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

Net clinical benefit of oral anticoagulants in Asian patients with atrial fibrillation based on a CHA2DS2-VASc score

Abstract Background This study was conducted to assess the net clinical benefit (NCB) for oral anticoagulant (OAC) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Methods Patients with AF were prospectively recruited in the COOL AF Thailand registry from 2014 to 2017. The incidence rate of thromboembolic (TE) events and major bleeding (MB) was calculated. Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare the TE and MB rate in patients with and without OACs in CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0–1 and ≥ 2, respectively. The survival analysis was performed based on CHA2DS2-VASc score. The NCB of OACs was defined as the TE rate prevented minus the MB rate increased multiplied by a weighting factor. Results A total of 3,402 AF patients were recruited. An average age of patients was 67.38 ± 11.27 years. Compared to non-anticoagulated patients, the Kaplan Meier curve showed anticoagulated patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score of 2 or more had the lower thromboembolic events with statistical significance (p = 0.043) and the higher MB events with statistical significance (p = 0.018). In overall AF patients, there were positive NCB in warfarin patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3 or more while there were positive NCB in DOACs patients regardless of CHA2DS2-VASc score. Females with CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3 or more had a positive NCB regardless of OACs type. Good anticoagulation control (TTR ≥65%) improved an NCB in males with CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3 or more. Conclusions AF patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3 or more regardless warfarin or DOACs had a positive NCB. The NCB of OACs was more positive for DOACs compared to warfarin and for females compared to males

Three-year outcomes of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: the COOL-AF registry.

BackgroundClinical outcomes of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in Asian populations may be different from non-Asians. In this study, we aimed to determine the incidence of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (SSE), major bleeding, and death, and the predictors for clinical outcomes in a contemporary Asian cohort of newly diagnosed AF patients.MethodsThis is a prospective multicenter nationwide registry of patients with AF from 27 hospitals in Thailand. Baseline data and follow-up data were collected every 6 months until 3 years. Data collections included demographic, medical history, laboratory, and medication details. Clinical outcomes were SSE, major bleeding, and all-cause mortality. Incidence rates for each clinical outcome were calculated and presented as rate per 100 person-years. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine the independent predictors for clinical outcomes.ResultsThere was a total of 3405 patients: mean age was 67.8 ± 11.3 years, 1981 (58.2%) were male. During 30.8 ± 9.7 months follow-up, there was a total of 132 SSE (3.9%), 191 major bleeding (5.6%), and 357 all-cause deaths (10.5%). The incidence rates of SSE, major bleeding, and death were 1.56 (1.30-1.84), 2.26 (1.96-2.61), and 4.17 (3.33-4.25), per 100 person-years respectively. Independent predictors for clinical outcomes were age, type of AF, and the presence of comorbid conditions.ConclusionThe incidence rate of SSE, major bleeding, and death remains high reflecting the unmet needs in AF management

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

Clinical characteristics of the study population.

BackgroundAdenosine stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is increasingly utilized for evaluating patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aims to assess the safety and clinical impact of adenosine stress CMR in a tertiary care setting in Thailand.MethodsA total of 3,768 consecutive patients aged 18 years and above who underwent adenosine stress CMR between 2017 and 2020 were included in the study. Patient records were reviewed to collect data on clinical characteristics, hemodynamic measurements, complications during or immediately after CMR, and the rates of clinical changes resulting from CMR.ResultsAmong the included patients, the primary indications for adenosine stress CMR were risk stratification in suspected CAD (70.8%) and the assessment of myocardial ischemia/viability in patients with known CAD (26.5%). There were no reported deaths or acute myocardial infarctions during the procedure. Major complications, specifically acute pulmonary edema requiring hospital observation or admission for further management, occurred in four patients (0.11%), all of whom were elderly (ranging from 75 to 91 years) with a history of heart failure. Non-major complications were observed in 13.7% of patients, with dyspnea (9.8%) and mild chest pain (5.6%) being the most common. CMR provided a completely new diagnosis in 26.2% of patients. Overall, stress CMR resulted in a change in diagnosis or management for 48% of patients.ConclusionAdenosine stress CMR was found to be safe and to have a significant impact on clinical management in Asian patients with known or suspected CAD. These findings support the use of adenosine stress CMR as a valuable tool for evaluating and guiding treatment decisions in this patient population.</div

Flow diagram of the study.

Abbreviations: CAD = coronary artery disease, CMR = cardiac magnetic resonance.</p

Hemodynamic parameters at rest and during adenosine infusion.

Abbreviations: DBP = diastolic blood pressure, HR = heart rate, SBP = systolic blood pressure.</p

Summary of patients’ characteristics, complications, and clinical impact of stress CMR in published articles.

Summary of patients’ characteristics, complications, and clinical impact of stress CMR in published articles.</p