Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) and atrial fibrillation (AF) may coexist. The association and impact of AF on PE have not been well studied. Methods: We queried the 2018 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to identify PE and AF hospitalizations using appropriate ICD-10 codes. PE with AF group was compared to PE without AF. Chi-square test [...]

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is strongly age-dependent, and with a growing geriatric population, the incidence and prevalence of AF is expected to increase in the United States. As a result, the number of patients at risk of a thromboembolic event due to AF is also expected to increase. Although bleeding associated with mechanical falls is [...]

Background: Role of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) or Direct Oral anticoagulation (DOAC) for non-valvular atrial fibrillation has widely been discussed. But the literature on anticoagulation therapy for patients with valvular atrial fibrillation (VAF) is limited. Aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the outcomes (stroke-vascular events and intracranial bleeding) following DOAC and VKA amongst patients [...]

Background: Transcatheter tricuspid valve procedures (TTVP) are used to manage tricuspid regurgitation, however these procedures are less common than other transcatheter valve procedures. Limited literature on TTVP exists, especially with regards to predictors of major outcomes. Atrial fibrillation (afib) is associated with increased mortality, stroke, cardiogenic shock, need for permanent pacemaker, AKI, major bleeding in [...]

Background: Sepsis is associated with a six-fold greater risk of developing new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients with new onset AF demonstrate increased risk of stroke, vascular events, and death. However, the characteristics and management of new onset AF have not been well-described. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients aged ≥ 18 years [...]

Background: For patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), antithrombotic therapy including oral anticoagulants (OAC) and antiplatelets are indicated. The optimal combination is not known. We investigated the efficacy and safety of different antithrombotic strategies in patients with AF undergoing PCI. Methods: PUBMED and EMBASE were searched through September 2019 for [...]

Background: Over 6 million people in the US have a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Given the increased risk for stroke and systemic embolism, many patients are treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) to reduce their risk. In the major trials comparing to DOACs to warfarin for stroke and systemic embolism prevention in atrial fibrillation, DOACs [...]

Background: Warfarin and other anticoagulants increase the risk of hemorrhagic complications, including upper gastrointestinal hemorrhages (UGIB). Warfarin is commonly used in the management of atrial fibrillation to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke, and frequently resumed following UGIB. However, optimal timing of reinitiation remains unclear. Theory suggests that resuming warfarin immediately after UGIB would lead [...]

Background: Widespread use of new oral anticoagulants (NOAG) for Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) has increased the annual incidence of gastrointestinal bleed (GIB) in recent years. These NOAG agents in our study include Rivaroxaban, Apixaban and Dabigatran. Convenience of use, quick onset, broad therapeutic window and eliminating need for frequent monitoring makes NOAGs attractive for A-Fib associated [...]

Background: Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) share several risk factors including coronary artery disease, hypertension, smoking, obesity, diabetes, and renal disease, as well as common pathophysiologic pathway involving activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, maladaptive atrial remodeling and subsequent impaired conduction system. Some studies have supported the role of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) [...]