Background: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are a major advance for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). Use of the vitamin K antagonist (VKA), warfarin, has dropped 40% since 2010 in our institution. There is limited Irish hospital data on NOAC prescribing for stroke prevention.
Method: Single centre, retrospective observational cohort study of consecutive AF patients at increased risk of stroke and/or awaiting electrical cardioversion. Data on prescribed NOACs from February 2010 till July 2015 was collected from the electronic inpatient record. Appropriateness of prescriptions was based on CHA2DS2-VASC score and accuracy on individual NOAC SPCs. Potential drug interactions and bleeding risk were also quantified.
Results: A total of 348 patients AF and increased risk of stroke (CHA2DS2-VASC score > 1 for men and > 2 for women) were studied. Forty-eight percent were female with a mean age 71 ± 18.6 years, 52% of whom were > 75. Mean CHA2DS2-Vasc and HAS-BLED scores were 4.1 ± 1.8 and 1.4 ± 0.8, respectively. Rivaroxaban, dabigatran and apixaban were prescribed to 154 (54.2%), 106 (34.3%) and 41 (13.2%) patients, respectively. 20.4% had inaccurate prescriptions; 92.9% (n = 65) underdosed and 7.1% (n = 5) on inappropriately higher doses. Neither choice of NOAC, age, history of anaemia, previous bleeding or co-prescribed antiplatelets influenced the accuracy of prescription (p = NS), but decreased renal function appeared to do so (p = 0.05).
Conclusion: Our study highlights significant inaccuracies in NOAC prescribing. Patients commenced on NOACs should be assessed and followed up in a multidisciplinary AF clinic to ensure safe and effective prescribing and stroke prevention.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11845-018-1837-7 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
Previous observational studies have reported inconsistent associations between nut consumption and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study aims to identify the causal relationship between different types of nuts consumption and CVD, and to quantify the potential mediating effects of cardiometabolic factors. We utilized Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) data to assess the causal effects of nut consumption on CVD using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and a two-step MR analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTransl Psychiatry
January 2025
Genetic Epidemiology Group, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Experiencing a traumatic event may lead to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including symptoms such as flashbacks and hyperarousal. Individuals suffering from PTSD are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but it is unclear why. This study assesses shared genetic liability and potential causal pathways between PTSD and CVD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Cardiol
January 2025
Department of Cardiology, Fujita Health University 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, Aichi 4701192, Japan.
Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) reportedly decreased the new-onset atrial arrhythmias in patients with type-2 diabetes (T2DM) or heart failure (HF). This study examined the impact of SGLT2is on catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in HF patients without T2DM.
Methods: Persistent AF (PeAF) and HF (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide, NT-proBNP ≥400 pg/ml) patients without T2DM undergoing catheter ablation were prospectively enrolled (n = 102).
Can J Cardiol
January 2025
Brigham and Women's Hospital Amyloidosis Program and Section of Cardiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA 02115 USA; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
AF is a common arrhythmia in cardiomyopathy, particularly when congestive heart failure is present. The neurohormonal activation in congestive heart failure may trigger fibrotic and other changes in the left atrium and the atrial stretch associated with heart failure may induce further atrial pathology and/ or directly trigger AF (8). By the time that patients with AF develop extensive fibrosis, the arrhythmia has been shown to be associated with a greater difficulty in maintaining sinus rhythm despite attempted ablation procedures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Electrocardiol
December 2024
VPG Medical, Inc., Rochester, NY, USA.
Passive cardiac monitoring has become synonymous with wearable technologies, necessitating patients to incorporate new devices into their daily routines. While this requirement may not be a burden for many, it is a constraint for individuals with chronic diseases who already have their daily routine. In this study, we introduce an innovative technology that harnesses the front-facing camera of smartphones to capture pulsatile signals discreetly when users engage in other activities on their device.
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