Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Thromboembolic and bleeding complications after elective cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: a nationwide cohort study
- Retrospective cohort study
- nationwide
- register-based
Authors' conclusion
The rate of thromboembolic and bleeding complications related to ECV was low without significant difference between NOAC- and warfarin-treated patients.
Study context
- Population
- Finnish atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing first-ever elective cardioversion, 2012–2018
- Participants
- 9,625 patients
- Exposure
- NOAC vs warfarin at elective cardioversion
- NOACn = 3,380
- Warfarinn = 6,245reference
- Outcome
- Thromboembolic and bleeding complications
- Follow-up
- 30 days after ECV
Main finding
Thromboembolic complications · 30 days
Odds ratio
0.77
CI 0.42–1.39
Events by group
NOAC vs Warfarin
OR 0.77 (CI 0.42–1.39)
As reported in the abstract
- Overall thromboembolic complications
- 52 (0.5%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Thromboembolic complications by INR (warfarin users)
P = 0.026
Time from elective cardioversion (ECV) to thromboembolic event
- Median time (days)
- 2
- Events within 10 days
- 78%
Predictors of thromboembolic events
- Age and alcohol abuse were significant predictors
Safety
Bleeding events · 30 days
- Overall bleeding events
- 27 (0.3%)
Original publication
Thromboembolic and bleeding complications after elective cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: a nationwide cohort study. Europace. Published 3 June 2024. doi:10.1093/europace/euae131
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it