Dataset Information

Detecting Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter in the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network: First Steps.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A recent feasibility assessment of quality indicators for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (NVAF/AFL) identified the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network, a national outpatient electronic medical record (EMR) system, as a data source for measurement. As a first step, we adapted and validated an existing EMR case definition.

Methods

A diagnosis of NVAF/AFL was defined using International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes (427.3) in either the physician billing, encounter diagnosis, or health condition fields. We identified all presumed cases in a single clinical site with the algorithm and selected a random sample of those who were presumed NVAF/AFL negative with the same algorithm. A chart audit diagnosis of "definite" NVAF/AFL was confirmed by electrocardiogram and nonvalvular diagnosis confirmed after echocardiogram, attending physician, or specialist letter review. To demonstrate face validity, clinical characteristics were compared for patients with and without NVAF/AFL.

Results

The case definition identified a possible 184 patients with and 184 without NVAF/AFL. The case validation resulted in a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 100-100), specificity of 84.3% (95% CI, 78.8-89.9), and positive and negative predictive value of 74.7% (95% CI, 66.4-83.2) and 100% (95% CI 100-100), respectively. Patients with NVAF/AFL were older (63 vs 42 years) and had a higher proportion of cardiovascular comorbidities and relevant medications.

Conclusions

We think it is possible that with further validation work, NVAF/AFL can be accurately identified using this large pan-Canadian EMR system and used as a future tool to measure quality of care in the outpatient setting.

SUBMITTER: Queenan JA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7984971 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:Three target-specific oral anticoagulants (TSOACs)-dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban-have been approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation; however, no agents are currently approved to reverse the anticoagulant effects of these TSOACs in cases of active bleeding. This review discusses the benefits and risks of these TSOACs from a clinician's perspective, with a focus on the interruption of treatment for either elective or emergent surgery, monitoring, and reversal of anticoagulation. Available coagulation assays are not ideal for monitoring the effects of TSOACs and do not provide reliable quantitative measurement of their anticoagulant effects. When necessary, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) may provide qualitative information on dabigatran, and prothrombin time (PT) may provide qualitative assessment of the presence of the factor Xa inhibitors, rivaroxaban and apixaban. Current recommendations for reversal of TSOACs are based largely on limited and sometimes conflicting data from in vitro or in vivo animal models, and clinical experience with these recommendations is also limited. Methods that have been investigated for effectiveness for reversal of the pharmacodynamic effects of the TSOACs include dialysis, activated charcoal, prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), and recombinant activated factor VII. It is important to note that even within a class of anticoagulant drugs, compounds respond differently to reversal agents; therefore, recommendations for one agent should not be extrapolated to another, even if they are from the same therapeutic class. New antidotes are being explored, including a mouse monoclonal antibody to dabigatran; andexanet alfa, a potential universal factor Xa inhibitor reversal agent; and a synthetic small molecule (PER977) that may be effective for the reversal of factor Xa inhibitors and direct thrombin inhibitors. Given the short half-lives of TSOACs, watchful waiting, rather than reversal, may be the best approach in some circumstances.

Project description:BackgroundNonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke and is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and dialysis patients. The use of oral anticoagulation to prevent stroke and systemic embolism in the setting of kidney disease is controversial. Novel alternatives to vitamin K antagonists include left atrial appendage occlusion devices (LAAOD) and apixaban.ObjectiveWe sought to elicit Canadian nephrologist views regarding stroke and systemic embolism prevention therapies in CKD and dialysis patients with NVAF.DesignSurvey.SettingOnline via https://www.surveymonkey.com.ParticipantsCanadian Society of Nephrology members actively treating adult dialysis patients with NVAF.MeasurementsManagement questions were asked with response options consisting of a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 8 (with 1 being definitely would not and 8 being definitely would).MethodsWe randomly allocated each respondent to 2 of 4 cases that varied by stroke and bleeding risks (using varying CHADS2 and HASBLED scores, respectively).ResultsThere were 91 responses (36.3% response rate) from mostly university (83.5%) and also community with university affiliation (12.1%) and community (4.4%) nephrologists. Warfarin was more likely to be recommended in individuals at high stroke risk and low bleeding risk (mean = 5.47, 95% confidence interval = 4.87-6.07) and less likely to be recommended in individuals at moderate stroke risk and high bleeding risk (mean = 2.89, 95% confidence interval = 2.37-3.41). The likelihood of recommending LAAOD did not vary by stroke or bleeding risks (means ranging from 3.92-4.90). Apixaban was not likely to be recommended in any case (means ranging from 2.60-3.50). However, nephrologists felt there was equipoise regarding anticoagulation strategies allowing participation in appropriate randomized controlled trials (RCTs).LimitationsThe survey only involved nephrologists and only 4 cases with dichotomized risk categories were presented instead of complete range of stroke and bleeding risk combinations. As with any survey, there was the potential for responder bias and treatment decisions are not anchored directly to patient management.ConclusionsNephrologists caring for patients with kidney disease appear willing to include patients in clinical trials examining alternatives to warfarin for stroke and systemic embolism prevention for NVAF in the setting of kidney disease.

Project description:OBJECTIVES:Older adult patients are underrepresented in clinical trials comparing non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and warfarin. This subgroup analysis of the ARISTOPHANES study used multiple data sources to compare the risk of stroke/systemic embolism (SE) and major bleeding (MB) among very old patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) prescribed NOACs or warfarin. DESIGN:Retrospective observational study. SETTING:The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and three US commercial claims databases. PARTICIPANTS:A total of 88 582 very old (aged ≥80 y) NVAF patients newly initiating apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or warfarin from January 1, 2013, to September 30, 2015. MEASUREMENTS:In each database, six 1:1 propensity score matched (PSM) cohorts were created for each drug comparison. Patient cohorts were pooled from all four databases after PSM. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of stroke/SE and MB. RESULTS:The patients in the six matched cohorts had a mean follow-up time of 7 to 9 months. Compared with warfarin, apixaban (HR = .58; 95% confidence interval [CI] = .49-.69), dabigatran (HR = .77; 95% CI = .60-.99), and rivaroxaban (HR = .74; 95% CI = .65-.85) were associated with lower risks of stroke/SE. For MB, apixaban (HR = .60; 95% CI = .54-.67) was associated with a lower risk; dabigatran (HR = .92; 95% CI = .78-1.07) was associated with a similar risk, and rivaroxaban (HR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.07-1.24) was associated with a higher risk compared with warfarin. Apixaban was associated with a lower risk of stroke/SE and MB compared with dabigatran (stroke/SE: HR = .65; 95% CI = .47-.89; MB: HR = .60; 95% CI = .49-.73) and rivaroxaban (stroke/SE: HR = .72; 95% CI = .59-.86; MB: HR = .50; 95% CI = .45-.55). Dabigatran was associated with a lower risk of MB (HR = .77; 95% CI = .67-.90) compared with rivaroxaban. CONCLUSION:Among very old NVAF patients, NOACs were associated with lower rates of stroke/SE and varying rates of MB compared with warfarin. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1662-1671, 2019.