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Valente V, Ferrannini G, Benson L, Gatti P, Guidetti F, Melin M, Braunschweig F, Linde C, Dahlström U, Lund LH, Fudim M, Savarese G. Characterizing atrial fibrillation in patients with and without heart failure across the ejection fraction spectrum: Incidence, prevalence, and treatment strategies. Eur J Heart Fail 2024. [PMID: 39087434 DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.3402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) often coexist. We explored AF incidence, prevalence, and treatment strategies in patients with versus without HF across the ejection fraction (EF) spectrum. METHODS AND RESULTS We analysed patients with HF from the Swedish HF Registry (1 December 2005-31 December 2021), matched 1:1 by sex, age, and county of residence to patients without HF from Statistics Sweden. Two study cohorts were derived (i) to assess AF prevalence and treatments, and (ii) to evaluate AF incidence and related predictors. Overall, 195 106 patients were considered, 50% of them with HF (of whom 54% with HF with reduced [HFrEF], 23% mildly reduced [HFmrEF], and 23% with preserved EF [HFpEF]). From 2006 to 2021, AF prevalence increased in both patients with (57% to 58%) and without HF (8% to 11%). HF patients, particularly if with HFrEF, were more likely receiving AF treatments than those without HF. Over time, antiarrhythmic use decreased, while rate control drugs and oral anticoagulant use, and AF-related procedures increased, regardless of HF and EF. During a median follow-up of 3.7 years, in 86 210 patients without AF, incident AF risk was two-fold higher in HF versus non-HF (hazard ratio [HR] 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.45-3.12), highest in HFpEF (HR 3.12, 95% CI 2.65-3.67) versus HFrEF (HR 2.68, 95% CI 2.34-3.06) and HFmrEF (HR 2.53, 95% CI 2.17-2.94). CONCLUSIONS Atrial fibrillation prevalence, anticoagulant use, and AF-related procedures increased over time regardless of HF, with HF patients more likely receiving AF treatments. In HF, despite higher AF prevalence and incidence in HFpEF, AF treatment use remained modest, calling for further implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Valente
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giulia Ferrannini
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Internal Medicine Unit, Södertälje Hospital, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Lina Benson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paolo Gatti
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Internal Medicine Unit, Södertälje Hospital, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Federica Guidetti
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Melin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Physiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Frieder Braunschweig
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Heart, Vascular and Neuro Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Linde
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Heart, Vascular and Neuro Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulf Dahlström
- Department of Cardiology and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lars H Lund
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Heart, Vascular and Neuro Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marat Fudim
- Department of Cardiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gianluigi Savarese
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Stulberg EL, Delic A, Zheutlin AR, Steinberg BA, Yaghi S, Sharma R, de Havenon A. Modelling anticoagulation and health-related quality of life in those with atrial fibrillation: a secondary analysis of AFFIRM. Clin Res Cardiol 2024; 113:1200-1210. [PMID: 37962572 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-023-02335-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Associations of anticoagulation with primary endpoints in longitudinal studies are impacted by selection bias and time-varying covariates (e.g. comorbidities). We demonstrate how time-varying covariates and selection bias influence association estimates between anticoagulation and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with atrial fibrillation. We performed a secondary analysis of the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management trial quality of life substudy. Dichotomized warfarin use was ascertained at the study baseline, 2 months later, and annually for up to 6 years. HRQoL was measured at every time point using a self-reported ordinal 5-point Likert-scale (lower score and lower odds ratio represents better health-related quality of life). Static and time-varying covariates were ascertained throughout the study period. Confounder-adjusted generalized mixed model and generalized estimating equation regressions were used to demonstrate traditional association estimates between anticoagulation and HRQoL. Inverse probability of treatment and censorship weights were used to ascertain the influence of time-varying confounding and selection bias. Age-stratified analysis (age ≥ 70 years) evaluated for effect modification. 656 individuals were included in the analysis, 601 on warfarin at baseline. The association of warfarin use with better HRQoL over time strengthened when accounting for time-varying confounding and selection bias (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.14-0.55) compared to traditional analyses (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.38-0.97), and was most pronounced in those ≥ 70 years upon stratified analysis. Anticoagulation is associated with higher HRQoL in patients with atrial fibrillation, with time-varying confounding and selection bias likely influencing longitudinal estimates in anticoagulation-HRQoL research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L Stulberg
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, 175 Medical Dr N, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA.
| | - Alen Delic
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, 175 Medical Dr N, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Alexander R Zheutlin
- Department of Cardiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| | - Benjamin A Steinberg
- Department of Cardiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Shadi Yaghi
- Department of Neurology, Brown Alpert School of Medicine, Providence, USA
| | - Richa Sharma
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Adam de Havenon
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, 175 Medical Dr N, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
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Lam SHM, Romiti GF, Olshansky B, Chao TF, Huisman MV, Lip GYH. Combination therapy of beta-blockers and digoxin is associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the GLORIA-AF registry. Intern Emerg Med 2024; 19:1369-1378. [PMID: 38780748 PMCID: PMC11364656 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-024-03629-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The effect of digoxin and beta-blockers on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality remains unclear. The study aimed to determine differences in cardiovascular (CV) outcomes and death rates among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who were prescribed with beta-blockers, digoxin or combination therapy. Data from phase II/III of the prospective Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Anti-thrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (GLORIA-AF) were analysed. The risk of major cardiovascular events (MACE) and death among patients with different prescriptions using COX proportional hazard regression was considered. Propensity score (PS) matching and weighting were further used to adjust for potential confounders of prescription use. A total of 14,201 patients [median age: 71.0 (IQR 64.0-77.0) years; 46.2% female] were recruited. After a median follow-up of 3.0 (IQR 2.4-3.1) years, 864 MACE, and 988 all-cause deaths were recorded. The incidence rate (IR) of MACE was 22.4 (95%CI 21.0-24.0) per 1000 person-years, while the IR of all-cause death was 25.4 (95%CI 23.8-27.0) per 1000 person-years. After multivariate adjustment with Cox regression, the risk of MACE (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.09-1.68) and the risk of all-cause death (HR 1.28, 95%CI 1.04-1.57) were significantly higher in the combination therapy group, compared to the beta-blockers alone group. The risks of MACE and all-cause death remained significant in both PS matched and PS weighted cohort Among AF patients, combination therapy of beta-blockers and digoxin was associated with higher risks of MACE and all-cause death compared to beta-blockers alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Ho Man Lam
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Giulio Francesco Romiti
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Translational Precision Medicine, Sapienza-University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Brian Olshansky
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Tze-Fan Chao
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, and Cardiovascular Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Menno V Huisman
- Department of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gregory Yoke Hong Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
- Danish Center for Health Services Research, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
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Ojo A, McNitt S, Polonsky B, Aktas MK, Rosero S, Hall B, Kutyifa V, Rao N, Rao N, Goldenberg I. Digoxin and Risk of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia and Death in ICD Recipients. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 2024; 10:1468-1476. [PMID: 38878014 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2024.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some studies have shown digoxin use to be associated with adverse outcomes, including increased mortality. There are limited data on whether digoxin use is associated with increased risk of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) in heart failure patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). OBJECTIVES This study sought to assess whether digoxin use is associated with increased risk of VT/VF in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction with a primary prevention ICD in landmark clinical trials. METHODS The study cohort consisted of patients with an ICD or cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator who were enrolled in 4 landmark MADIT trials (Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trials). We employed propensity score quintile stratification for treatment with digoxin as well as additional multivariable adjustment to assess the risk of digoxin vs no-digoxin therapy for the endpoints of first and recurrent VT/VF and all-cause mortality. The proportional hazards regression models for arrhythmia-specific endpoints incorporated adjustments for the competing risk of death. RESULTS At baseline, 1,155 of 4,499 patients were on digoxin (26%). After propensity score quintile stratification, patients prescribed digoxin were shown to exhibit a statistically significant 48% increased risk of VT/VF (P < 0.001), 42% increased risk of the composite of VT/VF or death (P < 0.001), and a 37% increased risk of all-cause mortality (P = 0.006). Digoxin use was also associated with increased risk of appropriate ICD shocks (HR: 1.91; P < 0.001) and with increased burden of VT/VF events (HR: 1.46; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggests that digoxin use is associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmia and death in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients with an ICD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amole Ojo
- Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
| | - Scott McNitt
- Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Bronislava Polonsky
- Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Mehmet K Aktas
- Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Spencer Rosero
- Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Burr Hall
- Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Valentina Kutyifa
- Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Nilesh Rao
- Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Nikhila Rao
- Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Ilan Goldenberg
- Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
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5
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Newman JD, O'Meara E, Böhm M, Savarese G, Kelly PR, Vardeny O, Allen LA, Lancellotti P, Gottlieb SS, Samad Z, Morris AA, Desai NR, Rosano GMC, Teerlink JR, Giraldo CS, Lindenfeld J. Implications of Atrial Fibrillation for Guideline-Directed Therapy in Patients With Heart Failure: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Coll Cardiol 2024; 83:932-950. [PMID: 38418008 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) are common cardiovascular conditions that frequently coexist. Among patients with HF, more than one-half also have AF. Both are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Moreover, the prevalence of each is increasing globally, and this trend is expected to continue owing to an aging population and increased life expectancy. Diagnosis of AF in a patient with HF is associated with greater symptom burden, more frequent hospitalizations, and a worse prognosis. Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for HF can affect the incidence of AF. Once present, AF can influence the efficacy of some components of GDMT for HF. In this review, we discuss the effect of GDMT for HF across the spectrum of ejection fraction on prevention of AF as well as the benefit of GDMT in patients with vs without AF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eileen O'Meara
- Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael Böhm
- University of the Saarland, Homberg/Saar, Germany
| | - Gianluigi Savarese
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Heart and Vascular and Neuro Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Orly Vardeny
- University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Larry A Allen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Stephen S Gottlieb
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Nihar R Desai
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Giuseppe M C Rosano
- Center for Clinical and Basic Research, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - JoAnn Lindenfeld
- Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
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6
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See C, Wheelock KM, Caraballo C, Khera R, Annapureddy A, Mahajan S, Lu Y, Krumholz HM, Murugiah K. Patterns of Digoxin Prescribing for Medicare Beneficiaries in the United States 2013-2019. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE OPEN 2023; 10:100048. [PMID: 38213879 PMCID: PMC10783702 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajmo.2023.100048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Background Studies show that digoxin use is declining but is still prevalent. Recent data on digoxin prescription and characteristics of digoxin prescribers are unknown, which can help understand its contemporary use. Methods Using Medicare Part D data from 2013 to 2019, we studied the change in number and proportion of digoxin prescriptions and digoxin prescribers, overall and by specialty. Using logistic regression, we identified prescriber characteristics associated with digoxin prescription. Results From 2013 to 2019, total digoxin prescriptions (4.6 to 1.8 million) and proportion of digoxin prescribers decreased (9.1% to 4.3% overall; 26.6% to 11.8% among General Medicine prescribers and 65.4% to 48.9% among Cardiology). Of digoxin prescribers from 2013 practicing in 2019 (91.2% remained active), 59.1% did not prescribe digoxin at all, 31.7% reduced, and 9.2% maintained or increased prescriptions. The proportion of all digoxin prescriptions that were prescribed by General Medicine prescribers declined from 59.7% to 48.2% and increased for Cardiology (29% to 38.5%). Among new prescribers in 2019 (N = 85,508), only 1.9% prescribed digoxin. Digoxin prescribers when compared to non-digoxin prescribers were more likely male, graduated from medical school earlier, were located in the Midwest or South, and belonged to Cardiology (all P < .001). Conclusions Digoxin prescriptions continue to decline with over half of 2013 prescribers no longer prescribing digoxin in 2019. This may be a result of the increasing availability of newer heart failure therapies. The decline in digoxin prescription was greater among general medicine physicians than cardiologists, suggesting a change in digoxin use to a medication prescribed increasingly by specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia See
