Thromboprophylaxis for atrial arrhythmias in congenital heart disease: A multicenter study

Paul Khairy, Jamil Aboulhosn, Craig S. Broberg, Scott Cohen, Stephen Cook, Annie Dore, Susan M. Fernandes, Anne Fournier, Joseph Kay, Sylvie Levesque, Laurent Macle, François Marcotte, Blandine Mondésert, François Pierre Mongeon, Alexander R. Opotowsky, Anna Proietti, Lena Rivard, Jennifer Ting, Bernard Thibault, Ali ZaidiRobert Hamilton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background There is a paucity of data to guide decisions regarding thromboprophylaxis for atrial arrhythmias in congenital heart disease. Methods A retrospective multicenter cohort study enrolled patients with documented sustained atrial arrhythmias and congenital heart disease from 12 North American centers to quantify thromboembolic and bleeding rates associated with antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy, and explore associated factors. A blinded committee adjudicated all qualifying arrhythmias and outcomes. Results A total of 482 patients, 45.2% female, age 32.0 ± 18.0 years, were followed for 11.3 ± 9.4 years since the qualifying arrhythmia. Antiplatelet therapy was administered to 37.8%, anticoagulation to 54.4%, and neither to 7.9%. Congenital heart disease complexity was simple, moderate, and severe in 18.5%, 34.4%, and 47.1%, respectively. Freedom from thromboembolic events was 84.7 ± 2.7% at 15 years, with no difference between anticoagulation versus antiplatelet therapy (P = 0.97). Congenital heart disease complexity was independently associated with thromboembolic events, with rates of 0.00%, 0.93%, and 1.95%/year in those with simple, moderate, and severe forms (P < 0.001). CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were not predictive of thromboembolic risk. Annualized bleeding rates with antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy were 0.66% and 1.82% (P = 0.039). In multivariable analyses, anticoagulation [hazard ratio (HR) 4.76, 95% CI (1.05–21.58), P = 0.043] and HAS-BLED score [HR 3.15, 95% CI (1.02, 9.78), P = 0.047] were independently associated with major bleeds. Conclusion Current management of atrial arrhythmias in congenital heart disease is associated with a modest rate of thromboembolic events, which is predicted by disease complexity but not CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc scores. HAS-BLED score is applicable to the congenital population in predicting major bleeds.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)729-735
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology
Volume223
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 15 2016

Keywords

  • Anticoagulation
  • Antiplatelet therapy
  • Atrial tachycardia
  • Bleeding
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Thromboembolic event

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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