RIVOROXABAN IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE I ATRIAL FLUTTER: EFFECTIVENESS, SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

Aim. To assess effectiveness, safety and adherence to treatment of patients with type I atrial flutter who were previously excluded from the clinical trials evaluating the potential benefits of rivoroxaban for thromboembolism prevention.Methods. 27 medical records of patients with type I atrial flutter were retrospectively reviewed and assigned to the study group. The control group consisted of 100 patients with atrial fibrillation. Both groups received rivoroxaban. All patients underwent thromboembolism risk assessment with the CHA2DS2-VACs score, bleeding risk assessment with HAS-BLED score. Data were collected by telephone.Results. No thromboembolic events were registered in the atrial flutter group, whereas one case of ischemic stroke was in the atrial fibrillation group. There were no major bleedings in both groups. Four patients with atrial flutter and 2 patients with atrial fibrillation had hemorrhages. Patients’ adherence to rivoroxaban was 75–80%.Conclusion. Rivoroxaban therapy was found to be effective and safe in patients with type I atrial flutter including those who underwent cardioversion. High adherence to rivoroxaban therapy was demonstrated.

Outcomes of lung transplant recipients with preoperative atrial fibrillation

Background Preoperative atrial fibrillation is associated with poor outcomes after cardiac surgery, but its effect on lung transplantation outcomes remains unknown. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 235 patients who underwent lung transplantation in our institution from 2013 to 2015, analyzing demographics, length of stay, survival, readmissions, and cardiac events. Mean recipient age was 59 ± 11 years, and 142 (60.4%) were men. Patients were grouped according to pre-transplantation atrial fibrillation status (atrial fibrillation/no atrial fibrillation). Results The atrial fibrillation group ( n = 38; 16.2%) was significantly older with a longer ischemic time, more postoperative atrial arrhythmias (73.7% vs. 20.8%, p = 0.01), and a longer median postoperative length of stay (16 vs. 13 days, p = 0.02). The median total hospital stay in the first postoperative year was also higher in the atrial fibrillation group (27 vs. 21 days, p = 0.25). Short-term survival and survival during follow-up did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions Lung transplant recipients with preoperative atrial fibrillation are at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and longer hospital stay. Preoperative atrial fibrillation may portend adverse events after lung transplantation.

Effects of Giant Left Atrium on Thromboembolism after Mitral Valve Replacement

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of thromboembolic events in patients with giant left atrium (> 6.5 cm) after mitral valve replacement. From January 2000 to September 2002, a total of 126 patients who had undergone mitral valve replacement were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of giant left atrium. Group A comprised 34 patients with left atrium over 6.5 cm without compression symptoms and Group B comprised 92 patients. The preoperative variables did not distinguish the patients in each group, except for atrial fibrillation; Group A 85.2% and Group B 61.9% (p < 0.01). After mitral valve replacement, left atrium mean diameter was significantly decreased in Group A from 8.1 ± 1.3 mm to 6.2 ± 1.6 mm ( p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in thrombosis, hemorrhage and thromboembolism rates in both groups. Postoperative clinical and hemodynamic parameters demonstrated a positive clinical response to mitral valve replacement in patients with giant left atrium. During follow-up no direct relationship between thromboembolism and giant left atrium was evident.