Combination of Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Heart Disease in Patients in Clinical Practice: Comorbidities, Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes (Data from the REСVASA Registries)

Aim. Assess the structure of comorbid conditions, cardiovascular pharmacotherapy and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) included in the outpatient and hospital RECVASA registries.Materials and methods. 3169 patients with AF were enrolled in outpatient RECVASA (Ryazan), RECVASA AF-Yaroslavl registries and hospital RECVASA AF (Moscow, Kursk, Tula). 2497 (78.8%) registries of patients with AF had CAD and 703 (28.2%) of them had a previous myocardial infarction (MI).Results. There were 2,497 patients with a combination of AF and CAD (age was 72.2±9.9 years; 43.1% of men; CHA2DS2-VASc – 4.57±1.61 points; HAS-BLED – 1.60±0,75 points), and the group with AF without CAD included 672 patients (age was 66.0±12.3 years; 43.2% of men; CHA2DS2-VASc – 3.26±1.67 points; HAS-BLED – 1,11±0.74 points). Patients with CAD were on average 6.2 years older and had a higher risk of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications (p<0.05). 703 patients with a combination of AF and CAD had the previous myocardial infarction (MI; age was 72.3±9.5 years; 55.2% of men; CHA2DS2-VASc – 4.57±1.61; HAS-BLED – 1.65±0.76), and 1794 patients didn't have previous MI (age was 72.2±10.0 years; 38.4% of men; CHA2DS2-VASc – 4.30±1.50; HAS-BLED – 1.58±0.78). The proportion of men was 1.4 times higher among those with the previous MI. Patients with a combination of AF and CAD significantly more often (p <0.0001) than in the absence of CAD received a diagnosis of hypertension (93.8% and 78.6%), chronic heart failure (90.1% and 51.2%), diabetes mellitus (21.4% and 13.8%), chronic kidney disease (24.8% and 17.7%), as well as anemia (7.0% and 3.0%; p=0.001). Patients with and without the previous MI had the only significant difference in the form of a diabetes mellitus higher incidence having the previous MI (27% versus 19.2%, p=0.0008). The frequency of proper cardiovascular pharmacotherapy was insufficient, mainly in the presence of CAD (67.8%) than in its absence (74.5%), especially the prescription of anticoagulants (39.1% and 66.2%; p <0.0001), as well as in the presence of the previous MI (63.3%) than in its absence (74.3%). The presence of CAD and, in particular, the previous MI, was significantly associated with a higher risk of death (risk ratio [RR]=1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] was 1.33-1.88; p <0.001 and RR=1.59; 95% CI was 1.33-1.90; p <0.001), as well as with a higher risk of developing a combined cardiovascular endpoint (RR=1.88; 95% CI was 1.17-3 , 00; p <0.001 and RR=1.75; 95% CI was 1.44-2.12; p<0.001, respectively).Conclusion. 78.8% of patients from AF registries in 5 regions of Russia were diagnosed with CAD, of which 28.2% had previously suffered myocardial infarction. Patients with a combination of AF and CAD more often than in the absence of CAD had hypertension, chronic heart failure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and anemia. Patients with the previous MI had higher incidence of diabetes than those without the previous MI. The frequency of proper cardiovascular pharmacotherapy was insufficient, and to a greater extent in the presence of CAD and the previous MI than in their absence. All-cause mortality was recorded in patients with a combination of AF and CAD more often than in the absence of CAD. All-cause mortality and the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction were higher in patients with AF and the previous MI than in those without the previous MI. The presence of CAD and, in particular, the previous MI, was significantly associated with a higher risk of death, as well as a higher risk of developing a combined cardiovascular endpoint

Patients with a Combination of Atrial Fibrillation and Chronic Heart Failure in Clinical Practice: Comorbidities, Drug Treatment and Outcomes

