Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Atrial fibrillation in outpatients with stable coronary artery disease: results from the multicenter RECENT study
Insights
Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects 19% of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The CHA₂DS₂-VASc score indicates nearly all these patients need antithrombotic treatment, complicating care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly coexists with other cardiovascular diseases.
- Understanding AF prevalence in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of AF in stable CAD outpatients.
- To identify clinical and laboratory factors associated with higher AF prevalence.
- To compare antithrombotic treatment indications using CHADS₂ and CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of clinical data from 2578 Polish patients with stable CAD in the RECENT study.
- Assessment of patient demographics, CAD history, heart failure, and AF presence.
- Comparison of CHADS₂ and CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores for antithrombotic treatment indication.
Main Results:
- AF was present in 19% of patients with stable CAD.
- Independent predictors for AF included advanced age, longer CAD history, and heart failure.
- CHA₂DS₂-VASc score identified a higher need for antithrombotic treatment (94%) compared to CHADS₂ score (73%).
Conclusions:
- AF is highly prevalent in ambulatory patients with stable CAD.
- The CHA₂DS₂-VASc score suggests almost all CAD patients with AF require antithrombotic therapy.
- This high antithrombotic requirement may complicate procedures like coronary revascularization.
Introduction:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexists with other cardiovascular diseases.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of AF in outpatients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and to determine clinical and laboratory parameters associated with the higher prevalence of this arrhythmia. In addition, we compared the indications for antithrombotic treatment using the older CHADS₂ and the currently used CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores.
Patients And Methods:
We studied the clinical data of 2578 Polish patients with stable CAD participating in the multicenter RECENT study (age, 65 ±10 years; men, 55%; Canadian Cardiovascular Society class I/II/III+IV, 38%/48%/14%).
Results:
AF was present in 19% of patients with CAD. Advanced age, longer history of CAD, and concomitant heart failure were independently associated with the higher prevalence of AF (all P <0.05). Among patients with CAD and AF, 73% of the patients required antithrombotic treatment according to the CHADS₂ score (≥2), and 94%-according to the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (≥2). A CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 2 or higher was found in 47% of the patients with a CHADS₂ score of 0 and 85% of those with a CHADS2 score of 1. Twenty-one percent of patients with CAD and AF did not have unequivocal indications for antithrombotic treatment according to the CHADS₂ score (0-1), while they had strong indications for such treatment on the basis of the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (≥2).
Conclusions:
AF affects every fifth ambulatory patient with CAD. According to the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, almost all patients with CAD and AF require antithrombotic treatment, which may complicate coronary revascularization and related antiplatelet treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:25ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
01:29Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
01:25Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures