scholarly journals Cardiac Tomography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance to Predict the Absence of Intracardiac Thrombus in Anticoagulated Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Zaraket ◽  
Bas Deva ◽  
Jesus Jimenez ◽  
Benjamin Casteigt ◽  
Begoña Benito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Pulmonary Veins ◽  
Intracardiac Thrombus ◽  
Ablation Procedure ◽  
Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Rule Out

Abstract Background: Pulmonary veins isolation (PVI) is a standard treatment for recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF). Uninterrupted anticoagulation for minimum 3 weeks before the ablation and exclusion of left atrial (LA) thrombus with transesophageal echography (TEE) immediately before or during the procedure minimize peri-procedural risk. We aimed to demonstrate the utility of cardiac tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to rule out LA thrombus prior to PVI. Methods: Patients undergoing PVI for recurrent AF were retrospectively evaluated. Only patients that started anticoagulation at least 3 weeks prior to the CT/CMR and subsequently uninterrupted until the ablation procedure were selected. An intracardiac echo (ICE) catheter was used in all patients to evaluate LA thrombus. The results of CT/CMR were compared to ICE imaging. Results: We included 272 consecutive patients averaging 54.5 years (71% male; 30% persistent AF). Average CHA2DS2VASC Score was 0.9 and mean LA diameter was 43 mm, 111 patients on Acenocumarol and 161 on direct oral anticoagulants. Anticoagulation was started 227±392 days before the CT/CMR, and 291±416 days before the ablation procedure. CT/CMR diagnosed intracardiac thrombus in 2 cases, both in the LA appendage. A new CT/CMR revealed resolution of thrombus after 6 additional months of uninterrupted anticoagulation. No macroscopic thrombus was observed in any patients with ICE (negative predictive value of 100%; p<0.01).Conclusions: CT and MRI are excellent surrogates to TEE and ICE to rule out intracardiac thrombus in patients adequately anticoagulated prior AF ablation. This is true even for delayed procedures as long as anticoagulation is uninterrupted.

Use of Cardiac Tomography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance to Predict the Absence of Intracardiac Thrombus in Anticoagulated Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Zaraket ◽  
Bas Deva ◽  
Jesus jimenez ◽  
Benjamin Casteigt ◽  
Begoña Benito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Pulmonary Veins ◽  
Intracardiac Thrombus ◽  
Ablation Procedure ◽  
Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Rule Out

Abstract Background: Pulmonary veins isolation (PVI) is a standard treatment for recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF). Uninterrupted anticoagulation for minimum 3 weeks before the ablation and exclusion of left atrial (LA) thrombus with transesophageal echography (TEE) immediately before or during the procedure minimize peri-procedural risk. We aimed to demonstrate the utility of cardiac tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to rule out LA thrombus prior to PVI.Methods: Patients undergoing PVI for recurrent AF were retrospectively evaluated. Only patients that started anticoagulation at least 3 weeks prior to the CT/CMR and subsequently uninterrupted until the ablation procedure were selected. An intracardiac echo (ICE) catheter was used in all patients to evaluate LA thrombus. The results of CT/CMR were compared to ICE imaging.Results: We included 272 consecutive patients averaging 54.5 years (71% male; 30% persistent AF). Average CHA2DS2VASC Score was 0.9 and mean LA diameter was 43 mm, 111 patients on Acenocumarol and 161 on direct oral anticoagulants. Anticoagulation was started 227±392 days before the CT/CMR, and 291±416 days before the ablation procedure. CT/CMR diagnosed intracardiac thrombus in 2 cases, both in the LA appendage. A new CT/CMR revealed resolution of thrombus after 6 additional months of uninterrupted anticoagulation. No macroscopic thrombus was observed in any patients with ICE (negative predictive value of 100%; p<0.01).Conclusions: CT and MRI are excellent surrogates to TEE and ICE to rule out intracardiac thrombus in patients adequately anticoagulated prior AF ablation. This is true even for delayed procedures as long as anticoagulation is uninterrupted.

scholarly journals Cryoballoon vs. radiofrequency lesions as detected by late-enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance after ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a case–control study