Aim. To assess in clinical practice the structure of multimorbidity, cardiovascular pharmacotherapy and outcomes in patients with a combination of atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic heart failure (CHF) based on prospective registries of patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD).Materials and Methods. The data of 3795 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were analyzed within the registries RECVASA (Ryazan), RECVASA FP (Moscow, Kursk, Tula, Yaroslavl), REGION-PO and REGION-LD (Ryazan), REGION-Moscow, REGATA (Ryazan). The comparison groups consisted of 3016 (79.5%) patients with AF in combination with CHF and 779 (29.5%) patients with AF without CHF. The duration of prospective observation is from 2 to 6 years.Results. Patients with a combination of AF and CHF (n=3016, age was 72.0±10.3 years; 41.8% of men) compared with patients with AF without CHF (n=779, age was 70.3±12.0 years; 43.5% of men) had a higher risk of thromboembolic complications (CHA2DS2-VASc – 4.68±1.59 and 3.10±1.50; p<0.001) and hemorrhagic complications (HAS-BLED – 1.59±0.77 and 1.33±0.76; p<0.05). Patients with a combination of AF and CHF significantly more often (p<0.001) than in the absence of CHF were diagnosed with arterial hypertension (93.9% and 83.8%), coronary heart disease (87.9% and 53,5%), myocardial infarction (28.4% and 14.0%), diabetes mellitus (22.4% and 7.7%), chronic kidney disease (24.8% and 16.2%), as well as respiratory diseases (20.1% and 15.3%; p=0.002). Patients with AF in the presence of CHF, compared with patients without CHF, were more often diagnosed with a permanent form of arrhythmia (49.3% and 32.9%; p<0.001) and less often paroxysmal (22.5% and 46.2%; p<0.001) form  of  arrhythmia.  Ejection  fraction  ≤40%  (9.3%  and  1.2%;  p<0.001),  heart  rate  ≥90/min  (23.7% and 19.3%; p=0.008) and blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg (59.9% and 52.2%; p<0.001) were recorded with AF in the presence of CHF more often than in the absence of CHF. The frequency of proper cardiovascular pharmacotherapy was higher, albeit insufficient, in the presence of CHF (64.9%) than in the absence of it (56.1%), but anticoagulants were prescribed less frequently when AF and CHF were combined (38.8% and  49, 0%; p<0.001). The frequency of unreasonable prescription of antiplatelet agents instead of anticoagulants was 52.5% and 33.3% (p<0.001) in the combination of AF, CHF and coronary heart disease, as well as in the combination of AF with coronary heart disease but without CHF. Patients with AF and CHF during the observation period compared with those without CHF had higher mortality from all causes (37.6% and 30.3%; p=0.001), the frequency of non-fatal cerebral stroke (8.2% and 5.4%; p=0.032) and myocardial infarction (4.7% and 2.5%; p=0.036), hospitalizations for CVD (22.8% and 15.5%; p<0.001).Conclusion. Patients with a combination of AF and CHF, compared with the group of patients with AF without CHF, were older, had a higher risk of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications, they were more often diagnosed with other concomitant cardiovascular and chronic noncardiac diseases, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, tachysystole, failure to achieve the target blood pressure level in the presence of arterial hypertension. The frequency of prescribing proper cardiovascular pharmacotherapy was higher, albeit insufficient, in the presence of CHF, while the frequency of prescribing anticoagulants was less. The  incidence of mortality from all causes, the development of non-fatal myocardial infarction   and cerebral stroke, as well as the incidence of hospitalizations for CVDs were higher in AF associated with CHF

Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Clinical Practice: Comorbidity, Drug Treatment and Outcomes (Data from RECVASA Registries)

