective electrical coupling between cells and thus ineffective cell-cell communication.There is also an association between the inflammatory state, and the presence of cardiac fibrosis, oxidative stress and myocyte apoptosis.

Purpose

Our aim was to investigate the pathophysiologicaland regulatory mechanisms of AF through endothelial activation and inflammatory status, as well as cell-cell interactions (connexins) in relation to POAF amongst a cohort of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods

We studied prospective patients who underwent CABG (52.9%) or cardiac valve (47.1%) surgery without previous documented AF. Patients with permanent AF who underwent CABG or cardiac valve surgery were also included as positive controls. Plasma samples were collected at baseline and 24 hours after surgery, to assess the impact of surgery. To detect endothelial activation, vascular cell adhesion protein-1 (VCAM-1 (CD106)) was evaluated by ELISA assay in plasma samples. Expression of connexin 40 and 43 were measured by inmunohistochemistry in atrial tissue samples.

Results

We included 117 patients (75.2% males, median age 67 [IQR 59.5–73.0] years), of whom17 (14.5%) patients had permanent AF; 27 (23.1%) developed POAF and 73 (62.4%) had no AF detected.

We found higher baseline VCAM-1 levels versus 24-hour samples overall (p=0.001). When comparing groups, baseline VCAM-1 levels were higher in patients with permanent AF compared to non-AF (p=0.035); and in permanent AF compared to POAF (p=0.049). VCAM-1 levels at 24h followed the same trends between permanent AF and non-AF (p=0.001), and permanent AF versus POAF (p=0.013) (Table 1). VCAM-1 levels over the third tertile (i.e.>49.77 ng/ml) increased the risk of AF almost 3-fold (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.06–7.70; p=0.039). There was a significant decrease in the expression of connexion 40 in patients with AF (ie. patients with permanent AF or POAF) compared to non-AF patients (1.00 [0.50–2.31] vs. 2.48 [1.94–3.00], p=0.044), while connexin 43 was non-significantly different (1.07 [0.41–1.75] vs. 2.00 [0.63–2.25], p=0.289) (Table 2).

Conclusions

VCAM-1 levels were upregulated in patients with permanent AF and POAF compared to patients without AF, and remained higher even after surgery, thus demonstrating a relevantendothelial activation. The pro-inflammatory state presented in these patients with AF, along with decreased connexin 40 expression impacting cell-to-cell conduction, suggests a potential combination for atrial remodelling and incident AF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Thromboembolic risk dynamics, integrated care management and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: a proof-of-concept analysis from the SPORTIF trials

Introduction

Few data exist on the impact of thromboembolic risk dynamics in determining a higher risk of adverse clinical outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Moreover, no evidence is available about the possible impact of integrated care, as defined by the `Atrial fibrillation Better Care' (ABC) pathway, in modulating the clinical outcomes associated with the dynamic changes in risk.

Purpose

To study thromboembolic risk dynamics and the relationship with integrated care, also in determining the risk of adverse outcomes in AF patients.

Methods

We analysed patients from the randomized controlled SPORTIF III and V trials. Thromboembolic risk was assessed according to CHA2DS2-VASc score. Integrated care was assessed according to ABC pathway adherence. The primary endpoint was the composite clinical outcome of all-cause death and major adverse cardiovascular events.

Results

A total of 3589 patients [mean (SD) age was 70.9 (8.8) years; 30.4% female; median [IQR] baseline CHA2DS2-VASc 3 [2–4]) were available for the analysis. Over a mean 573.8 (SD 129.5) days of follow-up, a total of 67 (1.9%) reported an increase in CHA2DS2-VASc score, with a mean (SD) delta of 0.0295 (0.2257). Among those with increasing CHA2DS2-VASc, 29 (43.3%) reported a 1-point increase, 37 (55.2%) reported a 2-point increase and only 1 (1.5%) reported a 3-point increase. A total of 948 (26.4%) patients were managed adherent to ABC pathway and overall, a median (IQR) of 2 [1–3] ABC criteria were fulfilled in the patients included. An adjusted linear regression analysis found that an increasing number of ABC pathway criteria fulfilled was inversely associated with increase in CHA2DS2-VASc score throughout follow-up (Beta −0.010, 95% CI −0.019 to −0.001), p=0.045), while considering the single ABC criteria, only the “C” criteria was inversely associated with an increase in CHA2DS2-VASc score (Beta −0.018, 95% CI −0.034 to −0.001, p=0.038). A total of 255 (7.1%) clinical events were recorded. An adjusted Cox regression analysis found that both increasing CHA2DS2-VASc score (HR 2.67, 95% CI 2.12–3.36, p<0.001) and increasing number of ABC pathway criteria fulfilled (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.61–0.82) were independently associated with adverse outcomes. A regression line studying the interaction between increasing CHA2DS2-VASc, and ABC pathway adherence showed trends for improved risk reductions in clinical adverse outcomes when patients with increasing thromboembolic risk were managed according to integrated care [Figure 1].

Conclusions

Integrated care was associated with a lower progression in the thromboembolic risk of AF patients, particular through the optimal management of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. Both increasing thromboembolic risk and increasing adherence to ABC pathway were independently associated, although inversely, with occurrence of adverse clinical outcomes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Associations between pregnancy complications and incident cardiovascular disease: a nationwide data linkage study in Wales

Background

Previous studies have associated pregnancy complications with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. However, previous studies have not sufficiently evaluated the impact of broad range of pregnancy complications or common cardiovascular conditions individually. Furthermore, most previous studies have relied on data from hospital admission records only, which may not have adequately accounted for conditions that may not result in an inpatient hospital admission, such as atrial fibrillation.

Purpose

To examine the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, atrial fibrillation or heart failure among women after their first pregnancy with a history of pregnancy complications compared to women without pregnancy complications in a large nationwide study using linked routinely collected data.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank and included women aged 16–45 years who had their first pregnancy between 2000 and 2018 in Wales. Data were extracted from various sources such as Office for National Statistics (ONS) birth and death extracts, hospital admission, outpatient, emergency department and General Practice data sources, and pregnancy related data such as maternal indicators and national community child health. Survival analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazard regression models adjusted for hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, congenital and valvular heart diseases, multifetal pregnancy ethnicity, maternal age, calendar year of first birth and index of multiple deprivation.

