Atrial fibrillation in the elderly

Cardiovascular complications of multiple myeloma in the elderly

INTRODUCTION

Multiple myeloma is a malignant neoplasm characterized by plasma cell proliferation in blood and bone marrow. Approximately two-thirds of the patients with multiple myeloma are >65 years at the time of diagnosis. Patients in this age group often have co-existing cardiovascular diseases. Areas covered: The presence of multiple myeloma adds to the malady by direct deposition of amyloid protein in the heart or via toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. Cardiac contractile dysfunction, arrhythmias and thromboembolic disorders are the main issues in the management of elderly patients with multiple myeloma. Expert commentary: Assessment of cardiac risk and functional status requires careful evaluation by history, physical examination and imaging studies such as echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. The management of cardiovascular disorders in the presence of multiple myeloma is difficult and poses a challenge for the internist, the oncologist, and the cardiologist alike. This review is an overview of the problem of cardiovascular risk in and management of elderly patients with multiple myeloma.

Electroanatomical mapping of atrial fibrillation: Review of the current techniques and advances

The number of atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablations performed annually has been increasing exponentially in the western countries in the last few years. This is clearly related to technological advancements, which have greatly contributed to the improvements in catheter ablation of AF. In particular, state-of-the-art electroanatomical mapping systems have greatly facilitated mapping processes and have enabled complex AF ablation strategies. In this review, we outline contemporary and upcoming electroanatomical key technologies focusing on new mapping tools and strategies in the context of AF catheter ablation.

Update on anti-coagulation in atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common clinically relevant arrhythmia, affects 2.2 million individuals in the USA and 4.5 million in Europe, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Pharmacotherapy aimed at controlling both heart rate and rhythm is employed to relieve AF symptoms, though debate continues about which approach is preferable. AF prevalence rises with age from 0.4% to 1% in the general population to 11% in those aged >70 years. AF is associated with a pro-thrombotic state and other comorbidities; age, hypertension, heart failure and diabetes mellitus all play a key role in AF pathogenesis. Anti-coagulation is essential for stroke prevention in patients with AF and is recommended for patients with one or more risk factors for stroke. Used within the recommended therapeutic range, warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists decrease the incidence of stroke and mortality in AF patients. Warfarin remains under-used, however, because of the perceived high risk of haemorrhage, narrow therapeutic window and need for regular monitoring. Several novel anti-coagulants show promise in AF-related stroke prevention. In particular, the novel, oral, direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran etexilate, recently licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada has shown improved efficacy and safety compared with warfarin for stroke prevention in AF, and has the potential to replace warfarin in this indication. The increasing number of new therapeutic options, including improved anti-arrhythmic agents, novel anti-coagulants and more accessible ablation techniques, are likely to deliver better care for AF patients in the near future.

Advances in imaging for atrial fibrillation ablation

Over the last fifteen years, our understanding of the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) has paved the way for ablation to be utilized as an effective treatment option. With the aim of gaining more detailed anatomical representation, advances have been made using various imaging modalities, both before and during the ablation procedure, in planning and execution. Options have flourished from procedural fluoroscopy, electroanatomic mapping systems, preprocedural computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and combinations of these technologies. Exciting work is underway in an effort to allow the electrophysiologist to assess scar formation in real time. One advantage would be to lessen the learning curve for what are very complex procedures. The hope of these developments is to improve the likelihood of a successful ablation procedure and to allow more patients access to this treatment.

The patient with atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a frequently encountered arrhythmia, particularly affecting the elderly. Patients at significant risk for stroke should be considered for anticoagulation with warfarin. Management of atrial fibrillation revolves around either controlling the ventricular rate response or trying to maintain sinus rhythm with either pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic therapies. There are many treatment options to consider, based upon the patient's expectations, symptoms, and comorbid conditions. Therefore, the treatment of atrial fibrillation must be individualized.

