Importance of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Sex Differences in the Prevention of Embolic Stroke in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Junya Komatsu; Ryu-ichiro Imai; Yoko Nakaoka; Koji Nishida; Shu-ichi Seki; Toru Kubo; Naohito Yamasaki; Hiroaki Kitaoka; Sho-ichi Kubokawa; Kazuya Kawai; Naohisa Hamashige; Yoshinori L Doi

doi:10.1253/circrep.CR-20-0101

Abstract

Background: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-known risk factor for embolic stroke in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), there is a paucity of information derived from HCM patients who have experienced embolic stroke.

Methods and Results: From 141 consecutive HCM patients who had been hospitalized between 2000 and 2018, the clinical characteristics and management of 86 patients with AF were analyzed retrospectively. The incidence of embolic stroke was 36% (n=31 patients). The median (interquartile range) age of embolic stroke was younger in male than female HCM patients (71 [64–80] vs. 83 [77–87] years, respectively; P=0.009). The prevalence of paroxysmal AF (74%) was significantly higher than that of chronic AF (26%) in 31 patients with embolic stroke (P=0.007). The CHADS₂ score in patients with embolic stroke was not particularly useful in predicting the occurrence of embolic stroke.

Conclusions: One-third of HCM patients with AF developed embolic stroke, and male HCM patients were younger at the time of the embolic stroke than female HCM patients. The prevalence of paroxysmal AF was significantly higher than that of chronic AF in patients with AF and embolic stroke. Early introduction of anticoagulation therapy is recommended at the first documentation of paroxysmal AF.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in the general population and is associated with a significantly increased risk of stroke and heart failure.¹^–³ AF is also common in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM),⁴^–⁸ with a prevalence reportedly between 9% and 28%.⁴^,⁷^–¹³ The presence of AF can denote a turning point in the progression of HCM, with a marked increased risk of embolic stroke, heart failure, and overall mortality.⁴^,⁷^,⁸^,¹⁴ Compared with patients with HCM in sinus rhythm, those in AF were shown to have an eightfold increase in embolic stroke risk.⁴ However, although the risk of embolic stroke in HCM patients with AF is well recognized, there is a paucity of information derived from HCM patients who have experienced an embolic stroke.

Several independent risk factors for the development of embolic stroke have been reported in the general population,³ as well as in patients with HCM and AF.⁴^,⁵^,¹⁴^,¹⁵ Advancing age, increased left atrial size, impaired left atrial function, and the presence of heart failure symptoms are suggested risk factors,⁴^,⁵^,¹⁵^,¹⁶ although there are conflicting reports in the HCM population.⁸^,¹⁷^–¹⁹ Therefore, a consensus as to what constitutes an increased risk of embolic stroke in the HCM population has yet to be reached. To further investigate ways to prevent embolic stroke, we assessed the clinical characteristics of HCM patients with AF who experienced an embolic stroke.

Methods

Patient Selection

This study consecutively enrolled 141 patients with HCM who presented to an emergency department and were hospitalized at Chikamori Hospital between 2000 and 2018. The initial evaluation in the present cross-sectional study was regarded as the first clinical assessment during which an echocardiographic diagnosis of HCM was made at Chikamori Hospital. Of the 141 patients with HCM, 55 without AF were excluded from this study, leaving 86 HCM patients with AF enrolled in the study (Figure 1). The AF patients underwent clinical evaluation at the time of admission, which included determining the incidence of concomitant embolic stroke, age at embolic stroke, the type of AF, anticoagulation therapy, and the significance of the CHADS₂ score.

Figure 1.

Baseline information at the time of admission. AF, atrial fibrillation; HCM, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Definitions

HCM The diagnosis of HCM was based on echocardiographic identification of a hypertrophied, non-dilated left ventricle (LV) with maximum LV wall thickness ≥15 mm,²⁰ in the absence of any other cardiac or systemic disease capable of producing similar hypertrophy. The diagnosis of HCM was made at the time of admission.

