Non-Vitamin K Antagonists Versus Warfarin in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Bioprosthetic Valves: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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#anticoagulants #atrial-fibrillation #bioprosthesis #heart-assist-devices #humans

Non-Vitamin K Antagonists Versus Warfarin in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Bioprosthetic Valves: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cardoso et al., 2022 | Am J Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

Cardoso Rhanderson, Ternes Caique M P, ... Lopes Renato D. Non-Vitamin K Antagonists Versus Warfarin in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Bioprosthetic Valves: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Am J Med. 2022-Feb;135(2):228-234.e1. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.08.026

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation and bioprosthetic valves are at high risk for thromboembolic events. The pooled efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs), as a class, relative to warfarin in this population is not well-known. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of NOACs relative to warfarin in patients with bioprosthetic valves or valve repair. METHODS: We systematically searched EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials comparing NOACs to warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation and bioprosthetic valves or valve repair. We pooled outcomes for stroke or systemic embolism, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and major bleeding. RESULTS: We included 4 trials with 1379 patients, of whom 723 (52.4%) received a NOAC. Mean follow-up ranged from 90 days to 2.8 years. In the pooled analysis, stroke or systemic embolism was significantly lower in patients treated with NOACs (1.9%) compared with warfarin (3.7%) (odds ratio [OR] 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22-0.85; P = .02). Ischemic stroke (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.18-2.93), hemorrhagic stroke (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.03-1.05), cardiovascular death (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.38-1.62), and all-cause mortality (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.55-1.62) were not significantly different among groups. Major bleeding was significantly lower in patients treated with NOAC (2.8%) compared with warfarin (4.7%) (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.28-0.88; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with atrial fibrillation and bioprosthetic valves or valve repair, NOACs are associated with a reduced incidence of thromboembolic events and major bleeding as compared with warfarin. Thus, NOACs may be considered a preferred option for this patient population.

Key Findings

We included 4 trials with 1379 patients, of whom 723 (52.4%) received a NOAC. Mean follow-up ranged from 90 days to 2.8 years. In the pooled analysis, stroke or systemic embolism was significantly lower in patients treated with NOACs (1.9%) compared with warfarin (3.7%) (odds ratio [OR] 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22-0.85; P = .02). Ischemic stroke (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.18-2.93), hemorrhagic stroke (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.03-1.05), cardiovascular death (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.38-1.62), and all-cause

Outcomes Measured

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Population

Field Value
Population atrial fibrillation and bioprosthetic
Sample Size 1379
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Anticoagulants
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Bioprosthesis
  • Heart-Assist Devices
  • Humans
  • Vitamin K
  • Warfarin

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-k

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09