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Kevin M. Wheelock
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - César Caraballo
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Conn
| | - Rohan Khera
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Conn
| | - Amarnath Annapureddy
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Shiwani Mahajan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Conn
| | - Yuan Lu
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Conn
| | - Harlan M. Krumholz
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Conn
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Conn
| | - Karthik Murugiah
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Conn
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Clark JL, Jacobs JA, Watanabe AH, Catino AB, Dechand JA. Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Digoxin Loading Doses Based on Ideal Body Weight. Ann Pharmacother 2023; 57:1154-1161. [PMID: 36642982 DOI: 10.1177/10600280221146530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intravenous digoxin loading dose recommendations differ between clinical guidelines and Food and Drug Administration packaging for acute rate control. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of intravenous digoxin loading in patients who received ≤12 µg/kg and >12 µg/kg of digoxin using ideal body weight (IBW). METHODS This single center retrospective cohort study with exempt status from the local Institutional Review Board included patients who received intravenous digoxin and had a serum digoxin concentration (SDC) drawn. Digoxin doses >36 hours after the first dose were excluded. Patients who received a total of >12 µg/kg and ≤12 µg/kg IBW were compared. The primary endpoint was frequency of SDCs ≥1.2 ng/mL, which have been shown to be associated with increased mortality. RESULTS A total of 244 patients were included (144 receiving >12 µg/kg and 100 receiving ≤12 µg/kg). There were significantly more SDC ≥1.2 ng/mL in the >12 µg/kg group than the ≤12 µg/kg group (50.6% vs. 30.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 3.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.79-5.84), with no difference in rate control failure. Major limitations of the study include retrospective nature and possible selection bias. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Compared to patients who received digoxin doses ≤12 µg/kg IBW, patients who received >12 µg/kg IBW had higher rates of SDC ≥1.2 ng/mL. This suggests that appropriate weight-based dosing with 8 to 12 µg/kg IBW has the potential to be a safer approach to digoxin loading, rather than frequently used dosing strategies that result in doses >12 µg/kg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessi L Clark
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky HealthCare, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Joshua A Jacobs
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Anna B Catino
- Department of Cardiology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - John A Dechand
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Darrat Y, Leung S, Elayi L, Parrott K, Ogunbayo G, Kotter J, Sorrell V, Gupta V, Anaya P, Morales G, Catanzarro J, Delisle B, Elayi CS. A stepwise external cardioversion protocol for atrial fibrillation to maximize acute success rate. Europace 2023; 25:828-834. [PMID: 36748366 PMCID: PMC10062296 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cardioversion is a very commonly performed procedure for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is no well-defined protocol to address failed external electrical direct current cardioversion. The aim of the study is to test the efficacy of a pre-defined stepwise cardioversion protocol for patients with persistent AF of ≤12 months. Success was the achievement of sinus rhythm. METHODS AND RESULTS The study population included patients with persistent AF of ≤12 months duration requiring rhythm management. Patients were offered cardioversion using a pre-defined stepwise protocol using different electrode placement locations, applying compression at end of expiration, and higher energy delivered simultaneously through two defibrillators. : A total of 414 patients were included in the study, of which 362 (87.4%) required a single successful cardioversion. The remaining 52 (12.5%) patients required additional cardioversion attempts using the stepwise cardioversion protocol with an overall success rate of 99.3%. Two simultaneous defibrillators were required in 14 patients (3.4%). Patients with multiple cardioversions (13.5%) experienced more local skin irritation and pain compared with patients with single cardioversion (13.5% vs. 3.5%, P = 0.004). The predictor for the need for multiple cardioversion attempts is high body mass index, while high transthoracic impedance is associated with failed cardioversion. No major complications were observed during the study. CONCLUSION The stepwise cardioversion protocol has a high success rate of >99% and can be safely performed in outpatient or inpatient settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Darrat
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Department, Saint Joseph Hospital, 1401 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY 40504, USA
| | - Steve Leung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gill Heart Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Liliane Elayi
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Department, Saint Joseph Hospital, 1401 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY 40504, USA
| | - Kevin Parrott
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Department, Baptist Health, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Gbolahan Ogunbayo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gill Heart Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - John Kotter
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gill Heart Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Vincent Sorrell
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gill Heart Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Vedant Gupta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gill Heart Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Paul Anaya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gill Heart Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Gustavo Morales
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Department, Grandview Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - John Catanzarro
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Brian Delisle
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gill Heart Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Claude S Elayi
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Department, Saint Joseph Hospital, 1401 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY 40504, USA
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9
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Kapelios CJ, Lund LH, Benson L, Dahlström U, Rosano GMC, Hauptman PJ, Savarese G. Digoxin use in contemporary heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: an analysis from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOTHERAPY 2022; 8:756-767. [PMID: 34921603 PMCID: PMC9716867 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcvp/pvab079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Digoxin is included in some heart failure (HF) guidelines but controversy persists about the true role for and impact of treatment with this drug, particularly in the absence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to assess the association between clinical characteristics and digoxin use and between digoxin use and mortality/morbidity in a large, contemporary cohort of patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) stratified by history of AF. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients with HFrEF (EF < 40%) enrolled in the Swedish HF registry between 2005 and 2018 were analysed. The independent association between digoxin use and patient characteristics was assessed by logistic regression, and between digoxin use and outcomes [composite of all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization (HFH), all-cause mortality, and HFH] by Cox regressions in a 1:1 propensity score matched population. Digoxin use was analysed at baseline and as a time-dependent variable. Of 42 456 patients with HFrEF, 16% received digoxin, 29% in the AF group and 2.8% in the non-AF group. The main independent predictors of use were advanced HF, higher heart rate, history of AF, preserved renal function, and concomitant use of beta blockers. Digoxin use was associated with lower risk of all-cause death/HFH [hazard ratio (HR): 0.95; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91-0.99] in AF, but with higher risk in non-AF (HR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.09-1.43). Consistent results were observed when digoxin use was analysed as a time-dependent variable. CONCLUSION The great majority of digoxin users had a history of AF. Digoxin use was associated with lower mortality/morbidity in patients with AF, but with higher mortality/morbidity in patients without AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris J Kapelios
- Cardiology Department, Royal Brompton Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Lars H Lund
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Heart and Vascular Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lina Benson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulf Dahlström
- Department of Cardiology and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Giuseppe M C Rosano
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St George's Hospitals NHS Trust, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, UK
- IRCCS San Raffaele, Pisana, Roma, Italy
| | - Paul J Hauptman
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Gianluigi Savarese
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Heart and Vascular Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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10
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Ono K, Iwasaki Y, Akao M, Ikeda T, Ishii K, Inden Y, Kusano K, Kobayashi Y, Koretsune Y, Sasano T, Sumitomo N, Takahashi N, Niwano S, Hagiwara N, Hisatome I, Furukawa T, Honjo H, Maruyama T, Murakawa Y, Yasaka M, Watanabe E, Aiba T, Amino M, Itoh H, Ogawa H, Okumura Y, Aoki‐Kamiya C, Kishihara J, Kodani E, Komatsu T, Sakamoto Y, Satomi K, Shiga T, Shinohara T, Suzuki A, Suzuki S, Sekiguchi Y, Nagase S, Hayami N, Harada M, Fujino T, Makiyama T, Maruyama M, Miake J, Muraji S, Murata H, Morita N, Yokoshiki H, Yoshioka K, Yodogawa K, Inoue H, Okumura K, Kimura T, Tsutsui H, Shimizu W. JCS/JHRS 2020 Guideline on Pharmacotherapy of Cardiac Arrhythmias. J Arrhythm 2022; 38:833-973. [PMID: 36524037 PMCID: PMC9745564 DOI: 10.1002/joa3.12714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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11
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Schupp T, Müller J, von Zworowsky M, Abumayyaleh M, Weidner K, Rusnak J, Mashayekhi K, Bertsch T, Akin I, Behnes M. Digitalis therapy in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Scand Cardiovasc J Suppl 2022; 56:198-207. [PMID: 35792713 DOI: 10.1080/14017431.2022.2091793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective. The study sought to assess the prognostic value of treatment with digitalis on long-term prognosis in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias and atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or heart failure (HF). Background. Data regarding the outcome of digitalis therapy following ventricular tachyarrhythmias is limited. Methods. A large retrospective registry was used including consecutive patients with episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or fibrillation (VF) from 2002 to 2015. Patients treated with digitalis were compared to patients without. The primary prognostic endpoint was all-cause mortality at 3 years, secondary endpoints comprised a composite arrhythmic endpoint (i.e. recurrences of ventricular tachyarrhythmias, appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapies, sudden cardiac death) and cardiac rehospitalization. Kaplan Mayer survival curves, multivariable cox regression, and time trend analyses were applied for statistics. Results. Eight hundred and thirty-one patients were included (20% treated with digitalis and 80% without). At 3 years, digitalis treatment was not associated with all-cause mortality following ventricular tachyarrhythmias (24 vs. 21%, log-rank p = .736; HR = 1.063; 95% CI 0.746-1.515; p = .736). However, digitalis therapy was associated with an increased risk of the composite arrhythmic endpoint (38 vs. 23%; log-rank p = .001; HR = 1.719; 95% CI 1.279-2.311; p = .001) and cardiac rehospitalization (31 vs. 18%; log-rank p = .001; HR = 1.829; 95% CI 1.318-2.538; p = .001), which was still evident within multivariable Cox regression analyses. Finally, digitoxin may be associated with a worse prognosis than digoxin. Conclusion. Digitalis therapy was not associated with mortality in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias, but with increased risk of the composite arrhythmic endpoint and cardiac rehospitalization at 3 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Schupp
- First Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University Medical Centre Mannheim (UMM), University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Julian Müller
- Clinic for Interventional Electrophysiology, Heart Centre Bad Neustadt, Bad Neustadt an der Saale, Germany.,Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Max von Zworowsky
- First Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University Medical Centre Mannheim (UMM), University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mohammad Abumayyaleh
- First Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University Medical Centre Mannheim (UMM), University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Kathrin Weidner
- First Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University Medical Centre Mannheim (UMM), University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jonas Rusnak
- First Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University Medical Centre Mannheim (UMM), University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Kambis Mashayekhi
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology II, University Heart Center Freiburg, Bad Krozingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Bertsch
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Nuremberg General Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Ibrahim Akin
- First Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University Medical Centre Mannheim (UMM), University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michael Behnes
- First Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, University Medical Centre Mannheim (UMM), University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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12