AF The presence of AF was documented by a 12-lead resting electrocardiogram (ECG) at the time of admission or an ambulatory ECG performed after the acute onset of symptoms. AF was defined as paroxysmal when it was self-terminating and considered chronic when it became established.

Embolic Stroke Embolic stroke was defined as permanent neurological disability and impairment caused by ischemic stroke with radiological evidence (computed tomography [CT] images) that had been diagnosed as embolic stroke by a radiologist. Embolic stroke events were also classified by 2 experienced physicians (a neurologist and cardiologist) at the time of admission. These events were ascertained by the study investigators by reviewing CT images and patients’ medical records.

Echocardiographic Evaluation

Echocardiographic studies were performed at the time of admission using commercially available ultrasound systems. The dimensions of the LV and left atrium were measured according to previously published criteria.²¹ The magnitude and distribution of LV hypertrophy were assessed using 2-dimensional images and indices, as described previously.²¹ The peak instantaneous LV outflow tract gradient was estimated using continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound under basal conditions. An LV outflow tract gradient ≥30 mmHg was considered significant.

Statistical Analysis

Categorical variables are reported as frequencies and percentages. Continuous variables are reported as the median and interquartile range (IQR) for non-normally distributed values or as the mean±SD for normally distributed values. Data were analyzed using the 2-sample Student’s t-test and Chi-squared test, as appropriate. Two-tailed P<0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Characteristics of Patients With and Without Embolic Stroke

The baseline characteristics of the 86 HCM patients with AF, with and without concomitant embolic stroke, are presented in the Table. Paroxysmal AF was found more frequently than chronic AF in both groups. The rate of occurrence of paroxysmal AF did not differ between patients with and without embolic stroke (74% vs. 62%; NS). Regarding echocardiographic findings, the median LV ejection fraction was significantly lower in patients with than without embolic stroke (62% vs. 67%; P=0.0086). Maximum LV wall thickness was ≥15 mm in both groups as diagnostically defined. The median maximum LV wall thickness was slightly thicker in patients with than without embolic stroke, but the difference was not statistically significant (18 mm vs. 16 mm, respectively; P=0.052). Anticoagulation either with warfarin or non-vitamin K anticoagulants (NOACs) was less often used in patients with than without embolic stroke (64% vs. 84%; P=0.044). The administration of NOACs was slightly less frequent in patients with than without embolic stroke (19% vs. 42%; P=0.034). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of sex and laboratory findings, including B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP).

Table. Baseline Characteristics on Admission

	ES (n=31)	No ES (n=55)	P value
Age on admission (years)	77 [69–85]	79 [70–85]	0.815
Male sex	17 (55)	34 (62)	0.527
ECG findings
Paroxysmal AF	23 (74)	34 (62)	0.243
Chronic AF	8 (26)	21 (38)
Echocardiographic findings
Maximum wall thickness (mm)	18 [17–19]	16 [15–19]	0.052
IVS (mm)	13 [11–15]	12 [11–15]	0.392
PW (mm)	12 [10–13]	11 [10–12]	0.452
LVDd (mm)	48 [43–52]	46 [42–51]	0.394
LVDs (mm)	32 [26–36]	29 [26–3]	0.072
LA (mm)	46 [41–51]	44 [38–48]	0.117
LVEF (%)	62 [52–68]	67 [63–72]	0.0086
Laboratory findings
Peak BNP (pg/mL; n=76)	627 [437–1,014]	607 [329–1,486]	0.929
Hb (g/dL; n=76)	14.2 [12.3–14.9]	12.9 [11.2–14.9]	0.187
Cr (mg/dL; n=76)	0.9 [0.6–1.1]	1.0 [0.7–1.4]	0.101
GOT (IU/L; n=76)	27 [23–32]	27 [22–32]	0.597
GPT (IU/L; n=76)	18 [12–26]	22 [14–30]	0.261
Anticoagulation
Yes	20 (64)	46 (84)	0.044
Warfarin	14 (45)	23 (42)	0.764
NOAC	6 (19)	23 (42)	0.034
No	9 (30)	9 (16)	0.166
Undetermined	2 (6)	0 (0)	–

