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BACKGROUND: The optimal antithrombotic therapy following left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) remains uncertain. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the authors sought to compare the efficacy and safety of various antithrombotic strategies after LAAO. METHODS: We searched the Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, LILACS, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for studies reporting outcomes after LAAO, stratified by antithrombotic therapy prescribed at postprocedural discharge. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT), dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), DOAC plus SAPT, VKA plus SAPT, and no antithrombotic therapy were analyzed. We performed a frequentist random effects model network meta-analysis to estimate the OR and 95% CI for each comparison. P-scores provided a ranking of treatments. RESULTS: Forty-one studies comprising 12,451 patients with nonvalvular AF were included. DAPT, DOAC, DOAC plus SAPT, and VKA were significantly superior to no therapy to prevent device-related thrombosis. DOAC was associated with lower all-cause mortality than VKA (OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.17-0.89; P = 0.03). Compared with SAPT, DAPT was associated with fewer thromboembolic events (OR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.29-0.88; P = 0.02), without a difference in major bleeding. In the analysis of P-scores, DOAC monotherapy was the strategy most likely to have lower thromboembolic events and major bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: In this network meta-analysis comparing initial antithrombotic therapies after LAAO, monotherapy with DOAC had the highest likelihood of lower thromboembolic events and major bleeding. DAPT was associated with a lower incidence of thromboembolic events compared with SAPT and may be a preferred option in patients unable to tolerate anticoagulation.
Assuntos
Apêndice Atrial , Fibrilação Atrial , Acidente Vascular Cerebral , Tromboembolia , Humanos , Inibidores da Agregação Plaquetária , Fibrinolíticos/uso terapêutico , Apêndice Atrial/cirurgia , Metanálise em Rede , Anticoagulantes , Hemorragia/etiologia , Fibrilação Atrial/complicações , Fibrilação Atrial/tratamento farmacológico , Tromboembolia/epidemiologia , Tromboembolia/etiologia , Tromboembolia/prevenção & controle , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/etiologia , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) requiring lower extremity revascularization (LER) have a high risk of adverse limb and cardiovascular events. The results from the VOYAGER PAD (efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in reducing the risk of major thrombotic vascular events in subjects with symptomatic peripheral artery disease undergoing peripheral revascularization procedures of the lower extremities) trial have demonstrated that rivaroxaban significantly reduced this risk with an overall favorable net benefit for patients undergoing surgical revascularization. However, the efficacy and safety for those treated by surgical bypass, including stratification by bypass conduit (venous or prosthetic), has not yet been described. METHODS: In the VOYAGER PAD trial, patients who had undergone surgical and endovascular infrainguinal LER to treat PAD were randomized to rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily or placebo on top of background antiplatelet therapy (aspirin 100 mg to be used in all and clopidogrel in some at the treating physician's discretion) and followed up for a median of 28 months. The primary end point was a composite of acute limb ischemia, major amputation of vascular etiology, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular death. The principal safety outcome was major bleeding using the TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) scale. The index procedure details, including conduit type (venous vs prosthetic), were collected at baseline. RESULTS: Among 6564 randomized patients, 2185 (33%) had undergone surgical LER. Of these 2185 patients, surgical bypass had been performed for 1448 (66%), using a prosthetic conduit for 773 patients (53%) and venous conduit for 646 patients (45%). Adjusting for the baseline differences and anatomic factors, the risk of unplanned limb revascularization in the placebo arm was 2.5-fold higher for those receiving a prosthetic conduit vs a venous conduit (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65-3.90; P < .001), and the risk of acute limb ischemia was three times greater (adjusted HR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.84-5.11; P < .001). The use of rivaroxaban reduced the primary outcome for the patients treated with bypass surgery (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62-0.98), with consistent benefits for those receiving venous (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49-0.96) and prosthetic (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.66-1.15) conduits (Pinteraction = .254). In the overall trial, major bleeding using the TIMI scale was increased with rivaroxaban. However, the numbers for those treated with bypass surgery were low (five with rivaroxaban vs nine with placebo; HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.18-1.65) and not powered to show statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical bypass with a prosthetic conduit was associated with significantly higher rates of major adverse limb events relative to venous conduits even after adjustment for patient and anatomic characteristics. Adding rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily to aspirin or dual antiplatelet therapy significantly reduced this risk, with an increase in the bleeding risk, but had a favorable benefit risk for patients treated with bypass surgery, regardless of conduit type. Rivaroxaban should be considered after lower extremity bypass for symptomatic PAD to reduce ischemic complications of the heart, limb, and brain.
