Meta‐analyses for oral anticoagulants and left atrial appendage thrombus resolution in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: Piecing the puzzle together

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 2261-2262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliza Hussain ◽  
Norman C. Wang
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 724-728
Author(s):  
E. S. Mazur ◽  
V. V. Mazur ◽  
N. D. Bazhenov ◽  
Yu. A. Orlov

Aim. Compare the incidence of the left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus dissolution in patients with persistent nonvalvular atrial fibrillation receiving warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC).Materials and methods. 68 patients with persistent nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were included in a retrospective study (age was 59.7±9.8 years, 60.3% men), in whom at least one repeated transesophageal echocardiographic examination was performed after detecting a thrombus. After detecting a thrombus in the LAA, 37 (54.4%) patients started or continued taking warfarin in doses that ensure the INR maintenance at the level of 2-3, 14 (20.6%) started or continued taking dabigatran at a dose of 150 mg 2 times/day, 14 (20.6%) started or continued taking rivaroxaban 20 mg 1 time/day and 3 (4.4%) started or continued taking apixaban 5 mg 2 times/day. Repeated transesophageal echocardiographic examination was performed on average 33.3±14.2 days after the first one.Results. Dissolution of a previously identified thrombus was found in 26 (83.9%) of 31 patients receiving DOAC and in 19 (51.4%) of 37 patients receiving warfarin (p=0.011). The logistic regression analysis showed that the chances of a thrombus dissolution in LAA while taking DOAC are 14.8 times (95% confidence interval [CI] was 2.469-88.72) higher than while taking warfarin. The size and the rate at which blood is expelled from the LAA also have an independent influence on the chances of thrombus dissolution. An increase in the size of a thrombus by 1 mm reduces the chances of a thrombus dissolution by 1.136 (95% CI was 1.040-1.244) times, and an increase in the rate of blood expulsion from the LAA by 1 cm/sec increases these chances by 1.105 (95% CI was 1.003-1.219) times.Conclusion. In the present study, the incidence of the LAA thrombus dissolution in patients with persistent nonvalvular atrial fibrillation while receiving DOAC was higher than while receiving warfarin.


2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (11) ◽  
pp. 2715-2721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahide Harada ◽  
Masayuki Koshikawa ◽  
Yuji Motoike ◽  
Tomohide Ichikawa ◽  
Kunihiko Sugimoto ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 889-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rami Doukky ◽  
Heather Gage ◽  
Vijaiganesh Nagarajan ◽  
Anna Demopoulos ◽  
Marek Cena ◽  
...  

Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (25) ◽  
pp. e20570
Author(s):  
Anna Michalska ◽  
Iwona Gorczyca ◽  
Magdalena Chrapek ◽  
Agnieszka Kapłon-Cieślicka ◽  
Beata Uziębło-Życzkowska ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Marco Franciulli ◽  
Giuseppe De Martino ◽  
Mariateresa Librera ◽  
Ahmed Desoky ◽  
Antonio Mariniello ◽  
...  

Objective In nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at high bleeding risk, oral anticoagulants (OAC) may be contraindicated, and percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure has been advocated. However, following percutaneous procedure, either OAC or dual antiplatelet treatment is required. In this study, we present our experience in treating nonvalvular AF patients at high bleeding risk with thoracoscopic LAA closure with no subsequent antithrombotic therapy. Methods From April 2019 to January 2020, 20 consecutive AF patients, mean age 75.1 years, 16 (80%) males, underwent thoracoscopic LAA closure as a stand-alone procedure, using an epicardial clip device. OAC and antiplatelet therapy were contraindicated. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.61, and the mean HAS-BLED score was 4.42. Successful LAA closure was assessed by transesophageal echocardiography. Primary endpoints were complete LAA closure (no residual LAA flow), operative complications, and all-cause mortality; secondary endpoints were 30-day and 6-month complications (death, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack, any bleeding). Mean follow-up was 6 ± 4 months. Results Complete LAA closure was achieved in all patients. No operative clip-related complications or deaths occurred. At follow-up, freedom from postoperative complications was 95% and from any cerebrovascular events was 100%. Overall survival rate was 100%. Conclusions In nonvalvular AF patients at high bleeding risk (HAS-BLED score >3), thoracoscopic LAA closure appears to be a valid alternative to percutaneous techniques not requiring dual antiplatelet or OAC treatment. Apparently, external LAA clipping minimizes the risk of thromboembolic events as compared with percutaneous procedures.


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