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There is an increasing proportion of the general population surviving to old age with significant chronic disease, multi-morbidity, and disability. The prevalence of pre-frail state and frailty syndrome increases exponentially with advancing age and is associated with greater morbidity, disability, hospitalization, institutionalization, mortality, and health care resource use. Frailty represents a global problem, making early identification, evaluation, and treatment to prevent the cascade of events leading from functional decline to disability and death, one of the challenges of geriatric and general medicine. Cardiac arrhythmias are common in advancing age, chronic illness, and frailty and include a broad spectrum of rhythm and conduction abnormalities. However, no systematic studies or recommendations on the management of arrhythmias are available specifically for the elderly and frail population, and the uptake of many effective antiarrhythmic therapies in these patients remains the slowest. This European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus document focuses on the biology of frailty, common comorbidities, and methods of assessing frailty, in respect to a specific issue of arrhythmias and conduction disease, provide evidence base advice on the management of arrhythmias in patients with frailty syndrome, and identifies knowledge gaps and directions for future research. There is an increasing proportion of the general population surviving to old age with significant chronic disease, multi-morbidity, and disability. The prevalence of pre-frail state and frailty syndrome increases exponentially with advancing age and is associated with greater morbidity, disability, hospitalization, institutionalization, mortality, and health care resource use. Frailty represents a global problem, making early identification, evaluation, and treatment to prevent the cascade of events leading from functional decline to disability and death, one of the challenges of geriatric and general medicine. Cardiac arrhythmias are common in advancing age, chronic illness, and frailty and include a broad spectrum of rhythm and conduction abnormalities. However, no systematic studies or recommendations on the management of arrhythmias are available specifically for the elderly and frail population, and the uptake of many effective antiarrhythmic therapies in these patients remains the slowest. This European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus document focuses on the biology of frailty, common comorbidities, and methods of assessing frailty, in respect to a specific issue of arrhythmias and conduction disease, provide evidence base advice on the management of arrhythmias in patients with frailty syndrome, and identifies knowledge gaps and directions for future research.

BACKGROUND: Prospective data on nonvitamin-K-antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) management during cardiovascular interventions are limited. We therefore evaluated the safety and effectiveness of uninterrupted dabigatran therapy as well as dabigatran management during atrial fibrillation (AF)-cardioversions, AF-ablations, pacemaker implantations and coronary angiography and/or stenting procedures.METHOD: GLORIA-AF is an international registry programme involving patients with newly diagnosed AF. Dabigatran users were followed for ≤2 years. The primary outcome was occurrence of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding ≤8 weeks after a cardiovascular intervention during uninterrupted dabigatran therapy.RESULTS: During the 2-year follow-up, 599 cardiovascular interventions were identified in 479 eligible patients. 412/599 (69%) interventions were performed with uninterrupted dabigatran therapy: 299/354 (84%) AF-cardioversions, 38/89 (43%) AF-ablations, 25/58 (43%) pacemaker implantations, and 50/98 (51%) coronary angiography and/or stenting procedures. During an average follow-up of 8.4 weeks after intervention, one major bleed and one systemic embolic event occurred (risk 0.25% for both outcomes; 95% confidence interval, 0.01%-1.36%).CONCLUSIONS: More than two thirds of the interventions were performed with uninterrupted dabigatran therapy, of which most were AF-cardioversions. Uninterrupted dabigatran therapy was associated with low major bleeding and stroke/systemic embolism risk, supporting the favourable safety and effectiveness profile of dabigatran in clinical practice-based settings.