EP Europace ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Alarcón ◽  
Nuno Cabanelas ◽  
Marc Izquierdo ◽  
Eva Benito ◽  
Rosa Figueras i Ventura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Pulmonary Veins ◽  
Late Enhancement ◽  
Delayed Enhancement ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Available N ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Aims Cryoballoon (CB) ablation has emerged as a reliable modality to isolate pulmonary veins (PVs) in atrial fibrillation. Ablation lesions and the long-term effects of energy delivery can be assessed by delayed-enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (DE-CMR). The aim of the study was to compare the number, extension, and localization of gaps in CB and radiofrequency (RF) techniques in pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Methods and results Consecutive patients submitted to PVI with CB in whom DE-CMR images were available (n = 30) were matched (1:1) to patients who underwent PVI with RF (n = 30), considering age, sex, hypertension, and diabetes. Delayed-enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance was obtained at 3 months post-procedure, and images were processed to assess the mean number of gaps around PV ostia, their localization, and the normalized gap length (NGL), calculated as the difference between total gap length and total PV perimeter. Patients were followed up for 12 months. The CB and RF procedures did not differ in the mean number of gaps per patient (4.40 vs. 5.13 gaps, respectively; P = 0.21) nor NGL (0.35 vs. 0.32, P = 0.59). For both techniques, a higher mean number of gaps were detected in right vs. left PVs (3.18 vs. 1.58, respectively; P = 0.01). The incidence of recurrences did not differ between techniques (odds ratio 1.87, 95% confidence interval 0.66–4.97; P = 0.29). Conclusion Location and extension of ablation gaps in PVI did not differ between CB and RF groups in DE-CMR image analysis.

scholarly journals Antithrombotic therapy in patients with coronary heart disease and atrial fibrillation after direct myocardial revascularization

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 49-56
Author(s):  
M. A. Kirgizova ◽  
O. R. Eshmatov ◽  
Yu. I. Bogdanov ◽  
R. E. Batalov ◽  
S. V. Popov
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Antithrombotic Therapy ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Pulmonary Veins ◽  
Myocardial Revascularization ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Hemorrhagic Complications

Aim. To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants versus warfarin as part of antithrombotic therapy (ATT), namely, to study the frequency of bleeding and thromboembolic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after direct myocardial revascularization in combination with radiofrequency isolation of pulmonary veins.Material and Methods. A total of 44 patients (36 men) aged 44–77 years (average age of 63.5 ± 7.8 years) with coronary heart disease, indications for direct myocardial revascularization, and AF were included in the study from 2014 to 2016. The observation period was 24 months.Results. Warfarin was one of the components of ATT in 20 patients (48%). However, the target values of international normalized ratio (INR) within the therapeutic range for over 70% of the time were achieved only in seven patients. Two patients who were taking warfarin without achieving target INR values for 24 months suffered from ischemic stroke. One patient taking warfarin (without regular INR control) had gastrointestinal bleeding requiring hospitalization and conservative therapy; ten patients had minor bleedings (nasal and gingival bleeding). All patients, who suffered from thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications and had inadequate warfarin intake, were recommended to switch to direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC). Thirteen patients (29%) were administered with DOAC: five patients took rivaroxaban 20 mg/day, four patients took dabigatran 300 mg/day, and four patients took apixaban 10 mg/day. DOAC therapy was administered in combination with one of the antiplatelet drugs (aspirin or clopidogrel). In the case of DOAC administration, only minor bleedings were observed: one patient had hemorrhoidal bleeding and four patients had nasal bleedings, which did not require hospitalization, medical intervention, or suspension of anticoagulant therapy. There were no other adverse events in patients taking DOAC.Conclusions. Patients administered with DOAC as a part of antithrombotic therapy after coronary bypass surgery and surgical epicardial radiofrequency isolation of the pulmonary veins had lower incidence rates of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications compared with the rates in patients taking warfarin. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups due to the small sample size.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Diabetes Using a Risk Index

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2924
Author(s):  
Domenico Acanfora ◽  
Marco Matteo Ciccone ◽  
Valentina Carlomagno ◽  
Pietro Scicchitano ◽  
Chiara Acanfora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Major Bleeding ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Efficacy Rate ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Efficacy And Safety

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents an independent risk factor for chronic AF and is associated with unfavorable outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), with and without diabetes mellitus (DM), using a new risk index (RI) defined as: RI =Rate of EventsRate of Patients at Risk. In particular, an RI lower than 1 suggests a favorable treatment effect. We searched MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The risk index (RI) was calculated in terms of efficacy (rate of stroke/systemic embolism (stroke SEE)/rate of patients with and without DM; rate of cardiovascular death/rate of patients with and without DM) and safety (rate of major bleeding/rate of patients with and without DM) outcomes. AF patients with DM (n = 22,057) and 49,596 without DM were considered from pivotal trials. DM doubles the risk index for stroke/SEE, major bleeding (MB), and cardiovascular (CV) death. The RI for stroke/SEE, MB, and CV death was comparable in patients treated with warfarin or DOACs. The lowest RI was in DM patients treated with Rivaroxaban (stroke/SEE, RI = 0.08; CV death, RI = 0.13). The RIs for bleeding were higher in DM patients treated with Dabigatran (RI110 = 0.32; RI150 = 0.40). Our study is the first to use RI to homogenize the efficacy and safety data reported in the DOACs pivotal studies against warfarin in patients with and without DM. Anticoagulation therapy is effective and safe in DM patients. DOACs appear to have a better efficacy and safety profile than warfarin. The use of DOACs is a reasonable alternative to vitamin-K antagonists in AF patients with DM. The RI can be a reasonable tool to help clinicians choose between DOACs or warfarin in the peculiar set of AF patients with DM.

