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Thromb Haemost 2013; 110(06): 1189-1198
DOI: 10.1160/TH13-07-0556
Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Cellular Haemostasis
Schattauer GmbH

Cessation of oral anticoagulation in relation to mortality and the risk of thrombotic events in patients with atrial fibrillation

Pilar Gallego
1   Hematology and Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, University of Murcia, Spain
,
Vanessa Roldan
1   Hematology and Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, University of Murcia, Spain
,
Francisco Marín
2   Cardiology Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Spain
,
Marta Romera
1   Hematology and Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, University of Murcia, Spain
,
Mariano Valdés
2   Cardiology Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Spain
,
Vicente Vicente
1   Hematology and Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital Universitario Morales Meseguer, University of Murcia, Spain
,
Gregory Y. H. Lip
3   Haemostasis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Unit, University of Birmingham Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
› Author Affiliations Financial support: This work was supported by grant PI11/1256 from ISCIII (Fondos FEDER).
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 15 July 2013

Accepted after major revision: 19 August 2013

Publication Date:
30 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Bleeding risk (often perceived, rather than actual) is a common reason for cessation of oral anticoagulation with Vitamin K antagonists (VKA). We investigate clinical outcomes in a consecutive population of VKA naïve atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, who initiated VKA therapy in our clinic. We included consecutive VKA-naíve patients with non valvular AF, initiated on VKA therapy in our anticoagulation outpatient clinic in 2009. During follow-up, adverse events [thrombotic/vascular events (stroke, acute coronary syndrome, acute heart failure and cardiac death), major bleeding and death], and VKA cessation were recorded. At the end of the follow-up, we determined time within therapeutic range (TTR), using a linear approximation (Rosendaal method). We studied 529 patients (49% male, median age 76), median follow-up 835 days (IQR 719−954). During this period 114 patients stopped VKA treatment. 63 patients suffered a thrombotic/cardiovascular event (5.17%/year, 27 thrombotic/ischaemic strokes), 51 major bleeding (4.19%/year) and 48 died (3.94%/year). Median TTR was 54% (34a57). On multivariate analysis (adjusted by CHA2DS2-VASc score), VKA cessation was associated with death [Hazard Ratio (HR) 3.43; p<0.001], stroke [4.21; p=0.001] and thrombotic/cardiovascular events [2.72; p<0.001]. Independent risk factors for major bleeding were age [1.08; p<0.001], previous stroke [1.85; p=0.049], and TTR [0.97; p=0.001], but not VKA cessation. In conclusion, in AF patients AF, VKA cessation is independently associated with mortality stroke and cardiovascular events. Specifically, VKA cessation independently increased the risk of stroke, even after adjusting for CHA2DS2-VASc score. TTR was an independent risk factor for major bleeding following initiation of VKA therapy.

Note: The editorial process for this paper was fully handled by Prof Christian Weber, Editor in Chief.

Keywords

Atrial fibrillation - oral anticoagulants - mortality - thrombosis
 

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