[Surgical ablation therapy - lessons learned]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent sustained arrhythmia affecting more than 5% of the population above 65 years resulting in loss in quality of life and life expectancy. Since the introduction of the MAZE procedure, an increasing number of surgical approaches have been implemented for the treatment of AF. During past years a variety of devices such as application of unipolar and bipolar radiofrequency, cryothermal therapy, microwave, laser and ultrasound have been described. All new methods have undergone thorough evaluations; in that course technical systems have been re-designed and surgical approaches were modified. Before reaching a widespread clinical application a thorough analysis in terms of therapeutic benefit and possible complications is required. Several reports have reported success rates leading to reinstitution of atrial rhythm in 60 to 80% of the patients treated. However, there is no overview on possible complications using surgical ablation therapy. In this report we have focused on different energy sources, time of occurrence of postoperative arrhythmias, patient's symptoms and related diagnostic processes. Various published reports of surgical ablation therapy were evaluated with regard to complications that have occurred. In addition, our own extensive experience was considered as well.

Targets and endpoints in ablation therapy for atrial fibrillation in the light of pathophysiological mechanisms

Atrial fibrillation (AF), an important public health problem is a complex and multifactorial arrhythmia. Non-pharmacological treatment for symptomatic patients is of increasing importance. The different catheter ablation techniques in AF treatment developed during recent years, all based on different pathophysiological insights, are discussed. The non-standardized use of different follow-up methods after ablation make interpretation and comparison of results difficult.

Combined Anticoagulant–Antiplatelet Use and Major Bleeding Events in Elderly Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Background and Purpose— Bleeding risks from combined antiplatelet-warfarin therapy have not been well-described in clinical practice. We examined antiplatelet therapy among warfarin users and the impact on major bleeding rates.

Methods— Retrospective cohort analysis of persons discharged on warfarin after an atrial fibrillation admission using data from Medicare’s National Stroke Project. Data included Medicare claims, enrollment information, and medical record abstracted data. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to predict concurrent antiplatelet use and hospitalization with a major acute bleed within 90 days after discharge from the index AF admission.

Results— 10 093 warfarin patients met inclusion criteria with a mean age of 77 years; 19.4% received antiplatelet therapy. Antiplatelet use was less common among women, older persons, and persons with cancer, terminal diagnoses, dementia, and bleeding history. Persons with coronary disease were more likely to receive an antiplatelet agent. Antiplatelets increased major bleeding rates from 1.3% to 1.9% ( P =0.052). In the multivariate analysis, factors associated with bleeding events included age (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.002 to 1.05), anemia (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.64 to 3.88), a history of bleeding (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.71 to 3.38), and concurrent antiplatelet therapy (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.22).

Conclusions— Although concerns about increased bleeding risk with combined warfarin-antiplatelet therapy are not unfounded, the risk of bleeding is moderately increased. The decision to use concurrent antiplatelet therapy appears to be tempered by cardiac and bleeding risk factors.

Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation with ibutilide: when is it most effective?

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is found in 1% of persons above the age of 60 years. More than 5% of the population older than 69 years and about 14% of octogenarians are at risk for this arrhythmia. It is estimated that 1.5 to 3 million persons in the United States alone suffer from AF. The public health implications and attendant morbidity are a significant drain on our health care system.

HYPOTHESIS

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and echocardiographic predictors of success in converting AF of > or = 24 h duration.

METHODS

Demographic and clinical and echocardiographic parameters of 101 patients with recent onset AF (> 24 h) who received ibutilide were studied.

RESULTS

Of 101 patients, 56 (55%) converted to sinus rhythm. Age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, left ventricular ejection fraction (< or = 35%), congestive heart failure, and previous medication for rate control had no significant effect on the conversion rate. Conversion rate was only 30% (9/30 patients) in the presence of an enlarged left atrium (LA > or = 5 cm) and 37.7% (23/61 patients) in the presence of mitral valve disease (MVD), whereas the conversion rate was 82.5% (33/40 patients) in the absence of MVD and 85% (29/34 patients) in the absence of both enlarged LA and MVD (p = <0.001). Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) also exhibited a significantly greater response to ibutilide than patients without CAD (77 vs. 46%, p-value 0.005).

