#1912 Assessment of the dynamics of renal anemia in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease stage IIIb-V during anticoagulant therapy
Authors: Igamberdieva Ranokhon , Abdullaev Sherzod 
Published: May 2024

Background and Aims

Therapy with oral anticoagulants prevents the development of most ischemic strokes and systemic embolisms in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and also helps to increase life expectancy, improving its quality. It should be emphasized that with CKD, the risk of hemorrhagic complications also increases, which in turn can lead to the progression of renal anemia and deterioration in the patient's general condition. The main complication of anticoagulants is an increased risk of major bleeding, including intracranial, life-threatening bleeding. The purpose of the study is to assess the benefits and risks of anticoagulant therapy in patients with renal anemia in AF and stage IIIb-V CKD.

Method

From February 2022 to July 2023, 2983 patients with AF were admitted to cardiology departments. The majority of patients with AF had hypertension (94%), chronic heart failure (71%), coronary heart disease (65%), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (23%). CKD was diagnosed according to KDIGO criteria, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the CKD-EPI formula. Indications for anticoagulant therapy (ACT) were determined according to European guidelines for AF using the scales for assessing the risk of thromboembolic complications (TEC)—CHA2DS2-VASc and the risk of bleeding—HAS-BLED.

Results

GFR up to 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 was detected in 2189 (73%) patients with AF, GFR less than 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 in 794 (27%) patients with AF (CKD stages IIIb–V in 516 (65%) cases, for the first identified sustained decrease in glomerular filtration rate (FISD in GFR) of less than 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 was detected in 278 (35%) cases). Among patients with AF and CKD, renal anemia was diagnosed in 23% of cases, in 63% (n = 505) of cases with AF and GFR &lt;45 ml/min/1.73 m2. With a GFR of 45-30 ml/min/1.73 m2, renal anemia was detected in 59%, with a GFR of 30-15 ml/min/1.73 m2—in 89%, with a GFR &lt;15 ml/min/1.73 m2—in 97%, with FISD in GFR &lt;45 ml/min/1.73 m2—in 51%. When stratifying thromboembolic risk according to the CHA2DS2-VASc scale in patients with AF and CKD stages IIIb–V, 0-1 points were scored by 1% (n = 11), 2-5 points by 53% (n = 420), ≥6 points by 46% (n = 363) patients. The results of the analysis of the risk of bleeding according to the HAS-BLED scale showed the following data: 0-1 point—8% (n = 64), 2 points—15% (n = 118), ≥3 points—77% (n = 612). When studying the frequency of ACT prescription, it was revealed that rivaroxaban was prescribed in 21%, apixaban—22%, dabigatran—10%, warfarin—25%, low molecular weight heparins—3%, ACT not recommended—9%, ACT of choice—10% of cases (Table 1). In mild renal anemia (in 39% of patients), taking ACT led to a reduction in the risk of developing TEC—RR 0.55 with 95% CI 0.38-0.79; in case of moderate renal anemia (in 47.3% of patients), the risk of TEC did not decrease RR 1.03 with 95% CI 0.69-1.58; with severe renal anemia (in 13.7% of patients), the risk of TEC was also not reduced—RR 1.6 with 95% CI 1.17-2.2).

Conclusion

Every fourth patient in the cardiology department with AF showed a decrease in GFR &lt;45 ml/min/1.73 m2, while 1/3 of them had FISD in GFR &lt;45 ml/min/1.73 m2, and it is in these patients that the most common the dose of the prescribed anticoagulant did not correspond to the GFR; 50% of patients with GFR &lt;45 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 32% with GFR &lt;30 ml/min/1.73 m2 are recommended to use direct oral anticoagulants. Patients with stage V CKD were not prescribed direct oral anticoagulants; in 50% of cases, none of the anticoagulants was recommended.