Objective Anticoagulation management in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and impaired renal function is challenging. This study aimed to evaluate anticoagulation prescription patterns in relation to renal function and to describe 2-year clinical outcomes among dabigatran users. Methods Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (GLORIA-AF) is an international, prospective, and observational study program involving patients with newly diagnosed AF at risk for stroke. Prescription patterns were assessed by creatinine clearance (CrCl) at enrollment. Dabigatran users were followed for 2 years. Clinical outcomes were standardized for stroke and bleeding risk, based on CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores, with missing values imputed. Results Baseline CrCl values were available for 12,056 of 15,308 eligible patients (79%). With declining renal function, prescriptions increased for vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and decreased for dabigatran (30–47% and 34–12%, respectively). The prescription of other non-vitamin K antagonists remained similar across CrCl groups (14–19%). In 4,873 dabigatran users, standardized stroke rates were low across all CrCl groups; 0.58/100 patient-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30–0.90) in CrCl ≥80 mL/min, 0.85 (95% CI: 0.48–1.21) in CrCl 50 to 79 mL/min, and 0.33 (95% CI: 0.06–1.11) in CrCl 30 to 49 mL/min. Similarly, major bleeding rates were low and numerically increased with declining renal function (0.68/100 patient-years, 95% CI: 0.39–1.03; 0.92, 95% CI: 0.58–1.32; and 1.26, 95% CI: 0.66–1.97, respectively). Conclusion In patients with AF, VKA prescriptions increased and dabigatran prescriptions decreased with declining renal function. Rates of stroke and major bleeding in dabigatran patients remained low across the categories of renal impairment.

Aims: This study aimed to describe baseline characteristics of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at risk of stroke with and without history of heart failure (HF) and report 2-year outcomes in the dabigatran-treated subset of a prospective, global, observational study (GLORIA-AF). Methods and results: Newly diagnosed patients with AF and CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 1 were consecutively enrolled. Baseline characteristics were assessed by the presence or absence of HF diagnosis at enrolment. Incidence rates for outcomes in dabigatran-treated patients were estimated with and without standardization by stroke (excluding HF component) and bleeding risk scores. A total of 15 308 eligible patients were enrolled, including 15 154 with known HF status; of these, 3679 (24.0%) had been diagnosed with HF, 11 475 (75.0%) had not. Among 4873 dabigatran-treated patients, 1169 (24.0%) had HF, and 3658 (75.1%) did not; the risk of stroke was high (CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2) for 94.3% of patients with HF and 85.8% without, while 6.0% and 7.0%, respectively, had a high bleeding risk (HAS-BLED ≥ 3). Incidence rates of all-cause death in dabigatran-treated patients with and without HF, standardized for CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores, were 4.76 vs. 1.80 per 100 patient years (py), with roughly comparable rates of stroke (0.82 vs. 0.60 per 100 py) and major bleeding (1.20 vs. 0.92 per 100 py). Conclusions: Patients with AF and history of HF may have greater disease burden at AF diagnosis and increased mortality rates vs. patients without HF. Stroke and major bleeding rates were roughly comparable between groups confirming the long-term safety and effectiveness of dabigatran in patients with HF.

Background Until the approval of dabigatran etexilate, treatment choices for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or antiplatelet drugs. This analysis explored whether availability of non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants post‐dabigatran approval was associated with changing treatment patterns in China. Methods Global Registry on Long‐Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (GLORIA‐AF) collected data on antithrombotic therapy choices for patients with newly diagnosed nonvalvular AF at risk for stroke. In China, enrollment in phase 1 (before dabigatran approval) and phase 2 (after dabigatran approval) occurred from 2011 to 2013 and 2013 to 2014, respectively. Analyses were restricted to sites within China that contributed patients to both phases. The weighted average of the site‐specific results was estimated for standardization. Sensitivity analyses used multiple regression. Results Thirteen sites participated in both phase 1 (419 patients) and phase 2 (276 patients), 76.1% and 16.0% were known to be at high risk for stroke (CHA2DS2‐VASc ≥2) and bleeding (HAS‐BLED ≥3); 55.5% were male. In phase 1, 16.7%, 61.6%, and 21.7% of patients were prescribed oral anticoagulants (OACs), antiplatelet agents, and no treatment, respectively. Respective proportions were 26.4%, 40.6%, and 33.0% in phase 2. The absolute increase in the site‐standardized proportion of patients prescribed OACs after dabigatran availability was 9.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.7%‐16.0%). There was a standardized 17.3% (95% CI: −24.3% to −10.4%) absolute decrease in antiplatelet agent use. Conclusions There was an increase in OAC and decrease in antiplatelet agent prescription since dabigatran availability in China. However, a large proportion of AF patients at risk for stroke remained untreated., Using the Global Registry on Long‐Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation registry, the evolution of oral anticoagulation use in patients at risk for stroke was explored in China before and after the availability of the first non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant. There was an increase in oral anticoagulation use coupled with a decrease in the use of antiplatelet agents alone; however a vast proportion of patients remained untreated.