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Zhu W, Wu Z, Dong Y, Lip GYH, Liu C. Effectiveness of early rhythm control in improving clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med 2022; 20:340. [PMID: 36224587 PMCID: PMC9558983 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02545-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current guidelines recommend rhythm control for improving symptoms and quality of life in symptomatic patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the long-term prognostic outcomes of rhythm control compared with rate control are still inconclusive. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the effects of early rhythm control compared with rate control on clinical outcomes in newly diagnosed AF patients. METHODS We systematically searched the PubMed and Embase databases up to August 2022 for randomized and observational studies reporting the associations of early rhythm control (defined as within 12 months of AF diagnosis) with effectiveness outcomes. The primary outcome was a composite of death, stroke, admission to hospital for heart failure (HF), or acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from each study were pooled using a random-effects model, complemented with an inverse variance heterogeneity or quality effects model. RESULTS A total of 8 studies involving 447,202 AF patients were included, and 23.5% of participants underwent an early rhythm-control therapy. In the pooled analysis using the random-effects model, compared with rate control, the early rhythm-control strategy was significantly associated with reductions in the primary composite outcome (HR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.86-0.89) and secondary outcomes, including stroke or systemic embolism (HR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.71-0.85), ischemic stroke (HR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69-0.94), cardiovascular death (HR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.70-0.99), HF hospitalization (HR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.88-0.92), and ACS (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76-0.98). Reanalyses using the inverse variance heterogeneity or quality effects model yielded similar results. CONCLUSIONS Our current meta-analysis suggested that early initiation of rhythm control treatment was associated with improved adverse effectiveness outcomes in patients who had been diagnosed with AF within 1 year. REGISTRATION The study protocol was registered to PROSPERO (CRD42021295405).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wengen Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China. .,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China. .,National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zexuan Wu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yugang Dong
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.,National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. .,Aalborg Thrombosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China. .,NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China. .,National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Gomez SE, Fazal M, Nunes JC, Shah S, Perino AC, Narayan SM, Tamirisa KP, Han JK, Rodriguez F, Baykaner T. Racial, ethnic, and sex disparities in atrial fibrillation management: rate and rhythm control. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 2022:10.1007/s10840-022-01383-x. [PMID: 36224481 PMCID: PMC10097842 DOI: 10.1007/s10840-022-01383-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects around 6 million Americans. AF management involves pharmacologic therapy and/or interventional procedures to control rate and rhythm, as well as anticoagulation for stroke prevention. Different populations may respond differently to distinct management strategies. This review will describe disparities in rate and rhythm control and their impact on outcomes among women and historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups. METHODS This is a narrative review exploring the topic of sex and racial and/or ethnic disparities in rate and rhythm management of AF. We describe basic terminology, summarize AF epidemiology, discuss diversity in clinical research, and review landmark clinical trials. RESULTS Despite having higher rates of traditional AF risk factors, Black and Hispanic adults have lower risk of AF than non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients, although those with AF experience more severe symptoms and report lower quality-of-life scores than NHW patients with AF. NHW patients receive antiarrhythmic drugs, cardioversions, and invasive therapies more frequently than Black and Hispanic patients. Women have lower rates of AF than men, but experience more severe symptoms, heart failure, stroke, and death after AF diagnosis. Women and people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds are inadequately represented in AF trials; prevalence findings may be a result of underdetection. CONCLUSION Race, ethnicity, and gender are social determinants of health that may impact the prevalence, evolution, and management of AF. This impact reflects differences in biology as well as disparities in treatment and representation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia E Gomez
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, H2146, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Muhammad Fazal
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, H2146, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Julio C Nunes
- Stanford Center for Clinical Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shayena Shah
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, H2146, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Alexander C Perino
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, H2146, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Sanjiv M Narayan
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, H2146, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | | | - Janet K Han
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fatima Rodriguez
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, H2146, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Tina Baykaner
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, H2146, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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14
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Botis M, Kartas A, Samaras A, Akrivos E, Vrana E, Liampas E, Papazoglou AS, Moysidis DV, Papanastasiou A, Baroutidou A, Karvounis H, Tzikas A, Parissis J, Drakos SG, Giannakoulas G. Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation treated with Digoxin, according to the presence of Heart Failure: Insights from the MISOAC- AF trial. Hellenic J Cardiol 2022; 68:25-32. [PMID: 36037999 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjc.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michail Botis
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasios Kartas
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Athanasios Samaras
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelos Akrivos
- Laboratory of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elena Vrana
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelos Liampas
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Andreas S Papazoglou
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios V Moysidis
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasios Papanastasiou
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Amalia Baroutidou
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Haralambos Karvounis
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Apostolos Tzikas
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; Interbalkan European Medical Center, Asklipiou 10, Pylaia, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - John Parissis
- Heart Failure Unit, Department of Cardiology, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stavros G Drakos
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine & Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research & Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - George Giannakoulas
- First Department of Cardiology, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
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15
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Koniari I, Artopoulou E, Velissaris D, Mplani V, Anastasopoulou M, Kounis N, de Gregorio C, Tsigkas G, Karunakaran A, Plotas P, Ikonomidis I. Pharmacologic Rate versus Rhythm Control for Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure Patients. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:743. [PMID: 35744006 PMCID: PMC9228123 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58060743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) and Heart failure (HF) constitute two frequently coexisting cardiovascular diseases, with a great volume of the scientific research referring to strategies and guidelines associated with the best management of patients suffering from either of the two or both of these entities. The common pathophysiological paths, the adverse outcomes, the hospitalization rates, and the mortality rates that occur from various reports and trials indicate that a targeted therapy to the common background of these cardiovascular conditions may reverse the progression of their interrelating development. Among other optimal treatments concerning the prevalence of both AF and HF, the introduction of rhythm and rate control strategies in the guidelines has underlined the importance of sinus rhythm and heart rate control in the prevention of deleterious complications. The use of these strategies in the clinical practice has led to a debate about the superiority of rhythm versus rate control. The current guidelines as well as the published randomized trials and studies have not proved that rhythm control is more beneficial than the rate control treatments in the terms of survival, all-cause mortality, hospitalization rates, and quality of life. Therefore, the current therapeutic strategy is based on the therapy guidelines and the clinical judgment and experience. The aim of this review was to elucidate the endpoints of pharmacologic randomized clinical trials and the clinical data of each antiarrhythmic or rate-limiting medication, so as to promote their effective, individualized, evidence-based clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Koniari
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M23 9LT, UK; (I.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Eleni Artopoulou
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (E.A.); (D.V.)
| | - Dimitrios Velissaris
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (E.A.); (D.V.)
| | - Virginia Mplani
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (V.M.); (M.A.); (N.K.); (G.T.)
| | - Maria Anastasopoulou
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (V.M.); (M.A.); (N.K.); (G.T.)
| | - Nicholas Kounis
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (V.M.); (M.A.); (N.K.); (G.T.)
| | - Cesare de Gregorio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Cardiology Unit, University Hospital of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Grigorios Tsigkas
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (V.M.); (M.A.); (N.K.); (G.T.)
| | - Arun Karunakaran
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M23 9LT, UK; (I.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Panagiotis Plotas
- Laboratory Primary Health Care, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece;
| | - Ignatios Ikonomidis
- Second Cardiology Department, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
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16
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Abstract
The majority of cardiovascular randomized controlled trials (RCTs) test interventions in selected patient populations under explicitly protocol-defined settings. Although these ‘explanatory’ trial designs optimize conditions to test the efficacy and safety of an intervention, they limit the generalizability of trial findings in broader clinical settings. The concept of ‘pragmatism’ in RCTs addresses this concern by providing counterbalance to the more idealized situation underpinning explanatory RCTs and optimizing effectiveness over efficacy. The central tenets of pragmatism in RCTs are to test interventions in routine clinical settings, with patients who are representative of broad clinical practice, and to reduce the burden on investigators and participants by minimizing the number of trial visits and the intensity of trial-based testing. Pragmatic evaluation of interventions is particularly important in cardiovascular diseases, where the risk of death among patients has remained fairly stable over the past few decades despite the development of new therapeutic interventions. Pragmatic RCTs can help to reveal the ‘real-world’ effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and elucidate barriers to their implementation. In this Review, we discuss the attributes of pragmatism in RCT design, conduct and interpretation as well as the general need for increased pragmatism in cardiovascular RCTs. We also summarize current challenges and potential solutions to the implementation of pragmatism in RCTs and highlight selected ongoing and completed cardiovascular RCTs with pragmatic trial designs. In this Review, Khan and colleagues discuss the benefits and challenges of including pragmatism in the design, conduct and interpretation of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for cardiovascular disease and highlight selected ongoing and completed cardiovascular RCTs that incorporate a pragmatic design. Most cardiovascular randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted to date have been ‘explanatory’, that is, designed to study the intervention in optimized conditions with selected patient populations and frequent protocolized assessments. Although explanatory RCT designs increase validity, they limit the generalizability of trial findings, whereas a ‘pragmatic’ approach to RCTs yields findings more relevant to real-world practice. In pragmatic RCTs, interventions are tested in patients who are broadly representative of the condition being studied, and the study is aligned with routine clinical care to reduce costs and organizational burden. Although pragmatic RCTs tend to attenuate estimates of treatment effects, they do provide a more realistic understanding of population-level effectiveness and costs than explanatory trials. Pragmatic trials can highlight barriers to the implementation of therapies and are better suited than explanatory RCTs to assessing the effects of implementation strategies and health-care policies at the population level. Widespread implementation of pragmatic trials would require the development of technological infrastructure to collect and share data as well as regulatory guidelines amenable to findings derived from routinely collected data.
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17
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Digoxin Use in Atrial Fibrillation; Insights from National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Curr Probl Cardiol 2022:101209. [PMID: 35460684 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2022.101209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the characteristics and trends of digoxin use during outpatient visits with atrial fibrillation in the US from 2006 to 2015. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of adult (age ≥18) patient visits to office-based physicians from National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) database between 2006-2015. The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes were used to identify patients with atrial fibrillation. Visits in which digoxin was listed as a medication were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of digoxin usage. RESULTS Of a weighted sample of 108,113,894 patient visits, 17,617,853 (16.3%) visits included use of digoxin. Patients who used digoxin had a mean age of 75 ± 0.7 years and were predominantly Caucasian (92.56%). Among the patients who used digoxin, 24% had a diagnosis of heart failure. Multivariate analysis showed that the increased likelihood of digoxin utilization was associated with female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.34, 95% CI 1.05-1.71, p = .019), heart failure (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.05-1.17, p = .025), and usage of ³5 medications (aOR 5.32, 95% CI 3.67-7.71, p = <0.001). Among the visits with atrial fibrillation, the percentage of visits with digoxin usage decreased from 23% in 2006 to 9% in 2013 and then again increased to 14% in 2015(P-trend <0.001). CONCLUSION This is the first study to examine the use of digoxin in atrial fibrillation patients in a large outpatient setting. During 2006-2015, the percentage of digoxin prescriptions in atrial fibrillation patients has declined. Predictors of digoxin use in atrial fibrillation patients are female sex, congestive heart failure, and higher number of concurrent medications.
