Atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) are atrial tachyarrhythmias detected by continuous rhythm monitoring by pacemakers, defibrillators, or implantable cardiac monitors. Atrial high-rate episodes occur in 10-30% of elderly patients without atrial fibrillation. However, it remains unclear whether the presence of these arrhythmias has therapeutic consequences. The presence of AHRE increases the risk of stroke compared with patients without AHRE. Oral anticoagulation would have the potential to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with AHRE but is also associated with a rate of major bleeding of ∼2%/year. The stroke rate in patients with AHRE appears to be lower than the stroke rate in patients with atrial fibrillation. Wearables like smart-watches will increase the absolute number of patients in whom atrial arrhythmias are detected. It remains unclear whether anticoagulation is effective and, equally important, safe in patients with AHRE. Two randomized clinical trials, NOAH-AFNET6 and ARTESiA, are expected to report soon. They will provide much-needed information on the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation in patients with AHRE.

• Klíčová slova
• Anticoagulation, Atrial fibrillation, Atrial high-rate episodes, Continuous monitoring, Implantable cardiac monitor, Pacemaker, Stroke, Sub-clinical atrial fibrillation, Thrombo-embolic risk,
• MeSH
• antikoagulancia terapeutické užití   MeSH
• cévní mozková příhoda * diagnóza   etiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• fibrilace síní * komplikace   diagnóza   farmakoterapie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• srdeční síně MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antikoagulancia MeSH

Self-terminating atrial arrhythmias are commonly detected on continuous rhythm monitoring, e.g. by pacemakers or defibrillators. It is unclear whether the presence of these arrhythmias has therapeutic consequences. We sought to summarize evidence on the prevalence of atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) and their impact on risk of stroke. We performed a comprehensive, tabulated review of published literature on the prevalence of AHRE. In patients with AHRE, but without atrial fibrillation (AF), we reviewed the stroke risk and the potential risk/benefit of oral anticoagulation. Atrial high-rate episodes are found in 10-30% of AF-free patients. Presence of AHRE slightly increases stroke risk (0.8% to 1%/year) compared with patients without AHRE. Atrial high-rate episode of longer duration (e.g. those >24 h) could be associated with a higher stroke risk. Oral anticoagulation has the potential to reduce stroke risk in patients with AHRE but is associated with a rate of major bleeding of 2%/year. Oral anticoagulation is not effective in patients with heart failure or survivors of a stroke without AF. It remains unclear whether anticoagulation is effective and safe in patients with AHRE. Atrial high-rate episodes are common and confer a slight increase in stroke risk. There is true equipoise on the best way to reduce stroke risk in patients with AHRE. Two ongoing trials (NOAH-AFNET 6 and ARTESiA) will provide much-needed information on the effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulation using non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with AHRE.

• Klíčová slova
• Anticoagulation, Atrial fibrillation, Atrial high-rate episodes, Continuous monitoring, Pacemaker, Stroke,
• MeSH
• antikoagulancia terapeutické užití   MeSH
• celosvětové zdraví MeSH
• cévní mozková příhoda epidemiologie   etiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• fibrilace síní komplikace   farmakoterapie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• hodnocení rizik metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• srdeční frekvence fyziologie   MeSH
• srdeční síně patofyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antikoagulancia MeSH

IMPORTANCE: The NAVIGATE ESUS randomized clinical trial found that 15 mg of rivaroxaban per day does not reduce stroke compared with aspirin in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS); however, it substantially reduces stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether rivaroxaban is associated with a reduction of recurrent stroke among patients with ESUS who have an increased risk of AF. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Participants were stratified by predictors of AF, including left atrial diameter, frequency of premature atrial contractions, and HAVOC score, a validated scheme using clinical features. Treatment interactions with these predictors were assessed. Participants were enrolled between December 2014 and September 2017, and analysis began March 2018. INTERVENTION: Rivaroxaban treatment vs aspirin. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Risk of ischemic stroke. RESULTS: Among 7112 patients with a mean (SD) age of 67 (9.8) years, the mean (SD) HAVOC score was 2.6 (1.8), the mean (SD) left atrial diameter was 3.8 (1.4) cm (n = 4022), and the median (interquartile range) daily frequency of premature atrial contractions was 48 (13-222). Detection of AF during follow-up increased for each tertile of HAVOC score: 2.3% (score, 0-2), 3.0% (score, 3), and 5.8% (score, >3); however, neither tertiles of the HAVOC score nor premature atrial contractions frequency impacted the association of rivaroxaban with recurrent ischemic stroke (P for interaction = .67 and .96, respectively). Atrial fibrillation annual incidence increased for each tertile of left atrial diameter (2.0%, 3.6%, and 5.2%) and for each tertile of premature atrial contractions frequency (1.3%, 2.9%, and 7.0%). Among the predefined subgroup of patients with a left atrial diameter of more than 4.6 cm (9% of overall population), the risk of ischemic stroke was lower among the rivaroxaban group (1.7% per year) compared with the aspirin group (6.5% per year) (hazard ratio, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07-0.94; P for interaction = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The HAVOC score, left atrial diameter, and premature atrial contraction frequency predicted subsequent clinical AF. Rivaroxaban was associated with a reduced risk of recurrent stroke among patients with ESUS and moderate or severe left atrial enlargement; however, this needs to be independently confirmed before influencing clinical practice.

• MeSH
• Aspirin terapeutické užití   MeSH
• cévní mozková příhoda farmakoterapie   MeSH
• fibrilace síní MeSH
• inhibitory agregace trombocytů terapeutické užití   MeSH
• inhibitory faktoru Xa terapeutické užití   MeSH
• intrakraniální embolie farmakoterapie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• recidiva MeSH
• rivaroxaban terapeutické užití   MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• sekundární prevence MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• Aspirin MeSH
• inhibitory agregace trombocytů MeSH
• inhibitory faktoru Xa MeSH
• rivaroxaban MeSH