Anticoagulación oral en la fibrilación auricular no valvular: ¿son efectivas y seguras las recomendaciones científicas en la práctica clínica diaria? / Oral anticoagulation for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: are scientific recommendations effective and safe in daily clinical practice?

RESUMEN

Introducción y objetivos. Estudiar la efectividad y la seguridad de un protocolo prospectivo de anticoagulación en la fibrilación auricular no valvular, basado en las recomendaciones de las sociedades científicas, en pacientes no seleccionados de la práctica clínica diaria. Métodos. Todos los pacientes consecutivos con fibrilación auricular permanente atendidos del 1 de febrero de 2000 al 1 de febrero de 2002 en 2 consultas ambulatorias de cardiología fueron incluidos en un protocolo de anticoagulación basado en las guías de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología y del American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/European Society of Cardiology, y seguidos prospectivamente para eventos mayores (muerte, ictus, accidente isquémico transitorio, embolias periféricas o hemorragia severa) por grupo de tratamiento. Resultados. Se incluyó en el estudio a un total de 624 pacientes. Los pacientes anticoagulados (n = 425; 68%) presentaron una mayor frecuencia de hipertensión, diabetes y embolia previa, así como un mayor número de factores de riesgo cardioembólicos (p < 0,001). El 93% de los pacientes no anticoagulados recibió antiagregantes (el 92%, aspirina). Tras un seguimiento (mediana) de 21 meses, las probabilidades de eventos embólicos (el 0,81 frente al 14,04%; p < 0,001) y de mortalidad (el 3,27 frente al 6,42%; p = 0,003) fueron menores en los pacientes anticoagulados, sin una diferencia significativa en la probabilidad de sangrado severo (el 2,75 frente al 2,93%; p = 0,96). Los resultados fueron consistentes tras ajustar por edad, sexo y embolias previas. Conclusiones. La anticoagulación oral en la fibrilación auricular no valvular siguiendo las recomendaciones de las sociedades científicas es efectiva y segura en la práctica clínica diaria

ABSTRACT

Introduction and objectives. To study the efficacy and safety of an oral anticoagulation protocol for the treatment of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, based on scientific associations' recommendations, in unselected patients seen in daily clinical practice. Methods. The study included all consecutive patients with permanent nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who attended two outpatient cardiology clinics between February 1, 2000 and February 1, 2002. They were treated according to an anticoagulation protocol based on Spanish Society of Cardiology and American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Patients were followed up prospectively for major events, such as death, stroke, transient ischemic attack, peripheral embolism and severe hemorrhage, which were recorded by treatment group. Results. A total of 624 patients were included in the study. Those receiving anticoagulation therapy (n=425; 68%) more frequently had hypertension, diabetes and previous embolism as well as a greater number of cardioembolic risk factors (P<.001). Overall, 93% of non-anticoagulated patients received platelet aggregation inhibitors (92% received aspirin). After a median follow-up of 21 months, the probability of an embolic event was lower in anticoagulated patients (0.81% vs 14.04%; P<.001), as was all-cause mortality (3.27% vs 6.42%; P=.003). However, there was no significant difference in the probability of severe bleeding (2.75% vs 2.93%; P=.96). Results were unchanged after adjustment for age, sex, and previous embolic events. Conclusions. Oral anticoagulation therapy for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation implemented according to scientific associations' recommendations is effective and safe in daily clinical practice