Unless indicated otherwise, data are presented as the median [interquartile range] or n (%). Laboratory examinations were performed in the number of patients indicated. AF, atrial fibrillation; BNP, B-type natriuretic peptide; Cr, creatinine; ECG, electrocardiography; ES, embolic stroke; GOT, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase; GPT, glutamic pyruvate transaminase; Hb, hemoglobin; IVS, interventricular septum; LA, left atrium; LVDd, left ventricular diastolic dimension; LVDs, left ventricular systolic dimension; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; NOAC, non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant; PW, posterior wall.

Three patients with embolic stroke also had embolic events to organs other than the brain. These embolic events involved the limbs (n=2) or heart (n=1). None of the patients who did not have embolic stroke experienced arterial embolization to the non-central nervous system.

Characteristics of HCM Patients With AF and Embolic Stroke

Incidence of Embolic Stroke Of the 86 HCM patients with AF, 31 had a concomitant embolic stroke at the time of admission (Figure 1). The rate of embolic stroke was estimated to be 36% (Figure 2). At the time of the embolic stroke, 14 patients (45%) were on warfarin, 6 (19%) were on NOACs, and 9 (29 %) were not receiving anticoagulation treatment.

Figure 2.

Incidence of embolic stroke. AF, atrial fibrillation; HCM, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Age at Embolic Stroke The median age at the event was 77 years (IQR 69–85 years). A significant difference in age at the time of embolic stroke was noted between male and female HCM patients (Figure 3). The median (IQR) age at the onset of embolic stroke was significantly younger in male than female HCM patients (71 [64–80] vs. 83 [77–87 years] years, respectively; P=0.009).

Figure 3.

Age at the onset of embolic stroke in male and female patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The boxes show the interquartile range, with the median value indicated by the horizontal line; whiskers show the range.

Type of AF The prevalence of paroxysmal AF was significantly higher than that of chronic AF in the 31 HCM patients with embolic stroke; 23 (74%) patients had paroxysmal AF and 8 (26%) had chronic AF (P=0.007). Comparing the clinical characteristics of the 31 HCM patients with embolic stroke between the 2 AF types, there were no significant differences with respect to age at embolic stroke, echocardiographic findings, features of blood tests, and anticoagulation treatment.

Severity and Outcomes of Embolic Stroke Of the 31 patients with embolic stroke, 3 died and 3 became bed-ridden as a direct consequence of their events. Of the remaining 25 patients who survived, 21 had varying degrees of permanent neurologic impairment.

Anticoagulation Therapy

Of the 86 HCM patients with AF, 66 (77%) were anticoagulated with either warfarin (n=37 patients) or approved doses of NOACs (n=29 patients). Eighteen patients (21%) were not on anticoagulation treatment. There were slight differences in the rate of anticoagulation treatment between patients with and without embolic stroke (64.5% vs. 83.6%, respectively; P=0.044). The control of prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) was not sufficient in patients with embolic stroke who were treated with warfarin; the PT-INR was significantly lower in patients with than without embolic stroke (1.19±0.10 vs. 2.01±0.20, respectively; P<0.0001).

CHADS₂ Score in Patients With Embolic Stroke

Twelve patients (39%) had a CHADS₂ score of 0–1, 6 (19%) had a CHADS₂ score of 2, and 10 (32%) had a CHADS₂ score of 3–5. The CHADS₂ score was not determined in 3 patients (10%). There was no significant difference in CHADS₂ scores between patients with and without embolic stroke.

