Stroke

Congestive heart failure (with decreased ejection fraction) has always been recognized as a risk factor for stroke or systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and is included in the CHA2DS-VASc risk score calculation.

While chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is linked to an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, it is not associated with the likelihood of stroke or systemic embolism.

A large retrospective analysis from Canada suggests that dabigatran is about as safe and effective as warfarin in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.

Catheter ablation offers an appealing option for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in whom rhythm control is desired. However, the success rate of the procedure remains somewhat dismal, with only 30% to 40% of persons achieving long term rhythm control. There are many theories as to why AF ablation may have limited success, including multiple sites of AF origination.

A new review and meta-analysis finds that - despite the lack of drug-specific antidotes to arrest major bleeds - novel oral anticoagulants are associated with a lower risk of fatal bleeds than warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation.

In dementia-free older adults at high risk for cardiovascular disease, impaired executive function appears to be associated with higher risk of incipient coronary heart disease and stroke, a meta-analysis of prospective observational studies now shows.

Compared to patients who received no oral anticoagulant treatment at hospital discharge, patients with ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation who received warfarin had a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and spent less time receiving follow-up care at the hospital.

Research indicates that, despite the relative simplicity of dabigatran regimens, physicians and pharmacists must follow up with patients repeatedly to maximize the chances they'll adhere to prescriptions.

At the American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Meeting 2015 in Boston, Peter Zimetbaum, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, presented an “Update In Cardiology.” Here are the highlights of his presentation and the implications for clinical practice.

Patients with atrial fibrillation at low risk of stroke treated with antithrombotic agents experienced low rates of stroke-related events, but the rate increased significantly in patients with even one additional risk factor.

The relationship between a blood thinner and the body's natural defense against HIV was discussed in new research published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Analysis indicates that updates to atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment guidelines will encourage American doctors to prescribe oral anticoagulants to almost 1 million more patients.

Several studies published in 2014 addressed the risks and benefits of prescribing aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events. In a Q&A with HCPLive's Gale Scott, Jeffrey Berger, MD, takes up the debate.

Anticoagulation is recommended for members of the general population with atrial fibrillation, but its significant risks must be weighed carefully in the medically fragile chronic kidney disease population.

Analysis of a dozen phase III trials indicates that patients with atrial fibrillation face significantly less risk of major, fatal, and intracranial bleeding if they take target-specific oral anticoagulants rather than vitamin K antagonists.

The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new algorithm that will enable many smart phones to detect signs of atrial fibrillation.

New research suggests that most patients who have suffered a stroke can be taught to reliably detect the first signs of atrial fibrillation by measuring their peripheral pulse at the radial artery.

Research suggests that patients who develop seemingly temporary cases of atrial fibrillation immediately after most types of surgery are dramatically more likely to suffer subsequent strokes.

Eliquis is also now indicated for reducing the risk of recurrent DVT and PE following initial therapy.

Analysis of more than 5,000 successful electrical cardioversions performed without anticoagulation suggests that patients and doctors must act fast to minimize the chances that acute atrial fibrillation will lead to thromboembolic events.

A pair of randomized controlled studies have both found that continuous monitoring of patients after cryptogenic strokes can detect several times as many cases of atrial fibrillation as conventional monitoring.

Total number of hospitalizations increased by more than 23%, while associated treatment costs rose but mortality declined.

Patients treated with too much or too little warfarin for atrial fibrillation (AF) are significantly more likely to develop dementia than patients who maintain proper medication levels.

Study shows no correlation between stroke risk among atrial fibrillation patients and the likelihood that they'd receive prescriptions for risk-reducing medication during hospitalization.

An examination of the cost-effectiveness of novel oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients.

Although they offer an alternative to warfarin for preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, effective use of the new anticoagulants requires careful patient selection.

Mitigating the risk of stroke, heart failure, and death when treating patients with atrial fibrillation requires a careful consideration of patient characteristics and management options.

Changes to the recommended use of various medications and catheter ablations rank among the highlights of comprehensive new guidelines for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation.

Collaboration between American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society, and the Society of Thoracic Surgery includes guidance on the use of new oral anticoagulants.

Subanalysis of a study comparing warfarin and apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation found that uncontrolled hypertension increased the risk of stroke or systemic embolism in these patients.