Results

A total of 298,515 women were included in the study, of which 74,832 (25.1%) had a history of any pregnancy complication during their first pregnancy. During a median of 9.7 years follow-up time, 2,484 women developed at least one cardiovascular condition. Among women with a history of pregnancy complication in their first pregnancy, IHD had the highest incidence rate at 4.94 (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.44–5.49) per 10,000 person-years, and atrial fibrillation was the lowest at 1.92 (95% CI 1.62–2.28). The history of any pregnancy complication during the first pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of all cardiovascular conditions examined, including heart failure [hazard ratio (HR) 1.93 95% CI 1.61–2.31)], IHD [HR 1.82 (95% CI 1.58–2.10)], stroke [HR 1.39 (95% CI 1.20–1.61)] and atrial fibrillation [HR 1.33 (95% CI 1.08–1.65) (Figure 1).

Conclusion

This population-scale study used anonymised individual-level linked data from multiple routinely collected data sources. A history of pregnancy complications during first pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of incident cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure, ischaemic heart disease, stroke and atrial fibrillation. Applying primary preventive measures and risk assessments for cardiovascular disease after the first pregnancy may mitigate the higher risk among these women.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Other.

Atrial fibrillation detection in ambulatory patients using a smart ring powered by deep learning analysis of continuous photoplethysmography monitoring

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) detection could be effective with photoplethysmography (PPG) signal monitoring by a wearable device.

Purpose

We aimed to validate the performance of AF detection among ambulatory patients who underwent electrical cardioversion for AF using a smart ring capable of continuous PPG monitoring and deep learning analysis.

Methods

In this prospective single-arm study, participants who underwent successful electrical cardioversion for AF were enrolled. The participants equipped a smart ring (CardioTracker, Sky Labs Inc., Seongnam, Republic of Korea) after the electrical cardioversion. The smart ring then continuously monitored PPG over 14 days to detect AF recurrence. The smart ring alarmed AF episodes based on deep learning analysis of PPG. The participants were asked to measure at least three daily ECGs using the smart ring to validate AF recurrence detected by PPG. All ECG snapshots were recorded along with lead I and saved with simultaneous PPG. ECG data were examined by the three cardiologists independently (SK, SRL, and EKC). The monitoring time, analyzable proportions of monitored signals, detection rates of AF episodes, and the diagnostic performance of PPG-based deep learning were evaluated. At the end of the monitoring, a survey on the use of the smart ring was performed.

Results

A total of 35 participants (mean age 58.9 years, male 74.3%) were enrolled. Figure 1 illustrates an example of PPG monitoring and PPG-ECG snapshots by the smart ring. The study participation period was a median of 14 days and the wearing time of the smart ring was a median of 9.2 days (IQR 7.1–11.5 days). Signal artifacts during daily activity decreased the analyzable proportions of monitored PPG by 68.5%. Irregular pulse episodes were detected by the smart ring in 29 (82.9%) participants after a median of 1 day from the cardioversion (Figure 2). A total of 2532 PPG-ECG snapshots were acquired and 1623 (64.1%) were interpretable by both the cardiologists (using ECG) and the deep learning analysis (using PPG). Comparing PPG by simultaneous ECG, the performance of AF detection by the smart ring was 98.7% for sensitivity, 97.8% for specificity, 2.2% for false positives, and 1.3% for false negatives (Figure 2). After using the smart ring, 76.9% of the participants responded that they had no discomfort in using the smart ring in daily activity and another 76.9% responded that it was helpful to monitor their disease.

Conclusion

Despite the signal artifacts during daily activity, AF detection with PPG monitoring by a smart ring could be effective for AF screening among ambulatory patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by Sky Labs Inc, Seongnam, Republic of Korea, and by the grant No. 0320202040 from the Seoul National University Hospital Research Fund.

Venous thromboembolism and mortality in a multiethnic population: a report from the Birmingham Black Country VTE registry (BBC-VTE Investigators)

Background

Most epidemiological studies into venous thromboembolism (VTE) are based on the white Caucasian population and unrepresentative of VTE outcomes in non-white ethnicities.

Purpose

Our VTE registry aims to get an insight into the outcomes of VTE patients as applicable to a developed world population with a multi-ethnic background. This will guide clinicians to make appropriate decisions with regards to management and prognosis.

Methods

The Birmingham Black Country VTE Registry (BBC-VTE) is a multi-ethnic cohort of patients in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom, who suffered a first episode of VTE. In this study we compared baseline characteristics, treatment patterns and outcomes, and secondly, compared these among the different ethnic groups in this region.

Results

Between the years 2012–2014 there was a total of 1615 patients (mean age 65.5; 53.1% female) admitted with a first episode of VTE of whom, 134 (8.3%) were Asian, 92 (5.7%) Black, and 1213 (75.1%) White. Asian patients were younger (mean age 54, SD 19.3) vs Black patients (59, SD 19.7) and White patients (68, SD 17.4); and were less often female (50.7% vs. 55.4% and 53.8%) for Black and White patients respectively. The initial VTE event was a DVT in 680 (42.1%) and a PE±DVT in 935 patients (57.9%). Below-knee and above-knee DVT occurred in 95 (5.9%) and 585 (36.2%) patients respectively. Recurrent DVT occurred in 3.2% of those with an initial below-knee DVT and 12.5% of those with an initial above-knee DVT. Recurrent PE was also more common in those with an initial above knee DVT (4.8%) compared to those with below-knee DVT (3.2%).

After the initial VTE event, 1269 (78.6%) were started on long-term anticoagulation for the prevention of recurrent VTE. Of those, 65.1% stayed on anticoagulation for up to 6 months after the initial VTE event, and 34.9% continued for longer than 6 months, including those on lifelong anticoagulation. Bleeding and major bleeding occurred in 6.8% and 2.5% respectively in those on anticoagulation for 6 or less months, vs. 10.4% and 3.5% in those anticoagulated for longer than 6 months. The most common site of bleeding was gastrointestinal in 42.3% of all bleeds and this site was also responsible for 54.3% of major bleeds.

From evaluating the odds ratio for VTE mortality (see Fig. 1), ethnicity did not have a significant impact. Older age; the presence of diabetes mellitus; history of malignancy; as well as admission laboratory results for C-reactive protein and neutrophil count were all significantly associated with higher odds of mortality in this patient cohort.

