Thromboembolic risk and effect of oral anticoagulation according to atrial fibrillation patterns: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is recommended in both paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pxAF) and nonparoxysmal AF (non-pxAF), but disagreement exists in classes of recommendation. Data on incidence/rate of stroke in pxAF are conflicting, and OAC is often underused in this population. The objectives of the meta-analysis were to investigate different impact on outcomes of pxAF and non-pxAF, with and without OAC. Two reviewers searched for prospective studies on risk of stroke and systemic embolism (SE) in pxAF and non-pxAF, with and without OAC. Quality of evidence was assessed according to GRADE approach. Stroke combined with SE was the main outcome. Meta-regression was performed to evaluate OAC effect on stroke and SE incidence rate. We identified 18 studies. For a total of 239 528 patient-year

SUBMITTER: Lilli A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6490401 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature