Behandling med antikoagulation hos vuxna patienter med medfödda hjärtfel och blödningsrelaterad mortalitet
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Introduction: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect. Through major advances in congenital cardiac care, the survival, especially for patients with complex heart defects, has increased dramatically. Today, it is estimated that 97% of those born with heart defects reach adulthood. As a late effect of both the congenital malformations and various types of interventions, these patients generally have an increased risk of developing acquired arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, which is strongly associated with a risk of blood clots formation and embolization. Additionally, implantation of foreign materials such as mechanical heart valves is also associated with higher risk for embolization. Therefore, adult patient with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are at a substantially increased risk of thromboembolism which necessitates anticoagulant therapy. Aim: The aim of this study was to clarify the risk of severe bleeding and bleeding-related mortality in ACHD patients treated with anticoagulants. Method: In this retrospective cohort study, 117 deceased ACHD patients with anticoagulant treatment, were identified by using the Swedish registry of congenital heart disease between 2005 and 2021. Data from medical records were collected and analysed. Variables obtained were main diagnosis, indication and type of anticoagulation treatment, complications, and cause of death. Results: A total of 17 ACHD patients (14.5%) experienced different types of bleeding events. Ten ACHD patients (8.5%) experienced major bleeding and another seven ACHD patients had a minor bleeding (6%). The five ACHD patients who died of a haemorrhagic stroke were included in the group that experienced major bleeding. Conclusion: Despite the occurrence of some bleeding-related complications, the proportion 5 of serious, fatal bleeding was low among deceased adult patients with congenital heart defects and anticoagulation treatment.