Conclusion

BBC-VTE is a contemporary multi-ethnic cohort of patients providing insights into the risk factors among multi-ethnic patients that have developed VTE. Ethnicity did not emerge as an independent risk for VTE mortality.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

The comorbidity network in older adults with atrial fibrillation: a Danish nationwide cohort study

Introduction

Individuals affected by atrial fibrillation (AF) often present with multiple comorbidities that challenge their clinical management and worsen the prognosis. Characterizing the network structure of comorbid chronic conditions in AF patients may provide insights to better tailor medical and care management.

Purpose

To examine and compare the network structure of comorbidities in older people with and without AF.

Methods

Cross-sectional data derived from the Danish National Patient Register (period 2012–2017) were examined. Patients 60+ years old by 1. January 2017 with AF were selected and matched by age and sex to non-AF controls. Chronic conditions coded according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision were retrieved and grouped into 60 clinically relevant disease categories for old age. Network analysis was applied to construct the disease networks and the centrality index of expected influence was measured to estimate the disease interconnectedness in each network. The difference in network structure and disease centrality between AF and non-AF patients was formally assessed through network comparison tests.

Results

A total of 96,117 AF patients (72 years old; 45% women) were identified and matched with 96,117 non-AF controls. The most prevalent chronic conditions in AF were hypertension (55.1%), large bowel diseases (36.4%) and ischemic heart disease (36.0%). A significant difference of global network structure was observed between AF and non-AF patients (p<0.001) (Figure1). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, inflammatory arthropathy, chronic kidney disease and peripheral neuropathy had a higher connectivity with other diseases in the AF vs. non-AF patients (p<0.001). By contrast, hypertension, heart failure and stroke were more interconnected in the non-AF patients (p<0.001). Among AF patients, network differences were further observed between age categories (60–79 vs 80+ years) in male and female subgroups.

Conclusions

Older AF patients exhibited a complex network structure of chronic conditions that differed from age- and sex- matched non-AF patients. The network-based identification of highly co-morbid diseases in AF can improve our understanding of AF-related chronic conditions and potentially enhance prioritization and a personalized care for older patients with AF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme

Factors associated with prescription of oral anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation in older people living in care homes in Wales: a routine data linkage study 2003–2018

Background

Prescription of oral anticoagulants (OAC) is paramount for stroke prevention in people with atrial fibrillation (AF), but treatment decisions in older care home residents are complicated by frailty, multi-morbidity and heightened stroke and bleeding risk. There is a paucity of data on factors influencing the decision to prescribe OAC in this high-risk population who are under-represented in research studies.

Purpose

To explore the factors associated with OAC prescription for care home residents aged ≥65 years with AF.

Methods

Nationwide retrospective cohort study of people aged ≥65 years entering a care home in Wales between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2018, using anonymised individual-level electronic health record and administrative data sources available within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to explore the association between resident characteristics and OAC prescription or non-prescription.

Results

Between 2003 and 2018, 14,493 people with AF aged ≥65 years became new residents in care homes in Wales and 7,057 (48.7%) were prescribed OAC (32.7% in 2003 compared to 72.7% in 2018), Figure 1. Increasing age and prescription of antiplatelet therapy were associated with lower odds of OAC prescription (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.96 per one year age increase [95% confidence interval, 0.95 to 0.96] and aOR 0.91 [0.84 to 0.98], respectively). Conversely, prior venous thromboembolism (aOR 4.06 [3.17 to 5.20]), advancing frailty (mild: aOR 4.61 [3.95 to 5.38]; moderate: aOR 6.69 [5.74 to 7.80]; severe: aOR 8.42 [7.16 to 9.90]) and year of care home entry in the post-non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) era from 2011 onwards (aOR 1.91 [1.76 to 2.06]) were associated with higher odds of OAC prescription, Figure 2.

Conclusions

The proportion of care home residents prescribed OAC therapy has increased over time with the introduction of NOACs in 2011, but OAC prescription rates are still sub-optimal. Although there is an expected rise in OAC prescribing for increasingly frail people, further work is needed to investigate the interaction with deprivation and other socio-economic and demographic factors to assess potential inequalities in prescribing across these groups. Targeted educational tools for clinicians are needed to address barriers to OAC prescription for AF, such as older age and separate indications for antiplatelet therapy.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Bleeding and thrombotic events in patients with atrial fibrillation and cancer: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and cancer are frequently coexisting in elderly patients. Pooled metanalytic data on the impact of cancer on outcomes in AF patients are lacking.

Purpose

We want to investigate the impact of cancer in patients with AF, particularly in relation to the incidence of bleeding and ischemic events

Methods

Systematic review and meta-regression analysis of clinical studies retrieved from Medline (PubMed) and Cochrane (CENTRAL) databases according to PRISMA guidelines. Safety endpoints included any, major, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). Efficacy endpoints included myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (IS/SE), cardiovascular (CV) and all-cause death.

Results

15 studies were included in the metanalysis: 4 prospective, 3 randomized clinical trials and 8 retrospective studies with 2,868,010 AF patients, of whom 479,571 (16.7%) had cancer. The pooled HR for cancer was 1.43 (95% CI 1.42–1.44) for any bleeding, 1.27 (95% CI 1.26–1.29) for major bleeding, 1.17 (95% CI 1.14–1.19) for GI bleeding, and 1.07 (95% CI 1.04–1.11) for ICH. The risk of major bleeding increased with the proportion of breast cancer. Cancer increased the risk of all-cause death (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.99–2.02) whereas no association with MI (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94–1.01) and CV death (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99–1.03) was found. Patients with AF and cancer were less likely to suffer from IS/SE (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.89–0.94).

Conclusion

The presence of cancer modifies the clinical history of AF patients, mainly increasing the risk of bleeding. Further analyses according to the type and stage of cancer is necessary to better stratify bleeding risk in these patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Mobile health-technology integrated care in elderly atrial fibrillation patients: a report from the mAFA-II randomized clinical trial

Background

The prospective Mobile Health Technology for Improved Screening and Optimized Integrated Care in AF (mAFA-II) randomized trial demonstrated the efficacy of a mobile health (mHealth) technology implemented “Atrial fibrillation Better Care” (ABC) pathway approach (mAFA intervention) for holistic or integrated care management in reducing the risk of adverse events in in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Whether these benefits also apply to elderly patients (who may be less adoptive of mHealth approaches) is unclear.