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18
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Crijns HJ, Sanders P, Albert CM, Lambiase PD. The year in cardiovascular medicine 2021: arrhythmias. Eur Heart J 2022; 43:1191-1197. [PMID: 35137041 PMCID: PMC9313516 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Harry J.G.M. Crijns
- Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research Centre Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Prashantan Sanders
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Christine M. Albert
- Department of Cardiology, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center (CMA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pier D. Lambiase
- Department of Cardiology, University College London and Barts Heart Centre, London, UK
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19
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Ono K, Iwasaki YK, Akao M, Ikeda T, Ishii K, Inden Y, Kusano K, Kobayashi Y, Koretsune Y, Sasano T, Sumitomo N, Takahashi N, Niwano S, Hagiwara N, Hisatome I, Furukawa T, Honjo H, Maruyama T, Murakawa Y, Yasaka M, Watanabe E, Aiba T, Amino M, Itoh H, Ogawa H, Okumura Y, Aoki-Kamiya C, Kishihara J, Kodani E, Komatsu T, Sakamoto Y, Satomi K, Shiga T, Shinohara T, Suzuki A, Suzuki S, Sekiguchi Y, Nagase S, Hayami N, Harada M, Fujino T, Makiyama T, Maruyama M, Miake J, Muraji S, Murata H, Morita N, Yokoshiki H, Yoshioka K, Yodogawa K, Inoue H, Okumura K, Kimura T, Tsutsui H, Shimizu W. JCS/JHRS 2020 Guideline on Pharmacotherapy of Cardiac Arrhythmias. Circ J 2022; 86:1790-1924. [DOI: 10.1253/circj.cj-20-1212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu-ki Iwasaki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nippon Medical School
| | - Masaharu Akao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center
| | - Takanori Ikeda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Toho University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Kuniaki Ishii
- Department of Pharmacology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine
| | - Yasuya Inden
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Kengo Kusano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | - Yoshinori Kobayashi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital
| | | | - Tetsuo Sasano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
| | - Naokata Sumitomo
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center
| | - Naohiko Takahashi
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Examination, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University
| | - Shinichi Niwano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kitasato University School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Tetsushi Furukawa
- Department of Bio-information Pharmacology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
| | - Haruo Honjo
- Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University
| | - Toru Maruyama
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital
| | - Yuji Murakawa
- The 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Mizonokuchi Hospital
| | - Masahiro Yasaka
- Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine and Neurology, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center
| | - Eiichi Watanabe
- Department of Cardiology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine
| | - Takeshi Aiba
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | - Mari Amino
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Hideki Itoh
- Division of Patient Safety, Hiroshima University Hospital
| | - Hisashi Ogawa
- Department of Cardiology, National Hospital Organisation Kyoto Medical Center
| | - Yasuo Okumura
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine
| | - Chizuko Aoki-Kamiya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | - Jun Kishihara
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kitasato University School of Medicine
| | - Eitaro Kodani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nippon Medical School Tama Nagayama Hospital
| | - Takashi Komatsu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Tsuyoshi Shiga
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The Jikei University School of Medicine
| | - Tetsuji Shinohara
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Examination, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University
| | - Atsushi Suzuki
- Department of Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University
| | - Shinya Suzuki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Cardiovascular Institute
| | - Yukio Sekiguchi
- Department of Cardiology, National Hospital Organization Kasumigaura Medical Center
| | - Satoshi Nagase
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | - Noriyuki Hayami
- Department of Fourth Internal Medicine, Teikyo University Mizonokuchi Hospital
| | | | - Tadashi Fujino
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Toho University, Faculty of Medicine
| | - Takeru Makiyama
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University
| | - Mitsunori Maruyama
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nippon Medical School Musashi Kosugi Hospital
| | - Junichiro Miake
- Department of Pharmacology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine
| | - Shota Muraji
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center
| | | | - Norishige Morita
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital
| | - Hisashi Yokoshiki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Sapporo City General Hospital
| | - Koichiro Yoshioka
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | - Kenji Yodogawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nippon Medical School
| | | | - Ken Okumura
- Division of Cardiology, Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital Cardiovascular Center
| | - Takeshi Kimura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University
| | - Hiroyuki Tsutsui
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Wataru Shimizu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nippon Medical School
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20
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Gerakaris A, Mulita F, Koniari I, Artopoulou E, Mplani V, Tsigkas G, Abo-Elseoud M, Kounis N, Velissaris D. Digoxin Impact on Heart Failure Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. Med Arch 2022; 76:23-28. [PMID: 35422570 PMCID: PMC8976896 DOI: 10.5455/medarh.2022.76.23-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside, derived from the plant Digitalis purpurea. For many years digitalis has been widely used in the treatment of heart failure (HF), owing to its cardiotonic and neurohormonal effects and atrial fibrillation (AF), due to its parasympathomimetic effect on the AV node. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to evaluate the available evidence on the safety and efficacy of digoxin in patients with HF and AF, by reviewing the pertinent literature. METHODS We conducted a PubMed/MEDLINE and SCOPUS search to evaluate the currently available evidence on the administration of digoxin and its association with all-cause mortality risk in patients with AF and HF. RESULTS Several observational analyses of clinical trials and meta-analyses have shown conflicting results on the safety and efficacy of digoxin administration in patients with AF and HF. According to these results, digoxin should be avoided in patients without HF, as it is associated with worse outcomes. On the other hand, in patients with AF and HF digoxin should be used with caution. CONCLUSION The impact of digoxin on all-cause mortality and adverse effects in these patients remains unclear based on the current evidence. More trials at low risk of bias evaluating the effects of digoxin are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Gerakaris
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Francesk Mulita
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Ioanna Koniari
- Manchester Heart Institute, Manchester University Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Artopoulou
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Virginia Mplani
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Grigorios Tsigkas
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Mohammed Abo-Elseoud
- Manchester Heart Institute, Manchester University Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Kounis
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
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21
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Guo Y, Kotalczyk A, Wang Y, Lip GYH. Digoxin use and clinical outcomes in elderly Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the Optimal Thromboprophylaxis in Elderly Chinese Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (ChiOTEAF) registry. Europace 2022; 24:1076-1083. [PMID: 35025995 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euab319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Prior studies have reported conflicting results on digoxin's impact on clinical outcomes and quality of life, and there are limited data from Asia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of digoxin and its impact on clinical outcomes and quality of life in a high-risk cohort of elderly Chinese atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS The Optimal Thromboprophylaxis in Elderly Chinese Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (ChiOTEAF) registry is a prospective, multicentre nationwide study conducted from October 2014 to December 2018. Endpoints of interest were the composite outcome of all-cause death/any thromboembolism (TE), all-cause death, cardiovascular death, sudden cardiac death, and TE events, as well as the quality of life. The eligible cohort for this analysis included 6391 individuals, of whom 751 (11.8%) patients were treated with digoxin. On multivariate analysis, the use of digoxin was associated with a higher odds ratio (OR) of composite outcome [OR: 1.71; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-2.22], all-cause death (OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.23-2.14), and any TE (OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.08-2.95). Results were consistent in a subgroup of patients with diagnosed heart failure (HF) and patients with permanent AF. The use of digoxin was associated with worse health-related quality of life (mean EQ index: 0.76 ± 0.19 vs. 0.84 ± 0.18; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In this nationwide cohort study, digoxin use was associated with an overall higher risk of the composite outcome of all-cause death/any TE, all-cause death, and any TE, regardless of HF diagnosis. Patients treated with digoxin had a worse health-related quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutao Guo
- Department of Pulmonary Vessel and Thrombotic Disease, Sixth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100142, China.,Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool L14 3PE, UK
| | - Agnieszka Kotalczyk
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool L14 3PE, UK.,Department of Cardiology, Congenital Heart Diseases and Electrotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Yutang Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Second Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Department of Pulmonary Vessel and Thrombotic Disease, Sixth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100142, China.,Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool L14 3PE, UK.,Aalborg Thrombosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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22
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Singkham N, Wongsalap Y, Poolpun D, Phetnoo S, Somkhon C. Utilization of Digoxin among Hospitalized Older Patients with Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation in Thailand: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Clinical Outcomes. Ann Geriatr Med Res 2021; 25:260-268. [PMID: 34958732 PMCID: PMC8749041 DOI: 10.4235/agmr.21.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Digoxin is used to control heart rate in patients with heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, its use is often limited in older patients, as they are prone to digoxin toxicity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of digoxin use, investigate the factors associated with digoxin use, and explore the association between digoxin use and clinical outcomes in older Thai patients with HF and AF. Methods This cross-sectional study used data obtained from an electronic medical records database. We performed logistic regression analysis to determine the prevalence of digoxin use at index discharge and the factors associated with its use. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine the association of all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization with digoxin use. Results Of the 640 patients assessed, 107 (16.72%) were prescribed digoxin before discharge. The factors negatively associated with digoxin use included high serum creatinine level (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22–0.65) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) (AOR=0.52; 95% CI, 0.30–0.88). The factors positively associated with digoxin use were the use of diuretics (AOR=2.65; 95% CI, 1.60–4.38) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) (AOR=2.24; 95% CI, 1.18–4.27). We observed no significant association between digoxin use and clinical outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio=1.00; 95% CI, 0.77–1.30). Conclusion Digoxin use was prevalent among older patients with HF and AF. Patients with high serum creatinine or IHD were less likely to be prescribed digoxin, whereas those using diuretics or MRAs were more likely to be prescribed digoxin. Although digoxin use was not uncommon among older patients, it was prescribed with caution among Thai patients hospitalized with HF and AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noppaket Singkham
- Division of Pharmacy Practice, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand.,Unit of Excellence on Pharmacogenomic Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacotherapeutic Researches (UPPER), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Yuttana Wongsalap
- Division of Pharmacy Practice, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand.,Unit of Excellence on Pharmacogenomic Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacotherapeutic Researches (UPPER), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | | | - Sirichok Phetnoo
- Division of Pharmacy Practice, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Chuthalak Somkhon
- Division of Pharmacy Practice, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
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23
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Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the main cardiac arrhythmias associated with higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. AF can cause adverse symptoms and reduced quality of life. One of the strategies for the management of AF is rate control, which can modulate ventricle rate, alleviate adverse associated symptoms and improve the quality of life. As primary management of AF through rate control or rhythm is a topic under debate, the purpose of this review is to explore the rationale for the rate control approach in managing AF by considering the guidelines, recommendations and determinants for the choice of rate control drugs, including beta blockers, digoxin and non- dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers for patients with AF and other comorbidities and atrioventricular nodal ablation and pacing. Despite the limitations of rate control treatment, which may not be effective in preventing disease progression or in reducing symptoms in highly symptomatic patients, it is widely used for almost all patients with atrial fibrillation. Although rate control is one of the first line management of all patient with atrial fibrillation, several issues remain debateable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muath Alobaida
- Department of Basic Sciences, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Alrumayh
- Department of Basic Sciences, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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24
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Safety of digoxin in nonagenarian patients with atrial fibrillation: lessons from the Spanish Multicenter Registry. JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC CARDIOLOGY : JGC 2021; 18:809-815. [PMID: 34754292 PMCID: PMC8558738 DOI: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between digoxin and mortality is an unclear issue. In older patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), where use of digoxin is frequent, the evidence of its safety is scarce. Our aim is to assess the safety of digoxin in nonagenarian patients with AF. METHODS We evaluated data from 795 nonagenarian patients with non-valvular AF from the Spanish Multicenter Registry. We analyzed the relationship between digoxin and all-cause mortality with the Cox proportional-hazards model. RESULTS Follow-up was 27.7 ± 18.3 months. Mean age was 92.5 ± 3.8 years, and 71% of nonagenarian patients were female. Digoxin was not associated with increased risk of mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.96−1.41,P = 0.130]. However, we found a significant increase in mortality in the subgroup with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 (aHR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.13−3.57,P = 0.018), but not in the other subgroups of eGFR (30−59 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and ≥ 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2). When exploring the risk of mortality according to sex, male subgroup was associated with an increase in mortality (aHR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.02−2.14,P = 0.041). This was not observed in females subgroup (aHR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.81−1.29,P = 0.829). Based on the presence or absence of heart failure, we did not find significant differences (aHR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.87−1.65,P = 0.268 vs. aHR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.90−1.47,P = 0.273, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS In our large registry of nonagenarian patients with AF, we did not find an association between digoxin and mortality in the total sample. However, in the subgroup analyses, we found an increase in mortality with the use of digoxin in men and in patients with an eGFR < 30 mL/min per 1.73 m 2.
