Time in target range of systolic blood pressure and clinical outcomes in atrial fibrillation patients: results of the COOL-AF registry

We aimed to investigate the relationship between time in target range of systolic blood pressure (SBP-TTr) and clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We analyzed the results from multicenter AF registry in Thailand. Blood pressure was recorded at baseline and at every 6 monthly follow-up visit. SBP-TTr were calculated using the Rosendaal method, based on a target SBP 120–140 mmHg. The outcomes were death, ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (SSE), major bleeding, and heart failure. A total of 3355 patients were studied (mean age 67.8 years; 41.9% female). Average follow-up time was 32.1 ± 8.3 months. SBP-TTr was classified into 3 groups according to the tertiles. The incidence rates of all-cause death, SSE, major bleeding, and heart failure were 3.90 (3.51–4.34), 1.52 (1.27–1.80), 2.2 (1.90–2.53), and 2.83 (2.49–3.21) per 100 person-years, respectively. Patients in the 3rd tertile of SBP-TTr had lower rates of death, major bleeding and heart failure with adjusted hazard ratios 0.62 (0.48–0.80), p &lt; 0.001, 0.64 (0.44–0.92), p = 0.016, and 0.61 (0.44–0.84), p = 0.003, respectively, compared to 1st SBP-TTr tertile. In conclusion, high SBP-TTr was associated with better clinical outcomes compared to other groups with lower SBP-TTr. This underscores the importance of good blood pressure control in AF patients.</p

Predicting Heart Failure in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Report from the Prospective COOL-AF Registry

Background: This study aimed to determine risk factors and incidence rate and develop a predictive risk model for heart failure for Asian patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: This is a prospective multicenter registry of patients with non-valvular AF in Thailand conducted between 2014 and 2017. The primary outcome was the occurrence of an HF event. A predictive model was developed using a multivariable Cox-proportional model. The predictive model was assessed using C-index, D-statistics, Calibration plot, Brier test, and survival analysis. Results: There were a total of 3402 patients (average age 67.4 years, 58.2% male) with mean follow-up duration of 25.7 ± 10.6 months. Heart failure occurred in 218 patients during follow-up, representing an incidence rate of 3.03 (2.64–3.46) per 100 person-years. There were ten HF clinical factors in the model. The predictive model developed from these factors had a C-index and D-statistic of 0.756 (95% CI: 0.737–0.775) and 1.503 (95% CI: 1.372–1.634), respectively. The calibration plots showed a good agreement between the predicted and observed model with the calibration slope of 0.838. The internal validation was confirmed using the bootstrap method. The Brier score indicated that the model had a good prediction for HF. Conclusions: We provide a validated clinical HF predictive model for patients with AF, with good prediction and discrimination values

Influence of gender on the clinical outcomes of Asian non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients: insights from the prospective multicentre COOL-AF registry

Objective To determine the effect of gender on clinical outcomes of Asian non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients.Design This is a cohort study.Setting 27 university and regional hospitals in Thailand.Participants Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.Primary and secondary outcomes measures The clinical outcomes were ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA), major bleeding, intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), heart failure and death. Follow-up data were recorded every 6 months until 3 years. Differences in clinical outcomes between males and females were determined. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the effect of gender on clinical outcomes. Survival analysis and log-rank test were performed to determine the time-dependent effect of clinical outcomes, and the difference between males and females. Effect of oral anticoagulant (OAC) on outcomes and net clinical benefit of OAC was assessed. The analysis was performed both for the whole dataset and propensity score matching with multiple imputation.Results A total of 3402 patients (mean age: 67.4±11.3 years; 58.2% male) were included. Average follow-up duration 25.7±10.6 months (7192.6 persons-year). Rate of ischaemic stroke/TIA, major bleeding, ICH, heart failure and death were 1.43 (1.17–1.74), 2.11 (1.79–2.48), 0.70 (0.52–0.92), 3.03 (2.64–3.46) and 3.77 (3.33–4.25) per 100 person-years. Females had increased risk for ischaemic stroke/TIA and heart failure and males had increased risk for major bleeding and ICH. Ischaemic stroke/TIA risk in females and major bleeding and ICH risk in males remained even after correction for age, comorbid conditions and anticoagulation treatment. OAC reduced the risk of ischaemic stroke/TIA in males and females, and markedly increased the risk of major bleeding and ICH in males.Conclusions Females had a higher risk of ischaemic stroke/TIA and heart failure, and a lower risk of major bleeding and ICH compared with males. OAC reduced risk of ischaemic stroke/TIA in females, and markedly increased risk of major bleeding and ICH in males

Risk profiles and pattern of antithrombotic use in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in Thailand: a multicenter study

Abstract Background Anticoagulation therapy is a standard treatment for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) that have risk factors for stroke. However, anticoagulant increases the risk of bleeding, especially in Asians. We aimed to investigate the risk profiles and pattern of antithrombotic use in patients with NVAF in Thailand, and to study the reasons for not using warfarin in this patient population. Methods A nationwide multicenter registry of patients with NVAF was created that included data from 24 hospitals located across Thailand. Demographic data, atrial fibrillation-related data, comorbid conditions, use of antithrombotic drugs, and reasons for not using warfarin were collected. Data were recorded in a case record form and then transferred into a web-based system. Results A total of 3218 patients were included. Average age was 67.3 ± 11.3 years, and 58.2% were male. Average CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED score was 1.8 ± 1.3, 3.0 ± 1.7, and 1.5 ± 1.0, respectively. Antiplatelet was used in 26.5% of patients, whereas anticoagulant was used in 75.3%. The main reasons for not using warfarin in those with CHA2DS2-VASc ≥2 included already taking antiplatelet (26.6%), patient preference (23.1%), and using non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) (22.7%). Anticoagulant was used in 32.3% of CHA2DS2-VASc 0, 56.8% of CHA2DS2-VASc 1, and 81.6% of CHA2DS2-VASc ≥2. The use of NOACs increased from 1.9% in 2014 to 25.6% in 2017. Conclusions Anticoagulation therapy was prescribed in 75.3% of patients with NVAF. Among those receiving anticoagulant, 90.9% used warfarin and 9.1% used NOACs. The use of NOACs increased over time