New Insights on Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation Patients by Age
Evaluating stroke-prevention strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation by age

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A subgroup analysis of the CHAMPION-AF trial reveals that left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is noninferior to direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy in preventing strokes among atrial fibrillation patients, regardless of age. The study indicates that LAAC may reduce bleeding risks, suggesting age should not be a barrier to its use in suitable patients.
- 01The analysis included 1,915 patients aged under 75 and 1,085 patients aged 75 and older.
- 02The primary efficacy endpoint showed similar outcomes for LAAC and DOAC in both age groups with hazard ratios of 1.07 and 1.34, respectively.
- 03LAAC demonstrated significantly lower rates of non-procedural bleeding compared to DOAC in both age groups.
- 04The incidence of ischemic stroke was higher in LAAC patients, but this was not significant when therapy was administered as intended.
- 05Overall, caution is advised when interpreting subgroup analyses due to limitations such as reduced statistical power.
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The CHAMPION-AF trial's subgroup analysis, presented at EuroPCR 2026, evaluated stroke-prevention strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) by age. It compared the efficacy and safety of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy. The study involved 1,915 patients under 75 years and 1,085 patients aged 75 and older. Results indicated that the primary efficacy endpoint, which included death from cardiovascular causes, stroke, or systemic embolism at 3 years, was similar for both LAAC and DOAC across age groups, with hazard ratios of 1.07 for younger patients and 1.34 for older patients. Notably, LAAC was associated with significantly lower rates of non-procedural bleeding compared to DOAC in both age groups. However, the incidence of ischemic strokes was higher in the LAAC group, although this difference was not significant when patients adhered to their assigned therapy. The findings suggest that age should not preclude the use of LAAC in suitable candidates and highlight the importance of shared decision-making between healthcare providers and patients regarding treatment options.
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These findings could influence treatment decisions for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients, particularly regarding the use of LAAC in older populations.
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