Early Risks of Death, Stroke/Systemic Embolism and Major Bleeding in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation: Results from the GARFIELD-AF Registry

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risks of death, stroke/systemic embolism (SE) and bleeding (incurred by antithrombotic therapy), which may occur early after diagnosis. Methods: We assessed the risk of early events (death, stroke/SE and major bleeding) over 12 months and their relation to the time after diagnosis of AF in 52,014 patients prospectively enrolled in the GARFIELD-AF registry between March 2010 and August 2016. Results: Over 12 months, 2140 patients died (mortality rate: 4.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) [4.2-4.5] per 100 person-years), of whom 288 (13.5%) died in the first month (6.8, 95% CI [6.1-7.6]). Over 12 months, 657 patients suffered a stroke/SE (1.3, 95% CI [1.2-1.4]) and 411 had a major bleeding (0.8, 95% CI [0.8-0.9]). During the first month, the rates (per 100 person-years) of stroke/SE and major bleed were 2.3, 95% CI (1.9-2.8) and 1.5, 95% CI (1.2-1.9), respectively. The elevated 1-month mortality rate was mostly attributable to cardiovascular mor...