Use of Oral Anticoagulation in a Real-World Population With Device Detected Atrial Fibrillation

Background Guideline recommendations for oral anticoagulation (OAC) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are based on CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score alone. Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices provide an opportunity to assess how the interaction between AF duration and CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score influences OAC prescription rates. Methods and Results Data from the Optum de-identified Electronic Health Record data set were linked to the Medtronic CareLink database of cardiac implantable electronic devices. An index date was assigned as the later of 6 months after device implant or 1 year after Electronic Health Record data availability. Maximum daily AF duration (no AF, 6 minutes-23.5 hours, and >23.5 hours) was assessed for 6 months before index date. OAC prescription rates were computed as a function of both AF duration and CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score. A total of 35 779 patients with CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores >= 1 were identified, including 27 198 not prescribed OAC. Overall OAC prescription rate among the 12 938 patients with device-detected AF >6 minutes was 36.7% and significantly higher in those with a maximum daily AF duration >23.5 hours (45.4%) compared with those with 6 minutes to 23.5 hours (28.7%). OAC prescription rates increased monotonically with both increasing AF duration and CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score, reaching a maximum of 67.2% for patients with AF >23.5 hours and a CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score >= 5. Conclusions Real-world prescription of OAC increased with both increasing duration of AF and CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score. This highlights the need for further research into the role of AF duration, stroke risk, and the need for anticoagulation in patients with devices capable of long-term AF monitoring.