Impact of malignancy on outcomes in European patients with atrial fibrillation: A report from the ESC-EHRA EURObservational research programme in atrial fibrillation general long-term registry


Malavasi V. L., Vitolo M., Proietti M., Diemberger I., Fauchier L., Marin F., ...More

European Journal of Clinical Investigation, vol.52, no.7, 2022 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 52 Issue: 7
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/eci.13773
  • Journal Name: European Journal of Clinical Investigation
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Keywords: all-cause death, atrial fibrillation, cancer, malignancy, NOACs, registry
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: The management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and malignancy is challenging given the paucity of evidence supporting their appropriate clinical management. Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with active or prior malignancy in a contemporary cohort of European AF patients. Methods: Patients enrolled in the EURObservational Research Programme in AF General Long-Term Registry were categorized into 3 categories: No Malignancy (NoMal), Prior Malignancy (PriorMal) and Active Malignancy (ActiveMal). The primary outcomes were all-cause death and the composite outcome MACE. Results: A total of 10 383 patients were analysed. Of these, 9597 (92.4%) were NoMal patients, 577 (5.6%) PriorMal and 209 (2%) ActiveMal. Lack of any antithrombotic treatment was more prevalent in ActiveMal patients (12.4%) as compared to other groups (5.0% vs 6.3% for PriorMal and NoMal, p <.001). After a median follow-up of 730 days, there were 982 (9.5%) deaths and 950 (9.7%) MACE events. ActiveMal was independently associated with a higher risk for all-cause death (HR 2.90, 95% CI 2.23–3.76) and MACE (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.03–2.31), as well as any haemorrhagic events and major bleeding (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.49–3.91 and OR 4.18, 95% CI 2.49–7.01, respectively). Use of oral anticoagulants was not significantly associated with a higher risk for all-cause death or bleeding in ActiveMal patients. Conclusions: In a large contemporary cohort of AF patients, active malignancy was independently associated with all-cause death, MACE and haemorrhagic events. Use of anticoagulants was not associated with a higher risk of all-cause death in patients with active malignancies.