Dataset Information

Fibrillatory wave amplitude and thromboembolic risk in non-anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The benefit of oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation (AF) is well established for patients at elevated stroke risk, but less clear for those at intermediate risk. We investigated whether analysis of electrocardiogram (ECG) derived fibrillatory waves (F-waves) could help identify patients at risk for stroke and systemic embolism (SSE).

Methods

The Finnish Cardioversion (FinCV) study included patients not on permanent anticoagulation therapy who underwent cardioversion for an acute AF episode. We identified 739 individuals with a valid ECG and complete follow-up data. The maximum amplitudes of the F-waves in leads II and V1 were manually measured from the pre-procedure ECG. Patients were categorized into fine and coarse F-wave groups. The optimal lead and amplitude threshold for grouping were found in an events per person-years analysis. SSE were identified from the patient medical records until either anticoagulation was prescribed, AF was deemed chronic, the patient had deceased, or the end of follow-up.

Results

Overall 37 (5.0%) patients suffered SSE during the median follow-up time of 5.4 years (1.9-10.8). Measured from lead V1 the SSE rates per 100 person-years were 1.5 and 0.7 in fine and coarse F-wave groups, respectively. Fine F-waves were observed in 112 (15.2%). Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. Fine F-wave predicted SSE in a competing risk analysis (SHR 2.34, 95%CI 1.12-4.87, p = .023). Analyses from lead II did not provide significant results.

Conclusion

Electrocardiographic F-wave amplitude may provide additional information on stroke risk in patients with paroxysmal AF and borderline indications or contraindications for anticoagulation.

SUBMITTER: Relander A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10866044 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Fibrillatory wave amplitude and thromboembolic risk in non-anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation.

Relander Arto A Jaakkola Samuli S Virri Hilla H Niemelä Eelis E Vasankari Tuija T Nuotio Ilpo I Airaksinen K E Juhani KEJ Kiviniemi Tuomas T

Annals of medicine 20240213 1

<h4>Background</h4>The benefit of oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation (AF) is well established for patients at elevated stroke risk, but less clear for those at intermediate risk. We investigated whether analysis of electrocardiogram (ECG) derived fibrillatory waves (F-waves) could help identify patients at risk for stroke and systemic embolism (SSE).<h4>Methods</h4>The Finnish Cardioversion (FinCV) study included patients not on permanent anticoagulation therapy who underwent cardiovers ...[more]

PMID: 38350436

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Project description:ObjectivesWe identified factors associated with thromboembolic and bleeding events in two contemporary cohorts of anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), treated with either vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs).DesignProspective, multicentre observational study.Setting461 centres in seven European countries.Participants5310 patients receiving a VKA (PREvention oF thromboembolic events - European Registry in Atrial Fibrillation (PREFER in AF), derivation cohort) and 3156 patients receiving a NOAC (PREFER in AF Prolongation, validation cohort) for stroke prevention in AF.Outcome measuresRisk factors for thromboembolic events (ischaemic stroke, systemic embolism) and major bleeding (gastrointestinal bleeding, intracerebral haemorrhage and other life-threatening bleeding).ResultsThe mean age of patients enrolled in the PREFER in AF registry was 72±10 years, 40% were female and the mean CHA2DS2-VASc Score was 3.5±1.7. The incidence of thromboembolic and major bleeding events was 2.34% (95% CI 1.93% to 2.74%) and 2.84% (95% CI 2.41% to 3.33%) after 1-year of follow-up, respectively.Abnormal liver function, prior stroke or transient ischaemic attack, labile international normalised ratio (INR), concomitant therapy with antiplatelet or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heart failure and older age (≥75 years) were independently associated with both thromboembolic and major bleeding events.With the exception of unstable INR values, these risk factors were validated in patients treated with NOACs (PREFER in AF Prolongation Study, 72±9 years, 40% female, CHA2DS2-VASc 3.3±1.6). For each single point decrease on a modifiable bleeding risk scale we observed a 30% lower risk for major bleeding events (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.76, p<0.01) and a 28% lower rate of thromboembolic events (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.82, p<0.01).ConclusionAttending to modifiable risk factors is an important treatment target in anticoagulated AF patients to reduce thromboembolic and bleeding events. Initiation of anticoagulation in those at risk of stroke should not be prevented by elevated bleeding risk scores.

Dataset Information

Fibrillatory wave amplitude and thromboembolic risk in non-anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Fibrillatory wave amplitude and thromboembolic risk in non-anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation.

Similar Datasets

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