Purpose

In this ancillary analysis of the mAFA-II trial, we evaluated the effect of the mAFA intervention among elderly AF patients (age ≥75 years).

Methods

The mAFA-II trial enrolled adults AF patients across 40 centres in China between June 1, 2018 and August 16, 2019. The main outcome was the composite outcome of stroke or thromboembolism, all-cause death, and rehospitalization. Effect of the mAFA intervention was assessed through Cox proportional hazard models after the adjustment for baseline risk factors and cluster effect. We also assessed the interaction between age and the mAFA intervention effect on the main trial population.

Results

In this analysis, 1,163 elderly AF patients (mean age: 82.6±5.3 years, 43.1% females) were included, of which 520 were allocated to mAFA intervention and 643 to usual care. The mAFA intervention was associated with a significant reduction of the composite outcome (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.35–0.97) and rehospitalizations alone (aHR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.24–0.91). A significant interaction between age and mAFA allocation group was observed for both the composite outcome (p=0.002; Figure 1, Panel A) and rehospitalization alone (p=0.015; Figure 1, Panel B), with the beneficial effect of the mAFA intervention decreasing with increasingly higher age, particularly at age ≥80 years old.

Conclusions

A mHealth-technology implemented ABC pathway is effective in reducing adverse clinical events in older AF patients aged ≥75 years old. The benefits obtained with mAFA intervention were attenuated at extreme ages, especially in those aged ≥80 years old.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China 82170309). This study was an investigator-initiated project, with limited funding by independent research and educational grants.

Prevalence and outcomes of atrial fibrillation in older people living in care homes in Wales: a routine data linkage study 2003–2018

Background

Older care home residents are a high-risk group of people with atrial fibrillation (AF) who are under-represented in clinical trials. Improved understanding of AF epidemiology and management in this population is paramount for health and social care organisations to strategically plan services.

Purpose

To determine the trends in AF prevalence and compare adverse health outcomes in older care home residents aged ≥65 years with AF compared to those without AF.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of people entering a care home between 2003–2018 using nationwide, population-scale anonymised health and administrative data, provisioned from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (1 January 2000–31st December 2018). Direct standardisation was used to calculate AF prevalence by year of care entry (2010–2018). Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the risk of adverse health outcomes.

Results

Between 2003 and 2018, 86,602 people aged ≥65 years became new residents in care homes in Wales. Residents with AF (n=14,493) had a significantly higher risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 95% confidence interval [CI]) of cardiovascular (aHR 1.27 [1.17 to 1.37], p<0.001) and all-cause mortality (aHR 1.14 [1.11 to 1.17], p<0.001), Figure 1. The risk (sub-distribution hazard ratio [sHR], 95% CI) of ischaemic stroke (adjusted sHR 1.55 [1.36 to 1.76], p<0.001) and cardiovascular hospitalisation (adjusted sHR 1.28 [1.22 to 1.34], p<0.001) was also higher in residents with AF, even when mortality was considered a competing event, Figure 1. There was no significant change in age- and sex-standardised prevalence of AF between 2010 and 2018, 16.79% (95% CI 15.85 to 17.94) and 17.02% (95% CI 16.05 to 17.98), respectively (absolute change 2010–2018: 0.06% [95% CI: −1.38 to 1.50], p=0.93), Figure 2.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates unique data on the epidemiology of AF and associated outcomes in older care home residents. Whilst the prevalence of AF remained stable between 2010–2018, residents with AF had significantly higher risk of adverse health events. Treatment of AF in accordance with guidelines is critical in this population to optimise management and reduce adverse health outcomes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Prognosis of atrial fibrillation with or without comorbidities. Analysis of younger adults from a nationwide database

Background

“Lone AF” may be defined as AF in younger adults (age <60 years) and lack of obvious associated CV or extra CV conditions. However, current ESC guidelines indicate that the term of “Lone AF” is potentially confusing and should be abandoned because a cause may be present in every patient. In addition, studies on prognosis of “Lone AF” are inconsistent, likely as the result of the heterogeneity in definitions, comorbidities, study population and duration of follow-up. We aimed to assess the prognosis of patients with AF with or without cardiac or extra cardiac concomitant conditions.

Participants and methods

From the French administrative hospital-discharge PMSI database (Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d'Information) covering hospital care and representative of the whole French population, all consecutive patients with AF diagnosis hospitalized between 2011 and 2020 were identified. Patients were classified into four groups: 1) >60 yo; 2) with known cardiac disease (KCD group); 3) with extra cardiac comorbidities (ECC); and 4) AF without KCD or ECC (“Lone AF”).

Results

Altogether 2,435,541 patients were identified, from which 2203,702 patients aged >60 years and 231,839 patients aged <60 years [with KCD (55.2%), with ECC (14.7%) and with “Lone AF” (30.1%)]. During follow-up the incidences of all-cause and CV deaths were 13.7%, 5.7%, 6.2% and 2.3%, and 4.2%, 1.7%, 0.8% and 0.3% in the older than 60 yo group, KCD group, ECC group and “Lone AF” AF group, respectively. In the age and sex-adjusted analysis (patients <60 yo), patients with AF and KCD had worse outcomes than patients with “Lone AF” for all major cardiac events (see figures).

Conclusion

There are three distinct prognostic criteria based on the presence or not of HD or extra cardiac concomitant comorbidities. Patients in the so-called “Lone AF” group remain severe in terms of CV events but still with a lower incidence than the patient with associated KCD or ECC. The presences of KCD or ECC make it possible to distinguish a profile in terms of events that are very different from the patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Stroke-heart syndrome: sex-specific incidence, risk factors, and major adverse cardiovascular events in 486,515 patients with incident ischaemic stroke

Background

Newly diagnosed cardiovascular complications post-stroke, termed stroke-heart syndrome, are common and associate with worsened prognosis.

