Trends in Atrial Fibrillation Outcomes

Warfarin has now been used for 20 years or more as an important strategic therapy for patients who are at risk for thromboembolism because of their atrial fibrillation. Figure 11 presents data from studies that come from Olmsted County near the Mayo Clinic, showing that the major success story over these last 20 or 30 years is a significant reduction in ischemic stroke after first presentation with atrial fibrillation.[16][17][18] Interestingly, we have not made so many advances with regard to mortality or the incidence of heart failure. Camm J. Am J Med 2013; published on-line at http://education.amjmed.com/00000.

References

[16] Miyasaka Y, Barnes ME, Bailey KR, et al. Mortality trends in patients diagnosed with first atrial fibrillation: a 21-year community-based study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2007;49:986-992.

[17] Miyasaka Y, Barnes ME, Gersh BJ, et al. Incidence and mortality risk of congestive heart failure in atrial fibrillation patients: a community-based study over two decades. Eur Heart J. 2006;27:936-941.

[18] Miyasaka Y, Barnes ME, Gersh BJ, et al. Time trends of ischemic stroke incidence and mortality in patients diagnosed with first atrial fibrillation in 1980 to 2000: report of a community-based study. Stroke. 2005;36:2362-2366.