Extracranial Systemic Embolic Events in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes.

Background: Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is a major cause of thromboembolic events. In comparison with atrial fibrillation-related stroke, extracranial systemic embolic events (SEEs) remain poorly defined.

Methods And Results: All suspected SEEs reported among 37 973 participants of 4 large contemporary randomized clinical trials of anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation were independently readjudicated for clinical and objective evidence of sudden loss of perfusion of a limb or organ.