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25
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Ding WY, Boriani G, Marin F, Blomström-Lundqvist C, Potpara TS, Fauchier L, Lip GYH. Outcomes of digoxin vs. beta-blocker in AF: report from ESC-EHRA EORP-AF Long-Term General Registry. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOTHERAPY 2021; 8:372-382. [PMID: 34665249 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcvp/pvab076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 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. METHODS Patients with AF who were treated with either digoxin or beta-blocker from the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF 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 hospitalisations. RESULTS Of 6377 patients, 549(8.6%) were treated with digoxin. Over 24 months, there were 550(8.6%) all-cause mortality events and 1304(23.6%) patients with unplanned emergency hospitalisations. Compared to beta-blocker, digoxin therapy was associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR 1.90 [95%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 hospitalisations (HR 1.00 [95%CI,0.56-1.80]) or AF-related hospitalisations (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 was no differences in outcomes between AF patients receiving digoxin with and without chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSION 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 hospitalisations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wern Yew Ding
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Boriani
- Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Francisco Marin
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, University of Murcia, CIBERCV, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Tatjana S Potpara
- School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.,Intensive Arrhythmia Care, Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Laurent Fauchier
- Service de Cardiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Trousseau, Tours, France
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Aalborg Thrombosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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26
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Wang X, Luo Y, Xu D, Zhao K. Effect of Digoxin Therapy on Mortality in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: An Updated Meta-Analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:731135. [PMID: 34660731 PMCID: PMC8517124 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.731135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Whether digoxin is associated with increased mortality in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains controversial. We aimed to assess the risk of mortality and clinical effects of digoxin use in patients with AF. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were systematically searched to identify eligible studies comparing all-cause mortality of patients with AF taking digoxin with those not taking digoxin, and the length of follow-up was at least 6 months. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and pooled. Results: A total of 29 studies with 621,478 patients were included. Digoxin use was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in all patients with AF (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.13–1.22, P < 0.001), especially in patients without HF (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11–1.47, P < 0.001). There was no significant association between digoxin and mortality in patients with AF and HF (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.99–1.14, P = 0.110). In all patients with AF, regardless of concomitant HF, digoxin use was associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.23–1.60, P < 0.001) and cardiovascular (CV) mortality (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.08–1.50, P < 0.001), and digoxin use had no significant association with all-cause hospitalization (HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.92–1.39, P = 0.230). Conclusion: We conclude that digoxin use is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, CV mortality, and SCD, and it does not reduce readmission for AF, regardless of concomitant HF. Digoxin may have a neutral effect on all-cause mortality in patients with AF with concomitant HF. Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.ukPROSPERO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxu Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Branch, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Branch, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Branch, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kun Zhao
- Department of Sports Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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27
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Review of the 2020 ESC Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation-What Has Changed and How Does This Affect Daily Practice. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10173922. [PMID: 34501370 PMCID: PMC8432123 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10173922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the overall population and its association with substantial morbidity, increased mortality and health care cost has instigated significant basic and clinical research efforts over recent years. The publication of multiple new high-quality randomized multi-center trials in the area of AF management and the rapidly evolving technological progress in terms of diagnostic possibilities and catheter ablation in recent years demanded a revision of the previous ESC AF Guidelines from 2016. The 2020 guidelines provide up-to-date, evidence-based guidance for the management of AF. One of the most important innovations is the presentation of a new concept for structural characterization of AF (the “4S AF scheme”) replacing the traditional classification based on its temporal pattern alone (paroxysmal-persistent-permanent). The 4S-AF-scheme highlights the importance of systematic assessment of stroke risk, severity of symptoms, total AF burden and underlying substrate as the foundation for effective and individualized AF treatment for each and every patient. Further novelties relate to the presentation of an easy and intuitive management pathway (“ABC pathway”) and strengthening the recommendations for early rhythm control, in particular the role of first line catheter ablation in heart failure. Another core component of the guidelines is the focus on patient involvement to achieve optimal outcomes. Patient education, shared decision making and incorporation of patient values and patient reported outcome of treatment interventions as well as integrated care by a multidisciplinary team all have a central role in the proposed management pathway for AF.
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28
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Kempf T, Bauersachs J, Bavendiek U. Eisen und Digitalis bei Herzinsuffizienz. AKTUELLE KARDIOLOGIE 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1472-0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungNeben der medikamentösen Standardtherapie der Herzinsuffizienz (HI) gilt es, Patienten zu identifizieren, die von einer Eisensupplementation oder Therapie mit Digitalis profitieren können. Wir haben die aktuelle Evidenz für diese Therapien zusammengestellt und beschreiben, wie die HI-Therapie mit Eisen und Digitalis individualisiert werden kann. Eine Eisensupplementation verbessert Leistungsfähigkeit, Symptome und Lebensqualität bei Patienten mit symptomatischer Herzinsuffizienz und Eisenmangel. Die Daten aus der unlängst publizierten AFFIRM-AHF-Studie zeigen, dass eine Eisentherapie mit Eisencarboxymaltose zudem HI-Hospitalisationen verhindert. Die Therapie mit Digitalis sollte bei fortgeschrittenen Stadien der Herzinsuffizienz mit reduzierter systolischer Funktion trotz leitliniengerechter Pharmako- und Devicetherapie in Erwägung gezogen werden, insbesondere, wenn diese aufgrund von Komorbiditäten nur eingeschränkt möglich ist. Auch bei koexistentem Vorhofflimmern
ist Digitalis zur Herzfrequenzkontrolle von großem Wert. Serumkonzentrationen von Digitalis im niedrigen therapeutischen Bereich sind anzustreben.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Kempf
- Klinik für Kardiologie und Angiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Johann Bauersachs
- Klinik für Kardiologie und Angiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Udo Bavendiek
- Klinik für Kardiologie und Angiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
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29
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Lin Y, Fu S, Yao Y, Li Y, Zhao Y, Luo L. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction based on aging and comorbidities. J Transl Med 2021; 19:291. [PMID: 34229717 PMCID: PMC8259336 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-02935-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a leading cause of hospitalizations and mortality when diagnosed at the age of ≥ 65 years. HFpEF represents multifactorial and multisystemic syndrome and has different pathophysiology and phenotypes. Its diagnosis is difficult to be established based on left ventricular ejection fraction and may benefit from individually tailored approaches, underlying age-related changes and frequent comorbidities. Compared with the rapid development in the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, HFpEF presents a great challenge and needs to be addressed considering the failure of HF drugs to improve its outcomes. Further extensive studies on the relationships between HFpEF, aging, and comorbidities in carefully phenotyped HFpEF subgroups may help understand the biology, diagnosis, and treatment of HFpEF. The current review summarized the diagnostic and therapeutic development of HFpEF based on the complex relationships between aging, comorbidities, and HFpEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Sanya, 572013, China
| | - Shihui Fu
- Department of Cardiology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Sanya, 572013, China.
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Yao Yao
- Centre for the Study of Ageing and Human Development and Geriatrics Division, Medical School of Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- Centre for Healthy Ageing and Development Studies, National School of Development, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yulong Li
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yali Zhao
- Central Laboratory, Hainan Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Sanya, 572013, China.
| | - Leiming Luo
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
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30
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Bode N, Hochadel M, Andresen D, Zahn R, Spitzer SG, Brachmann J, Stellbrink C, Jung W, Gonska BD, Reinke F, Senges J, Eckardt L. Cardiac glycosides are not associated with increased mortality or hospitalization rates in ICD and CRT-ICD patients after adjustment for baseline-characteristics at one-year follow-up: Results from the German DEVICE registry. Int J Cardiol 2021; 338:109-114. [PMID: 34087337 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2021.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Despite lacking supporting randomized trials, cardiac glycosides (CGs) are widely used in heart failure and/or atrial fibrillation. Moreover, several pro- and retrospective studies and registry-data have recently raised serious concerns in terms of efficacy and safety of CGs in this field. We have therefore examined the association between CGs and clinical outcome of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization (CRT-ICD) patients of the large German DEVICE registry. METHODS AND RESULTS Between 2007 and 2014, 3782 ICD and 1529 CRT-ICD patients were enrolled in the German DEVICE registry. Those two groups were analyzed independently according to medication with or without CGs. After adjustment for patient characteristics, CGs were not significantly associated with increased one-year mortality (HR 1.27, 95%-CI 0.91-1.76, p = 0.162), major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (OR 1.36, 95%-CI 0.98-1.89, p = 0.063), ICD-shocks (OR 1.29, 95%-CI 0.95-1.74, p = 0.104) or the need for rehospitalization in ICD patients at one-year-follow-up. Similar findings were obtained in CRT-ICD patients. Regarding possible determinants for glycoside treatment, atrial fibrillation at enrollment was found to be most strongly associated with the prescription of glycosides in ICD (adjusted OR 3.25, 95%-CI 2.63-4.02) and CRT-ICD patients (adjusted OR 3.17, 95%-CI 2.39-4.19). CONCLUSION Overall harmful effects of CGs in ICD- and CRT-ICD patients could not be confirmed in DEVICE. Further large and randomized-controlled trials that investigate dose-dependent effects of CGs in addition to contemporary therapy of heart failure and atrial fibrillation are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Bode
- Clinic for Cardiology II - Electrophysiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Matthias Hochadel
- Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung (IHF), Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Dietrich Andresen
- Department of Cardiology, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Hubertus, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Zahn
- Department of Cardiology, Klinikum Ludwigshafen, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Stefan G Spitzer
- Praxisklinik Herz und Gefäße, Dresden, Germany; Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg, Institut für Medizintechnologie, Senftenberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Werner Jung
- Department of Cardiology, Schwarzwald-Baar Klinikum, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
| | | | - Florian Reinke
- Clinic for Cardiology II - Electrophysiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jochen Senges
- Stiftung Institut für Herzinfarktforschung (IHF), Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Lars Eckardt
- Clinic for Cardiology II - Electrophysiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
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Hindricks G, Potpara T, Dagres N, Arbelo E, Bax JJ, Blomström-Lundqvist C, Boriani G, Castella M, Dan GA, Dilaveris PE, Fauchier L, Filippatos G, Kalman JM, Meir ML, Lane DA, Lebeau JP, Lettino M, Lip GY, Pinto FJ, Neil Thomas G, Valgimigli M, Van Gelder IC, Van Putte BP, Watkins CL. Guía ESC 2020 sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la fibrilación auricular, desarrollada en colaboración de la European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). Rev Esp Cardiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.recesp.2020.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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32
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Gawałko M, Budnik M, Gorczyca I, Jelonek O, Uziębło-Życzkowska B, Maciorowska M, Wójcik M, Błaszczyk R, Tokarek T, Rajtar-Salwa R, Bil J, Wojewódzki M, Szpotowicz A, Krzciuk M, Bednarski J, Bakuła-Ostalska E, Tomaszuk-Kazberuk A, Szyszkowska A, Wełnicki M, Mamcarz A, Kapłon-Cieślicka A. Characteristics and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation with Respect to the Presence or Absence of Heart Failure. Insights from the Multicenter Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) Registry. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10071341. [PMID: 33804992 PMCID: PMC8036873 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10071341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: We aimed to assess characteristics and treatment of AF patients with and without heart failure (HF). Methods: The prospective, observational Polish Atrial Fibrillation (POL-AF) Registry included consecutive patients with AF hospitalized in 10 Polish cardiology centers in 2019–2020. Results: Among 3999 AF patients, 2822 (71%) had HF (AF/HF group). Half of AF/HF patients had preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Compared to patients without HF (AF/non–HF), AF/HF patients were older, more often male, more often had permanent AF, and had more comorbidities. Of AF/HF patients, 98% had class I indications to oral anticoagulation (OAC). Still, 16% of patients were not treated with OAC at hospital admission, and 9%—at discharge (regardless of the presence of HF and its subtypes). Of patients not receiving OAC upon admission, 61% were prescribed OAC (most often apixaban) at discharge. AF/non–HF patients more often converted from AF at admission to sinus rhythm at discharge compared to AF/HF patients (55% vs. 30%), despite cardioversion performed as often in both groups. Class I antiarrhythmics were more often prescribed in AF/non–HF than in AF/HF group (13% vs. 8%), but still as many as 15% of HFpEF patients received them. Conclusions: Over 70% of hospitalized AF patients have coexisting HF. A significant number of AF patients does not receive the recommended OAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Gawałko
- 1st Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.); (M.B.)
| | - Monika Budnik
- 1st Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.); (M.B.)
| | - Iwona Gorczyca
- 1st Clinic of Cardiology and Electrotherapy, Swietokrzyskie Cardiology Centre, 25-736 Kielce, Poland; (I.G.); (O.J.)
- Collegium Medicum, The Jan Kochanowski University, 25-369 Kielce, Poland
| | - Olga Jelonek
- 1st Clinic of Cardiology and Electrotherapy, Swietokrzyskie Cardiology Centre, 25-736 Kielce, Poland; (I.G.); (O.J.)
