Impact of prior history of cancer in the outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common among cancer survivors, but anticoagulant therapy in is particularly challenging in this population. Aim We analyzed how a previous diagnosis of cancer influences the embolic and hemorrhagic risk in AF patients in order to guide anticoagulant therapies. Methods We used a large retrospective and observational cohort of AF patients from Vigo, Spain (2014–2018). Primary endpoint were embolic and haemorrhagic events during follow-up. Secondary endpoints were all cause mortality, CV mortality, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure (HF) admission. Results From the 16,056 included patients, 7.1% had a current/past diagnosis of cancer. Median follow-up was 4.9 years. The rate of anticoagulation therapy was similar in cancer and non-cancer patients (74.8% vs 75.8) although there was a higher prescription of heparin and a lower prescription of VKA in cancer group. Cancer patients had a higher embolic (CHA2DS2-VASC 3.5±1.5 vs 3.2±1.5; p