Clinical Profile and Therapeutic Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Greece: Results from the Registry of Atrial Fibrillation to Investigate New Guidelines (RAFTING)

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia with significant morbidity, including a 5-fold increase in stroke risk. The management of AF, including antithrombotic therapy (AT), varies considerably among countries. Representative data concerning AF features and management in Greece are generally lacking. Methods: The Registry of Atrial Fibrillation To Investigate New Guidelines (RAFTING) is a country-wide prospective observational study of AF in Greece that enrolled consecutive patients with a diagnosis of AF in emergency departments of 31 hospitals of different types according to the population's geographical distribution. Results: RAFTING enrolled 1127 patients, 51% females, aged 71 +/- 12 years. Paroxysmal AF was present in 54% of patients and newly diagnosed AF in 28%; 68% of patients with a previous AF history had undergone a median of 4 cardioversions. A high rate of comorbidities was present, including arterial hypertension in 75% and heart failure in 40%. The median CHADS(2) and CHA(2)DS(2)VASc scores were 2 and 3, respectively; AT had been prescribed in 87% of non-newly diagnosed patients, with warfarin being prescribed in 56% of them. Among all patients on warfarin, INR values were within therapeutic range in 34% of cases during inhospital measurement. Hospital admission occurred in 82% of cases, with in-hospital mortality 0.8%. Conclusions: RAFTING provides updated insights into the current features and management of AF in Greece. The majority of patients have a sufficiently high risk to warrant oral anticoagulation and further attempts to comply with the existing guidelines are warranted.