Purpose

To investigate the sex-specific incidence and 5-year major adverse cardiovascular events following stroke-heart syndrome, stratified by pre-existing risk factors (sex, age, obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and high LDL cholesterol).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using anonymised electronic medical records from 56 participating healthcare organizations. Patients with incident ischaemic stroke aged ≥18 years with 5-years of follow-up were included. Patients diagnosed with new-onset cardiovascular complications (heart failure, severe ventricular arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, ischaemic heart disease, takotsubo syndrome) within 4-weeks of incident ischaemic stroke (exposure) were 1:1 propensity score-matched (age, sex, ethnicity, comorbidities, cardiovascular care) with ischaemic stroke patients without newly diagnosed cardiovascular complications (control). Cox proportional hazards regression models produced hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and Kaplan-Meier curves for 5-year risk of all-cause mortality, recurrent stroke, and acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Results

Of 486,515 patients with ischaemic stroke, 18% (n=87,786) presented with stroke-heart syndrome (47% (n=41,088) female and 52% (n=45,891) male). Following propensity score matching, composite stroke-heart syndrome associated with significantly higher risk of 5-year mortality (HR 1.66 (95% CI 1.62,1.70), P<0.01), recurrent stroke (1.26 (1.24,1.28), P<0.01), and AMI (2.58 (2.50,2.67), P<0.01). These outcomes were similar for both males and females (Figure 1). The risk of mortality, recurrent stroke and AMI following stroke-heart syndrome was relatively higher for patients aged <75 compared to those >75. The risk of all adverse outcomes were relatively higher for females aged <75 compared to males aged <75. Pre-existing obesity associated with a lower risk of mortality for females and males, but a higher risk of recurrent stroke for females. Pre-existing hypertension associated with a lower risk of all outcomes, except recurrent stroke in males. Pre-existing diabetes associated with higher risks for mortality and AMI for both females and males. High LDL cholesterol associated with lower risk of mortality but a higher risk of recurrent stroke and AMI in males and females (Figure 1).

Conclusions

In this cohort study of patients with incident ischaemic stroke, stroke-heart syndrome occurred in 18% of patients. The overall incidence and subsequent 5-year major adverse cardiovascular events following stroke-heart syndrome were similar for females and males, but with important sex-specific differences when stratified by pre-existing risk factors, including age, obesity, and hypertension.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Epidemiology and impact of frailty in patients with atrial fibrillation in Europe

BACKGROUND

Frailty is a medical syndrome characterised by reduced physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors. Data regarding the relationship between frailty and atrial fibrillation (AF) are still inconsistent.

OBJECTIVES

We aim to perform a comprehensive evaluation of frailty in a large European cohort of AF patients.

METHODS

A 40-item frailty index (FI) was built according to the accumulation of deficits model in the AF patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry. Association of baseline characteristics, clinical management, quality of life, healthcare resources use and risk of outcomes with frailty was examined.

RESULTS

Among 10,177 patients [mean age (standard deviation) 69.0 (11.4) years, 4,103 (40.3%) females], 6,066 (59.6%) were pre-frail and 2,172 (21.3%) were frail, whereas only 1,939 (19.1%) were considered robust. Baseline thromboembolic and bleeding risks were independently associated with increasing FI. Frail patients with AF were less likely to be treated with oral anticoagulants (OACs) (odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.55-0.89), especially with non-vitamin K antagonist OACs and managed with a rhythm control strategy, compared with robust patients. Increasing frailty was associated with a higher risk for all outcomes examined, with a non-linear exponential relationship. The use of OAC was associated with a lower risk of outcomes, except in patients with very/extremely high frailty.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort of AF patients, there was a high burden of frailty, influencing clinical management and risk of adverse outcomes. The clinical benefit of OAC is maintained in patients with high frailty, but not in very high/extremely frail ones.

Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE): first steps in the process of the engagement in research projects in Brazil

Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) – sometimes called Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI) – comes as a big challenge but one that can be very helpful for health care professionals and stakeholders in planning better health policies for attending to the main needs of the community. PPIE involves three pillars: public involvement, public engagement, and participation. Public involvement occurs when members of the general population are actively involved in developing the research question, designing, and conducting the research. Public engagement tells people about new studies, why they are important, the impact of results, the possible implication of the main findings for the community, and the possible impact of these new findings in society, as well as, in the dissemination of knowledge to the general population. Participation is being a volunteer in the study. Our experience with PPIE, to the best of our knowledge the first initiative in Brazil, is a partnership with the University of Birmingham, the University of Liverpool, and the NIHR Global Health Group on Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Management focusing on the AF care pathway exploring the important aspects of diagnosis and treatment in the primary care system from a low-middle income area in São Paulo. The involvement of patients/public in the research represents a new step in the process of inclusion of all segments of our society based on patient illness and the gaps in knowledge aiming to open new horizons for continuous improvement and better acceptance of research projects.

Evolving changes of outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation: a nationwide study

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background and aims. The integrated approach for management of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been proposed in recent years for reducing AF-related mortality, morbidity, and hospitalizations. We evaluated the trends in the risk of ischemic stroke, intracranial bleeding, hospitalization for heart failure, cardiovascular mortality and all-cause death among newly diagnosed patients with AF in a nationwide cohort study since 2010.

Methods

This French longitudinal cohort study was based on the national hospitalization database covering hospital care from for the entire population. All adults hospitalized in French hospitals with AF from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2018, were identified. Among them, 1,938,269 newly diagnosed patients with AF who survived 60 days after AF was diagnosed were included in the analysis. The 1-year risk of ischemic stroke, intracranial bleeding, and mortality of patients with AF diagnosed in each year were compared to those diagnosed in 2010 using the logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, prior stroke, vascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hyperlipidemia, inflammatory diseases, cancer, abnormal renal function, abnormal liver function, anemia, and history of bleeding.

Results

The age of newly diagnosed patients with AF was stable from 77.1±11.8 years in 2010 to 76.9±12.6 years in 2018. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc scores of patients with incident AF showed a significant increasing trend for each year (from 3.32 in 2010 to 3.54 in 2018, p<0.001).

Temporal trends for the risk of adverse events at 1-year follow-up in newly diagnosed patients with AF compared to 2010 are shown in the Figure. Compared with 2010, the risk of ischemic stroke was significantly lower in all subsequent years from 2011 to 2018 (adjusted hazard ratios [HR] 0.940 to 0.854; p ranging from p=0.001 to <0.0001). The risk of major bleeding was significantly lower in all subsequent years after 2010 (adjusted HRs 0.965 to 0.621; p ranging from p=0.002 to <0.0001). By contrast, the risk of intracranial bleeding was not different after 2010 (adjusted HRs 1.032 to 0.996; all p>0.50). The risk of hospitalization for heart failure was significantly lower in all subsequent years after 2010 (adjusted HRs 0.927 to 0.820; all p<0.0001). Finally, the risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause death were also significantly lower after 2010 (adjusted HRs 0.952 to 0.690; p ranging from p=0.001 to <0.0001 and adjusted HRs 0.948 to 0.715; all p<0.0001 respectively).

