Benefit of Anticoagulation Therapy in Hyperthyroidism-Related Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND: Existing data on the risk of ischemic stroke in hyperthyroidism‐related atrial fibrillation (AF) and the impact of long‐term anticoagulation in these patients, particularly those with self‐limiting AF, remain inconclusive. HYPOTHESIS: Risk of stroke in hyperthyroidism‐related AF is the same as nonhyperthyroid counterparts. METHODS: This was a single‐center observational study of 9727 Chinese patients with nonvalvular AF from July 1997 to December 2011. Patients with AF diagnosed concomitantly with hyperthyroidism were identified. Primary and secondary endpoints were defined as hospitalization with ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage in the first 2 years. Patient characteristics, duration of AF, and choice of antithrombotic therapy were recorded. Self‐limiting AF was defined as