Features of Thromboembolic and Hemorrhagic Complications in Planned Surgical Interventions in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Aim. To study the frequency and characteristics of the development of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) during planned surgical interventions.Material and methods. Preoperative examination and postoperative observation of 214 patients with AF (139 men and 75 women) who received anticoagulant therapy (ACT) and underwent planned surgery was carried out. The consistency of the used perioperative ACT regimens when performing interventions with current international recommendations was analyzed.Results. Complications developed in 33 patients (15.4%) from the total sample of 214 patients: in 14 (6.5%) thromboembolism, in 19 (8.9%) hemorrhagic complications. Analysis of the complication frequency in various types of surgical interventions showed that the frequency of thromboembolism during heart and vascular operations was 9.8% (4 cases), with interventions for malignant tumors – 7 (6.2%), while performing general surgical abdominal tumors operations – 3 (5.0%). The frequency of bleeding was maximum during operations for cancer 18.6%, this value was significantly higher compared with the frequency of these complications when performing general surgical abdominal operations – 3 cases (5.0%), and during interventions on the heart and vascular vessels bleedings were not observed. The total frequency of complications was also maximal when performing interventions for malignant tumors – 24.8%. This value was significantly higher than in the groups of patients who underwent general surgical abdominal operations – 10.0%, and interventions on the heart and vessels – 9.8%. Analysis of the frequency of compliance with the recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology in terms of ACT usage in patients with AF in the perioperative period and the structure of errors in choosing the ACT regimen showed that among the examined patients the recommendations were followed only in 102 (47.7%), while the frequency of non-recommended regimens use reached 52.3% (112 patients). The most frequently incorrectly used scheme was “bridge therapy” with the possibility of canceling oral anticoagulants in 107 (50.0%) patients.Conclusion. A significantly higher frequency of complications was found in patients, whose management did not follow the recommendations for perioperative ACT.

Keywords

• atrial fibrillation
• anticoagulant therapy
• hemorrhage
• thromboembolic complications
• bridge therapy