Assuntos
Infarto do Miocárdio , Doença Arterial Periférica , Humanos , Rivaroxabana/efeitos adversos , Inibidores da Agregação Plaquetária/efeitos adversos , Aspirina/uso terapêutico , Doença Arterial Periférica/diagnóstico por imagem , Doença Arterial Periférica/cirurgia , Hemorragia/induzido quimicamente , Infarto do Miocárdio/tratamento farmacológico , Isquemia/diagnóstico por imagem , Isquemia/tratamento farmacológico , Isquemia/cirurgia , Extremidade Inferior/irrigação sanguínea , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: This study was developed to determine the incidence and outcome of thromboembolic events in a plastic surgery infirmary. METHODS: In a retrospective study, using the hospital's software of statistics and database, we selected the patients admitted to the plastic surgery infirmary of Hospital São João, Porto- Portugal, from 2006 to the end of 2015. Using software diagnosis codification that is the same as the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9), we selected patients that suffered a deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism and reviewed their medical records - collected the number of patients submitted to abdominoplasty, head and neck cancer patients, and breast cancer patients. RESULTS: Of the 10,473 patients of the data set, nine patients were diagnosed with a venous thromboembolism (VTE) event, leading to a rate of 0.09% over the 10 years. During that period, 1728 abdominoplasties were performed, and there were three cases of VTE (0.17%); 338 head and neck cancer patients, three VTE events (0.9%), and one VTE (0.2%) in 506 breast cancer patients. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that in plastic surgery, VTE risk assessment and corresponding prophylaxis cannot be neglected.
INTRODUCCIÓN: Este estudio fue desarrollado para determinar la incidencia y el resultado de tromboembólicos eventos (TEV) en una enfermería de cirugía plástica. MÉTODOS: En un estudio retrospectivo, utilizando el software del hospital de estadísticas y base de datos, seleccionamos a los pacientes ingresados a la cirugía plástica enfermería del Hospital São João, Portugal, desde 2006 hasta finales de 2015. Usando una codificación de diagnóstico de software que es la misma que la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades, Novena Revisión (CIE-9), pacientes seleccionados que sufrieron una trombosis venosa profunda o embolia pulmonar y revisó sus registros médicos, recopilados el número de pacientes sometidos a abdominoplastia, cabeza y cuello pacientes con cáncer y pacientes con cáncer de mama. RESULTADOS: De los 10473 pacientes del conjunto de datos, nueve pacientes fueron diagnosticados con un evento de TEV, lo que lleva a una tasa de 0,09% durante los diez años. Durante Eso período, se realizaron 1728 abdominoplasties, y hubo 3 casos de TEV (0,17%); 338 pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello, 3 eventos de TEV (0,9%) y un TEV (0,2%) en 506 pacientes con cáncer de mama. CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio sugiere que en la cirugía plástica, la evaluación del riesgo de TEV y la profilaxis correspondiente no puede ser descuidada.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama , Embolia Pulmonar , Cirurgia Plástica , Tromboembolia Venosa , Humanos , Feminino , Tromboembolia Venosa/epidemiologia , Tromboembolia Venosa/etiologia , Tromboembolia Venosa/prevenção & controle , Incidência , Estudos Retrospectivos , Embolia Pulmonar/epidemiologia , Hospitais , Neoplasias da Mama/cirurgia , Neoplasias da Mama/complicações , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
This practical guidance, endorsed by the Brazilian Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis and The Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, the International Union of Angiology and the European Venous Forum, aims to provide physicians with clear guidance, based on current best evidence-based data, on clinical strategies to manage antithrombotic strategies in patients with coronavirus disease 2019.
