Estimating renal function in patients with atrial fibrillation : which dose of direct oral anticoagulants?

Abstract

Atrial fbrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac dysrhythmia, affecting more than eight million people in the European Union [1]. AF is associated with a fvefold increased risk of ischemic stroke and is also an independent risk factor for stroke severity and mortality [1]. Renal impairment is common among AF patients, with a reported prevalence of mild renal impairment in 47% of patients and moderate–severe renal impairment in 18% of patients in a European registry [2]. AF patients with renal impairment are at increased risk of bleeding, stroke or systemic embolism, myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality, as compared to AF patients with normal renal function [3].