Anticoagulation and thromboembolic risk in critically ill patients with trigger-induced atrial fibrillation-A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: In critically ill patients with trigger-induced atrial fibrillation, there are no definitive recommendations on the use of anticoagulation. This study aimed to evaluate the association between anticoagulation therapy and outcomes (i.e. thromboembolism, bleeding and mortality) and examine prescription patterns in high-risk individuals based on CHA2DS2-VASc scores.

METHODS: A systematic search was conducted to identify studies reporting on anticoagulation prescription, thromboembolism, bleeding, and mortality. Anticoagulation rates and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were correlated, and a meta-analysis was conducted to compare short- and long-term outcomes.

RESULTS: Anticoagulation prescription rates ranged from 3 to 86%; in over 50% of patients, CHA2DS2-VASc scores were ≥ 2 (n = 28 studies). A meta-analysis of eight observational studies, in which 95% of patients had sepsis/infection as the precipitant, demonstrated no association between anticoagulation and reduced short-term thromboembolism (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.61-1.28) or increased bleeding (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.90-1.22). Short-term mortality was lower in the anticoagulation group (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.39-0.75), but a higher long-term thromboembolic risk was observed (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.04-2.03).

CONCLUSION: The prescription of anticoagulation in critically ill patients with TIAF is highly variable. There is no clear evidence of benefit or harm, and neither routine use nor systematic omission is supported.