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Betacoronavirus , Infecções por Coronavirus/complicações , Pandemias , Pneumonia Viral/complicações , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto , Trombofilia/terapia , Trombose/prevenção & controle , Anticoagulantes/uso terapêutico , Biomarcadores , COVID-19 , Ensaios Clínicos como Assunto , Infecções por Coronavirus/sangue , Síndrome da Liberação de Citocina/sangue , Síndrome da Liberação de Citocina/etiologia , Gerenciamento Clínico , Endotélio Vascular/fisiopatologia , Endotélio Vascular/virologia , Medicina Baseada em Evidências , Produtos de Degradação da Fibrina e do Fibrinogênio/análise , Humanos , Pneumopatias/etiologia , Pneumopatias/prevenção & controle , Pneumonia Viral/sangue , Veias Pulmonares , SARS-CoV-2 , Trombofilia/etiologia , Tromboflebite/etiologia , Tromboflebite/prevenção & controle , Trombose/etiologia , Tromboembolia Venosa/etiologia , Tromboembolia Venosa/prevenção & controleRESUMO
The direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been increasingly used over vitamin K antagonists in recent years because they do not require monitoring and have an immediate anticoagulation effect. In general, DOACs have exhibited a better safety profile and noninferiority for prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation compared with vitamin K antagonists in the non-ICU population; whether this finding holds true in patients who are critically ill remains unknown. The current review addresses the role of DOACs in special ICU populations, use of these agents for VTE prophylaxis, perioperative management of DOACs, drug monitoring, and potential drug interactions of DOACs in critically ill patients. Adverse events and available reversal agents for DOACs are also discussed.
Assuntos
Anticoagulantes/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial/complicações , Cuidados Críticos , Hemorragia/epidemiologia , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/epidemiologia , Tromboembolia Venosa/epidemiologia , Administração Oral , Fibrilação Atrial/tratamento farmacológico , HumanosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of stroke and systemic embolism. Several studies have suggested that female AF patients could have a greater risk for stroke. There is scarce information about clinical characteristics and use of antithrombotic therapies in Latin American patients with nonvalvular AF. OBJECTIVE: To describe the gender differences in clinical characteristics, thromboembolic risk, and antithrombotic therapy of patients with nonvalvular AF recruited in Mexico, an upper middle-income country, into the prospective national CARMEN-AF Registry. METHODS: A total of 1423 consecutive patients, with at least one thromboembolic risk factor were enrolled in CARMEN-AF Registry during a three-year period (2014-2017). They were categorized according to Gender. RESULTS: Overall, 48.6% were women, mean age 70⯱â¯12â¯years. Diabetes, smoking, alcoholism, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and obstructive sleep apnea were higher in men. Most women were found with paroxysmal AF (40.6%), and most men with permanent AF (44.0%). No gender differences were found in the use of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) (30.5% in women vs. 28.0% in men). No gender differences were found in the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) (33.8% women vs 35.4% men). CONCLUSIONS: CARMEN-AF Registry demonstrates that in Mexico, regardless of gender, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated. No gender differences were found in the use of VKA or DOAC.
RESUMO
To discuss and share knowledge about advances in the care of patients with thrombotic disorders, the Tenth International Symposium of Thrombosis and Anticoagulation was held in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, on September 22 and 23, 2017. This scientific program was developed by clinicians for clinicians and was promoted by two major clinical research institutes-the Brazilian Clinical Research Institute and the Duke Clinical Research Institute of the Duke University School of Medicine. Comprising academic presentations and open discussion, the symposium had as its primary goal to educate, motivate, and inspire internists, cardiologists, hematologists, and other physicians by convening national and international visionaries, thought-leaders, and dedicated clinician-scientists. This paper summarizes the symposium proceedings.
