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Atrial fibrillation significantly increases the risk of thromboembolic events, necessitating anticoagulation for stroke prevention. However, patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage pose unique management challenges, particularly regarding the use of anticoagulants and the need for dual antiplatelet therapy following procedures like percutaneous coronary intervention. In addition, the occurrence of bradyarrhythmias often necessitates pacing, underscoring the importance of innovative strategies such as left atrial appendage closure devices and leadless pacemakers to manage atrial fibrillation effectively while minimizing hemorrhagic risks. A 61-year-old man with permanent atrial fibrillation, recent intracerebral hemorrhage, and bradycardia presented with dizziness and recurrent syncopal episodes. During hospitalization, he underwent coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent placement in the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries. Due to anticoagulation risks, he subsequently underwent left atrial appendage closure with the LAmbre™ device and received an Aveir™ leadless pacemaker. Both procedures were successful, and he was discharged in stable condition. This case highlights how a combination of left atrial appendage closure, leadless pacing, and coronary intervention provided effective stroke prevention, heart rate control, and ischemic management in a high-risk atrial fibrillation patient. These strategies avoided the prolonged use of anticoagulants while addressing the patient's cardiovascular and hemorrhagic risk.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2025.3219 | DOI Listing |
Lancet Digit Health
September 2025
Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
Background: New-onset atrial fibrillation, a condition associated with adverse outcomes in the short and long term, is common in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Identifying patients at high risk could inform trials of preventive interventions and help to target such interventions. We aimed to develop and externally validate a prediction model for new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients admitted to ICUs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeart
September 2025
Department of Cardiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
Objective: The impact of off-label underdosing of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) on clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear.
Methods: The EPIC-CAD trial (Edoxaban vs Edoxaban with antiPlatelet agent In patients with atrial fibrillation and Chronic stable Coronary Artery Disease) randomised patients with AF and stable CAD to receive either edoxaban monotherapy or dual antithrombotic therapy (edoxaban plus single antiplatelet agent). Off-label underdosing was defined as low-dose edoxaban (30 mg once daily) without standard criteria for dose reduction.
Europace
September 2025
Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy.
Thromb Haemost
September 2025
Biomedical Department of Internal and Specialist Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in adults, with incidence increasing with age. Cognitive impairment (CoI) and dementia share risk factors with AF. Meta-analyses indicate that AF increases the risk of CoI by 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
September 2025
Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada.
Objective: Societal guidelines recommend vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for atrial fibrillation patients with recent biological valve implantation, but the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in this setting remain uncertain, especially in the early postoperative period. This substudy of the Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Study (LAAOS) III trial aimed to compare thromboembolic and bleeding outcomes in patients discharged on VKAs versus DOACs after bioprosthesis implantation or mitral valve repair.
Methods: A total of 2,645 patients were included, with 461 discharged on DOACs and 2184 on VKAs.