It was a prospective observational study including patients with AF. Overall 425 patients (mean age 77 years) were included and followed-up every 4 months for a 16-months-mean duration. During this period, 26 patients experienced an endpoint of combined CV events. Patients with DD lower than 334 ng/ml had a very low risk of suffering of CV events (1.7%). Patients who will suffer from a CV event had a higher DD value, just before the occurrence of the CV event, while patients without CV event kept stable levels.
We identified a DD threshold defining at any time patients at low risk of CV event. In addition, patients with higher DD levels are at higher risk of CV events, even if they are receiving oral anticoagulants. Otherwise, DD measurement is relevant in elderly patients. DD measurement and monitoring are useful to assess the risk of CV events in usual care. The implications of DD measurement on the choice and the intensity of the antithrombotic treatment remain to be determined.