Assuntos
Anticoagulantes/uso terapêutico , Trombose/tratamento farmacológico , Brasil , Congressos como Assunto , HumanosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Cardiovascular disease is a growing public health problem. Forty percent of the general population will suffer from the disease by 2030, consequently requiring antithrombotic therapy. Cardiogastroenterology is a new area of knowledge that evaluates the gastrointestinal effects and complications of antithrombotic therapy. Our aim was to evaluate, through a validated questionnaire, the knowledge held by a group of specialists and residents in the areas of gastroenterology and internal medicine, about pharmacology and drug prescription, as well as gastrointestinal risks and complications, in relation to antithrombotic therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A validated questionnaire composed of 30 items was applied to a group of specialists and residents in the areas of gastroenterology and internal medicine. The questions were on indications, pharmacology, evaluation of risks for gastrointestinal bleeding and thromboembolic events, and use of antithrombotic therapy during endoscopic procedures. Sufficient knowledge was defined as 18 or more (≥ 60%) correct answers. RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 194 physicians: 82 (42%) internal medicine residents and gastroenterology residents and 112 (58%) specialists. Only 40 (20.6%) of the participants had sufficient knowledge of cardiogastroenterology. Residents had a higher number of correct answers than specialists (53 vs. 36%, P<.0001). The gastroenterology residents had more correct answers than the internal medicine residents, gastroenterologists, and internists (70 vs. 53, 40, and 46%, respectively, P<.001). Only residents had sufficient knowledge regarding pharmacology and the use of antithrombotic therapy in endoscopy (P<.0001). All groups had insufficient knowledge in evaluating the risk for gastrointestinal bleeding and thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of cardiogastroenterology was insufficient in the group of residents and specialists surveyed. There is a need for medical education programs on the appropriate use of antithrombotic therapy.
Assuntos
Cardiologia , Competência Clínica/estatística & dados numéricos , Gastroenterologia , Medicina Interna , Especialização , Adulto , Cardiologia/educação , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Gastroenterologia/educação , Humanos , Medicina Interna/educação , Internato e Residência , Masculino , MéxicoRESUMO
To discuss and share knowledge about advances in the care of patients with thrombotic disorders, the Ninth International Symposium of Thrombosis and Anticoagulation was held in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, on October 15, 2016. This scientific program was developed by clinicians for clinicians and was promoted by two major clinical research institutes-the Brazilian Clinical Research Institute and the Duke Clinical Research Institute of the Duke University School of Medicine. Comprising academic presentations and open discussion, the symposium had as its primary goal to educate, motivate, and inspire internists, cardiologists, hematologists, and other physicians by convening national and international visionaries, thought-leaders, and dedicated clinician-scientists. This paper summarizes the symposium proceedings.
Assuntos
Anticoagulantes/uso terapêutico , Congressos como Assunto , Trombose/tratamento farmacológico , Brasil , HumanosRESUMO
Resumen En los últimos años se ha generado un avance importante en el tratamiento de las patologías procoagulantes con antiguos y nuevos medicamentos y se ha logrado un importante avance en los métodos diagnósticos y terapéuticos en la endoscopia digestiva. Además, la expectativa de vida de la población mundial se ha incrementado de forma considerable, por lo que más frecuentemente el gastroenterólogo debe realizar procedimientos endoscópicos en pacientes de mayor edad, quienes presentan comorbilidades por las que reciben terapias antitrombóticas, especialmente por patologías cardiovasculares. En la literatura aparecen muchas guías de manejo avaladas por importantes asociaciones, en las que se orienta sobre la realización de procedimientos endoscópicos en los pacientes sometidos a terapias antitrombóticas, procedimientos que representan un determinado riesgo de sangrado o trombosis en caso de la suspensión de los medicamentos, pero no se han realizado estudios prospectivos o controlados que permitan formular protocolos para las diversas técnicas endoscópicas diagnósticas o terapéuticas en estos pacientes. El gastroenterólogo debe realizar un balance entre el riesgo hemorrágico y embólico para determinar cuál es el momento más indicado para realizar un procedimiento endoscópico en estos pacientes; por lo tanto, es de gran importancia que tenga conocimiento de este tema. Se presenta una revisión actualizada de la literatura y las más recientes recomendaciones de la sociedad europea de gastroenterología.
