Effects of single versus dual antiplatelet therapy on the adverse events after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A meta-analysis

Early and late bleeding events according to Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 criteria following transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation may be associated with significant haemorrhagic complications.

AIMS

To evaluate the timing, incidence, predictors and clinical impact of bleeding events after transcatheter aortic valve implantation, according to the updated Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-3 criteria, compared with the VARC-2 criteria.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study involving 487 consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation between July 2017 and May 2019 was performed. Bleeding events were classified according to the VARC-2 and VARC-3 definitions.

RESULTS

Bleeding events occurred in 17.6% of patients, with early bleeding (in-hospital) in 12.5% and late bleeding (occurring after discharge) in 6.1%. The primary vascular access site was the most common source of early bleeding, whereas gastrointestinal bleeding was predominant in late events. Significant predictors of early VARC-3-defined bleeding included active cancer, previous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, history of mitral valve surgery, a non-transfemoral approach and occurrence of an in-hospital major vascular complication or new-onset atrial fibrillation. Late bleeding was independently associated with a history of myocardial infarction and treatment with vitamin K antagonists at discharge. Early bleeding events were not associated with increased late all-cause mortality. No significant difference was observed based on the VARC-2 and VARC-3 bleeding definitions.

CONCLUSIONS

Bleeding events occurred in one sixth of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation without significant difference in their incidence between the VARC-2 and VARC-3 classifications. Early bleeding events were not associated with poorer long-term survival, regardless of the classification used. Larger studies with greater statistical power, including more contemporary patients, are needed to confirm these findings.

Medium-Term Outcomes of the Different Antithrombotic Regimens After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Bioprosthetic valve thrombosis is associated with accelerated bioprosthesis degeneration and valve re-replacement. Whether 3-month warfarin use after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) protects against such consequences is unknown. We aimed to investigate if 3-month warfarin treatment after TAVI is associated with better outcomes than dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) at medium-term follow-up. Adults who underwent TAVI were identified retrospectively (n = 1,501) and classified into warfarin, DAPT, and SAPT groups based on antithrombotic regimen received. Patients with atrial fibrillation were excluded. Outcomes and valve hemodynamics were compared between the groups. Annualized change from baseline in mean gradients and effective orifice area at last follow-up echocardiography was calculated. Overall, 844 patients were included (mean age: 80 ± 9 years, 43% women; 633 receiving warfarin, 164 DAPT, and 47 SAPT). Median time to follow-up was 2.5 (interquartile range 1.2 to 3.9) years. There were no differences in the adjusted outcome end points of ischemic stroke, death, valve re-replacement/intervention, structural valve degeneration, or their composite end point at follow-up. Annualized change in aortic valve area was significantly higher in DAPT (-0.11 [0.19] cm²/year) than warfarin (-0.06 [0.25] cm²/y, p = 0.03), but annualized change in mean gradients was not different (p >0.05). In conclusion, antithrombotic regimen, including warfarin, after TAVI was associated with marginally lower decrease in aortic valve area but no difference in medium-term clinical outcomes compared with DAPT and SAPT.

Comparison of the Degree of Gastric Mucosal Injury between Patients Who Are Receiving Dual Antiplatelet Therapy or Single Antiplatelet Therapy

Background: Patients taking low-dose aspirin have a higher incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers and higher risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding than patients who do not. Thienopyridine antiplatelet agents may similarly cause bleeding gastroduodenal erosions and ulcers. The incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding is reported to be higher when these antithrombotic drugs are used in combination. Until now, most studies have focused on bleeding, and no study has compared the degree of gastric mucosal injury between patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and those receiving single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) in real-world clinical practice. Aim: Our objective was to compare the degree of gastric mucosal injury in patients taking low-dose aspirin in combination with clopidogrel (one of the thienopyridine antiplatelet agents) with that of patients who were taking aspirin or clopidogrel as a single agent. Methods: Patients who were taking aspirin and/or clopidogrel and who underwent scheduled esophagogastroduodenoscopy between April 2015 and March 2020 were enrolled in this study. Endoscopic images were reviewed retrospectively, and the degree of gastric mucosal injury was assessed with the modified Lanza score (m-Lanza score). The m-Lanza score was compared between DAPT patients taking aspirin and clopidogrel and SAPT patients taking either aspirin alone or clopidogrel alone. Results: The m-Lanza scores of the DAPT group, the aspirin group, and the clopidogrel group were 1.67 ± 1.81 (mean ± standard deviation), 0.95 ± 1.61, and 0.72 ± 1.29, respectively. The m-Lanza score of the DAPT group tended to be higher than that of the aspirin group (p = 0.06) and was significantly higher than that of the clopidogrel group (p = 0.03). Conclusion: The degree of gastric mucosal injury in DAPT patients was significantly higher than that in patients using clopidogrel alone and tended to be higher than that in patients using aspirin alone in real-world clinical practice.