Aspects of anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation in the light of updated guidelines of the European society of cardiology 2020: the position of dabigatran

Abstract

This review focuses on some aspects of anticoagulant therapy in the updated clinical guidelines for atrial fibrillation of the European society of cardiology, published in 2020. Atrial fibrillation is a polymorbid continuously developing syndrome, and therefore the treatment strategy is based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient, including the risk of stroke, the presence and severity of symptoms, and an assessment of structural heart disease and comorbidities. The review describes the principles of the proposed integrated approach, abbreviated “ABC pathway”, as reflecting the three main directions of the treatment strategy. According to experts, the clinical picture of AF (i.e. first detected, paroxysmal, persistent, long-term persistent or permanent) should not determine the indications for the appointment of anticoagulant therapy. The CHA2DS2-VASc scale continues to be the basis for stratification of thromboembolic risk. The role of dabigatran in primary and secondary prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation is described. Changes in the position of experts regarding the assessment of bleeding risk are highlighted in order to help identify unmodified and eliminate modifiable risk factors for bleeding, as well as to identify AF patients who are potentially at high risk of bleeding for more frequent monitoring and monitoring of their condition. Questions about the use of direct oral anticoagulants in the choice of rhythm control tactics are highlighted separately. The use of dabigatran in patients undergoing cardioversion and catheter ablation is justified. Practical questions about the continuous strategy of anticoagulant therapy during ablation are highlighted separately. Changes related to multicomponent therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention are highlighted. The main measure to improve the safety of combined antithrombotic therapy is to minimize the duration of triple therapy. The updated recommendations supportlimiting the duration of triple antithrombotic therapy to 1 month, and also provide for early discontinuation of aspirin (≤1 week) and continuation of double antithrombotic therapy in cases of uncomplicated stenting and low risk of thrombosis, or when the risk of bleeding exceeds the risk of thrombotic events.