Pulmonary embolism and atrial fibrillation: analysis of data from the SIRENA Russian registry

Aim. To present the clinical characteristics and in-hospital prognosis in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) and atrial fibrillation (AF).

Material and methods. On the initiative of a working group of physicians, the basic principles of an observational prospective study (SIRENA registry) have been developed.

Results. Among the 660 patients included in the registry, AF was diagnosed in almost every fourth patient — in 22,9% of cases (n=151), which reflects its high incidence in relation to PE. The prevalence of AF corresponded to such conditions as heart failure (HF) (23,2%; n=153), diabetes (15,6%; n=103), and hypertension (HTN) (65,7% n=400). The diagnosis of AF in most patients is based on the history data (n=144; 95,4%), while the first registered AF episode was verified in 7 patients (4,6%). Patients with AF were characterized by older age, significantly higher prevalence of HF (51,2%), HTN (80,8%), chronic kidney disease (18,5%), stroke or transient ischemic attack (23,2%). It is important to note the low prevalence of anticoagulant therapy (15,3%) in the group of patients with previously diagnosed AF (n=144). The prevalence of thrombolytic therapy in patients with AF was significantly lower than among patients without AF (13,9 vs 25,8% (p=0,026)), which is due to contraindications and underdiagnosis of PE. Given the predominantly senile age, high comorbidity rate in patients with AF, as well as the absence of outpatient anticoagulant therapy, in-hospital mortality in patients with PE and AF was 31,1%, and significantly differed from that in those without AF 12,6% (p=0,001). In the general group, post-mortem diagnosis of PE was noted in 7,7% of cases (n=51), of which the proportion of patients with AF was 54,9% (n=28). A possible explanation for the underestimation of PE in AF patients was an erroneous explanation of its manifestations (tachypnea, tachycardia, lower limb edema) due to concomitant HF.

Conclusion. Suspicion for PE in elderly patients with AF and manifestations of HF decompensation, as well as the timely administration of anticoagulant therapy, will prevent both arterial and venous embolism.

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