Vargas-Brausin et al. (2025)
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and dialysis, with
higher ischemic-stroke and mortality risks, but a uremic bleeding diathesis; conventional scores
(
CHA₂DS₂-VASc, HAS-BLED) are not validated, creating a therapeutic “gray zone” (1)(2).
Objective: To critically appraise oral anticoagulation in non-valvular AF with CKD stage 5 or
dialysis, comparing vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) versus direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs),
focusing on efficacy, safety (intracranial and gastrointestinal bleeding), all-cause mortality, and
drug discontinuation. Methods: Narrative review (last ~5–7 years) of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus,
and clinical summaries including adults with CKD5/dialysis, comparing dose-adjusted DOACs
versus warfarin (INR 2–3). Outcomes: ischemic stroke/systemic embolism, major bleeding
(
ISTH), mortality, and discontinuation; risk of bias and certainty assessed with standard tools.
Results: No large RCTs exist; two small trials—RENAL-AF (n=154) and AXADIA (n=97)—showed
no significant differences between apixaban and VKAs for stroke/embolism or major bleeding
(
3)(4). Observational evidence and meta-analyses suggest DOACs—particularly apixaban—yield
similar or better outcomes than warfarin in CKD5/dialysis (5)(6)(7). In U.S. registries, standard-
dose apixaban (5 mg twice daily) was associated with lower stroke/embolism (~36%), major
bleeding (~28%), and mortality (~37%) versus warfarin; reduced-dose apixaban (2.5 mg twice
daily) was less effective (5). Rivaroxaban/dabigatran lack robust dialysis data and have been
linked to excess bleeding off-label (6)(7). Warfarin has not shown convincing stroke reduction and
may increase hemorrhagic stroke and calciphylaxis (12)(14). One-year mortality is ~35–40%, with
discontinuation >20%/year. Conclusions: Anticoagulation should be individualized via shared
decision-making. When pursued, apixaban (5 mg twice daily; 2.5 mg if ≥2 reduction criteria) is a
reasonable option with at least comparable safety and lower ICH, though overall certainty remains
low (5)(7). COVID-19 favored DOACs by reducing laboratory visits, while requiring vigilance for
drug interactions (18).
Keywords: Atrial Fibrillation; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Renal Dialysis; Anticoagulants; Factor
Xa Inhibitors; Warfarin; Stroke; Hemorrhage.
estado protrombótico, con hasta 5–
1. Introducción
10 veces más riesgo de ACV que la
La coexistencia de fibrilación
auricular (FA) y enfermedad renal
crónica terminal (ERC 5, incluyendo
pacientes en diálisis) plantea un
dilema clínico significativo (15)(16).
La FA afecta aproximadamente al
población general, a la vez que
presenta un fenotipo hemorrágico
único por la disfunción plaquetaria
urémica y fragilidad vascular. Este
equilibrio precario significa que el
beneficio clínico neto de la
anticoagulación crónica en FA +
ERC 5/diálisis es altamente incierto:
10–15% de los pacientes en
hemodiálisis crónica (15), con
prevalencia en aumento conforme la
población dialítica envejece. Estos
pacientes experimentan un riesgo
notablemente elevado de accidente
cerebrovascular (ACV): la ERC
avanzada por sí sola confiere un
¿
puede la anticoagulación reducir
los ACV cardioembólicos lo
suficiente como para justificar el
aumento de hemorragias mayores