CONCLUSION

As a therapy for cardioversion of AF, ibutilide is most effective in a selected subgroup patients, such as in patients with CAD and in patients without MVD and/or markedly enlarged left atrium.

Is the presence of interatrial septal hypertrophy a marker for atrial fibrillation in the elderly?

Interatrial septal thickness (IST) appears to increase with heart weight, body surface area, and the presence of vacuolated fat cells within the atrial septum. The increased thickness of the atrial septum is an infrequently observed but readily recognized entity by echocardiography. Several reports have suggested that some cardiac arrhythmias, particularly those of atrial origin, may be a consequence of this fatty deposition. However, to date, no study has correlated the presence of atrial fibrillation with IST in the elderly. This is of particular importance as this rhythm is so prevalent in this population. Accordingly, a retrospective analysis was conducted in a group of 40 patients, age 65 and older, to measure IST using transthoracic echocardiography. Furthermore, measurements of right and left atrial size, body surface area, left ventricular wall thickness, and left ventricular ejection fraction were recorded. Group I consisted of 20 patients with known atrial fibrillation (eight males and 12 females; mean age 78+/-8 years) and group II consisted of 20 patients in normal sinus rhythm (three males and 17 females; mean age 74+/-6 years). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of body surface area (1.83 vs. 1.79 m2; p<0.78); left ventricular wall thickness (1.16 vs. 1.12 cm; p<0.58); and left ventricular ejection fraction (48% vs. 55%; p<0.17). Group I had somewhat larger right atrial (4.2 vs. 3.4 cm; p<0.001) and left atrial (4.7 vs. 4.1 cm; p<0.02) dimensions than group II. Furthermore, IST was found to be the most significant variable that differentiated patients with atrial fibrillation from patients with normal sinus rhythm (1.39 vs. 0.85 cm; p<0.0001). Even after adjusting for all the covariables, IST remained statistically significant (p<0.0001). The findings of this pilot study show a strong correlation between IST and atrial fibrillation. Although the stimulus for the increased thickness of the atrial septum remains elusive, IST may identify a structural cause for atrial fibrillation in elderly patients that is easily identified by transthoracic echocardiography.

Incidence of chronic atrial fibrillation in general practice and its treatment pattern

The object of this article was to estimate the incidence rate of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) in a general practice setting, to identify factors predisposing to its occurrence, and to describe treatment patterns in the year following the diagnosis. The method used was a population-based cohort study using the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) in the UK. We identified patients aged 40-89 years with a first ever recorded diagnosis of AF. The diagnosis was validated through a questionnaire sent to the general practitioners. A nested case-control analysis was performed to assess risk factors for AF using 1,035 confirmed incident cases of chronic AF and a random sample of 5,000 controls from the original source population. The incidence rate of chronic AF was 1.7 per 1,000 person-years, and increased markedly with age. The age adjusted rate ratio among males was 1.4 (95% CI 1.2-1.6). The major risk factors were age, high BMI, excessive alcohol consumption, and prior cardiovascular comorbidity, in particular, valvular heart disease and heart failure. Digoxin was used in close to 70% of the patients, and close to 15% did not receive any antiarrhythmic treatment. Close to 40% did not receive either warfarin or aspirin in the 3 months period after the diagnosis. Among the potential candidates for anticoagulation only 22% of those aged 70 years or older were prescribed warfarin in comparison to 49% among patients aged 40-69 years. Chronic AF is a disease of the elderly, with women presenting a lower incidence rate than men specially in young age. Age, weight, excessive alcohol consumption, and cardiovascular morbidity were the main independent risk factors for AF. Less than half of patients with chronic AF and no contraindications for anticoagulation received warfarin within the first trimester after the diagnosis.

Hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation in the general male population: morbidity and risk factors

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the incidence, prevalence, aetiology, risk factors and prognosis of hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation.

SUBJECTS

A random population sample of 7495 men aged 47-55 years was first examined in 1970-73. During follow-up until 1996 (mean 25.2 years) 754 men were hospitalized with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.

