open access

Vol 21, No 5 (2014)
Original articles
Submitted: 2013-08-14
Accepted: 2013-09-30
Published online: 2014-10-29
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Antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome in the real world: Data from the Berlin AFibACS Registry

Birga Maier, Claire Hegenbarth, Heinz Theres, Ralph Schoeller, Helmut Schuehlen, Steffen Behrens, for the AFibACS Registry
DOI: 10.5603/CJ.a2013.0146
·
Cardiol J 2014;21(5):465-473.

open access

Vol 21, No 5 (2014)
Original articles
Submitted: 2013-08-14
Accepted: 2013-09-30
Published online: 2014-10-29

Abstract

Background: Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation (AFib) recommend antithromboembolic treatment strategies for patients with AFib and acute coronary syndrome (AFibACS). Our study assessed how current guidelines are implemented in the metropolitan area of Berlin and which therapeutic options were chosen in light of stroke and bleeding riskin everyday practice.

Methods and Results: Between April 2008 and January 2012, we included 1,295 AFibACS patients in the AFibACS Registry, as part of the Berlin Myocardial Infarction Registry. Meanage of the patients was 76 years with numerous comorbidities (15.4% former stroke, 35.0% renal failure, 43.5% diabetes, 92.8% hypertension). Of all the patients, 888 were treated with stent implantation, 91 with balloon angioplasty, and 316 conservatively. Overall mortality was 11.6%, and 8.3% in stented patients. At hospital discharge, triple therapy was administered to 49.9% of stented cases. After adjustment, odds of receiving triple therapy were lower within creasing age and renal failure. Odds were higher after stent implantation, with a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score, and with any AFib category compared to initially diagnosed AFib. Between 2008 and 2011, triple therapy increased from 33.3% to 49.8% for stented patients and did not change significantly for those treated conservatively or with balloon angioplasty.

Conclusions: These data suggest that in AFibACS patients, antithrombotic treatment focused on dual antiplatelet therapy for ACS, rather than on anticoagulation therapy for stroke prevention. Factors influencing therapy at discharge were age, renal failure, stent implantation, AFib category, and CHA2DS2-VASc score. During the study period, triple therapy increased for stented patients.

Abstract

Background: Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation (AFib) recommend antithromboembolic treatment strategies for patients with AFib and acute coronary syndrome (AFibACS). Our study assessed how current guidelines are implemented in the metropolitan area of Berlin and which therapeutic options were chosen in light of stroke and bleeding riskin everyday practice.

Methods and Results: Between April 2008 and January 2012, we included 1,295 AFibACS patients in the AFibACS Registry, as part of the Berlin Myocardial Infarction Registry. Meanage of the patients was 76 years with numerous comorbidities (15.4% former stroke, 35.0% renal failure, 43.5% diabetes, 92.8% hypertension). Of all the patients, 888 were treated with stent implantation, 91 with balloon angioplasty, and 316 conservatively. Overall mortality was 11.6%, and 8.3% in stented patients. At hospital discharge, triple therapy was administered to 49.9% of stented cases. After adjustment, odds of receiving triple therapy were lower within creasing age and renal failure. Odds were higher after stent implantation, with a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score, and with any AFib category compared to initially diagnosed AFib. Between 2008 and 2011, triple therapy increased from 33.3% to 49.8% for stented patients and did not change significantly for those treated conservatively or with balloon angioplasty.

Conclusions: These data suggest that in AFibACS patients, antithrombotic treatment focused on dual antiplatelet therapy for ACS, rather than on anticoagulation therapy for stroke prevention. Factors influencing therapy at discharge were age, renal failure, stent implantation, AFib category, and CHA2DS2-VASc score. During the study period, triple therapy increased for stented patients.

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Keywords

acute myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, triple therapy, antithrombotic therapy, registry data

About this article
Title

Antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome in the real world: Data from the Berlin AFibACS Registry

Journal

Cardiology Journal

Issue

Vol 21, No 5 (2014)

Pages

465-473

Published online

2014-10-29

Page views

3336

Article views/downloads

1995

DOI

10.5603/CJ.a2013.0146

Bibliographic record

Cardiol J 2014;21(5):465-473.

Keywords

acute myocardial infarction
atrial fibrillation
triple therapy
antithrombotic therapy
registry data

Authors

Birga Maier
Claire Hegenbarth
Heinz Theres
Ralph Schoeller
Helmut Schuehlen
Steffen Behrens
for the AFibACS Registry

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