Poor Time in Therapeutic Range Control is Associated with Adverse Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Report from the Nationwide COOL-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND

Warfarin remains the most commonly used oral anticoagulant (OAC) in Thailand for stroke prevention among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between time in therapeutic range (TTR) after warfarin initiation and clinical outcomes of NVAF.

METHODS

TTR was calculated by the Rosendaal method from international normalized ratio (INR) data acquired from a nationwide NVAF registry in Thailand. Patients were followed-up every six months. The association between TTR and clinical outcomes was analyzed.

RESULTS

There was a total of 2233 patients from 27 hospitals. The average age was 68.4 ± 10.6 years. The average TTR was 53.56 ± 26.37%. Rates of ischemic stroke/TIA, major bleeding, ICH, and death were 1.33, 2.48, 0.76, and 3.3 per 100 person-years, respectively. When patients with a TTR < 65% were compared with those with TTR ≥ 65%, the adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for the increased risks of ischemic stroke/TIA, major bleeding, ICH, and death were 3.07, 1.90, 2.34, and 2.11, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Poor TTR control is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with NVAF who were on warfarin. Efforts to ensure good TTR (≥65%) after initiation of warfarin are mandatory to minimize the risk of adverse clinical outcomes.