Cardiovascular Prevention and Pharmacotherapy

Review Article

Decision-making for recurrent atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation: Jum Suk Ko, Sung Soo Kim, Hyung Ki Jeong, Nam Ho Kim; Cardiovasc Prev Pharmacother. 2023;5(4):102-112. Published online October 27, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.36011/cpp.2023.5.e15

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Abstract PDF: Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), especially pulmonary vein (PV) isolation, is widely used for rhythm control. However, AF recurrence remains a challenge, affecting 20% to 50% of cases. This review focuses on AF recurrence after catheter ablation. AF recurrence can be categorized into early recurrence (ER) within 3 months after index procedure, late recurrence (LR) within 1 year, and very LR (VLR) occurring beyond 1 year. ER has emerged as a significant predictor of LR, contrary to the traditional understanding. LR is primarily caused by PV reconnection, while VLR more involves non-PV triggers or substrates. Managing AF recurrence includes antiarrhythmic drugs, steroids, colchicine, and repeat ablation. Antiarrhythmic drugs reduce ER but have a limited impact on LR. Steroids have been shown to reduce ER, but not long-term recurrence. Colchicine, an anti-inflammatory agent, shows promise in reducing both ER and LR, although further research is necessary. Whether to perform early repeat ablation after ER remains uncertain, as not all patients require immediate intervention. In conclusion, AF recurrence after ablation remains a complex issue. Understanding the underlying mechanisms is essential for personalized management. Tailored approaches, considering individual characteristics, are crucial for long-term success. Future research should focus on improving therapeutic strategies for AF recurrence.

Original Articles

Indirect comparison of nonvitamin K oral anticoagulants and left atrial appendage occlusion: Sung-Hwan Kim, So-Yoon Park, Seung-Sik Hwang; Cardiovasc Prev Pharmacother. 2022;4(1):18-25. Published online January 18, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.36011/cpp.2022.4.e1

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Anticoagulation is important in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients to reduce the occurrence of thrombotic events. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) as an alternative to systemic anticoagulation through an indirect comparative analysis.
Methods
An indirect comparative analysis of nonvitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and LAAO was conducted. Comparisons were made using data from four landmark randomized clinical trials (RE-LY, ROCKET-AF, ARISTOTLE, and PROTECT AF). Using warfarin as the common comparator, an indirect comparison was performed using data from each trial, and the relative risk was calculated between NOACs and LAAO.
Results
NOACs and LAAO showed similar results for the reduction of stroke and systemic embolism, with a non-statistically significant trend favoring NOACs (hazard ratio [HR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37–1.46 for dabigatran; HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.50–1.92 for rivaroxaban; HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.45–1.74 for apixaban). Significantly fewer major bleeding and procedure-related complications were found in patients treated with apixaban compared with LAAO (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26–0.75). Cardiovascular death occurred more frequently in patients administered NOACs than in patients with LAAO (HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.03–5.10 for dabigatran; HR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.09–5.42 for rivaroxaban; HR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.10–5.36 for apixaban).
Conclusions
The rate of all-cause death was similar between NOACs and LAAO. Compared with LAAO, NOACs led to a nonsignificant numerical decrease in stroke and embolism in AF patients. Significantly fewer safety events occurred in patients treated with apixaban. LAAO significantly reduced cardiovascular death.

CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score Is Correlated with Cardiac Performance in Chronic Atrial Fibrillation: Doo Soo Jeon, Mi-Jeong Kim, Wonjik Lee, Dongjae Lee, Ik Jun Choi; Cardiovasc Prev Pharmacother. 2020;2(2):56-62. Published online April 30, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.36011/cpp.2020.2.e9

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Abstract PDF: Background
The CHA₂DS₂-VASc score is a popular tool for risk prediction of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Each component of the CHA₂DS₂-VASc scheme is an established risk factor for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and heart failure (HF). In AF patients, HF is often adversely affecting to clinical outcomes including thromboembolism. We hypothesized that the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score reflects cardiac reserve and the risk of HF as well as the risk of stroke in patients with AF.
Methods
A total of 103 patients who had the diagnosis of chronic non-valvular AF patients with preserved ejection fraction (EF) were enrolled consecutively. CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was compared to exercise capacity (peak oxygen uptake, peak VO₂), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and echocardiographic diastolic dysfunction index (early mitral to annular velocity, E/E′) ratio.
Results
Exercise capacity was correlated with age (β=−0.568, p<0.001), CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (β=−0.526, p<0.001), BNP (β=−0.449, p<0.001) and diastolic dysfunction (β=−0.534, p<0.001). Patients with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score ≥2 had a significantly less exercise capacity than those with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score <2 (p<0.001). Higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was associated with lower exercise capacity, more diastolic dysfunction and higher BNP (for trend p=0.001).
Conclusions
High CHA₂DS₂-VASc score is associated with poor exercise capacity in patients with AF. Diastolic dysfunction is thought to be the major mechanism of exercise limitation. CHA₂DS₂-VASc score might be useful for predicting overall cardiac reserve as well as stroke risk stratification in AF patients.

Review Articles

Dose Selection of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Korean Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: So-Ryoung Lee, Young Keun On; Cardiovasc Prev Pharmacother. 2020;2(1):1-10. Published online January 31, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.36011/cpp.2020.2.e5

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Abstract PDF: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. In the Asian population, patients with AF have been shown to have increased risks of ischemic stroke and all-cause death compared to patients without AF by 3.34- and 2.61-fold, respectively. AF guidelines recommend oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy in AF patients with a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of ≥1 for men and ≥2 for women with non-valvular AF. After the introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) as a treatment for AF, their use has become widespread. Compared to warfarin, NOACs showed comparable efficacy for the prevention of thromboembolic events and superior safety in terms of bleeding complications, especially intracranial hemorrhage. Physicians should keep in mind considerations for optimal OAC therapy to achieve the best outcome. Furthermore, appropriate dose selection in order to achieve the best clinical outcome is an important issue in clinical practice. All NOACs do not have the same rules for dose reduction, and dose reduction of NOACs is primarily recommended according to the dose reduction criteria investigated in pivotal randomized control trials. In this review, we focus on the optimal dose of NOAC and summarize current guidelines and evidence for appropriate dosing of NOACs.

Role of Novel Oral Anticoagulant for Patient with Atrial Fibrillation Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Jang-Whan Bae; Cardiovasc Prev Pharmacother. 2019;1(1):19-29. Published online July 31, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.36011/cpp.2019.1.e1

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1 Citations

Abstract PDF

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is very common arrhythmic disorder especially in elderly population, and makes higher major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in the patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Pivotal drug for AF patients to reduce systemic embolism was warfarin, and certain duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is important after PCI with stent. But, best regimen of antithrombotic agent after PCI in AF is unclear especially in the clinical use of novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC). This manuscript will deal those clinical studies to indicate optimal regimen and duration of NOAC use for AF patients underwent PCI. NOAC use on DAPT significantly reduces major or minor bleeding compared to warfarin in AF patients with ACS or underwent PCI. But, the duration of NOAC use is still unclear, and there is exist clear contraindication to use it in clinical field. NOAC use reduced major or minor bleeding significantly compared to warfarin, but the incidence of MACEs was similar between warfarin and NOAC. Physician should understand the advantage or disadvantage of NOAC use, and be able to tailor the regimen and duration of antithrombotics including NOAC in this higher risk patient population.

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Welcome to the New JournalCardiovascular Prevention and Pharmacotherapy
Mi-Jeong Kim, Jang-Whan Bae, Dae Ryong Kang
Cardiovascular Prevention and Pharmacotherapy.2019; 1(1): 1. CrossRef

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