RESULTS

In the age groups of 55-64, 65-74 and 75-79 years, the incidence rate was 2.0, 5.8 and 17.3 per 1000 person years, and the prevalence 1.2, 4.2 and 8.0%, respectively. Definite or possible coronary heart disease was diagnosed in 46.0%, heart failure in further 20.2% and valvular heart disease or cardiomyopathy in 4.5%. In bivariate analysis adjusted for age, the following factors were significantly associated with future hospitalization for fibrillation: a family history of myocardial infarction, stroke in mother, dyspnoea at entry, alcohol abuse, high body stature and body weight, high blood pressure but not diabetes, high serum cholesterol, high heart rate, smoking, coffee consumption or psychological stress. Significant risk factors in multivariate analysis were age, odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] -1.11 (1.07, 1.16) per year, hospitalization for coronary heart disease or heart failure -6.77 (5.17, 8.87), stroke in mother - 1.49 (1.15, 1.93), high body stature -1.04 (1.03, 1.06) per cm, high body mass index (BMI) -1.07 (1.04, 1.10) per kg m(-2), as well as hypertension -1.33 (1.07, 1.65). After a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, mortality was increased by 3.3 times.

CONCLUSION

In spite of a clinical association with coronary heart disease, risk factors for atrial fibrillation were only partly the same. Prevention includes avoidance of weight gain and control of blood pressure as well as prevention of myocardial infarction and heart failure.

Atrial fibrillation and tumor emboli as manifestations of metastatic leiomyosarcoma to the heart and lung

Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant tumor of the smooth muscle that rarely occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. High-grade leiomyosarcomas of the rectosigmoid usually metastasize to the liver and lungs. Although it is unusual, metastases to the heart have been reported. When this occurs, the metastatic tumor usually seeds in the right atrium and pulmonary artery. We report on and discuss a patient who had atrial fibrillation, peripheral emboli, and thrombocytopenia resulting from a low-grade rectosigmoid leiomyosarcoma metastatic to the pulmonary vein and left atrium. Atrial fibrillation is not a common manifestation of malignant neoplasms that have spread to the heart. Surgical removal of the tumor terminated the arrhythmia and thrombocytopenia.

Atrial fibrillation and its relationship to dental care

BACKGROUND

The number of Americans diagnosed with and treated for atrial fibrillation, or AF, continues to rise.

TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED

To determine how AF may affect the provision of dental care, the author conducted a literature search, using terms such as "atrial fibrillation" and "dental care." He found a lack of information on these combined topics. Therefore, the author extrapolated information from scientific peer-reviewed articles on AF, medical and surgical management of AF, and dental care to determine appropriate guidelines for dental treatment of patients with AF.

RESULTS

The author found that complications can arise from AF and that medical management of AF can affect the delivery of dental care. Dentists should determine the underlying cause of AF to decide if antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated. Patients who are receiving anticoagulation therapy may not need to alter their therapy schedules for minor oral surgery procedures. Anxiety as a result of AF may require use of anxiety-reducing protocols before dental treatment.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

To reduce potential complications associated with dental care, dental practitioners should be familiar with AF and its treatment. Dental management of patients with AF may require treatment modifications, but generally will not deviate significantly from routine standards.

Rhythm management in atrial fibrillation--with a primary emphasis on pharmacological therapy: Part 1

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common, sustained, symptomatic tachyarrhythmia that clinicians are called upon to manage. Management strategies include ventricular rate control coupled with anticoagulation, versus restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm. Rate control may be achieved pharmacologically, with agents that impair AV nodal conduction directly and/or by increasing parasympathetic/sympathetic balance, or by modifying or ablating the AV nodal region anatomically. Rhythm control may be achieved by electrical or pharmacological conversion followed by maintenance of sinus rhythm by pharmacological (or occasionally ablative) therapies. This article will present current approaches to rate and rhythm control issues in AF. Part 1, the current manuscript, details approaches to rate control and includes a drug selection algorithmic conclusion. It also introduces the subject of the pursuit of sinus rhythm. Parts 2 and 3, to be published in subsequent editions of PACE, will deal with therapeutic measures to restore and maintain sinus rhythm.