Morbidity and mortality in 229 elderly patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. A five-year follow-up

Abstract

Background: In the elderly the impact of atrial fibrillation on mortality and morbidity is substantial. Oral anticoagulant therapy reduces the risk of stroke by 70%; nevertheless, it remains largely underused. We evaluated, in a community prospective study, the factors associated with embolic events and death and the feasibility of oral anticoagulant therapy managed by general practitioners.

Methods: We enrolled at the Trieste Cardiovascular Center 229 patients aged > or = 65 years with non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation. At baseline, each patient underwent a transesophageal echocardiography and received instructions about oral anticoagulation. Patients were regularly followed by their general practitioner and finally evaluated at the Center.

Results: At baseline, the mean age was 73 years, 14% of patients were free of heart disease, 27% had had a previous embolic event, and 33% had an atrial thrombus. After a 5-year follow-up, 85% of the patients had been admitted to hospital, 17% had suffered an embolic event, and 35% were dead. Diabetes and the presence of a low flow in the left atrial appendage were predictive of embolic events. Heart failure, spontaneous echocontrast and aortic plaques were predictive of death. Anticoagulant therapy increased from 14 to 34% but the incidence of major bleeding did not change. The patients on anticoagulant therapy at follow-up constituted the group with the worst cardiovascular profile and embolic rate, but had a lower death rate (19%) compared with those on antiplatelet therapy (32%) and with those without antithrombotic therapy (67%). The hospitalization rates were respectively 78, 83 and 100%.

Conclusions: In a group of elderly patients followed by their general practitioner with the support of a specialized cardiologic unit, oral anticoagulant therapy was well tolerated and associated with a significant decrease in mortality and hospitalization.