Aim. To study comorbidity, drug therapy and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) included in the outpatient and hospital RECVASA registries.Material and methods. Patients with AF (n=3169; age 70.9±10.7 years; 43.1% of men) in whom comorbidity, drug therapy, short-term and longterm outcomes (follow-up period from 2 to 6 years) were included in hospital registers RECVASA AF (Moscow, Kursk, Tula), as well as outpatient registers RECVASA (Ryazan) and RECVASA AF-Yaroslavl.Results. Outpatient registries (n=934), as compared to hospital registries (n=2235), had a higher average age of patients (73.4±10.9 vs 69.9±10.5; p<0.05), the proportion of women ( 66.2% vs 53.0%; p<0.0001) and patients with combination of 3-4 cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including AF (98.0% vs 81.7%, p<0.0001), and also with chronic noncardiac diseases (81.5% vs 63.5%, p<0.0001), the risk of thromboembolic complications (CHA2DS2-VASc 4.65±1.58 vs 4.15±1.71; p<0.05) and hemorrhagic complications (HAS-BLED 1.69±0.75 vs 1.41±0.77; p<0.05), as well as a lower frequency of prescribing appropriate pharmacotherapy for CVD (55.6% vs 74.6%, p<0.0001). During the observation period, 633 (20.0%) patients died, and in 61.8% of cases - from cardiovascular causes. The mortality rate in one year in Moscow was 3.7%, in Yaroslavl - 9.7%, in Ryazan - 10.7%, in Kursk - 12.5% (on average for four registers - 10.3%). A higher risk of death (1.5-2.7 times) was significantly associated with age, male sex, persistent AF, history of myocardial infarction (MI) and acute cerebrovascular accident (ACVE), diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive disease lungs (COPD), heart rate>80 bpm, systolic blood pressure <110 mm Hg, decreased hemoglobin level. A lower risk of death (1.2-2.4 times) was associated with the prescription of anticoagulants, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), betablockers, statins. The number of cases of stroke and MI was, respectively, 5.1 and 9.4 times less than the number of deaths from all causes. The higher risk of stroke in patients with AF during follow-up was significantly associated with female sex (risk ratio [RR]=1.61), permanent AF (RR=1.85), history of MI (RR=1.68) and ACVA (RR=2.69), HR>80 bpm (RR=1.50). Anticoagulant prescription in women was associated with a lower risk of ACVA (if adjusted for age: RR=0.54; p=0.04), in contrast to men (RR=1.11; p=0.79).Conclusion. The majority of patients with AF registries in 5 regions of Russia had a combination of three or more cardiovascular diseases (73.9%), as well as chronic non-cardiac diseases (68.8%). The frequency of proper cardiovascular pharmacotherapy was insufficient (68.6%), especially at the outpatient stage (55.6%). Over the observation period (2-6 years), the average mortality per year was 10.3%, but at the same time it differed significantly in the regions (from 3.7% in Moscow to 9.7-12.5% in Yaroslavl, Ryazan and Kursk). Cardiovascular causes of deaths occurred in 62%. A higher risk of death (1.5-2.7 times) was associated with a history of stroke and MI, diabetes mellitus, COPD, heart rate>80 bpm, systolic blood pressure <110 mm Hg, decreased hemoglobin level. However, the risk of death decreased by 1.2-2.4 times in cases of prescription of anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors / ARBs, beta-blockers and statins. The risk of ACVA and MI was the highest in the presence of the history of this event (2.7 and 2.6 times, respectively). Anticoagulant prescription was significantly associated with a reduced risk of stroke in women

ROLE OF THE ANTIPLATELET DRUGS IN TREATMENT OF STABLE ANGINA: COMMON SENSE AND NON-RESOLVED ISSUES

Stable angina pectoris is the most prevalent type of ischemic heart disease. In its treatment, the main role play drugs that block adhesion and aggreagation of platelets — antiaggregants. Their role in prevention of cardiovascular complications in this kind of patients was confirmed by multiple large clinical trials. However, there is a plenty of antiaggregants with various mechanisms of effect, only two of them: acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel currently are recommended for continuous use for patients with stable IHD. Acetylsalicylic acid is in priority, and clopidogrel as an alternative in its intolerance. At the same time, lower prevalence of side effects, common for clopidogrel, makes the use of the drug more attractive. Many generics of the both drugs, invented recently, actualizes the comparative studies of these forms with the originals

Patients with atrial fibrillation in outpatient practice: clinical characteristics and outcomes over a 10-year observation period (data from the REQUAZA AF registrу — Yaroslavl)

Aim. To present clinical characteristics and assess serious adverse outcomes (death, acute cardiovascular events) in outpatients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in one of the Yaroslavl clinics for 10 years.Material and methods. A total of 212 patients with AF aged from 23 to 94 years were included in the REQUAZA AF registrу — Yaroslavl at the first visit to the clinic in 2013. Their health status was monitored over 10,5 years through in-person visits, phone contacts with patients, their relatives, and treating physicians. Recorded data included the AF type, comorbid conditions, extent and quality of examinations and treatments, development of serious adverse events, and mortality. Statistical processing was carried out using the Microsoft Office 365 application software package.Results. Most patients (66,5%) were diagnosed with persistent AF. Paroxysmal, persistent, and newly detected forms were observed in 26,4%, 3,8%, and 3,3% of patients, respectively. Most AF patients had concomitant cardiovascular diseases, most frequently hypertension (96,7%), heart failure (91,6%), and coronary artery disease (91,2%). A total of 54 patients (25,5%) had prior stroke or transient ischemic attack. Complete information was obtained for 203 patients (95,8%), of which 164 (78,5%) passed away during the follow-up period. The leading death cause was cardiovascular disease, particularly cerebrovascular events (n=111; 67,7%). The highest mortality was recorded within the first two years of follow-up, during which more than a quarter (25,1%) of the registered patients had died. The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly affect the mortality rates. The most common AF complications were stroke and transient ischemic attack, with a total of 74 episodes in the history and follow-up period, including 7 recurrences.Conclusion. Ambulatory AF patients represent a group with a high frequency of cardiovascular events and fatal outcomes. In the observed group of ambulatory AF patients, annual mortality exceeded 10%, and over 3/4 of patients died within 10 years. The leading death cause was cardiovascular disease, primarily cerebrovascular events