Conclusion

We observed a constant reduction in the risk of ischemic stroke, major bleeding, hospitalization for HF, cardiovascular death and all-cause death in AF patients seen in French hospitals in recent years. This may be related to an increasing use of oral anticoagulants (including NOACs) and by a more holistic and integrated approach to AF management that has been proposed in the more recent guidelines.

Prognostic impact of vascular disease in patients with atrial fibrillation: Insights from The Loire Valley Atrial Fibrillation Project

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Vascular disease which comprises peripheral artery disease, significant coronary artery disease and aortic disease is associated with both an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and ischaemic stroke in AF patients.

Purpose

We investigated the effect of vascular disease on the prognosis of AF patients.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, all patients with AF were identified and classified into 2 groups depending on the presence of vascular disease. 3 patients were excluded due to missing data. Primary outcome was a composite of death, stroke and thromboembolic events. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, stroke or systemic embolism (SSE), ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke and major bleeding.

Results

A total of 8962 patients were included; 3021 with vascular disease and 5941 without vascular disease and followed up over a mean period of 929±1082 days. On the univariate analysis, patients with vascular disease were at a higher risk of all-cause mortality hazard ratio (HR) 1.728 ((confidence interval (CI)1.549-1.928), SSE HR HR 1.477 (CI 1.274-1.714), ischaemic stroke HR 1.441 (CI 1.202-1.727), major bleeding HR 1.488 (CI 1.292-1.713) and a composite of death and SSE HR 1.643 (CI 1.489-1.812), compared to patients without vascular disease. On a multivariate analysis, after adjusting for components of the CHA2DS2VASc score, oral anticoagulation (warfarin) use and antiplatelet use, the increased risk of all-cause mortality HR 1.460 (CI 1.285-1.658), SSE HR 1.226 (CI 1.030-1.458) and major bleeding HR 1.186 (CI 1.005-1.400) remained statistically significant, but the risk of ischaemic stroke was no longer significant, HR 1.187 (CI 0.960-1.469). Compared to those without vascular disease, patients with vascular disease were at a lower risk of haemorrhagic strokes but this was not significant.

Conclusion

AF patients with vascular disease are at a higher risk of all-cause mortality, SSE and major bleeding compared to patients without vascular disease, indicating that patients with this combination require careful and holistic management in terms of risk factor control and treatment. Additional research is required to further characterise the relationship between the two.

Effect of cardiorenal syndrome and its different subtypes on incidence of atrial fibrillation in a nationwide analysis

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Cardiorenal syndromes (CRS) are associated with increased risks of all-cause and cardiovascular death, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF) and ischemic stroke. Whether CRS (and different subtypes of CRS) are more prone to develop atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear.

Methods

This longitudinal cohort study was based on the national hospitalization database covering hospital care from the entire French population. The analysis focused on those with at least 5 years of complete follow-up (or dead earlier) as described by others. We identified 439,787 consecutive patients hospitalized in France in 2012 who had heart failure (HF), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and/or CRS. We estimated incidences of clinical events (including incident AF) during follow-up. Analysis were adjusted for 1) age and sex and 2) all baseline characteristics except cardiac and renal comorbidities.

Results

Overall, 58.2% were male, 67.7% had hypertension, 31.6% had diabetes mellitus and their mean age was 75.3±13.2; 329,154 had isolated HF, 67,939 had isolated CKD, 15,695 had acute concomitant CRS (which could be type 1, 3 or 5 CRS), 15,699 had type 2 CRS (cardiorenal) and 11,300 had type 4 CRS (renocardiac). History of AF was present in 36.4 % of the patients: 39.9% in those with isolated HF, 13.3% in those with isolated CKD, 43.0% in those with concomitant CRS, 57.2% in those with type 2 CRS, 35.3% in those with type 4 CRS (overall p<0.0001).

Incidence and adjusted hazard ratios for of all-cause death, cardiovascular death and incident AF are in Table 1. CRS was associated with a higher risk of death and patients with type 2 CRS had the highest risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Isolated HF was associated with a higher risk of incident AF than isolated CKD (Table 1). Patients with CRS had higher risk of incident AF than those with isolated HF or isolated CKD. Among patients with CRS, those with concomitant CRS had the numerically highest 5-year risk of incident AF, which was not statistically different than those with type 2 or type 4 CRS in adjusted analysis.

Conclusion

The long-term prognosis of CRS subtypes is poor and may vary, some CRS subtypes being more closely associated with risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular mortality than others. Risk of incident AF is higher in CRS than in isolated HF or isolated CKD and is not statistically different among the various subtypes of CRS.

Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in the general population

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been linked to an increase in the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate whether AF is associated with an increased risk of ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF) and sudden death (SD).

Methods

Hospitalised patients from 2013 with and without AF were identified from the French National database and included if they had at least 5 years of follow-up.

Results

Over a median follow-up period of 5.4 years (interquartile range (IQR) 5.0-5.8 years), a total of 3345638 patients were identified. Of these, 312226 had AF and 3033412 did not have AF. After multivariable analysis, the predictors significantly associated with VT, VF and SD included age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, history of pulmonary oedema, valve disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, vascular disease, AF, smoking, dyslipidaemia, obesity, alcohol related diagnoses, chronic kidney disease, lung disease, liver disease, inflammatory diseases, anaemia, previous cancer, poor nutrition, cognitive impairment, and frailty.

The incidence of VT, VF and SD was higher in those with AF compared to those without AF (2.23%/year vs. 0.56%/year). AF was associated with a higher risk of incident outcomes compared to no AF, hazard ratio (HR) 3.657 (confidence interval (CI) 3.604-3.711). After adjustments were made for confounders (Figure 1), this increased risk was still significant HR 1.167 (CI 1.111-1.226). A 1:1 propensity score matched analysis was also performed (n=289,332 in each group), demonstrating the significantly increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and SD in patients with AF compared to those without AF, HR 1.339 (CI 1.313-1.366).

Conclusion

The findings from our study AF indicate that AF is associated with an increased risk of VT, VF and sudden death in the general population.

