Abstract
Background
The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD–Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is a worldwide non-interventional study of stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular AF.
Methods and results
52,080 patients with newly diagnosed AF were prospectively enrolled from 2010 to 2016. 4121 (7.9%) of these patients were recruited in DACH [Germany (n = 3567), Austria (n = 465) and Switzerland (n = 89) combined], and 47,959 patients were from 32 countries in other regions worldwide (ORW). Hypertension was most prevalent in DACH and ORW (85.3% and 75.6%, respectively). Diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, carotid occlusive disease and vascular disease were more prevalent in DACH patients vs ORW (27.6%, 49.4%, 5.8% and 29.0% vs 21.7%, 40.9%, 2.8% and 24.5%). The use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) increased more in DACH over time. Management of vitamin K antagonists was suboptimal in DACH and ORW (time in therapeutic range of INR ≥ 65% in 44.6% and 44.4% of patients or ≥ 70% in 36.9% and 36.0% of patients, respectively). Adjusted rates of cardiovascular mortality and MI/ACS were higher in DACH while non-haemorrhagic stroke/systemic embolism was lower after 2-year follow-up.
Conclusions
Similarities and dissimilarities in AF management and clinical outcomes are seen in DACH and ORW. The increased use of NOAC was associated with a mismatch of risk-adapted anticoagulation (over-and-undertreatment) in DACH. Suboptimal control of INR requires educational activities in both regional groups. Higher rates of cardiovascular death in DACH may reflect the higher risk profile of these patients and lower rates of non-haemorrhagic stroke could be associated with increased NOAC use.
Graphical abstract


AP antiplatelet, DACH Germany Austria and Switzerland, ORW other regions worldwide, NOAC non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant, VKA Vitamin-K antagonist.

AP antiplatelet, DACH Germany Austria and Switzerland, ORW other regions worldwide, NOAC non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant, VKA vitamin-K antagonist.

AP antiplatelet, DACH Germany Austria and Switzerland, ORW other regions worldwide, NOAC non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant, VKA vitamin-K antagonist.

ACS acute coronary syndrome, DACH Germany Austria and Switzerland, MI myocardial infarction, ORW other regions worldwide.
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Acknowledgements
We thank all physicians, nurses, and patients involved in the GARFIELD-AF registry worldwide. Editorial support was provided by Shakirah Chowdhury and programming support was provided by Madhusudana Rao (Thrombosis Research Institute, London, UK).
Funding
This work was supported by an unrestricted research grant from Bayer AG (Berlin, Germany) to the Thrombosis Research Institute (London, UK), which sponsors the GARFIELD-AF registry. The funding source had no involvement in the data collection, data analysis, or data interpretation.
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Sylvia Haas: Honoraria from Bayer Pharma AG, Bristol Meyer Squibb, Daiichi-Sankyo, Pfizer and Sanofi. John Camm: institutional grants and personal fees from Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer/BMS and Daiichi Sankyo, Anthos. Harald Darius: Speaker fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, DaiichiSankyo Consultancy fees from Boehringer Ingelheim. Jan Steffel: consultant and / or speaker fees from Abbott, Alexion, Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, Bayer, Berlin-Chemie, Biosense Webster, Biotronik, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Boston Scientific, BMS, Daiichi Sankyo, Medscape, Medtronic, Merck/MSD, Organon, Pfizer, Saja, Servier, and WebMD. He reports ownership of CorXL. Sebastian Schellong: Speaker fees from Bayer Pharma AG, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol Meyer Squibb, Daiichi-Sankyo, Sanofi Aventis and Pfizer. Consultancy fees from Bayer Pharma AG, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Daiichi-Sankyo, Sanofi Aventis, Aspen and Pfizer. Ajay K Kakkar; Frank Misselwitz; Gloria Kayani; Karen Pieper; Marianne Brodmann; Saverio Virdone: none.
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Clinical Trial Registration—URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362.
A complete list of investigators is given in the online Appendix.
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Haas, S., Camm, J.A., Harald, D. et al. GARFIELD-AF: risk profiles, treatment patterns and 2-year outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH) compared to 32 countries in other regions worldwide. Clin Res Cardiol 112, 759–771 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-022-02079-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-022-02079-y