Anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: an evaluation of stability and early factors that predict longer-term stability on warfarin in a large UK population

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Abstract
Objective: To determine the proportion of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) treated with warfarin that achieved a 6‐month period within the target INR range (stability). To then evaluate any associations between stability and outcome and to determine whether stability can be predicted by clinical factors at an early stage in warfarin treatment.Methods: This study was a record linkage study in 1513 patients with NVAF treated with warfarin for a minimum of 6‐months, carried out in a large UK population. The main outcome measures were stability (defined as six months within the target INR range [2.0–3.0]), thromboembolic and bleeding event rates and mortality. Secondary outcome measures were the predictive value of baseline characteristics and other treatment variables.Results: Stability was achieved in 52% of the study group. Standardised mean survival was significantly higher in the group who achieved stability (∆ = 16.91 months, p < 0.001) with a hazard ratio of 4.36 ( p < 0.00...