- Collegium Medicum, The Jan Kochanowski University, 25-369 Kielce, Poland
| | - Beata Uziębło-Życzkowska
- Department of Cardiology and Internal Diseases, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; (B.U.-Ż.); (M.M.)
| | - Małgorzata Maciorowska
- Department of Cardiology and Internal Diseases, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland; (B.U.-Ż.); (M.M.)
| | - Maciej Wójcik
- Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (M.W.); (R.B.)
| | - Robert Błaszczyk
- Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (M.W.); (R.B.)
| | - Tomasz Tokarek
- Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, University Hospital, 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (T.T.); (R.R.-S.)
| | - Renata Rajtar-Salwa
- Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions, University Hospital, 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (T.T.); (R.R.-S.)
| | - Jacek Bil
- Department of Invasive Cardiology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (M.W.)
| | - Michał Wojewódzki
- Department of Invasive Cardiology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland; (J.B.); (M.W.)
| | - Anna Szpotowicz
- Department of Cardiology, Regional Hospital, 27-400 Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, Poland; (A.S.); (M.K.)
| | - Małgorzata Krzciuk
- Department of Cardiology, Regional Hospital, 27-400 Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, Poland; (A.S.); (M.K.)
| | - Janusz Bednarski
- Department of Cardiology, St John Paul’s II Western Hospital, 05-825 Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland; (J.B.); (E.B.-O.)
| | - Elwira Bakuła-Ostalska
- Department of Cardiology, St John Paul’s II Western Hospital, 05-825 Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland; (J.B.); (E.B.-O.)
| | - Anna Tomaszuk-Kazberuk
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Białystok, 15-276 Białystok, Poland; (A.T.-K.); (A.S.)
| | - Anna Szyszkowska
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Białystok, 15-276 Białystok, Poland; (A.T.-K.); (A.S.)
| | - Marcin Wełnicki
- 3rd Department of Internal Diseases and Cardiology, Warsaw Medical University, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (M.W.); (A.M.)
| | - Artur Mamcarz
- 3rd Department of Internal Diseases and Cardiology, Warsaw Medical University, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (M.W.); (A.M.)
| | - Agnieszka Kapłon-Cieślicka
- 1st Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-599-29-58
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de Miguel IM, Ávila P. Atrial Fibrillation in Congenital Heart Disease. Eur Cardiol 2021; 16:e06. [PMID: 33737960 PMCID: PMC7967824 DOI: 10.15420/ecr.2020.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of AF in a growing population of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) poses new challenges to clinicians involved in the management of these patients. Distinctive underlying anatomies, unique physiological aspects, a high diversity of corrective surgeries and associated comorbidities can complicate clinical decision-making. In this review, the authors provide an overview of the current knowledge on epidemiology and pathophysiology, with a special focus on the differences to the non-CHD population and the clinical impact of AF in adults with CHD. Acute and long-term management strategies are summarised, including the use of antiarrhythmic drugs, catheter or surgical ablation and prophylaxis of thromboembolism. Finally, gaps of knowledge and potential areas of future research are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Martín de Miguel
- Cardiology Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense and CIBERCV Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Ávila
- Cardiology Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense and CIBERCV Madrid, Spain
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Kraft M, Büscher A, Wiedmann F, L’hoste Y, Haefeli WE, Frey N, Katus HA, Schmidt C. Current Drug Treatment Strategies for Atrial Fibrillation and TASK-1 Inhibition as an Emerging Novel Therapy Option. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:638445. [PMID: 33897427 PMCID: PMC8058608 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.638445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia with a prevalence of up to 4% and an upwards trend due to demographic changes. It is associated with an increase in mortality and stroke incidences. While stroke risk can be significantly reduced through anticoagulant therapy, adequate treatment of other AF related symptoms remains an unmet medical need in many cases. Two main treatment strategies are available: rate control that modulates ventricular heart rate and prevents tachymyopathy as well as rhythm control that aims to restore and sustain sinus rhythm. Rate control can be achieved through drugs or ablation of the atrioventricular node, rendering the patient pacemaker-dependent. For rhythm control electrical cardioversion and pharmacological cardioversion can be used. While electrical cardioversion requires fasting and sedation of the patient, antiarrhythmic drugs have other limitations. Most antiarrhythmic drugs carry a risk for pro-arrhythmic effects and are contraindicated in patients with structural heart diseases. Furthermore, catheter ablation of pulmonary veins can be performed with its risk of intraprocedural complications and varying success. In recent years TASK-1 has been introduced as a new target for AF therapy. Upregulation of TASK-1 in AF patients contributes to prolongation of the action potential duration. In a porcine model of AF, TASK-1 inhibition by gene therapy or pharmacological compounds induced cardioversion to sinus rhythm. The DOxapram Conversion TO Sinus rhythm (DOCTOS)-Trial will reveal whether doxapram, a potent TASK-1 inhibitor, can be used for acute cardioversion of persistent and paroxysmal AF in patients, potentially leading to a new treatment option for AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Kraft
- Department of Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- HCR, Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antonius Büscher
- Clinic for Cardiology II: Electrophysiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Felix Wiedmann
- Department of Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- HCR, Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yannick L’hoste
- Department of Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- HCR, Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Walter E. Haefeli
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Frey
- Department of Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- HCR, Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hugo A. Katus
- Department of Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- HCR, Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Constanze Schmidt
- Department of Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- HCR, Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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35
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Baker WL, Sobieraj DM, DiDomenico RJ. Influence of digoxin on mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation: Overview of systematic reviews. Pharmacotherapy 2021; 41:394-404. [PMID: 33544894 DOI: 10.1002/phar.2510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Once a routine part of atrial fibrillation (AF) management, digoxin use has declined. Likely hastening this decline are findings from several studies and systematic reviews identifying a potential association between digoxin use and all-cause mortality in AF populations. However, inconsistency exists within some of these studies potentially leading to confusion among clinicians. To critically evaluate the current literature to contextualize the associations between digoxin and mortality risk in patients with AF by performing an overview of systematic reviews. We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Database of Systematic Reviews, and SCOPUS from their earliest date through October 12, 2020, to identify systematic reviews (SRs) that included studies enrolling patients with AF or atrial flutter and evaluated the association between digoxin use and all-cause mortality. We used the AMSTAR 2 tool to assess the risk of bias for each included SR. Results from reviews are qualitatively synthesized. Our search identified 10 SRs that met our inclusion criteria. Of the 41 unique AF studies included in these SRs, 41% were cohort studies, 29% were post hoc analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 15% were RCTs, and 15% were registry studies. Based on our AMSTAR 2 assessment, the overall confidence in the results of the 10 reviews was rated as "moderate" in three SRs, "low" in three SRs, and "critically low" in the rest. Except for one review, each included SR shows that digoxin use in AF is associated with a 15 to 38% higher risk of all-cause mortality. This association may be greater when AF-only populations are considered compared with a mix of AF and heart failure populations. Serum digoxin concentration (SDC) data were infrequently considered, but available data suggested a greater association between increasing SDC and all-cause mortality. This overview of reviews found general consistency regarding the association between digoxin use and higher all-cause mortality in AF populations. However, heterogeneity exists among and between SRs and an unmet need exists for additional study in a RCT setting with close monitoring and reporting of SDC to better inform clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- William L Baker
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Diana M Sobieraj
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Robert J DiDomenico
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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36
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Abdel Jalil M, Abdullah N, Alsous M, Abu-Hammour K. Population Pharmacokinetic Studies of Digoxin in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2021; 46:325-342. [PMID: 33616855 DOI: 10.1007/s13318-021-00672-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that was introduced to cardiovascular medicine more than 200 years ago. Its use is associated with large variability, which complicates achieving the desired therapeutic outcomes. OBJECTIVES To present a synthesis of the available literature on the population pharmacokinetics of digoxin in adults and to identify the sources of variability in its pharmacokinetics. METHODS This is a PROSPERO registered systematic review (CRD42018105300). A literature search was conducted using the ISI Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, and SCOPUS databases to identify digoxin population pharmacokinetic studies of adults that utilized the nonlinear mixed-effect modeling approach. RESULTS Sixteen articles were included in the present analysis. Only two studies were conducted in elderly subjects as a separate population. Both the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of digoxin were investigated in one study. Furthermore, the reviewed studies were mostly conducted in East Asian populations (68.8%). Digoxin's pharmacokinetics were usually described by a one-compartment model because of the nature of the collected data. Weight, age, kidney function, presence of heart failure, and co-administered medications such as calcium channel blockers were the most commonly identified predictors of digoxin clearance. The value of apparent clearance in a typical study individual ranged from 0.005 to 0.2 l/h/kg, while the value of the apparent volume of distribution ranged from 3.14 to 15.2 l/kg. The quality of model evaluation was deemed excellent only in 31.3% of the studies. CONCLUSION This review provides information about variables that need to be considered when prescribing digoxin. The results highlight the need for prospective studies that allow two-compartment pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models to be established, with a special focus on the elderly subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Abdel Jalil
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan.
