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Purpose: Hypertension is associated with incident atrial fibrillation (AF) and AF-related complications. We investigated the associations between average systolic blood pressure (SBP) and outcomes in a nationwide cohort of Asian patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Patients and Methods: A multicenter nationwide registry of patients with NVAF in Thailand was conducted during 2014-2017. Clinical data, including blood pressure, were recorded at baseline and then every 6 months. Average SBP was calculated from the average of SBP from every visit. Cox regression models were used to calculate the rate of clinical outcomes of interest, ie ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and all-cause death. Average SBP was categorized into three groups: <120, 120-140, and ≥140 mmHg. Results: A total of 3402 patients were included, and the mean age was 67.4±11.3 years. The mean (±SD) baseline and average SBPs were 128.5±18.5 and 128.0±13.4 mmHg, respectively. The mean follow-up duration was 25.7±10.6 months. The median rate of ischemic stroke/TIA, ICH, and all-cause death was 1.43 (1.17-1.74), 0.70 (0.52-0.92), and 3.77 (3.33-4.24) per 100 person-years, respectively. The rate of ischemic stroke/TIA and ICH was lowest in patients with average SBP <120 mmHg, and highest among those with average SBP ≥140 mmHg. The death rates were consistent with a J-curve effect, being lowest in patients with an average SBP 120-140 mmHg. Sustained SBP control is more important than the SBP from a single visit. Conclusion: Sustained control of SBP was significantly associated with a reduction in adverse clinical outcomes in patients with NVAF.

Background To determine whether anemia is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke and major bleeding in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Hypothesis Anemia in patients with NVAF increase risk of clinical complications related to atrial fibrillation. Methods We conducted a prospective multicenter registry of patients with NVAF in Thailand. Demographic data, medical history, comorbid conditions, laboratory data, and medications were collected and recorded, and patients were followed‐up every 6 months. The outcome measurements were ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), major bleeding, heart failure (HF), and death. All events were adjudicated by the study team. We analyzed whether anemia is a risk factor for clinical outcomes with and without adjusting for confounders. Results There were a total of 1562 patients. The average age of subjects was 68.3 ± 11.5 years, and 57.7% were male. The mean hemoglobin level was 13.2 ± 1.8 g/dL. Anemia was demonstrated in 518 (33.16%) patients. The average follow‐up duration was 25.8 ± 10.5 months. The rate of ischemic stroke/TIA, major bleeding, HF, and death was 2.9%, 4.9%, 1.8%, 8.6%, and 9.2%, respectively. Anemia significantly increased the risk of these outcomes with a hazard ratio of 2.2, 3.2, 2.9, 1.9, and 2.8, respectively. Oral anticoagulants (OAC) was prescribed in 74.8%; warfarin accounts for 89.9% of OAC. After adjusting for potential confounders, anemia remained a significant predictor of major bleeding, heart failure, and death, but not for ischemic stroke/TIA. Conclusion Anemia was found to be an independent risk factor for major bleeding, heart failure, and death in patients with NVAF.

Background: Biomarkers may be a useful marker for predicting heart failure (HF) or death in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).Hypothesis: Soluble ST2 (sST2) may be a good biomarker for the prediction of HF or death in patients with AF.Methods: This is a prospective study of patients with nonvalvular AF. Clinical outcomes were HF or death. Clinical and laboratory data were compared between those with and without clinical outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine whether sST2 is an independent predictor for heart failure or death in patients with nonvalvular AF.Results: A total of 185 patients (mean age: 68.9 ± 11.0 years) were included, 116 (62.7%) were male. The average sST2 and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were 31.3 ± 19.7 ng/ml and 2399.5 ± 6853.0 pg/ml, respectively. Best receiver operating characteristic (ROC) cut off of sST2 for predicting HF or death was 30.14 ng/ml. Seventy-three (39.5%) patients had an sST2 level ≥30.14 ng/ml, and 112 (60.5%) had an sST2 level <30.14 ng/dl. The average follow-up was 33.1 ± 6.6 months. Twenty-nine (15.7%) patients died, and 33 (17.8%) developed HF during follow-up. Multivariate analysis revealed that high sST2 to be an independent risk factor for death or HF with a HR and 95% CI of 2.60 (1.41-4.78). The predictive value of sST2 is better than NT-proBNP, and it remained significant in AF patients irrespective of history of HF, and NT-proBNP levels.