Key result
Long-term anticoagulation for coexisting atrial fibrillation and pulmonary embolism should follow atrial fibrillation management guidelines after the acute phase of pulmonary embolism resolves.
Why the study?
It is unclear how often atrial fibrillation and pulmonary embolism coexist, and no specific guidelines exist for anticoagulation therapy in patients with both conditions.
The coexistence of atrial fibrillation and pulmonary embolism complicates clinical management, and long-term anticoagulation should follow AF guidelines after the acute PE phase resolves.
Coexisting AF and PE may worsen patient prognosis; leaves open whether this association.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, with its most serious consequence being an increased risk of thromboembolism, including ischemic stroke. Pulmonary embolism (PE), one of the leading causes of death from cardiovascular diseases, occurs due to embolic material blocking the pulmonary vessels. These two conditions share numerous risk factors, and their coexistence can significantly influence their clinical course and patient prognosis. PE can cause cardiac overload and subsequent myocardial remodelling, predisposing patients to arrhythmias, including AF. Conversely, AF leads to blood stasis, promoting thrombus formation in the left and in right atrium, where clots can migrate to the pulmonary arteries. Currently, it is unclear how often AF and PE coexist, and AF accompanies no specific guidelines for anticoagulation therapy in patients with PE. Therefore, after the acute phase of PE resolves, long-term anticoagulation should follow the guidelines for AF management.
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Wałachowska et al. (2025) conducted a review in Atrial fibrillation and pulmonary embolism. Long-term anticoagulation for coexisting atrial fibrillation and pulmonary embolism should follow atrial fibrillation management guidelines after the acute phase of pulmonary embolism resolves.
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