Warfarin Initiation, Atrial Fibrillation, and Kidney Function: Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Warfarin in Older Adults With Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness and safety of warfarin use among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and reduced kidney function are uncertain.

Study design: Community-based retrospective cohort study (May 1, 2003, to March 31, 2012) using province-wide laboratory and administrative data in Alberta, Canada.

Setting & participants: 14,892 adults 66 years or older with new AF and a measurement of kidney function. Long-term dialysis patients or kidney transplant recipients were excluded.

Predictor: Propensity scores were used to construct a matched-pairs cohort of patients with AF who did and did not have a warfarin prescription within a 60-day period surrounding their AF diagnosis.

Outcomes: Within 1 year of initiating warfarin therapy (or the matched date for nonusers): (1) the composite of all-cause death, ischemic stroke, or transient ischemic attack (also assessed as separate end points) and (2) first hospitalization or emergency department visit for a major bleeding episode defined as an intracranial, upper or lower gastrointestinal, or other bleeding.

Measurements: Baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using the CKD-EPI creatinine equation. Patients were matched within estimated GFR (eGFR) categories: ≥90, 60 to 89, 45 to 59, 30 to 44, and <30mL/min/1.73m². Information for baseline characteristics (sociodemographics, comorbid conditions, and prescription drug use) was obtained.

Results: Across eGFR categories, warfarin therapy initiation was associated with lower risk for the composite outcome compared to nonuse (adjusted HRs [95% CI] for eGFR categories ≥ 90, 60-89, 45-59, 30-44, and <30mL/min/1.73m²: 0.59 [0.35-1.01], 0.61 [0.54-0.70], 0.55 [0.47-0.65], 0.54 [0.44-0.67], and 0.64 [0.47-0.87] mL/min/1.73m², respectively). Compared to nonuse, warfarin therapy was not associated with higher risk for major bleeding except for those with eGFRs of 60 to 89mL/min/1.73m² (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.13-1.64).

Limitations: Selection bias.

Conclusions: Among older adults with AF, warfarin therapy initiation was associated with a significantly lower 1-year risk for the composite outcome across all strata of kidney function. The risk for major bleeding associated with warfarin use was increased only among those with eGFRs of 60 to 89mL/min/1.73m².

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation (AF); antithrombotic therapy; bleeding event; cardiovascular disease; chronic kidney disease (CKD); death; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); ischemic stroke; kidney function; major bleeding; stroke; transient ischemic attack (TIA); warfarin.