Left atrial thrombus formation and resolution during dabigatran therapy: A Japanese Heart Rhythm Society report.
BACKGROUND
Protocols on the use of novel oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing electrical cardioversion (ECV) are lacking.


OBJECTIVE
The study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of dabigatran (Dabi) treatment in preventing peri-ECV stroke.


METHODS
A retrospective survey of the incidence and fate of left atrial (LA) thrombus during Dabi therapy in patients with AF was conducted between December 2012 and January 2013 by the Japanese Heart Rhythm Society.


RESULTS
A total of 198 patients from 299 institutions underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to rule out LA thrombus before ECV. Of these, LA thrombus was found in eight patients (4%), who tended to be older (67.3 vs. 61.3 years, p=0.175), had higher CHADS2 scores (1.88 vs. 0.95, p=0.058), and a higher prevalence of prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (22.2% vs. 2.6%, p=0.034) than those without LA thrombus. Of the eight patients with LA thrombus, one had LA thrombus during a Dabi 150 mg b.i.d treatment, whereas the remaining seven were receiving 110 mg b.i.d for 3 weeks or longer. In 6 of the 8 patients with LA thrombus, a second TEE was performed, revealing complete resolution of LA thrombus in five; among these five patients, one received Dabi dosage of 150 mg b.i.d unchanged, two received an increased dosage from 110 mg to 150 mg b.i.d, and two were switched to warfarin. Two patients had a stroke 3 and 15 days after ECV, and one had a major large intestine bleeding episode during Dabi therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
LA thrombus developed in 4% of patients with AF receiving Dabi. Older patients with a higher CHADS2 score receiving a lower Dabi dosage were more likely to develop LA thrombus, which was resolved with a prolonged or increased dosage. A higher Dabi dosage may be more beneficial before ECV but prospective randomized studies would be needed to confirm these results.
Cardiovascular Center, Tachikawa Hospital, Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations, 4-2-22 Nishikicho, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan.
Hideo
H
Mitamura
Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, Hypertension & Nephrology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Takayuki
T
Nagai
Department of Cardiology, Fukuyama City Hospital, Japan.
Atsuyuki
A
Watanabe
Department of Cardiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Japan.
Seiji
S
Takatsuki
Department of Cardiology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Ken
K
Okumura
Atrial fibrillation; Cardioversion; Dabigatran; Novel oral anticoagulant; Transesophageal echocardiography