scholarly journals Delayed lumbar plexus palsy due to giant psoas hematoma associated with vertebral compression fracture and direct oral anticoagulants: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chikako Ishii ◽  
Miki Komatsu ◽  
Kota Suda ◽  
Masahiko Takahata ◽  
Satoko Matsumoto Harmon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cerebral Infarction ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Lumbar Plexus ◽  
Vertebral Compression Fractures ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Motor Weakness ◽  
Segmental Artery

Abstract Background Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are commonly observed in elderly people and can be treated by conservatively with minimal risk of complications in most cases. However, utilization of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) increases the risks of secondary hematoma even after insignificant trauma. The use of DOACs increased over the past decade because of their approval and recommendation for both stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation and treatment of venous thromboembolism. It is well known that DOACs are safer anticoagulants than warfarin in terms of major and nonmajor bleeding; however, we noted an increase in the number of bleeding events associated with DOACs that required medical intervention. This report describes the first case of delayed lumbar plexus palsy due to DOAC-associated psoas hematoma after VCF to draw attention to potential risk of severe complication associated with this type of common and stable trauma. Case presentation An 83-year-old man presented with his left inguinal pain and inability to ambulate after falling from standing position and was prescribed DOACs for chronic atrial fibrillation. Computed tomography angiography revealed a giant psoas hematoma arising from the ruptured segmental artery running around fractured L4 vertebra. Because of motor weakness of his lower limbs and expansion of psoas hematoma revealed by contrast computed tomography on day 8 of his hospital stay, angiography aimed for transcatheter arterial embolization was tried, but could not demonstrate any major active extravasation; therefore spontaneous hemostasis was expected with heparin replacement. On day 23 of his stay, hematoma turned to decrease, but dysarthria and motor weakness due to left side cerebral infarction occurred. His pain improved and bone healing was achieved about 2 months later from his admission, however the paralysis of the left lower limb and aftereffects of cerebral infarction remained after 1 year. Conclusion In patients using DOACs with multiple risk factors, close attention must be taken in vertebral injury even if the fracture itself is a stable-type such as VCF, because segmental artery injury may cause massive psoas hematoma followed by lumbar plexus palsy and other complications.

Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Obese Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandros Briasoulis ◽  
Amgad Mentias ◽  
Alexander Mazur ◽  
Paulino Alvarez ◽  
Enrique C. Leira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Comparative Effectiveness ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Obese Patients

scholarly journals Prescribing Errors With Direct Oral Anticoagulants and Their Impact on the Risk of Bleeding in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

2021 ◽  
pp. 107424842110196
Author(s):  
Bruria Hirsh Raccah, PharmD, PhD ◽  
Yevgeni Erlichman ◽  
Arthur Pollak ◽  
Ilan Matok ◽  
Mordechai Muszkat
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Major Bleeding ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Drug Dose ◽  
Prescribing Errors ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Inappropriate Treatment

Introduction: Anticoagulants are associated with significant harm when used in error, but there are limited data on potential harm of inappropriate treatment with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). We conducted a matched case-control study among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients admitting the hospital with a chronic treatment with DOACs, in order to assess factors associated with the risk of major bleeding. Methods: Patient data were documented using hospital’s computerized provider order entry system. Patients identified with major bleeding were defined as cases and were matched with controls based on the duration of treatment with DOACs and number of chronic medications. Appropriateness of prescribing was assessed based on the relevant clinical guidelines. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the potential impact of safety-relevant prescribing errors with DOACs on major bleeding. Results: A total number of 509 eligible admissions were detected during the study period, including 64 cases of major bleeding and 445 controls. The prevalence of prescribing errors with DOACs was 33%. Most prevalent prescribing errors with DOACs were “drug dose too low” (16%) and “non-recommended combination of drugs” (11%). Safety-relevant prescribing errors with DOACs were associated with major bleeding [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-4.12]. Conclusion: Prescribers should be aware of the potential negative impact of prescribing errors with DOACs and understand the importance of proper prescribing and regular follow-up.

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