Characteristics of high-risk non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients

Aim - analyse clinical characteristics of high-risk non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients hospitalized in Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital and Riga East Clinical University Hospital Centre “Gailezers”. Patients were enrolled during their hospitalization. Demographic data, medical history was acquired from medical records and interviews. Patients were divided in three study groups depending on the oral anticoagulant (OAC) type they used. Data were collected with Microsoft Excel, analysed with SPSS. 386 high-risk non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients were enrolled 2016-2020. Of them 167 (43.3%) males. Non-OAC users (Non) 110 (28.5%), Warfarin (W) 135 (35.0%) and DOAC (D) 141 (36.5%). Mean age: Non - 73.8; W – 71.5; D – 68.5 years. The largest part of Non (20.9%) and W (29.6%) users had AF >10 years. D for 1-3 years (17.0%). Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score: Non - 4.8, W – 4.4, D – 4.1; HAS-BLED score respectively Non - 2.8; W - 2.9; D - 4.1 points. Smokers in Non group were 12.7% (14) used to smoke - 16.4% (18), non-smokers - 76.4% (84); respectively W – 3.0% (4); 13.3% (18), 90.4% (122); D – 12.8% (18); 10.6% (15), 73.0% (103). Coronary artery disease: Non 63.6% (70), W – 48.1% (65), D – 34.8% (49); Diabetes: Non - 26.4% (29), Warfarin - 29.6% (40), D - 21.3% (30); Chronic Heart failure: Non - 60.8% (67), W - 68.1% (92), D - 55.3% (78); anamnesis of PCI: Non - 17.3% (19), W - 14.1% (19), D - 12.8% (18); Cerebral Infarction: Non -13.6% (15), W - 11.1% (15), D - 8.5% (12). Mean left ventricular ejections fraction: Non - 53.9%; W – 51.3%; D – 55.8%. Physicians should be aware of the high incidence rate of diabetes, cerebral infarction anamnesis, high prevalence of smokers, incidence of patients who do not use proper anticoagulation for stroke prophylaxis.