Discussion

Limited Information Derived From HCM Patients With AF and Embolic Stroke

Risk stratification and the prevention of sudden cardiac death have been the primary focus of investigations in the HCM population, despite the fact that heart failure and stroke are also known complications of HCM.²² AF represents the most common sustained arrhythmia in the HCM population,⁴^–⁸ and is a well-known risk factor for embolic stroke in HCM.⁴^,⁷^,⁸^,¹³ However, there is limited information derived from HCM patients who actually experience embolic stroke. The present study provides important information concerning the occurrence and profile of embolic stroke in the HCM population that has significant clinical implications.

Incidence of Embolic Stroke

The combination of HCM and AF is associated with a significantly increased risk of embolic stroke.⁴^,⁷^,⁸^,¹³ The rate of embolic stroke in HCM patients with AF varies among studies, ranging from 7% to 53%.⁶^,¹⁵^,²³^–²⁵ The results of the present study are consistent with previous reports, demonstrating that a significant number (36%) of HCM patients with AF experienced embolic stroke.

Because of retrospective nature of the present study, it may be possible that the incidence of embolic stroke in HCM patients with AF had been affected by the use of anticoagulation therapy. The prevalence of anticoagulation therapy either with warfarin or NOACs was lower in HCM patients with AF who experienced embolic stroke than in patients with AF and no embolic stroke. It should also be noted that the PT-INR was significantly lower at the time of the event, well below the treatment threshold, in HCM patients with AF and embolic stroke compared with patients with AF and no embolic stroke. These results may have contributed to the somewhat higher incidence of embolic stroke in the present study compared with that in previous large-scale studies (20–27%).⁴^,⁶^,¹¹

Type of AF in HCM Patients With Embolic Stroke

The importance of paroxysmal AF in the prevention of embolic stroke needs to be emphasized. To date, the significance of the type of AF has not been extensively evaluated in HCM patients who experienced embolic stroke, although a study by Olivotto et al indicated that patients with chronic AF had a higher combined probability of HCM-related death, functional impairment, and stroke.⁴ These authors also suggested that the prevalence of stroke was independent of whether AF was paroxysmal or chronic. However, in the present study, we found that the prevalence of paroxysmal AF was significantly higher than that of chronic AF in HCM patients who experienced embolic stroke. In the retrospective analysis of 1,558 HCM patients by Rowin et al, 226 patients (74%) had paroxysmal AF and 78 (26%) had persistent AF.²⁶ These findings support those of the present study. It is also conceivable that this high prevalence of paroxysmal AF is probably related to the fact that all our HCM patients with AF had been hospitalized through an emergency department because of acute and/or a sudden onset of symptoms. Given the strong burden of evidence supporting a high risk of embolic stroke in HCM patients who develop AF, such patients should be identified early and treated early. The results of the present study suggest the importance of starting anticoagulation treatment at the first documentation of AF, even if only paroxysmal, particularly in patients aged >50 years. Our findings, together with those of a previous report showing that fatal stroke occurred in patients developing AF at >50 years of age, indicate that this suggestion is particularly important and useful in clinical practice.

Sex Differences in the Age of Development of Embolic Stroke

In the general population, in addition to age, with which the prevalence of AF increases progressively,³ male sex has been suggested as a risk factors for the development of AF.³ However, to date, no data are available on sex differences in the development of embolic stroke in the HCM population. In the present study, embolic stroke occurred over a wide age range, from 40 to 91 years of age, and a significantly earlier development of embolic stroke was demonstrated in male than female HCM patients. Because HCM patients with earlier AF occurrence were previously shown to be at greater risk of stroke, it can be postulated that male HCM patients developing AF at a younger age may have an increased risk of embolic stroke events. In any case, because HCM itself may be considered an important risk factor for embolic stroke, early introduction of anticoagulation therapy is recommended in all HCM patients who develop AF.

