Impact of type of anticoagulant on clinical outcomes in cancer patients who had atrial fibrillation

To date, evidence on optimal anticoagulant options in patients with AF who concurrently have active cancer remains elusive. To describe anticoagulant patterns and clinical outcomes among patients with a concomitant diagnosis of AF and cancer. Data were obtained from the University of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) Hospitals. Patients were included if they had diagnosis of AF and cancer. Outcome was type and pattern of anticoagulant. Clinical outcomes were stroke, bleeding and all-cause mortality. From October 1999 to December 2020, there were 566 AF patients who concurrently had active cancer. Mean age ± standard deviation was 76.2 ± 10.7 and 57.6% were males. Comparing to warfarin, patients who received direct oral anticoagulant (DOACs) were associated with similar risk of stroke (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR 0.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.2–2.7, P = 0.67). On contrary, those who received low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) were associated with significantly higher risk of stroke comparing to warfarin (aHR 2.4, 95% CI 1.0–5.6, P = 0.04). Comparing to warfarin, DOACs and LMWH was associated with similar risk of overall bleeding with aHR 1.1 (95% CI 0.7–1.6, P = 0.73) and aHR 1.1 (95% CI 0.6–1.7, P = 0.83), respectively. Patients who received LMWH but not DOACs were associated with increased risk of death as compared to warfarin, aHR 4.5 (95% CI 2.8–7.2, P < 0.001) and 1.2 (95% CI 0.7–2.2, P = 0.47). In patients with active cancer and AF, LMWH, compared to warfarin, was associated with an increased risk of stroke and all-cause mortality. Furthermore, DOACs was associated with similar risk of stroke, bleeding and death as compared to warfarin.