open access

Vol 29, No 2 (2022)
Original Article
Submitted: 2020-01-01
Accepted: 2020-01-24
Published online: 2020-03-18
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Risk of left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease

Monika Budnik1, Monika Gawałko1, Iwona Gorczyca23, Beata Uziębło-Życzkowska4, Paweł Krzesiński4, Janusz Kochanowski1, Piotr Scisło1, Anna Michalska3, Olga Jelonek2, Katarzyna Starzyk23, Agnieszka Jurek4, Marek Kiliszek4, Beata Wożakowska-Kapłon23, Grzegorz Gielerak4, Krzysztof J. Filipiak1, Grzegorz Opolski1, Agnieszka Kapłon-Cieślicka1
·
Pubmed: 32207840
·
Cardiol J 2022;29(2):205-215.
Affiliations
  1. 1st Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
  2. 1st Clinic of Cardiology and Electrotherapy, Swietokrzyskie Cardiology Center, Kielce, Poland
  3. Collegium Medicum, The Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland
  4. Department of Cardiology and Internal Diseases, Military Institute of Medicine, Poland

open access

Vol 29, No 2 (2022)
Original articles — Clinical cardiology
Submitted: 2020-01-01
Accepted: 2020-01-24
Published online: 2020-03-18

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics, the incidence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus and its predictors, and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in a population of patients with AF depending on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values.
Methods: This study included 1962 patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiographic examination prior to cardioversion or ablation in the years 2014–2018 in three cardiac centers.
Results: More than a quarter of AF patients had decreased eGFR (< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and were characterized as a high-risk population, with more comorbidities, higher thromboembolic and bleeding risk compared to those with normal renal function. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) was prescribed in 97% and 93% of patients with decreased and normal eGFR, respectively, with a higher prevalence of prescribed non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). The incidence of LAA thrombus (24%, 9% and 4%) and SEC (25%, 25% and 19%) increases simultaneously with a decrease in eGFR (< 30, 30–59 and ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively). Among patients prescribed reduced doses of NOAC, those with decreased eGFR were more often observed with LAA thrombus (10% vs. 2.5%). Non-paroxysmal AF, heart failure and previous bleeding were predictors of LAA thrombus, irrespective of eGFR value. CKD was the predictor of LAA thrombus in all patients including those with non-paroxysmal AF, males, without diabetes, without hypertension and with CHA2DS2-VASc < 2.
Conclusions: Despite OAC, patients with concomitant AF and CKD remain at high risk for LAA thrombus formation.

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics, the incidence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus and its predictors, and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in a population of patients with AF depending on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values.
Methods: This study included 1962 patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiographic examination prior to cardioversion or ablation in the years 2014–2018 in three cardiac centers.
Results: More than a quarter of AF patients had decreased eGFR (< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and were characterized as a high-risk population, with more comorbidities, higher thromboembolic and bleeding risk compared to those with normal renal function. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) was prescribed in 97% and 93% of patients with decreased and normal eGFR, respectively, with a higher prevalence of prescribed non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). The incidence of LAA thrombus (24%, 9% and 4%) and SEC (25%, 25% and 19%) increases simultaneously with a decrease in eGFR (< 30, 30–59 and ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively). Among patients prescribed reduced doses of NOAC, those with decreased eGFR were more often observed with LAA thrombus (10% vs. 2.5%). Non-paroxysmal AF, heart failure and previous bleeding were predictors of LAA thrombus, irrespective of eGFR value. CKD was the predictor of LAA thrombus in all patients including those with non-paroxysmal AF, males, without diabetes, without hypertension and with CHA2DS2-VASc < 2.
Conclusions: Despite OAC, patients with concomitant AF and CKD remain at high risk for LAA thrombus formation.

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Keywords

oral anticoagulation, renal failure, stroke prevention, thromboembolic risk

About this article
Title

Risk of left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease

Journal

Cardiology Journal

Issue

Vol 29, No 2 (2022)

Article type

Original Article

Pages

205-215

Published online

2020-03-18

Page views

6598

Article views/downloads

1905

DOI

10.5603/CJ.a2020.0036

Pubmed

32207840

Bibliographic record

Cardiol J 2022;29(2):205-215.

Keywords

oral anticoagulation
renal failure
stroke prevention
thromboembolic risk

Authors

Monika Budnik
Monika Gawałko
Iwona Gorczyca
Beata Uziębło-Życzkowska
Paweł Krzesiński
Janusz Kochanowski
Piotr Scisło
Anna Michalska
Olga Jelonek
Katarzyna Starzyk
Agnieszka Jurek
Marek Kiliszek
Beata Wożakowska-Kapłon
Grzegorz Gielerak
Krzysztof J. Filipiak
Grzegorz Opolski
Agnieszka Kapłon-Cieślicka

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