Editorial Commentary: Anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation in dialysis patients: What is known and what does the future hold?

The association between atrial fibrillation and stroke is well established and, in the general population, anticoagulation with warfarin can reduce the incidence of stroke by 60% with an acceptable bleeding risk.1, 2 Patients who are on hemodialysis have an increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation possibly secondary to comorbid conditions and hemodialysis itself causing dramatic swings in fluid and electrolytes and affecting cardiac dimensions.3 There are also substantially higher rates of ischemic stroke in this population attributable both to frequently co-occurring traditional stroke risk factors as well as the increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation.

Source: Heart Rhythm - February 18, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Timothy M. Markman, Saman Nazarian Source Type: research