Background: We aimed to assess the extent to which drug persistence is better with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) than vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and to estimate the difference in therapy persistence depending on NOAC dosing regimen (once daily (QD) vs. twice daily (BID)). Methods: Consecutive patients were followed for 1 year in phase III of the GLORIA-AF registry. Drug persistence was defined as the use of OAC without any discontinuation in &gt, 30 days or switching to alternative therapy. Results: Among 21,109 eligible patients in phase III, 17,266 patients who were prescribed OAC at baseline and those who took &ge, 1 OAC dose were included. The 1-year proportion of patients receiving NOAC and VKA who persisted on treatment was 80% and 75%, respectively. The 1-year persistence with NOACs BID and NOACs QD was 81% and 80%, respectively. Female gender, hypertension, older age, alcohol use, permanent, asymptomatic, and minimally symptomatic AF were associated with better OAC persistence. Region, medication usage predisposing to bleeding, being a current smoker, treatment reimbursement, and proton pump inhibitors were associated with lower OAC persistence. Conclusions: Drug persistence was higher with NOACs (1-year persistence was 80%) than with VKAs (75%). There was little difference in 1-year persistence between NOAC dosing regimens.

Aims: Data on gender differences in oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation are conflicting, largely limited to regional reports and vitamin K antagonist use. We aimed to analyze gender-specific anticoagulant prescription patterns early following the introduction of non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in a large, global registry on atrial fibrillation. Methods: The Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (GLORIA-AF) is an international registry program involving patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation (2DS 2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke/transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, sex category [female]) score = 1; CHADS 2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke) score = 0; previous bleeding; age

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend long-term oral anticoagulation therapy for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Treatment discontinuation rates in vitamin K antagonist (VKA)-treated patients are high but may be lower with non-VKA oral anticoagulant agents.OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to describe and explore predictors of dabigatran etexilate persistence in patients with newly diagnosed AF over 2 years of follow-up.METHODS: Consecutive patients newly diagnosed with AF and ≥1 stroke risk factor were followed up for 2 years. Dabigatran nonpersistence was defined as discontinuation of dabigatran for >30 days. A multivariable Cox regression model included region as well as patient clinical and sociodemographic characteristics to explore predictors of nonpersistence.RESULTS: Eligible patients (N = 2,932) took ≥1 dabigatran dose; their mean age was 70.3 ± 10.2 years, and 55.3% were male. The 2-year probability of dabigatran persistence was 69.2%. Approximately 7% switched to a factor Xa inhibitor and 6% to a VKA. Approximately one-third of dabigatran discontinuations were primarily due to serious or nonserious adverse events. Patients from North America had the highest discontinuation risk, and Latin America had the lowest. Minimally symptomatic or asymptomatic AF and permanent AF were associated with a lower risk for dabigatran nonpersistence. Previous proton pump inhibitor use was associated with a higher risk for dabigatran nonpersistence.CONCLUSIONS: Probability of treatment persistence with dabigatran after 2 years was approximately 70%. Nearly one-half of the patients who stopped dabigatran switched to another oral anticoagulant agent. Patients from North America, and those with paroxysmal, persistent, or symptomatic AF, may be at a higher risk for discontinuing dabigatran.

