Incidence of thromboembolic events in congestive heart failure. The V-HeFT VA Cooperative Studies Group.
BACKGROUND
The incidence of thromboembolism and the benefit of anticoagulation in congestive heart failure are controversial.


RESULTS
The data base provided by the Veterans Affairs Vasodilator-Heart Failure Trials (V-HeFT I and II) was examined retrospectively to address these issues. In V-HeFT I, 642 men with heart failure were followed an average of 2.28 years, providing 1,464 patient-years of follow-up. In V-HeFT II, 804 men were followed an average of 2.56 years, with 2,061 patient-years of follow-up. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 30% in V-HeFT I and 29% in V-HeFT II: Functional capacity was at the interface of classes II and III with a peak exercise oxygen consumption of 14.7 mL.kg-1 x min-1 in V-HeFT I and 13.7 mL.kg-1 x min-1 in V-HeFT II: Warfarin and antiplatelet agents were administered at the discretion of individual investigators. The incidence of all thromboembolic events during 1,068 patient-years without warfarin in V-HeFT I was 2.7/100 patient-years and during 1,188 patient-years in V-HeFT II was 2.1/100 patient-years and was not reduced in patients treated with warfarin. Patients experiencing events had a lower peak exercise oxygen consumption (p < 0.03 in V-HeFT I and p < 0.001 in V-HeFT II) and a lower mean ejection fraction (p = 0.10 in V-HeFT I and p = 0.07 in V-HeFT II). Atrial fibrillation was not associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of thromboembolism and stroke in class II or III congestive heart failure is not high and may not be significantly reduced with warfarin treatment. Routine use of anticoagulants in patients with heart failure may not be justified.
Cardiology Section, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
W B
WB
Dunkman
G R
GR
Johnson
P E
PE
Carson
G
G
Bhat
L
L
Farrell
J N
JN
Cohn
D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004656:Enalapril / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006830:Hydralazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011224:Prazosin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D006830:Hydralazine; D014859:Warfarin; D004656:Enalapril; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate; D011224:Prazosin