2Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas-Turkey
3Department of Cardiology, Kahramanmaraş Necip Fazıl State Hospital, Kahramanmaraş-Turkey
4Department of Cardiology, Trabzon Ahi Evren Chest Cardiovascular Surgery Education and Research Hospital, Trabzon-Turkey
5Department of Cardiology, Fethiye State Hospital, Fethiye-Turkey
6Department of Cardiology, Elazığ Education and Research Hospital, Elazığ-Turkey
7Department of Cardiology, Burdur State Hospital, Burdur-Turkey
8Department of Cardiology, İskilip Atıf Hoca State Hospital, Çorum-Turkey
9Department of Cardiology, Samsun Education and Research Hospital, Samsun-Turkey
10Department of Cardiology, Kartal Koşuyolu Heart Education and Research Hospital, İstanbul-Turkey
Abstract
Objective: Data regarding stroke prevention strategies in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) are limited to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). This study aimed to evaluate real-life stroke prevention strategies for NVAF patients in the era of non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs).
Methods: We established a cross-sectional, multicenter, nationwide registry of NVAF patients. All consecutive atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and without mechanical heart valves or rheumatic mitral stenosis (but including those with any degree of mitral regurgitation) were enrolled in the ReAl-life Multicenter Survey Evaluating Stroke Prevention Strategies (RAMSES Study; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02344901) in Turkey. Baseline demographic data, medical history, and medications prescribed for NVAF treatment were collected. Univariate analyses were performed for continuous variables, and the chi-square test was used for categorical variables.
Results: In total, 6273 patients from 29 provinces of Turkey were enrolled in the study between February and May 2015, with the contribution of 83 investigators. The mean age was 69.6±10.7 years; 56% of the patients were females, and one-fifth of the patients had at least one comorbid disease, the most common being hypertension (69%). The mean CHA2DS2–VASc and HAS-BLED scores were 3.3±1.6 and 1.6±1.1, respectively. The rate of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy use was 72% (37% NOAC and 35% VKA).
Conclusion: The RAMSES study showed a higher prevalence of OAC use among NVAF patients than that reported in previous studies. Although NOACs were preferred over VKAs in daily cardiology practice, there is a need for improved OAC therapies for NVAF patients. (Anatol J Cardiol 2016; 16: 734-41)