Introduction Although guideline-adherent antithrombotic therapy (ATT) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with lower mortality and thromboembolism, ATT uptake shows geographic variation worldwide. We aimed to assess thromboembolic risk and baseline ATT by geographic region and identify factors associated with prescription of ATT in a large, truly global registry of patients with recently diagnosed AF. Methods and Results Our analysis comprises 15,092 patients newly diagnosed with non-valvular AF at risk for stroke, enrolled in Phase II of Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (GLORIA-AF). Global oral anticoagulation (OAC) use was 79.9%, being highest in Europe (90.1%), followed by Africa/Middle East (87.4%) and Latin America (85.3%), North America (78.3%) and Asia (55.2%). Among OAC users, vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have been replaced by non-VKA OACs (NOACs) as the more prevalent OAC option in all regions, with highest use in North America (66.5%) and lowest in Asia (50.2%). In Asia, OAC was 80.4% in community hospitals but only 49.8% in university hospitals and 42.6% in specialist offices, and varied from 21.0% in China to 89.7% in Japan (NOACs at 5.8% in China and 83.3% in Japan). Globally, 76.5% of low-risk patients were prescribed ATT (46.1% OAC), whereas 17.7% high-risk patients were not anticoagulated (Europe 8.8%; North America 18.9%; Asia 42.4%). Conclusion Substantial inter- and intra-regional differences in ATT for stroke prevention in AF are evident in this global registry. While guideline-adherent ATT can be further improved, NOACs are the main contributor to high OAC use worldwide.

Aims The introduction of non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs), which differ from the earlier vitamin K antagonist (VKA) treatments, has changed the approach to stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). GLORIA-AF is a prospective, global registry programme describing the selection of antithrombotic treatment in newly diagnosed AF patients at risk of stroke. It comprises three phases: Phase I, before the introduction of NOACs; Phase II, during the time of the introduction of dabigatran, the first NOAC; and Phase III, once NOACs have been established in clinical practice. Methods and results In Phase I, 1063 patients were eligible from the 1100 enrolled (54.3% male; median age 70 years); patients were from China (67.1%), Europe (EU; 27.4%), and the Middle East (ME; 5.6%). The majority of patients using VKAs had high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 2; 86.5%); 13.5% had moderate risk (CHA2DS2-VASc = 1). Vitamin K antagonist use was higher for persistent/permanent AF (47.7%) than that for paroxysmal (23.9%). Most patients in China were treated with antiplatelet agents (53.7%) vs. 27.1% in EU and 28.8% in ME. In China, 25.9% of patients had no antithrombotic therapy, vs. 8.6% in EU and 8.5% in ME. Conclusion Phase I of GLORIA-AF shows that VKAs were mostly used in patients with persistent/permanent (vs. paroxysmal) AF and in those with high stroke risk. Furthermore, there were meaningful geographical differences in the use of VKA therapy in the era before the availability of NOACs, including a much lower use of VKAs in China, where most patients either received antiplatelet agents or no antithrombotic treatment.

Es importante estar atento ante la aparición de síntomas respiratorios luego de la realización de un procedimiento de ablación por radiofrecuencia en el tratamiento de la fibrilación auricular, pues la estenosis de venas pulmonares (EVP) tiene una incidencia de entre 1 y 3% y puede aparecer hasta en los dos años posteriores al procedimiento1. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 41 años de sexo masculino, que ingresó por un cuadro de hemoptisis y toracodinia de tres semanas de evolución, con antecedente de ablación por radiofrecuencia 6 meses antes de la admisión. La angiotomografía no evidenció tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP) y la angiorresonancia detectó hipoperfusión deI lóbulo superior del pulmón izquierdo (LSI). Debido a los antecedentes de ablación se solicitó angiotomografía de venas pulmonares, que evidenció estenosis de la vena del LSI. Se realizó estudio hemodinámico con dilatación y colocación de stent.

While management of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients is improved by guideline-conform application of anticoagulant therapy, rate control, rhythm control, and therapy of accompanying heart disease, the morbidity and mortality associated with AF remain unacceptably high. This paper describes the proceedings of the 3rd Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET)/European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus conference that convened over 60 scientists and representatives from industry to jointly discuss emerging therapeutic and diagnostic improvements to achieve better management of AF patients. The paper covers four chapters: (i) risk factors and risk markers for AF; (ii) pathophysiological classification of AF; (iii) relevance of monitored AF duration for AF-related outcomes; and (iv) perspectives and needs for implementing better antithrombotic therapy. Relevant published literature for each section is covered, and suggestions for the improvement of management in each area are put forward. Combined, the propositions formulate a perspective to implement comprehensive management in AF.