Stroke event rates in anticoagulated patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Aims: To test the hypothesis that stroke and systemic embolic events (SEE) in the stroke prevention using an oral thrombin inhibitor in atrial fibrillation (SPORTIF) III and V trials are different between paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Data analysis from two cohorts of patients enrolled in the prospective SPORTIF III and V clinical trials (n = 7329); 836 subjects (11.4%) with paroxysmal AF [mean age 70.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blockade use in relation to outcomes in anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) plays an important role in atrial fibrillation (AF). Evidence shows that blocking the RAAS with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) has a definite role in preventing new onset AF and in maintaining sinus rhythm in recurrent AF. Our aim was to determine if ACEI/ARB treatment was associated with clinical outcomes [stroke/systemic embolic events (SEE), mortality] in a controlled, anticoagulated AF population.

Prevalence of markers of heart failure in patients with atrial fibrillation and the effects of ximelagatran compared to warfarin on the incidence of morbid and fatal events: a report from the SPORTIF III and V trials.

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who also have heart failure have a worse outcome but the diagnosis of heart failure is often missed.

Aim: To compare the effects of warfarin and ximelagatran on morbidity and mortality in patients with AF with and without markers of heart failure.

Methods And Results: Data for 7329 patients from two randomised controlled trials were merged.

Effect of hypertension on anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation.

Aim: To test the hypothesis that stroke and systemic embolic events (SEE) in the Stroke Prevention using an ORal Thrombin Inhibitor in atrial Fibrillation (SPORTIF) III and V trials were related to blood pressure, and that differences in event rates (stroke and SEE, bleeding) could also be related to the degree of hypertension.

Methods And Results: A cross-sectional, longitudinal analysis was conducted, using data from the SPORTIF III and V trials. Results showed an increasing rate of stroke and SEE with increasing quartiles of systolic blood pressure (SBP) in AF patients.