Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an independent risk factor for thromboembolic events including ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib), based on findings published Aug. 26 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and presented at ESC Congress 2018.

Researchers examined the association between CAD and stroke in 12,690 AFib patients (18 years or above) undergoing coronary angiography between 2004-2012 in Western Denmark. Among these patients 7,533 patients (59.4 percent) had CAD and 5,157 patients (40.6 percent) had no CAD. The primary endpoint was a composite of ischemic stroke, TIA, and systemic embolism obtained from the Danish National Patient Registry. Follow-up began 30 days after the index coronary angiography, and continued until endpoint event, death, emigration, or end of follow-up, whichever came first. Median follow-up was three years.

Results showed the rate of ischemic stroke/TIA/thromboembolism was 2.62 per 100 person-years for patients with CAD and 1.61 per 100 person-years for patients without CAD. Researchers noted that the impact of presence of CAD remained significant after adjustment and suggested a 29 percent increased risk of ischemic stroke/TIA/thromboembolism.

Researchers said their findings suggest that CAD is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke among AFib patients. As such, they suggest that "CAD should be considered as a potential additional risk factor in the risk scores used for stratification of AFib patients."

Clinical Topics: Arrhythmias and Clinical EP, Atherosclerotic Disease (CAD/PAD), Atrial Fibrillation/Supraventricular Arrhythmias

Keywords: ESC18, ESC Congress, Coronary Artery Disease, Thromboembolism, Stroke, Atrial Fibrillation

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