Anticoagulation Therapy: Warfarin vs. NOACs

Systemic anticoagulation with warfarin has been associated with a lower risk of stroke in HCM.⁴^,⁶^,²⁵ For example, a relative risk reduction of 54.8% for thromboembolic events with warfarin was shown in 4,821 HCM patients with AF.²⁵ Therefore, current consensus guidelines advise that all HCM patients with AF receive anticoagulation with warfarin.²⁷^,²⁸ Concerning NOACs, although there are some small-scale studies suggesting no significant difference between warfarin and NOACs in the rate of stroke,²⁹^,³⁰ large-scale analyses of NOAC therapy have failed to provide any specific discussion of HCM patients.³¹^,³² In addition, because no data are available from randomized trials of NOACs in reducing embolic stroke risk in this population, NOACs have been recommended as second-line agents in HCM patients with AF.²⁷^,²⁸

The use of traditional scores, such as the CHADS₂ and CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores, for the risk stratification for embolic stroke in HCM patients is not proposed in current guidelines²⁶^,³³ because of a poor correlation between these traditional scores and the development of thromboembolism in the population of un-anticoagulated HCM patients with AF.²⁵ Despite the fact that traditional scores such as the CHADS₂ and CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores are commonly used for stroke risk stratification,³⁴ it is important to recognize once again that these scores are not validated in the HCM population, as demonstrated in the present study.

Risk Stratification and Prevention of Embolic Stroke in HCM Patients Without AF

Acute embolic stroke can be the first presentation in HCM patients together with the first AF occurrence. It is therefore desirable to risk-stratify HCM patients and start prophylactic anticoagulation treatment before AF is found, even if only paroxysmal, to prevent the often catastrophic event of embolic stroke.³⁵ Although AF occurrence was previously suggested to be predicted by advancing age, increased left atrial size, and impaired left atrial function, there is the need for prospective efforts to further precisely define the risk factors that can predict AF occurrence in HCM patients who are at risk of developing embolic stroke. Further to left atrial size and function, a recent study using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated that HCM patients with paroxysmal AF have a greater extent of left atrial wall fibrosis on late gadolinium enhancement, together with a number of other functional and morphological features.³⁶ This association between AF and left atrial late gadolinium enhancement indicates the importance of assessing not only LV fibrosis,³⁷ but also left atrial fibrosis as an important adverse marker in HCM patients. In this context, the recently proposed concept of atrial failure³⁸ may also be relevant to the HCM population, because the presence of atrial failure may predispose a patient to new-onset AF. The risk stratification and prevention of embolic stroke with anticoagulation in HCM patients who have not yet developed AF therefore remains an extremely important challenge in clinical practice, as well as in future research.

Study Limitations

The limitations of the present study may include its retrospective nature with a relatively small sample size. It was not possible to collect echocardiographic information reportedly predictive of embolic events, such as left atrial appendage dysfunction and Doppler flow patterns, in this study. Second, because of the cross-sectional study design, information was limited to the clinical characteristics at the time of admission, and prognostic information was not obtained. Third, beyond AF, although the mechanism of embolic stroke may include thrombus formation in the left atrium, it was not possible to adequately evaluate causes of thrombus formation, such as enhancement of the coagulation system and stagnation of blood flow. Fourth, the study was a single-center retrospective observational study, and the time from AF onset to hospitalization was not available.

Conclusions

In conclusion, one-third of HCM patients with AF developed embolic stroke, and male HCM patients developed embolic stroke earlier than female HCM patients. In HCM patients with AF and embolic stroke, the prevalence of paroxysmal AF was significantly higher than that of chronic AF. Therefore, early introduction of anticoagulation treatment is recommended at first documentation of AF, even if only paroxysmal. The CHADS₂ score was not useful in predicting the development of embolic stroke in HCM patients with AF.

Sources of Funding

This study did not receive any specific funding.

Disclosures

H.K. is a member of Circulation Reports’ Editorial Team. The remaining authors declare no conflicts of interest.

IRB Information

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Chikamori Hospital (Reference no. 369).

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