Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Bioprosthetic Valves-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Oral anticoagulation is recommended for patients with atrial fibrillation and an elevated stroke risk. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are generally preferred over vitamin K antagonists. Nonetheless, there controversy persists regarding whether DOACs should be used in patients with atrial fibrillation and bioprosthetic valves.

Oral Anticoagulation Use in High-Risk Patients Is Improved by Elimination of False-Positive and Inactive Atrial Fibrillation Cases.

Background: Multiple registries have reported that >40% of high-risk atrial fibrillation patients are not taking oral anticoagulants. The purpose of our study was to determine the presence or absence of active atrial fibrillation and CHADS-VASc (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75 y, Diabetes mellitus, prior Stroke [or transient ischemic attack or thromboembolism], Vascular disease, Age 65-74 y, Sex category) risk factors to accurately identify high-risk atrial fibrillation (CHADS-VASc ≥2) patients requiring oral anticoagulants and the magnitude of the anticoagulant treatment gap.

Methods: We retrospectively adjudicated 6514 patients with atrial fibrillation documented by at least one of: billing diagnosis, electronic medical record encounter diagnosis, electronic medical record problem list, or electrocardiogram interpretation.

A Quarter of a Century Later: What is Dofetilide's Clinical Role Today?

Dofetilide is a class III antiarrhythmic agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the conversion of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter and maintenance of sinus rhythm in symptomatic patients with persistent arrhythmia. Drug trials showed neutral mortality in post-myocardial infarction patients and those with heart failure. This is a review of postmarket data, including real-world efficacy and safety in a variety of populations.

Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of apixaban and uninterrupted apixaban therapy compared to vitamin K antagonists in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Apixaban is a Factor Xa inhibitor increasingly being used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). Although several studies have been done, the efficacy and safety of apixaban during the peri-procedural period of AF ablation remains unclear. We sought to systematically review pooled data from these various studies to evaluate thromboembolic and bleeding risks in patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF who are treated with apixaban (interrupted and uninterrupted).