The management of anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and history of falls or risk of falls: The Liverpool AF-Falls Project. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Johnson and Johnson Medical

Background

Atrial fibrillation affects an estimated 33 million individuals worldwide and a major cause of stroke, heart failure, and death. Treatment with anticoagulants substantially reduces risk of stroke but is also associated with an increased risk of bleeding and especially intracranial haemorrhages which are the most feared complication. Because of that many patients do not receive anticoagulants; particularly patients at risk of falls or with history of falls. It is unclear what anticoagulant treatment these patients should be offered, and the Liverpool AF-Falls Project aims to investigate this area.

Purpose

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the most appropriate anticoagulant treatment option for the management of atrial fibrillation patients at risk of falls or with a history of falls.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, including studies evaluating safety and efficacy of different anticoagulants (Vitamin K Antagonist-VKA- versus Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anti-Coagulants-NOAC). Outcomes were ischemic stroke, major bleeding, intracranial haemorrhage, haemorrhagic stroke and mortality. Bibliographic databases (CENTRAL, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched. Two independent reviewers identified studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool for randomized clinical trials and with the Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale for observational studies. Pairwise meta-analysis with random and fixed effects models were conducted. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 statistics. Hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the effect of drugs on efficacy and safety.

Results

823 articles were identified, 643 after removing duplicates. 95 were screened for full text and 3 articles were retained for final quantitative synthesis including 26,514 patients. Risk of bias was moderate in Rao et al. 2018 and Steffel et al. 2017, and low in Miao et al. 2019. In meta-analysis, the hazard for intracranial haemorrhage was lower with NOACs compared to VKA (hazard ratio (HR) 0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.13–0.82]; p<0,001; I²=52%). There were no difference between NOACs and VKA regarding risks in ischemic stroke (HR 0.88, 95%CI [0.70–1.10; p=0.25; I²=0%), major bleeding (HR 0.88, 95%CI [0.62–1.27]; p=0.51, I²=0%); haemorrhagic stroke (HR 0.36, 95%CI [0.11–1.13]; p=0.08; I²=0%) and all-cause mortality (HR 0.95, 95%CI [0.67–1.33]; p=0.75; I² = 0%).

Conclusions

NOACs were associated with less intracranial haemorrhages than VKAs. There were no statistically significant differences in other outcomes. However, limited number of studies were identified suggesting research gaps in the AF patients with increased falling risk or history of falls, requiring careful interpretation pending more evidence.

Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in patients with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been linked to an increase in the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate whether AF is associated with an increased risk of ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF) and sudden death (SD) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).

Methods

All patients hospitalised in France between 2011 and 2020 with a history of pacemakers (PPMs) and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) were identified from the French National database. Patients with a prior history of VT, VF and SD were excluded.

Results

A total of 701,195 patients were identified. Of these, 581,781 (90.1%) patients had PPMs and 63,726 (9.9%) had ICDs. In the PPM group, 248046 (42.6%) had AF and 333735 (57.4%) had no AF. After multivariable analysis, predictors for VT, VF and SD included sex, diabetes, heart failure, history of pulmonary oedema, valve disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease (CAD), AF, vascular disease, intracranial bleeding, smoking, dyslipidaemia, alcohol related disorders, lung disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), thyroid disorders, inflammatory diseases, anaemia, poor nutrition, cognitive impairment, previous cancer and frailty. The incidence of VT, VF and SD was higher in patients with AF (1.47%/year) compared to those without AF (0.94%/year), with the risk significantly elevated in the former group, hazard ratio (HR) 1.554 (confidence interval (CI) 1.508-1.601). After adjustment for confounders (Figure 1), AF was still associated with a significantly increased risk of VT, VF and SD, HR 1.236 (CI 1.198-1.276) in patients with PPMs. This was further demonstrated through a 1:1 propensity score matched (PSM) analysis (n=200977 in each group) where the risk of incident outcomes was significantly higher in PPM patients with AF, HR 1.230 (1.187-1.274), compared to those without AF.

In the ICD group, 20965 (32.9%) had AF and 42761 (67.1%) had no history of AF. Predictors of VT, VF and SD after multivariable analysis included age, sex, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, valve disease, CAD, previous percutaneous coronary intervention, vascular disease, AF, CKD, liver disease and frailty. Incidence of VT, VF and SD was higher in ICD patients with AF (5.30%/ year) compared to those without AF (4.21%/year), with a significantly higher risk, HR 1.261 (CI 1.204-1.320). After adjustment for confounders, this elevated risk was still significant HR 1.167 (1.111-1.226) (Figure 1). 1:1 PSM analysis (n=18349 in each group) demonstrated this further with a significantly elevated risk in ICD patients with AF, compared to ICD patients without AF, HR 1.134 (CI 1.071-1.200).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that patients with PPM and ICD with concurrent AF are at a higher risk of VT, VF and sudden death compared to patients with PPM and ICD who do not have AF.

Incident arrhythmias, heart failure and cardiovascular outcomes with SGLT-2 inhibitor use in diabetic patients: Insights from a global federated electronic medical record database

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i) use has been associated with improved outcomes in patients with prevalent heart failure (HF), regardless of whether or not they have diabetes.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the impact of SGLT-2i use on the risk of incident HF and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes.

Methods

All diabetic patients between January 2018 and December 2019 were identified from a federated electronic medical record database (TriNetX), and followed up for 2 years. A 1:1 propensity score matched (PSM) analysis was performed to balance SGLT-2i and non-SGLT-2i cohorts. The primary outcome was incident HF and secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, cardiac arrest, ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF), incident atrial fibrillation (AF), ischaemic stroke, a composite of arterial and venous thrombotic events, and a composite of incident VT/VF and cardiac arrest.

Results

A total of 115,749 diabetic patients who were on SGLT-2i and 2,316,638 who were not on SGLT-2i were identified. After PSM, 115,749 patients remained in each group. In the PSM analysis, the risk of incident HF was significantly lower in patients who were on SGLT-2i, compared to patients who were not on SGLT-2i (hazard ratio [HR] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.70). SGLT-2i use was also associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.59-0.65), cardiac arrest (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.55-0.69), incident AF (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.75-0.81), ischaemic stroke (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88-0.96), composite arterial and venous thrombotic events (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.90-0.95), and composite of incident VT/VF and cardiac arrest (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.68-0.79), compared to SGLT-2i non-use. There were no significant differences between the two groups for VT/VF (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88-1.01).

