DOACs and AF Flashcards
Why is anticoagulation therapy necessary in AF?
The risk of a stroke is five times higher in a person with AF than in a person in sinus rhythm.
Stroke severity is usually greater when stroke is associated with AF than with other causes.
Anticoagulation treatment reduces the risk of stroke by about two-thirds.
For most people, the benefit of anticoagulation outweighs the risk of bleeding
What are the advantages of using DOACs instead of warfarin ?
- Risks associated with treatment — DOACs are associated with a reduced risk of haemorrhagic stroke and intracerebral haemorrhage compared with warfarin.
- ## DOACs have predictable pharmacokinetics, so coagulation control does not need to be monitored. Warfarin, on the other hand, needs regular blood tests to monitor coagulation control.
What two things can you try and control in a patient with AF?
Rate and rhythm control
In patients without life-threatening haemodynamic instability, if a patient has onset of AF less than 48 hours ago, what can be offered to the patient?
A- rate control
B- rhythm control
C- both
C - both
If a patient presents with AF and the onset is more than 48 hours ago or uncertain, is it preferable to control rate or rhythm?
Rate
What beta blocker should you not use in rate control for AF?
Sotalol
- How can ventricular rate be controlled in AF?
2. If this does not work, what can be used?
- Monotherapy:
Standard beta blocker (not sotalol)
Rate limiting CCB e.g. verapamil
Diltiazem is used but unlicensed
Digoxin
- Combination of beta blocker, digoxin or diltiazem
What group of patients should digoxin monotherapy be used for ventricular control in AF?
Only effective for controlling the ventricular rate at rest, so should only be used as monotherapy in sedinetary (inactive) patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
What is meant by paroxysmal AF?
Episodes come and go
If dual ventricular rate therapy does not control symptoms in AF, what can then be considered?
Rhythm control
In patients with AF and diminished ventricular function, what should be used to control rate?
Beta blockers that are licensed for use in heart failure and digoxin
Post cardioversion in AF, what is used to maintain sinus rhythm?
Beta blocker
What is 1st line for long term rhythm control in AF?
Beta blocker (not sotalol)
If amiodarone is needed in an electrical cardioversion patient, how long before and after the procedure can they be on it for?
4 weeks before and up to 12 months after
For rhythm control in AF, when what group of patients would flecainide acetetate or propafenone NOT be suitable for?
Known ischaemic or structural heart disease
When would dronedarone be used in rhythm control for AF?
As an option for the maintenance of sinus rhythm after successful cardioversion in people with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation:
- whose atrial fibrillation is not controlled by first‑line therapy (usually including beta‑blockers), that is, as a second‑line treatment option and after alternative options have been considered and who have at least 1 of the following cardiovascular risk factors:
- hypertension requiring drugs of at least 2 different classes
- diabetes mellitus
- previous transient ischaemic attack, stroke or systemic embolism
- left atrial diameter of 50 mm or greater or
- age 70 years or older and
And:
who do not have left ventricular systolic dysfunction and
who do not have a history of, or current, heart failure.
(consider amiodarone in these patients)
What group of patients would you consider amiodarone for in rhythm control for AF?
Left ventricular impairment or heart failure
What tool do you use to assess for stroke risk in AF patients?
CHADVASC
What tool do you use to assess for bleeding risk?
HAS BLED
At what CHADVASC score in men would you consider anticoagulation in AF?
At what score should you offer (taking into account bleeding risk)?
1
2
At what CHADVASC score in females would you consider anticoagulation to in AF?
2
Is aspirin monotherapy recommended for stroke prevention in AF?
NO
Anticoagulation should be considered post stroke if the patient has AF. When should you consider aspirin before considering anticoagulation treatment?
If it is a disabling ischaemic stroke, give the aspirin 300mg for 2 weeks
Then, consider the value of anticoagulation for prevention of stroke in AF
When do you reduce dose of apixaban in terms of weight?
<61 kg - reduce dose to 2.5 mg BD for stroke prophylaxis in AF
How many days before is warfarin usually stopped before elective surgery?
If they are at high risk of clot e.g. VTE in last 3 months, AF with previous stroke, what would you do?
5 days
Bridge with LMWH and stop this 24 hours before surgery