Abstract In recent years, treatment of pathologies related to hypercoagulation has advanced significantly as the result of the use of old and new drugs. In addition, significant advances have been achieved in diagnostic and therapeutic methods in digestive endoscopy. On the other hand, the life expectancy of the world population has increased considerably, so gastroenterologists must perform endoscopic procedures more frequently in older patients who present comorbidities for which they receive antithrombotic therapies, especially for cardiovascular diseases. Many treatment guides produced by important medical associations are available. They are oriented to the performance of endoscopic procedures in patients undergoing antithrombotic therapies. These patients are at risk of bleeding during or after these procedures, and they are at risk of thrombosis when medication is suspended. Nevertheless, no prospective or controlled studies have been performed to guide formulation of protocols for the various diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic techniques that might be used for these patients. Gastroenterologists must balance the risks of bleeding and embolism to determine the most appropriate time to perform an endoscopic procedure in these patients. Therefore, it is of great importance that you have knowledge of this topic. We present an updated review of the literature and the most recent recommendations of the European society of gastroenterology.
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Endoscopia , Endoscopia do Sistema Digestório , Inibidores da Agregação Plaquetária , TerapêuticaRESUMO
There remains clinical equipoise in the appropriate selection of antiplatelet therapy for the patient on long-term anticoagulation requiring percutaneous coronary intervention. Since most of these patients represent an increasingly aging population, the significant risk of thromboembolism and stent thrombosis must be weighed against the risk of major bleeding. This article reviews the current state of evidence to provide a framework for the practicing clinician.
Assuntos
Anticoagulantes/uso terapêutico , Fibrinolíticos/uso terapêutico , Inibidores da Agregação Plaquetária/uso terapêutico , Tromboembolia/tratamento farmacológico , Humanos , Intervenção Coronária Percutânea/métodos , TempoRESUMO
La fibrilación auricular es la taquiarritmia cardíaca más frecuente. Su incidencia aumenta con la edad, presentándose en un 1.5% entre los 50 a 59 años, y en un 8-10% entre los 80 a 89 años. Esta arritmia incrementa en cinco veces el riesgo de sufrir un evento cerebrovascular isquémico cardioembólico y causa el 15% de todos los accidentes cerebrovasculares isquémicos. Su manejo se enfoca en la prevención de los fenómenos tromboembólicos y el control de la frecuencia y ritmo cardíaco. El tratamiento anticoagulante ha demostrado ser la principal herramienta en la prevención de eventos cardioembólicos. Aunque las complicaciones hemorrágicas por el tratamiento son esperables y aumentan con la edad, el beneficio de usar anticoagulación sobrepasa por mucho al riesgo de sangrado. Precisamente debido a la heterogeneidad clínica de esta arritmia y a la dificultad de establecer un tratamiento adecuado para cada caso en particular, el American College of Cardiology, la American Heart Association, la European Society of Cardiology y el American College of Chest Physicians han establecido guías para mejorar el tratamiento de estos pacientes. La revisión de esta enfermedad y de las directrices propuestas puede facilitar y mejorar notablemente el tratamiento de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular.
Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia in adults. Its frequency increases with age, being its incidence 1.5% in individuals 50 to 59 years old and 8-10% from 80 to 89 years. Atrial fibrillation increases 5 fold the risk of suffering stroke and actually causes 15% of all strokes. Its management focuses primary in the prevention of thromboembolic phenomena, heart rate and rhythm control. Anticoagulation, when indicated, has demonstrated to be the main tool in the prevention of these thromboembolic events. Although the bleeding complication is frequent in this population and increases with age, anticoagulation benefits are greater than the risks of bleeding. Due to the clinically heterogeneous nature of this arrythmia and the difficulty of establishing appropriate treatment for each particular case, the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology and American College of Chest Physicians have established guidelines to improve the management of these patients. The review of this condition and the proposed directives can notably facilitate and improve the management of the patients with atrial fibrillation.