Conclusion

SGLT-2i use was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of incident HF, all-cause mortality, cardiac arrest, incident AF, ischaemic stroke, thromboembolic events and VT/VF/cardiac arrest, when compared to the non-use of SGLT-2i.

The impact of socioeconomic deprivation on the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with diabetes mellitus: a nationwide population-based study

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Although the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasing worldwide, little is known about the exact risk factors of AF; and the disease"s association with socioeconomic status (SES) is under debate.

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the association between SES and the risk of AF in Korean patients with diabetes mellitus.

Methods

We studied 2,429,610 diabetic patients (mean age 56.9 years, female 40%) who underwent health check-ups from 2009 to 2012, using the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database of Korea. Subjects were categorized into 6 groups according to the number of times (0 through 5) entitled for medical aid (MA) recipient, within the past 5 years from the date of check-up. (Fig. 1)

Division of Medical Care Assistance in the Ministry of Health and Welfare selects the medical aid beneficiaries. The recipients should not have a reliable caregiver, nor their income be more than 40% of the standard median income.

Among the study population, 64,818 were classified as MA group: 10,697 in MA 1, 11,005 in MA 2, 12,431 in MA 3, 10,689 in MA 4, 19,996 in MA 5, respectively. The remaining 2,364,792 were never entitled to MA recipients within 5 years and were assigned to the non-MA group. The incidence rate and hazard ratio of AF were then calculated for each group.

Results

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease were measured at baseline. More current smokers were in MA 5 group (28.7% in MA 5, 26.7% in non-MA, 26.2% in MA 1, 23.8% in MA 2, 23% in MA 3, 23.2% in MA 4, respectively, p < 0.001), while more heavy drinkers were in the non-MA group than among the MA groups (20.7% vs. 6.2–7.9%, p < 0.001).

Hypertension and dyslipidemia were generally higher in MA groups than in the non-MA group (hypertension, 60.8–65.8% in MA groups vs. 54.8% in non-MA group; dyslipidemia, 44.1–54.9% in MA groups vs. 39.6% in non-MA group, all, p < 0.001), and the non-MAs tended to do more physical activities (20.7% vs. 15.4–15.8%, p < 0.001). Obese people with BMI≥30 were more in MA groups, especially in the MA 5, than in the non-MA group (7.5% in non-MA, 9.3%–9.7% in MA 1–4, and 12.2% in MA 5, all, p < 0.001).

80,257 were newly identified as AF in the retrospective 5 years. All the MA groups showed a higher risk of AF than the non-MA group: hazard ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) for each group, 1.44 (1.32–1.58) in MA 1, 1.58 (1.45–1.73) in MA 2, 1.52 (1.39–1.65) in MA 3, 1.53 (1.40–1.68) in MA 4, and 1.35 (1.24–1.45) in MA 5. Adjusting with multi-variables, the MA 5 showed 54% increased risk of AF compared to the non-MA group (HR, 1.54, [95% CI, 1.42–1.67]). (Fig. 2)

Conclusion

The risk of AF increased more than 50% in patients who needed medical aid 5 years in a row, and the risk also rose greatly in patients with only a short experience of socioeconomic hardship. Based on the findings, we need more attention to individuals with recent socioeconomic deprivation to provide timely management for AF and its complications. Abstract Figure. Fig. 1

Cardiovascular primary prevention risk factors in a nationwide survey, ABC (atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure and high cholesterol) risk factors in the LIPIDOGRAM2015 study

Background

The National Health Service in England “Long Term Plan” aims to prevent 150,000 strokes and myocardial infarctions over the next 10 years. To achieve this, resources are being allocated to improve early detection of conditions strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. This includes working towards people routinely knowing their “ABC” risk factors (“A”: atrial fibrillation (AF), “B': hypertension and “C”: high cholesterol) (1).

Purpose

The aims of this study were to: 1) determine the proportion of participants with “A”, “B”, and “C” criteria; and 2) to identify risk factors for patients fulfilling any of these criteria.

Methods

LIPIDOGRAM2015 was a nationwide cross-sectional survey for adults in Poland. Adults were recruited in 2015 and 2016 by 438 family physicians. For the ABC criteria, “A” was defined as AF identified in the medical records of the participant, “B” was defined as either systolic blood pressure greater than 140mmHg or diastolic blood pressure greater than 90mmHg or both, and “C” was defined as total cholesterol greater than 200mg/dL (5.17mmol/L). The scaled and centred dataset underwent principal component analysis using singular value decomposition to achieve dimensionality reduction. K-means clustering was used to stratify patients with Hartigan's rule being used to identify optimal K number (2–4). The p-value for statistical significance used in this study was p<0.01 unless otherwise specified.

Results

13,724 patients were included in the study. 71.0% (n=9,747) of participants fulfilled the criteria for one or more of the “A”, “B” or “C” components (Fig. 1). 26 variables were used in this analysis with Principal Component Analysis showing 7 principal components explaining over 50% of the variance with 20 components explaining over 90%. K-means clustering was also performed, finding 39 separate clusters. Correlations and statistical significance tests showed a high degree of variability between variables. Participants with AF were older (mean (SD) 67.7 (9.5) vs 55.7 (13.7), p<0.0001), with higher prevalence of concomitant coronary heart disease (CHD) (OR 6.73, 95% CL 5.75, 7.87) and ischaemic stroke (OR 13.45, 95% CL 7.66, 23.6). Participants with hypertension were older (mean (SD) 60.1 (SD 12.4) vs 53.8 (14.0), p<0.0001), with a higher BMI (mean (SD) 29.9 (5.1) vs 27.5 (4.8), p<0.0001) and resting heart rate (mean (SD) 75.7 (10.7) vs 72.7 (8.9), p<0.0001), more likely to be male (OR 1.42, 95% CL 1.32, 1.53) and have diabetes (OR 1.61, 95% CL 1.46, 1.78). Participants with high cholesterol showed an inverse correlation with prevalence of both concomitant diabetes (OR 0.85, 95% CL 0.77, 0.94) and CHD (OR 0.85, 95% CL 0.76, 0.94) (Fig. 2).

Conclusion

Simple demographic and clinical variables could be used to guide targeted screening to increase population awareness of “ABC” status, allowing for a greater proportion of the population to be appropriately managed with cardiovascular prevention strategies.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. “ABC” Venn diagramCorrelogram and significance plot