| | - Noura Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mervat Alsous
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Khawla Abu-Hammour
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
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37
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Hindricks G, Potpara T, Dagres N, Arbelo E, Bax JJ, Blomström-Lundqvist C, Boriani G, Castella M, Dan GA, Dilaveris PE, Fauchier L, Filippatos G, Kalman JM, La Meir M, Lane DA, Lebeau JP, Lettino M, Lip GYH, Pinto FJ, Thomas GN, Valgimigli M, Van Gelder IC, Van Putte BP, Watkins CL. 2020 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS): The Task Force for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Developed with the special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the ESC. Eur Heart J 2021; 42:373-498. [PMID: 32860505 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5461] [Impact Index Per Article: 1820.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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Zaman N, Naccarelli G, Foy A. A Comparison of Rate Control Agents for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation: Follow-Up Investigation of the AFFIRM Study. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2021; 26:328-334. [PMID: 33514292 DOI: 10.1177/1074248420987451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
There are limited data from randomized controlled trials comparing rate control agents in atrial fibrillation. Patient-level data from the Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) trial was used to compare outcomes in patients randomized to the rate control arm who were treated with a single rate control agent at baseline. The rate control agents used were beta-blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, and digoxin. The independent variable for this analysis was the initial study drug used and the dependent variables were time to first hospitalization and time to death from any cause. We analyzed 1,144 out of 2,027 participants assigned to the rate control group who were on a single rate control agent at the start of the trial. There were 485 (42.5%) participants in the beta-blocker group, 344 (30%) in the calcium channel blocker group, and 315 (27.5%) in the digoxin group. All hospitalization and all-cause mortality occurred in 55.9% and 12.5% of those in the beta-blocker group, 58.4% and 16.7% in the calcium channel blocker group, and 55.2% and 21.1% in the digoxin group, respectively. After adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics, there were no significant differences in time to hospitalization or death for any group. In the AFFIRM trial, the initial rate control drug used was not associated with statistically significant differences in time to hospitalization or death after controlling for differences in baseline characteristics. There is limited data at present to guide the selection of rate control agents in patients with atrial fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninad Zaman
- Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Gerald Naccarelli
- Division of Cardiology & The Heart and Vascular Institute, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Andrew Foy
- Division of Cardiology & The Heart and Vascular Institute, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
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Boriani G, Blomström-Lundqvist C, Hohnloser SH, Bergfeldt L, Botto GL, Capucci A, Lozano IF, Goette A, Israel CW, Merino JL, Camm AJ. Safety and efficacy of dronedarone from clinical trials to real-world evidence: implications for its use in atrial fibrillation. Europace 2020; 21:1764-1775. [PMID: 31324921 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euz193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficacy and safety of dronedarone was shown in the ATHENA trial for paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Further trials revealed safety concerns in patients with heart failure and permanent AF. This review summarizes insights from recent real-world studies and meta-analyses, including reports on efficacy, with focus on liver safety, mortality risk in patients with paroxysmal/persistent AF, and interactions of dronedarone with direct oral anticoagulants. Reports of rapidly progressing liver failure in dronedarone-prescribed patients in 2011 led to regulatory cautions about potential liver toxicity. Recent real-world evidence suggests dronedarone liver safety profile is similar to other antiarrhythmics and liver toxicity could be equally common with many Class III antiarrhythmics. Dronedarone safety concerns (increased mortality in patients with permanent AF) were raised based on randomized controlled trials (RCT) (ANDROMEDA and PALLAS), but comedication with digoxin may have increased the mortality rates in PALLAS, considering the dronedarone-digoxin pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction. Real-world data on apixaban-dronedarone interactions and edoxaban RCT observations suggest no significant safety risks for these drug combinations. Median trough plasma concentrations of dabigatran 110 mg during concomitant use with dronedarone are at acceptable levels, while PK data on the rivaroxaban-dronedarone interaction are unavailable. In RCTs and real-world studies, dronedarone significantly reduces AF burden and cardiovascular hospitalizations, and demonstrates a low risk for proarrhythmia in patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF. The concerns on liver safety must be balanced against the significant reduction in hospitalizations in patients with non-permanent AF and low risk for proarrhythmias following dronedarone treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Boriani
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Stefan H Hohnloser
- Division of Clinical Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiology, J W Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lennart Bergfeldt
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Västra Götaland, Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Andreas Goette
- Medical Clinic II, Cardiology Department, St Vincenz-Krankenhaus Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany.,Working Group Molecular Electrophysiology, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Carsten W Israel
- Division of Clinical Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiology, J W Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.,Clinic of Internal Medicine, Bethel-Clinic, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - José L Merino
- Arrhythmia & Robotic EP Unit, Hospital Universitario La Paz-IdiPaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - A John Camm
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK
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40
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Karataş MB, Yelgeç NS, Çanga Y, Zengin A, Emre A. Association of digoxin therapy with case fatality rate in acute pulmonary embolism. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2020; 133:1171-1178. [PMID: 33289855 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-020-01773-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite wide usage of digoxin for various diseases in cardiology practice, its benefit is controversial and moreover it had been associated with unfavorable outcomes in some previous studies. The aim of this present study was to demonstrate whether digoxin usage was related with worse outcomes or not in patients with acute pulmonary embolisms. METHODS A total number of 1215 patients retrospectively enrolled for the study. Basic demographic features, pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) scores, laboratory parameters and medications of patients who had been diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism were recorded. Short (30 days) and long-term mortality were reported as the clinical outcomes. RESULTS Total mortality was 15.4% in the study population and 78 of these subjects died within the first 30 days. The frequency of digoxin treatment was 8% and most of these patients were prior users. According to the binary logistic regression analyses the PESI score, right ventricle (RV) diastolic diameter, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), troponin and digoxin therapy (odds ratio, OR: 2.82 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.39-8.31, P = 0.03) were found as independent predictors of short-term mortality. Beside these findings; sPAP, PESI score, RV diastolic diameter and digoxin therapy (hazard ratio, HR: 2.11 95%CI: 1.22-7.31, P = 0.03) were determined as independent predictors of long-term mortality in Cox regression analyses. In subgroup analysis, we determined significantly greater increase in short-term mortality with use of digoxin among patients who had chronic renal disease, among patients under thrombolytic therapy and under high dosage of digoxin therapy and among female patients. CONCLUSION Digoxin has been used extensively for decades in the treatment of heart failure and arrhythmias despite some controversies over its benefit. For the first time in the literature, we have demonstrated independent association of digoxin therapy with short-term and long-term mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Baran Karataş
- Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Siyami Ersek Hospital, Tıbbıye street, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nizamettin Selçuk Yelgeç
- Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Siyami Ersek Hospital, Tıbbıye street, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yiğit Çanga
- Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Siyami Ersek Hospital, Tıbbıye street, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Ahmet Zengin
- Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Siyami Ersek Hospital, Tıbbıye street, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Emre
- Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Siyami Ersek Hospital, Tıbbıye street, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey
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Singh S, Moore H, Karasik PE, Lam PH, Wopperer S, Arundel C, Tummala L, Anker MS, Faselis C, Deedwania P, Morgan CJ, Zeng Q, Allman RM, Fonarow GC, Ahmed A. Digoxin Initiation and Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure (HFrEF and HFpEF) and Atrial Fibrillation. Am J Med 2020; 133:1460-1470. [PMID: 32603789 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digoxin reduces the risk of heart failure hospitalization but has no effect on mortality in patients with heart failure without atrial fibrillation in the randomized controlled trial setting. Observational studies of digoxin use in patients with atrial fibrillation have suggested a higher risk for poor outcomes. Less is known about this association in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, the examination of which was the objective of the current study. METHODS We conducted an observational propensity score-matched study of predischarge digoxin initiation in 1768 hospitalized patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation in the Medicare-linked Organized Program to Initiate Lifesaving Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure (OPTIMIZE-HF) registry, balanced on 56 baseline characteristics (mean age, 79 years; 55% women; 7% African American). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for outcomes were estimated for the 884 patients initiated on digoxin compared with 884 not initiated on digoxin. RESULTS HRs (95% CIs) for 30-day, 2-year, and 4-year all-cause mortality were 0.80 (0.55-1.18; P = .261), 0.94 (0.87-1.16; P = .936), and 1.01 (0.90-1.14; P = .729), respectively. Respective HRs (95% CIs) for heart failure readmission were 0.67 (0.49-0.92; P = .014), 0.81 (0.69-0.94; P = .005), and 0.85 (0.74-0.97; P = .022), and those for all-cause readmission were 0.78 (0.64-0.96; P = .016), 0.90 (0.81-1.00; P = .057), and 0.91 (0.83-1.01; P = .603). These associations were homogeneous between patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45% vs >45%. CONCLUSIONS Among hospitalized older patients with heart failure (HFrEF and HFpEF) and atrial fibrillation, initiation of digoxin was associated with a lower risk of heart failure readmission but had no association with mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Singh
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC; Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
| | - Hans Moore
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC; Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Pamela E Karasik
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC; George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Phillip H Lam
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC; Georgetown University, Washington, DC; MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC
| | - Samuel Wopperer
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC; Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Cherinne Arundel
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC; Georgetown University, Washington, DC; George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Lakshmi Tummala
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC; Georgetown University, Washington, DC; George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Markus S Anker
- Charité Campus Virchow Klinikum, Berlin, Germany; Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Charles Faselis
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC; George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Prakash Deedwania
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC; University of California, San Francisco
| | - Charity J Morgan
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC; University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Qing Zeng
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC; George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Richard M Allman
- George Washington University, Washington, DC; University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | | | - Ali Ahmed
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC; Georgetown University, Washington, DC; George Washington University, Washington, DC.
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42
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Kodani E, Akao M. Atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention: state of the art-epidemiology and pathophysiology: new risk factors, concepts and controversies. Eur Heart J Suppl 2020; 22:O1-O13. [PMID: 33380940 PMCID: PMC7753870 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suaa176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of thromboembolism, and risk assessment for thromboembolism is necessary for the management of AF patients. CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores have been adopted in international guidelines for AF management, but the significance of each risk factor included in these risk scores are sometimes controversial, and the performance of these scores is only modest. There are several other risk factors not included in the scores such as renal dysfunction, low body weight, type of AF (paroxysmal or non-paroxysmal) as well as echocardiographic parameters and blood biomarkers, and physicians should assess patients risk in an integrated manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eitaro Kodani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nippon Medical School Tama-Nagayama Hospital, 1-7-1, Nagayama, Tama-shi, Tokyo 206-8512, Japan
| | - Masaharu Akao
- Department of Cardiology, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, 1-1, Mukaihata-cho, Fukakusa, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8555, Japan
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43
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Muk B, Vámos M, Bógyi P, Szabó B, Dékány M, Vágány D, Majoros Z, Borsányi T, Duray GZ, Kiss RG, Nyolczas N. The impact of serum concentration-guided digoxin therapy on mortality of heart failure patients: A long-term follow-up, propensity-matched cohort study. Clin Cardiol 2020; 43:1641-1648. [PMID: 33140454 PMCID: PMC7724220 DOI: 10.1002/clc.23500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently published studies suggested that digoxin may increase mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, in the vast majority of former trials serum digoxin concentration (SDC) was not measured and therapy was not SDC-guided. AIM To assess the impact of SDC-guided digoxin therapy on mortality in HFrEF patients. METHODS Data of 580 HFrEF patients were retrospectively analyzed. In patients on digoxin, SDC was measured every 3 months and digoxin dosage was SDC-guided (target SDC: 0.5-0.9 ng/mL). All-cause mortality of digoxin users and nonusers was compared after propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS After 7.1 ± 4.7 years follow-up period (FUP) all-cause mortality of digoxin users (n = 180) was significantly higher than nonusers (n = 297) (propensity-adjusted HR = 1.430; 95% CI = 1.134-1.804; P = .003). Patients having SDC of 0.9 to 1.1 ng/mL (n = 60) or > 1.1 ng/mL (n = 44) at any time during the FUP had an increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.750; 95% CI = 1.257-2.436, P = .001 and HR = 1.687; 95% CI = 1.153-2.466, P = .007), while patients having a maximal SDC < 0.9 ng/mL (n = 76) had similar mortality risk (HR = 1.139; 95% CI = 0.827-1.570, P = .426), compared to digoxin nonusers. CONCLUSIONS According to our propensity-matched analysis, SDC-guided digoxin therapy was associated with increased all-cause mortality in optimally treated HFrEF patients, especially with SDC ≥0.9 ng/mL. These results reinforce the expert opinion that digoxin in HFrEF can only be used among carefully selected patients with close SDC monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Muk
- Dep. of Cardiology, Medical Centre Hungarian Defence Forces, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Máté Vámos
- Department of Medicine and Cardiology Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Bógyi
- Dep. of Cardiology, Medical Centre Hungarian Defence Forces, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Barna Szabó
- Heart-Lung-Physiology Clinic, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Miklós Dékány
- Dep. of Cardiology, Medical Centre Hungarian Defence Forces, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dénes Vágány
- Dep. of Cardiology, Medical Centre Hungarian Defence Forces, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Majoros
- Dep. of Cardiology, Medical Centre Hungarian Defence Forces, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tünde Borsányi
- Dep. of Cardiology, Medical Centre Hungarian Defence Forces, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Zoltán Duray
- Dep. of Cardiology, Medical Centre Hungarian Defence Forces, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Róbert Gábor Kiss
- Dep. of Cardiology, Medical Centre Hungarian Defence Forces, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Noémi Nyolczas
- Dep. of Cardiology, Medical Centre Hungarian Defence Forces, Budapest, Hungary.,Doctoral School of Clinical Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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44
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Digoxin, mortality, and cardiac hospitalizations in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and atrial fibrillation: An AF-CHF analysis. Int J Cardiol 2020; 313:48-54. [PMID: 32320783 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent publications have raised serious concerns regarding the safety of digoxin for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the subgroup of patients with reduced ejection fraction and AF have been speculated to derive clinical benefit from digoxin. We aimed to assess the impact of digoxin on mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations in the Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure (AF-CHF) trial since all AF-CHF patients had an ejection fraction ≤35% and AF. METHODS AND RESULTS Using marginal structural modeling, a contemporary statistical method that overcomes limitations of traditional modeling techniques and reduces bias, we assessed the impact of digoxin on the pre-specified primary and secondary outcomes of the AF-CHF trial, i.e., all-cause, cardiac and arrhythmic death as well as cardiovascular hospitalization. Among 1376 patients, 869 (65%) were on digoxin at one-year follow-up. Over a mean (SD) follow-up of 37 (19) months (maximum 74 months), 445 (32%) patients died, 357 (26%) from cardiovascular causes and 159 (12%) from arrhythmic death. Digoxin was significantly associated with all-cause, cardiac, and arrhythmic death, with estimated hazard ratios (HR) of 1.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-1.73, P = 0.004), 1.44 (95% CI 1.13-1.82, P = 0.003), and 2.03 (95% CI 1.63-2.54, P < 0.0001), respectively. Digoxin was not associated with cardiovascular hospitalizations [HR 1.12 (95% CI 0.91-1.37), P = 0.29]. CONCLUSION Digoxin is associated with increased all-cause mortality among patients with combined heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and AF, which is predominantly driven by arrhythmic deaths. In contrast, cardiovascular hospitalizations were not impacted by digoxin.