Assuntos
Adulto , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Anticoagulantes/uso terapêutico , Fibrilação Atrial/complicações , Tromboembolia/prevenção & controle , Tromboembolia/etiologiaRESUMO
El presente manuscrito tiene como objetivo proporcionar una revisión bibliográfica del manejo odontológico del paciente que recibe terapia antitrombótica, debido a que las personas con enfermedad cardiovascular frecuentemente reciben este tipo de terapia y constituyen una amplia población en Venezuela, y junto a la alta prevalencia de caries y enfermedad periodontal, es necesario que los odontólogos y especialistas estén actualizados sobre el manejo de estos pacientes ya que, el tratamiento quirúrgico y no quirúrgico de las afecciones bucales pueden desencadenar complicaciones hemorrágicas y la suspensión del medicamento puede producir la aparición de un fenómeno trombótico, por otro lado, la terapéutica farmacológica empleada comúnmente en odontología puede interactuar con el tratamiento médico y provocar complicaciones; para el manejo de estos pacientes, es importante utilizar los agentes hemostáticos locales para evitar y controlar el sangrado intraoperatorio y postoperatorio.
The objective of the present work is to give information related to the dental management of patient receiving antithrombotic therapy, since people with heart disease frequently receive this kind of therapy, and they range a wide population in Venezuela , in addition to the high prevalence of cavities and periodontal disease ; therefore, it is necessary the specialists and dentist to be updated on the management of those patients, because the surgical and non surgical dental treatment may lead to hemorrhagic complications and on one hand, the withdrawal of medication may cause the onset of a thrombotic phenomenon, on the other hand, the pharmacological therapy commonly used in dentistry may interact to the medical treatment and cause complications; for managing those patients, it is important to use the haemostatic agents in order to avoid and control the local bleeding.
RESUMO
La fibrilación auricular (FA) afecta a más de dos millones de personas en Estados Unidos y se calcula que afectará a más de tres millones para el año 2020. Se caracteriza por la presencia en el electrocardiograma de ondas rápidas e irregulares sobre la línea de base, que varían de tamaño, morfología y tiempo. Es particularmente frecuente en los ancianos. Se produce por múltiples circuitos de microrreentrada que salen de la aurícula, colisionan, se extinguen y reaparecen; es necesaria una masa critica de tejido auricular para sostener un mínimo de circuitos que permitan perpetuar la arritmia. Dos estudios recientes permiten concluir que la terapia dirigida solamente al control de la respuesta ventricular es igualmente efectiva para el control del ritmo cardíaco, lo que desvirtúa la conducta de intentar restablecer el ritmo sinusal en todos los pacientes con FA.Una de las complicaciones más severas de la FA son los eventos tromboembólicos sistémicos que se presentan principalmente al sistema nervioso central; a la FA se le atribuye ser el factor causal en el 15 por ciento de todos los casos y en el 30 por ciento de los que ocurren en personas mayores de 80 años. Se revisan y analizan diferentes estudios de prevención tanto primaria como secundaria en pacientes con FA no valvular, los cuales sustentan las recomendaciones de consensos internacionales para su tratamiento basado en anticoagulación o antiagregación
The number of people with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the United States has been projected to increase from the current 2.2 million to 3 million in 2020. It is characterized by the presence of rapid and irregular waves on the base line that vary in size, shape and timing. It is particularly frequent in the elderly. In AF multiple, small microreentrant circuits are constantly arising in the atria, colliding, being extinguished, and arising again; a critical mass of atrial tissue is required to sustain the minimal number of simultaneous circuits necessary for the perpetuation of the arrhythmia. Two recent studies permit to conclude that the rhythm control strategy offers no survival advantage over the rate control strategy, and there are potential advantages, such as the lower risk of adverse drug effects, with the rate control strategy. One of the most severe complications of AF are the thromboembolic events mainly to the central nervous system. AF is an important independent risk factor for the embolic stroke, responsible for as many as 15% of strokes and for 30% in the group 80 to 89 years old. We analyzed different primary and secondary prevention studies in patients with non-valvular FA, which support the recommendations of guidelines developed by the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, the European Society of Cardiology and ACCP.