warfarin and Pericarditis

Anticoagulation could not be currently stopped even after successful thoracoscopic ablation of atrial fibrillation for at least 2 months. The aim of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy outcomes between a new oral anticoagulant and warfarin after thoracoscopic ablation. This trial was a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled study comparing edoxaban and warfarin in patients undergoing thoracoscopic ablation of atrial fibrillation. This study enrolled 60 patients randomly assigned into 2 groups. The primary endpoint was efficacy outcomes, including stroke and systemic thromboembolic events. The secondary endpoint was safety outcomes including major bleeding and pericarditis. The patients were evaluated at discharge, 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. No stroke and thromboembolic events were noted in both treatment groups during the follow-up period. During the 6 months follow-up period, 4 (13%) of 30 patients in the edoxaban group experienced minor bleeding events, whereas none were noted in the warfarin group. Five anticoagulation-related events (bleeding, and prolongation of international normalized ratio), including pericarditis, were noted in both the edoxaban and warfarin groups. No statistically significant difference existed between the 2 groups. In conclusion, this study showed the comparable results of edoxaban to warfarin during the window period of post-thoracoscopic ablation of atrial fibrillation. Moreover, anticoagulation-related events were rather affected by patient factors and not by the anticoagulant type.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Hemorrhage; Humans; Pericarditis; Prospective Studies; Stroke; Thromboembolism; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin K; Warfarin

Catheter ablation is an established treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). The incidence of major complications related to the procedure is reported to be 4.5%, and delayed cardiac tamponade (DCT) is a rare, although recently recognized, complication. However, the mechanisms underlying the development of DCT remain unclear. We herein report the cases of two men, both 49 years of age, who developed cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis a few weeks after undergoing pulmonary vein isolation for persistent AF. Physicians should explain to the patient the potential for DCT as a complication prior to performing catheter ablation and provide careful follow-up for at least a few weeks after the session.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Cardiac Tamponade; Catheter Ablation; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Readmission; Pericardiocentesis; Pericarditis; Pulmonary Veins; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Warfarin

Topics: Anticoagulants; Heart Atria; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Male; Myocarditis; Pericarditis; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography; Warfarin; Young Adult

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common cardiovascular emergency, by which occlusion of a part of the pulmonary arterial bed may lead to acute life threatening but potentially reversible right ventricular failure. Early diagnosis is fundamental to implement immediate effective treatment to reduce mortality. However, the diagnosis can be easily missed due to non-specific clinical presentation. We wish to present an unusual case whereby a patient with no risk factors for PE, symptoms suggestive of acute pericarditis and an ECG showing concave ST segment elevation was found to have multiple pulmonary emboli.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Chest Pain; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Medical History Taking; Middle Aged; Pericarditis; Pulmonary Embolism; Treatment Outcome; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right; Warfarin

Topics: Calcinosis; Cardiomyopathies; Fatal Outcome; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Pericarditis; Warfarin

Topics: Heparin; Humans; Myocardial Infarction; Pericardial Effusion; Pericarditis; Shock, Cardiogenic; Warfarin

Topics: Adult; Blood Transfusion; Humans; Male; Myocardial Infarction; Pericardial Effusion; Pericarditis; Vitamin K 1; Warfarin