First Multicentric Prospective Study in the Argentine Republic. Chronic Atrial Fibrillation Two Year Follow-up Survival Analysis

pp 192-200

Abstract

Different studies have evaluated the influence of atrial fibrillation on the long-term prognosis of diverse heart conditions. Controlled trials have revealed the value of oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy on embolism prevention. There is scarce information analyzing the possibility to extrapolate the results from clinical trials to a general population with chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF). 

Objective

To determine the incidence of total mortality and the incidence of stroke in patients with CAF in Argentina. To determine variables associated with outcomes of interest. 

Research Design and Methods 

Six hundred and fifteen patients consecutively included in a registry of CAF were followed up through telephone contact and data collected on any cause of mortality and stroke incidence. Variables independently associated with a greater risk for such events were registered through multiple logistic regression analysis. 

Results

We completed a 27-month follow-up. Total mortality in this sample was 23% (17% of those receiving OAC compared to 29% of those not receiving it; p<0.001). Stroke incidence was 6.7% and the final endpoint incidence combining death a/o stroke was 27.5%. Old age, left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), absence of OAC treatment at the moment of the initial study registration and previous stroke were variables independently associated to a higher risk of death and/or stroke. 

Conclusions

There is a risk of death and stroke in patients with CAF in Argentina. Several baseline variables were associated with prognosis, including old age, LVF, previous stroke and the absence of OAC at the initial study registry.