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45
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Thomas LE, Yang S, Wojdyla D, Schaubel DE. Matching with time-dependent treatments: A review and look forward. Stat Med 2020; 39:2350-2370. [PMID: 32242973 PMCID: PMC7384144 DOI: 10.1002/sim.8533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Observational studies of treatment effects attempt to mimic a randomized experiment by balancing the covariate distribution in treated and control groups, thus removing biases related to measured confounders. Methods such as weighting, matching, and stratification, with or without a propensity score, are common in cross‐sectional data. When treatments are initiated over longitudinal follow‐up, a target pragmatic trial can be emulated using appropriate matching methods. The ideal experiment of interest is simple; patients would be enrolled sequentially, randomized to one or more treatments and followed subsequently. This tutorial defines a class of longitudinal matching methods that emulate this experiment and provides a review of existing variations, with guidance regarding study design, execution, and analysis. These principles are illustrated in application to the study of statins on cardiovascular outcomes in the Framingham Offspring cohort. We identify avenues for future research and highlight the relevance of this methodology to high‐quality comparative effectiveness studies in the era of big
data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laine E Thomas
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Siyun Yang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Daniel Wojdyla
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Douglas E Schaubel
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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46
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Ferrari F, Santander IRMF, Stein R. Digoxin in Atrial Fibrillation: An Old Topic Revisited. Curr Cardiol Rev 2020; 16:141-146. [PMID: 31237216 PMCID: PMC7460705 DOI: 10.2174/1573403x15666190618110941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Digoxin has been used for more than 50 years in patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF), with the goal of Controlling Heart Rate (HR) and restoring sinus rhythm. In the last two decades, several studies have correlated therapeutic use of digoxin with increased mortality. However, such studies have potential biases that cannot be disregarded, mainly because they are cross-sectional experiments or post-hoc analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). Despite uncertainties regarding the safety of digoxin in this setting, it remains one of the most prescribed drugs for AF worldwide. On the other hand, the absence of any RCTs designed to evaluate mortality makes a definitive conclusion more difficult to reach; therefore, this medication must be used with care. In this review, we explored the therapeutic use of digoxin in the context of AF, discussed mortality data by means of critical analysis in the light of the best available evidence, and position ourselves in relation to more rigorous control of serum levels of this drug in daily practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Ferrari
- Graduate Program in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Exercise Cardiology Research Group (CardioEx) HCPA/UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Stein
- Graduate Program in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Exercise Cardiology Research Group (CardioEx) HCPA/UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,School of Medicine, HCPA/UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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47
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Shao XH, Yang YM, Zhu J, Yu LT, Liu LS. Increased mortality in patients with secondary diagnosis of atrial fibrillation: Report from Chinese AF registry. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2020; 25:e12774. [PMID: 32667718 PMCID: PMC7507354 DOI: 10.1111/anec.12774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The relationship between mortality and the primary diagnosis in AF patients is poorly recognized. The purpose of the study is to compare the differences on mortality in patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of AF and to identify risk factors amenable to treatment. Methods This was a prospective cohort study using data from the Chinese AF registry. For admitted patients, a follow‐up was completed to obtain the outcomes during 1 year. Results A total of 2015 patients with confirmed AF were included. AF was the primary diagnosis in 40.9% (n = 825) of them. 78.9% (n = 939) of the secondary AF diagnosis patients and 55.5% (n = 458) of the primary AF diagnosis patients were sustained AF. Compared with primary AF diagnosis group, the secondary AF diagnosis group was older with more comorbidities. At 1 year, the unadjusted mortality was much higher in the secondary AF diagnosis groups compared with the primary AF diagnosis groups. In Cox regression analysis with adjustment for confounding factors, patients with secondary AF diagnosis were associated with an increased mortality (relative risk 1.723; 95% CI: 1.283 to 2.315, p < .001). On multivariate analysis, age ≥ 75, LVSD, COPD, and diabetes were independent predictors of mortality in patients with primary AF diagnosis, while for the secondary AF diagnosis group, the risk factors were age ≥ 75, heart failure, and previous history of stroke. Conclusions Patients presenting to ED with secondary diagnosis of AF were suffering from higher mortality risks compared with primary AF diagnosis patients. Physicians should distinguish these two groups in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Hui Shao
- Emergency and Intensive Care Center, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy Of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Min Yang
- Emergency and Intensive Care Center, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy Of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhu
- Emergency and Intensive Care Center, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy Of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Tian Yu
- Emergency and Intensive Care Center, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy Of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Sheng Liu
- Emergency and Intensive Care Center, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy Of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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48
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Karataş MB, Çanga Y, Yelgeç NS, Zengin A, Güzelburç Ö, Eren S, Emre A. Modified SAMe-TT 2R 2 score for predicting the therapeutic range of digoxin. Herz 2020; 46:359-366. [PMID: 32632549 DOI: 10.1007/s00059-020-04965-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digoxin treatment has come under scrutiny in recent years after reports from several studies that it is associated with increased mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The clinical effects of digoxin on mortality were closely related to serum digoxin concentrations (SDC) in these studies. In the present work, we evaluated the role of the SAMe-TT2R2 and modified SAMe-TT2R2 scores in predicting the therapeutic range of digoxin therapy. METHODS Medical records from our institution were screened for patients who were under digoxin treatment between 2008 and 2018. A total of 2418 patients for whom SDC were recorded were included in the study. An SDC of <0.5 or >1.2 ng/ml was defined as being out of the therapeutic range (oTR). RESULTS In multivariable regression analyses, abnormal body mass index (odds ratio [OR]: 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29-1.95, p < 0.01), white blood cell count (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01-1.27, p < 0.01), and the modified SAMe-TT2R2 score (OR: 4.19 95% CI: 3.71-4.72, p < 0.01) were determined to be independent predictors of oTR. A modified SAMe-TT2R2 score greater than 3 predicted oTR with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 65% (AUC: 0.825, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Digoxin is still widely used in the treatment of heart failure and AF despite concerns about the increased risk of mortality when levels are oTR. In the present study, the modified SAMe-TT2R2 score was found to be an independent predictor of oTR. This score may aid clinicians in identifying patients who are more likely to benefit from digoxin therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Baran Karataş
- Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yiğit Çanga
- Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Istanbul, Turkey. .,Siyami Ersek Hospital, Tıbbıye street, Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey.
| | - Nizamettin Selçuk Yelgeç
- Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Zengin
- Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Özge Güzelburç
- Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Semih Eren
- Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Emre
- Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Center, Istanbul, Turkey
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49
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Rivinius R, Helmschrott M, Rahm AK, Darche FF, Thomas D, Bruckner T, Doesch AO, Ehlermann P, Katus HA, Zitron E. Combined amiodarone and digitalis therapy before heart transplantation is associated with increased post-transplant mortality. ESC Heart Fail 2020; 7:2082-2092. [PMID: 32608191 PMCID: PMC7524115 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.12807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Amiodarone and digitalis are frequently used drugs in patients with heart failure. Both have separately been linked to reduced post‐transplant survival, but their combined impact on mortality after HTX remains uncertain. This study investigated the effects of combined amiodarone and digitalis use before HTX on post‐transplant outcomes. Methods and results This registry study analysed 600 patients receiving HTX at Heidelberg Heart Center between 1989 and 2016. Patients were stratified by amiodarone and digitalis use before HTX. Analysis included patient characteristics, medication, echocardiographic features, heart rates, permanent pacemaker implantation, atrial fibrillation, and post‐transplant survival including causes of death. One hundred eighteen patients received amiodarone before HTX (19.7%), hereof 67 patients with digitalis (56.8%) and 51 patients without digitalis before HTX (43.2%). Patients with and without amiodarone before HTX showed a similar 1 year post‐transplant survival (72.0% vs. 78.4%, P = 0.11), but patients with combined amiodarone and digitalis before HTX had a worse 1 year post‐transplant survival (64.2%, P = 0.01), along with a higher percentage of death due to transplant failure (P = 0.03). Echocardiographic analysis of these patients showed a higher percentage of an enlarged right ventricle (P = 0.02), left atrium (P = 0.02), left ventricle (P = 0.03), and a higher rate of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.03). Multivariate analysis indicated combined amiodarone and digitalis use before HTX as a significant risk factor for 1 year mortality after HTX (hazard ratio: 1.69; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–2.77; P = 0.04). Conclusions Combined pre‐transplant amiodarone and digitalis therapy is associated with increased post‐transplant mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Rivinius
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany.,Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders (HCR), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Helmschrott
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Rahm
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany.,Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders (HCR), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabrice F Darche
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany.,Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders (HCR), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dierk Thomas
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany.,Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders (HCR), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tom Bruckner
- Institute for Medical Biometry and Informatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas O Doesch
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany.,Department of Pneumology and Oncology, Asklepios Hospital, Bad Salzungen, Germany
| | - Philipp Ehlermann
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hugo A Katus
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany.,Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders (HCR), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Edgar Zitron
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany.,Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders (HCR), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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50
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Potpara TS, Simovic S, Pavlovic N, Nedeljkovic M, Paparisto V, Music L, Goshev E, Loncar D, Popescu R, Manola S, Kusljugic Z, Trendafilova E, Dan GA, Lip GYH. Stroke prevention in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in the BALKAN-AF survey. Eur J Clin Invest 2020; 50:e13200. [PMID: 31953953 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common amongst the elderly, but this group tends to be suboptimally treated. Limited data are available on the stroke prevention strategies in the elderly, especially in the Balkan region. AIM We investigated the use of oral anticoagulant therapy (OAC) amongst elderly AF patients in clinical practice in the Balkan region. METHOD A 12-week prospective snapshot survey (2014-2015) of consecutive non-valvular AF patients was conducted in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia. Data were collected via an electronic case report form. RESULTS Of 2671 patients, 418 (15.6%) were ≥80 years old. Overall, OAC was used in 1965 patients (73.6%). Compared with younger patients, the elderly (age ≥ 80) had a higher mean CHA2 DS2 -VASc score (3.22 ± 1.71 vs 4.89 ± 1.35, P < .001) and more often a HAS-BLED score of ≥3 (n = 198 [47.0%] vs n = 625 [27.3%], P < .001), but were less likely to receive OAC (n = 269 [64.4%] vs n = 1696 [75.3%], odds ratio [OR] 0.91; 95%CI 0.86-0.97, P = .003). There was no significant association between OAC use and mean CHA2 DS2 -VASc (OR 0.86; 95%CI 0.75-1.00, P = .053) or HAS-BLED score (OR 1.21; 95%CI 0.81-1.81, P = .349) in the elderly. CONCLUSION In the BALKAN-AF Survey, elderly AF patients were less likely to receive the guideline-adherent treatment despite their less favourable risk profile. Since OAC nonuse among the elderly was not associated with increased HAS-BLED score, factors other than patients' risk profile could influence the implementation of guideline-adherent treatment for thromboprophylaxis in the elderly AF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana S Potpara
- Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.,School of Medicine, Belgrade University, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Stefan Simovic
- Cardiology Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | | | - Milan Nedeljkovic
- Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.,School of Medicine, Belgrade University, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vilma Paparisto
- Clinic of Cardiology, University Hospital Center Mother Theresa, Tirana, Albania
| | - Ljilja Music
- Cardiology Clinic, Medical Faculty, University Clinical Center of Montenegro, University of Podgorica, Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Evgenii Goshev
- National Heart Hospital, Coronary Care Unit, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Daniela Loncar
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Intensive Care and Therapy, University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Raluca Popescu
- Cardiology Department, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sime Manola
- Clinical Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zumreta Kusljugic
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Cardiology Department, Medical Faculty, University Clinical Center Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | - Gheorghe-Andrei Dan
- Medicine University "Carol Davila", Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- School of Medicine, Belgrade University, Belgrade, Serbia.,Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
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