Efficacy and Safety of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants After Cardioversion for Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
BACKGROUND: Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are proven alternatives to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for the prevention of thromboembolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. However, there are few data on the efficacy and safety of NOAC therapy after cardioversion, where the risk of thromboembolic events is heightened. METHODS: We performed a random-effects meta-analysis of patients who underwent both electrical and pharmacologic cardioversion for atrial fibrillation in the RE-LY, ROCKET-AF, ARISTOTLE, ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48, and X-VeRT trials. We assessed Mantel-Haenszel pooled estimates of risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding at ≤42 days of follow-up. RESULTS: The analysis pooled 3949 patients in whom a total of 4900 cardioversions for atrial fibrillation were performed. Compared with VKAs, NOAC therapy was associated with a similar risk of stroke/systemic embolism (RR 0.84; 95% CI, 0.34-2.04) and major bleeding (RR 1.12; 95% CI, 0.52-2.42); no significant statistical heterogeneity was found among studies (Cochrane Q P = .59, I(2) = 0% for stroke/systemic embolism; P = .47; I(2) = 0% for major bleeding). CONCLUSIONS: The short-term incidences of thromboembolic and major hemorrhagic events after cardioversion on NOACs were low and comparable to those observed on dose-adjusted VKA therapy. Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants are a reasonable alternative to VKAs in patients undergoing cardioversion.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Renda, G; Zimarino, M; Ricci, F; Piccini, JP; Ezekowitz, MD; Patel, MR; Cappato, R; Giugliano, RP; De Caterina, R
Published Date
- October 2016
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 129 / 10
Start / End Page
- 1117 - 1123.e2
PubMed ID
- 27262782
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1555-7162
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.amjmed.2016.05.007
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States