Outcomes of Stroke Prevention Strategies in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and End-Stage Renal Disease

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, the optimal stroke prevention strategy remains uncertain.

The aim of this study was to assess outcomes of various stroke prevention strategies in this population.

A national database of patients with ESRD and AF was used to compare outcomes with apixaban, warfarin, or left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). The primary endpoint was a composite of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (SE), major bleeding (MB), or death. Secondary endpoints included components of the composite outcome, gastrointestinal bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage. Outcomes were analyzed using propensity score matching and multivariable Cox regression.

A total of 14,849 patients (42.9% women) were included, of whom 15.9% (n = 2,360), 27.4% (n = 4,077), and 56.7% (n = 8,412) were treated with LAAO, apixaban, and warfarin, respectively. After propensity score matching, 1,947 patients were included in each group. Median follow-up duration was 0.9 years (Q1-Q3: 0.4-1.6 years). The rate of the composite outcome was significantly higher in warfarin arm vs LAAO (adjusted HR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.17-1.39; P < 0.001) and in the apixaban arm vs LAAO (adjusted HR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.16-1.39; P < 0.001). The rates of MB, gastrointestinal bleeding, and stroke or SE were significantly higher in the apixaban and warfarin arms, while the rates of all-cause mortality and intracranial hemorrhage were similar across the groups.

In propensity-matched cohorts of ESRD patients with AF, the composite outcome of stroke or SE, MB, and all-cause mortality was higher in those treated with apixaban or warfarin compared with those who underwent LAAO.