AN OUTPATIENT WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: KEY FEATURES. THE FIRST DATA OF REKVAZA FP - YAROSLAVL REGISTER

Aim. To study the clinical forms of atrial fibrillation (AF), cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities in these patients; to perform monitoring of complications and mortality in AF; to assess the quality of diagnosis and treatment of AF in real outpatient practice.Material and methods. The register of patients with AF, visited an outpatient clinic of Yaroslavl from 01 January to 31 December 2013, was created. Quality of AF patient examination in the outpatient clinic was assessed. Morbidity and mortality of these patients were monitoring during 12 months by the contacts with patients, their relatives and doctors in charge.Results. The typical patient with AF has advanced age, mainly permanent AF and compromised history of cardiovascular diseases. 12-month monitoring of 212 outpatients with AF showed high mortality and the need for hospitalization due to cardiovascular diseases in this group. A total number of these patients was 99 or 46.7% of patients included into the register.Conclusion. The irregularity of observation and the lack of examination of patients with AF may be the reasons of the increased rates of mortality and complications in this group of outpatients.</p

AN OUTPATIENT WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: KEY FEATURES. THE FIRST DATA OF REKVAZA FP - YAROSLAVL REGISTER

Aim. To study the clinical forms of atrial fibrillation (AF), cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities in these patients; to perform monitoring of complications and mortality in AF; to assess the quality of diagnosis and treatment of AF in real outpatient practice.Material and methods. The register of patients with AF, visited an outpatient clinic of Yaroslavl from 01 January to 31 December 2013, was created. Quality of AF patient examination in the outpatient clinic was assessed. Morbidity and mortality of these patients were monitoring during 12 months by the contacts with patients, their relatives and doctors in charge.Results. The typical patient with AF has advanced age, mainly permanent AF and compromised history of cardiovascular diseases. 12-month monitoring of 212 outpatients with AF showed high mortality and the need for hospitalization due to cardiovascular diseases in this group. A total number of these patients was 99 or 46.7% of patients included into the register.Conclusion. The irregularity of observation and the lack of examination of patients with AF may be the reasons of the increased rates of mortality and complications in this group of outpatients

AN OUTPATIENT WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: KEY FEATURES. THE FIRST DATA OF REKVAZA FP - YAROSLAVL REGISTER

Aim. To study the clinical forms of atrial fibrillation (AF), cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities in these patients; to perform monitoring of complications and mortality in AF; to assess the quality of diagnosis and treatment of AF in real outpatient practice.Material and methods. The register of patients with AF, visited an outpatient clinic of Yaroslavl from 01 January to 31 December 2013, was created. Quality of AF patient examination in the outpatient clinic was assessed. Morbidity and mortality of these patients were monitoring during 12 months by the contacts with patients, their relatives and doctors in charge.Results. The typical patient with AF has advanced age, mainly permanent AF and compromised history of cardiovascular diseases. 12-month monitoring of 212 outpatients with AF showed high mortality and the need for hospitalization due to cardiovascular diseases in this group. A total number of these patients was 99 or 46.7% of patients included into the register.Conclusion. The irregularity of observation and the lack of examination of patients with AF may be the reasons of the increased rates of mortality and complications in this group of outpatients

THE CONTROL OF INTERNATIONAL NORMALISED RATIO IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION TREATED WITH WARFARIN IN OUTPATIENT AND HOSPITAL SETTINGS: DATA FROM RECVASA REGISTRIES

Am. To study in the RECVASA registers the availability of data about the international normalized ratio (INR) indicator and achievement of its target values in outpatient and hospital practice in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving anticoagulant therapy with warfarin.Material and methods. Data about the INR control and the frequency of achievement of its target values at the outpatient and hospital stages were analyzed in RECVASA (Ryazan) and RECVASA FP – Yaroslavl outpatient registries, as well as in the hospital registers RECVASA FP (Moscow, Kursk, Tula) in 817 patients (46.9% of men, age 68.5±9.6 years) with AF and the prescribed anticoagulant therapy with warfarin.Results. INR was determined in 689 (84.3%) of 817 patients. The values of INR were monitored during therapy with warfarin in RECVASA (Ryazan) and RECVASA FP –Yaroslavl outpatient registries in 73.7% and 77.7% of patients, respectively, and in RECVASA FP hospital registers: 95.8% (Moscow); 81.3% (Tula) and 93.5% (Kursk). The target level of INR (2.0-3.0) was achieved in a minority of patients with AF during treatment with warfarin: inRyazan – in 26.3% of cases;Yaroslavl – 38.3%;Kursk – 34.8%;Moscow – 39.5%; Tule – 26.3%. Control of INR in hospital registries during warfarin therapy in patients with AF significantly more often (p&lt;0.05) was performed at the hospital stage, compared with prehospital (in Kursk –2.3 times more often in Moscow – 2.6 times, in Tula – in 1,8 times). The target level of INR in the hospital was achieved significantly more often (p&lt;0.05) than before hospitalization (Moscow andKursk), but no significant differences were found in the RECVASA FP –Tula register (p=0.08). The INR was monitored by 94.9% of the patients; however, the target values of this indicator were achieved only in 33% of cases in the sample study in the RECVASA FP –Moscow registry according to a survey of 39 patients with AF who continued to receive warfarin after 2.6±0.8 years after discharge from the hospital.Conclusion. INR was monitored in 74-96% of patients with AF treated with warfarin and included in the RECVASA and RECVASA FP registries. Target levels of INR were achieved only in 26-39% of patients. INR was monitored with achievement of its target levels more often at the hospital stage of treatment than before hospitalization and more often than in outpatient registries. In practical public health in patients with AF treated with warfarin, it is fundamentally important to monitor INR and increase the frequency of achieving its target values, at which the risk of cardioembolic stroke and other thromboembolic complications is proven to be reduced

The Therapy with Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Outpatient and Hospital Settings (Data from RECVASA Registries)

Aim. To evaluate an incidence of oral anticoagulants (OAC) administration during longterm follow-up period in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) enrolled in outpatient and hospital RECVASA registries.Material and methods. 3169 patients with AF were enrolled in outpatient registries RECVASA (Ryazan), RECVASA AF-Yaroslavl and hospital registries RECVASA AF (Moscow, Kursk, Tula), age 70.9±10.7 years, 43.1% men. The incidence of OAC administration was evaluated in hospital and outpatient settings, including longterm follow-up period (2-6 years).Results. OAC were administrated only in 42.2% of cases (1335 from 3169 patients; age 69.1±10.4 years, 43% men), including warfarin (817 patients; 26%) and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) – 518 (16%). Patients with permanent and persistant types of AF had lower incidence of OAC administration (43% and 40%) than in cases of paroxysmal type (47.6%, p&lt;0.05), despite of the higher СНА2DS2-VASc risk score (4.69±1.66 and 4.23±1.57 vs 3.81±1.69; р&lt;0.05). Patients with and without history of stroke received OAC in 42.5% and 40% of cases that means no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) contrary to the pronounced difference of thromboembolic risk in these groups (6.14±1.34 and 3.77±1.39; р&lt;0.001). The incidence of OAC administration in hospitals (54.1%) was 2.3 times higher than before hospitalization (23.8%) and was 4.1 times higher than in outpatient registries (13.5%). During follow-up period after hospital treatment (2.3±0.9 years) this parameter decreased from 54.1% to 41.2%, but was still 1.8 times higher than before admission to the hospital. After 4 years follow-up in RECVASA (Ryazan) registry we revealed 4.4 times higher incidence of OAC administration compared with enrollment data (4.2% and 18.3%, р&lt;0.0001). This data was confirmed by the information from outpatient medical cards of accidentally generated group (75 from 297 patients survived during follow-up period): 5.3% at baseline and 22.7% six years later.Conclusions. RECVASA registries in 5 regions of Russia revealed low incidence of OAC administration. The risk of thromboembolic events was higher in patients with AF and no OAC administration compared with patients who received OAC. Patients with paroxysmal type of AF received OAC more often than those with permanent type. There were no significant differences of incidence of OAC therapy in patients with and without history of stroke. Both questioning of patients with AF and analysis of medical cards in outpatient clinics revealed higher incidence of OAC administration after 4-6 years of follow-up compared with the stage of enrollment in registries