Increased risk of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism in hyperthyroidism-related atrial fibrillation: A nationwide cohort study

Abstract

Background We aimed to evaluate the long-term risk of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism of hyperthyroidism-related AF. Methods This retrospective population-based cohort study included records of 1,034,099 atrial fibrillation patients be-tween 2005 and 2016 from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. After exclusion, we identified 615,724 oral anticoagulation-naive patients aged >= 18 years with new-onset non-valvular atrial fibrillation, of whom 20,773 had hyperthyroidism-related atrial fibrillation. After 3:1 propensity score matching, ischemic stroke and systemic embolism occur-rences were compared between hyperthyroidism-related and non-hyperthyroidism-related ("nonthyroidal") atrial fibrillation patients. Results After exclusion, we identified 615,724 oral anticoagulation-naive AF patients of whom 20,773 had hyperthyroidism-related AF. Median follow-up duration was 5.9 years. Hyperthyroidism-related AF patients had significantly higher risks of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism than nonthyroidal AF patients (1.83 vs 1.62 per 100-person year, hazard ratio[HR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval[CI], 1.07 to 1.19; P < 0.001). This risk was 36% higher in hyperthyroidism -related than in nonthyroidal AF patients within 1 year of atrial fibrillation diagnosis (3.65 vs 2.67 per 100-person year, HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.24 - 1.50; P < 0.001). This difference was also observed in the CHA2DS2-VASc score subgroup analysis. The risk of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism significantly decreased in patients treated for hyperthyroidism (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.70; P < 0.001). Conclusions Hyperthyroidism-related AF patients have high risks of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism like nonthy-roidal AF, especially when initially diagnosed. This risk is reduced by treating hyperthyroidism. (Am HeartJ 2021;242:123- 131.)