Contemporary management of patients with atrial fibrillation in the Netherlands and Belgium: a report from the EORP-AF long-term general registry

O. Erkuner*, M. Van Eck, O. Xhaet, H. Verheij, J. Neefs, A. Duygun, R. Nijmeijer, S.A.M. Said, H. Uiterwaal, V. Hagens, R. Bhagwandien, T. Szili-Torok, N. Bijsterveld, G. Tjeerdsma, J. Vijgen, A. Friart, E. Hoffer, P. Evrard, M. Srynger, J. MeederJ.R. De Groot, J. Van Opstal, R. Gevers, G.Y.H. Lip, G. Boriani, H.J.G.M. Crijns, J.G.L.M. Luermans, G.H. Mairesse

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background Contemporary data regarding the characteristics, treatment and outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are needed. We aimed to assess these data and guideline adherence in the EURObservational Research Programme on Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) long-term general registry. Methods We analysed 967 patients from the EORP-AF long-term general registry included in the Netherlands and Belgium from 2013 to 2016. Baseline and 1-year follow-up data were gathered. Results At baseline, 887 patients (92%) received anticoagulant treatment. In 88 (10%) of these patients, no indication for chronic anticoagulant treatment was present. A rhythm intervention was performed or planned in 52 of these patients, meaning that the remaining 36 (41%) were anticoagulated without indication. Forty patients were not anticoagulated, even though they had an indication for chronic anticoagulation. Additionally, 63 of the 371 patients (17%) treated with a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) were incorrectly dosed. In total, 50 patients (5%) were overtreated and 89 patients (9%) were undertreated. However, the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was still low with 4.2% (37 patients). Conclusions Overtreatment and undertreatment with anticoagulants are still observable in 14% of this contemporary, West-European AF population. Still, MACCE occurred in only 4% of the patients after 1 year of follow-up.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)584-594
Number of pages11
JournalNetherlands Heart Journal
Volume29
Issue number11
Early online date1 Sept 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021

Keywords

  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Undertreatment
  • Overtreatment
  • Anticoagulant
  • EORP
  • Registry
  • EURO HEART SURVEY
  • MEMBER COUNTRIES
  • PROGRESSION

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