Effects of pretreatment with clopidogrel and aspirin followed by long-term therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: the PCI-CURE study

Clinical Impact of P2Y12 Pretreatment in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Insights from the SEMPRE (St-Elevation Mestre Pretreatment Registry) Study

Early administration of P2Y12 receptor antagonists, in patients admitted with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) diagnosis, is still debatable. Aim of this observational registry was to describe the clinical impact of a preloading strategy on coronary reperfusion and in-hospital bleeding in a real-world population, compared with patients who did not receive a P2Y12 receptor antagonist. Consecutive patients from January 2016 to April 2021 with STEMI, who underwent emerging coronary angiography in our institution were included. Primary outcomes were: infarct related artery (IRA) patency; definite or probable stent thrombosis (ST) and in-hospital BARC3-5 bleeding. To overcome the limit of the observational nature of the study an inverse-probability-weighting (IPW) analysis has been performed to adjust for baseline differences. A total of 1004 patients were included, 70% of them did not receive a P2Y12 inhibitor, while 301 patients (30%) were pretreated with a P2Y12 inhibitor before coronary angiography. We have not found differences in IRA reperfusion (46.9% vs. 46.8%; p = 0.81), final TIMI 3 flow after PCI (85.6% vs. 84.9%; p = 0.47) and acute or subacute ST (2% vs. 0.7%; p = 0.17). BARC 3-5 bleeding was significantly higher in the P2Y12 inhibitor-pretreated group (7.3% vs. 3.3%; p = 0.005). At multivariate analysis, pretreatment with a P2Y12 inhibitor, before knowing the coronary anatomy, was an independent predictor of hemorrhagic events (adj OR 3.45 [95% CI 1.78 to 6.69]; p <0.001), In STEMI patients, a routine pretreatment strategy with a P2Y12 inhibitor, before the coronary angiography, seems to not impact on reperfusion outcomes, despite a trend toward increased risk of stent thrombosis; on the other hand, it may increase the risk of major bleedings.

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Prior to Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Coronary Syndrome: Prevalence and Outcomes in Contemporary Practice

BACKGROUND

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is standard following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Preloading is the practice of administering both aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor before PCI. DAPT preloading is common practice, however clinical trial evidence demonstrating benefit is lacking.

AIMS

This study aimed to examine the prevalence and associated clinical outcomes of DAPT before PCI for ACS in a contemporary population of Australian patients.

METHODS

Data on consecutive PCI procedures from patients included in the Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry (VCOR) from 2014 to 2021 was collected and stratified by administration of DAPT before PCI versus single, or no, antiplatelet therapy.

RESULTS

In total, 42,453 consecutive PCI procedures for ACS were included. Of these, 33,520 (79%) patients were either preloaded or already on DAPT before PCI. Patients on DAPT were younger (63.9 vs. 65.1, p < 0.001) and generally had fewer comorbidities. Unadjusted outcomes were more favorable with pre-loading with lower in-hospital mortality with DAPT (2.6% vs. 5.6%, p < 0.001), and 30-day cardiovascular mortality (0.3% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.039). 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (5.5% vs. 8.8%, p < 0.001) was similarly lower in the preloaded group. Major bleeding in hospital was less common in patients on DAPT (1.0% vs. 1.7%, p < 0.001). However, following adjustment for covariates, there was no difference in in-hospital or 30-day all-cause mortality, MACE or stent thrombosis between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

DAPT before PCI is common in ACS but not independently associated with improvements in in-hospital mortality, MACE, or stent thrombosis.

Clinical and subclinical acute brain injury caused by invasive cardiovascular procedures

Over the past 50 years, the number and invasiveness of percutaneous cardiovascular procedures globally have increased substantially. However, cardiovascular interventions are inherently associated with a risk of acute brain injury, both periprocedurally and postprocedurally, which impairs medical outcomes and increases health-care costs. Current international clinical guidelines generally do not cover the area of acute brain injury related to cardiovascular invasive procedures. In this international Consensus Statement, we compile the available knowledge (including data on prevalence, pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical presentation and management) to formulate consensus recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of acute brain injury caused by cardiovascular interventions. We also identify knowledge gaps and possible future directions in clinical research into acute brain injury related to cardiovascular interventions.

2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes" incorporates new evidence since the "2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction" and the corresponding "2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes" and the "2015 ACC/AHA/SCAI Focused Update on Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction." The "2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes" and the "2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization" retire and replace, respectively, the "2016 ACC/AHA Guideline Focused Update on Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease."

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from July 2023 to April 2024. Clinical studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and other evidence conducted on human participants were identified that were published in English from MEDLINE (through PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline.

STRUCTURE

Many recommendations from previously published guidelines have been updated with new evidence, and new recommendations have been created when supported by published data.

Incidence of bleeding and performance of the PRECISE-DAPT score in predicting bleeding in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy after treatment for acute coronary syndrome in Kenya

INTRODUCTION

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT) plays an important role in the secondary prevention of ischemic events after treatment for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The long-term use of DAPT is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, which affects morbidity and mortality. Risk stratification scores have been developed to predict this risk and provide a balance against the risk of ischemic events. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of bleeding in a cohort of patients in Kenya on DAPT and assess the performance of the PRECISE-DAPT Score in predicting the risk of bleeding.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study conducted in three hospitals in Kenya among patients on DAPT after ACS between January 2019 and April 2022. We reviewed medical records for demographic and clinical characteristics and conducted telephone interviews to assess bleeding for patients on DAPT for a minimum period of one year. Bleeding events were categorized according to the TIMI criteria for bleeding, and the PRECISE-DAPT Score was calculated using an online calculator. The cumulative one-year incidence of bleeding was calculated and presented as frequencies and percentages. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and C-statistics were used to quantify the ability of the PRECISE-DAPT Score to predict bleeding events, whereas calibration was estimated using the Hosmer‒Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test.

RESULTS

A total of 202 patients were enrolled in the study. The study population was predominantly male (n = 156, 77.2%) and African (n = 141, 69.8%), with a median age of 61 years (IQR 52-72). Majority were admitted with ST-Elevation Myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n = 126, 62.4%) and had a mildly reduced left ventricle ejection fraction (n = 124, 61.4%). Fourteen patients (6.9%) met the TIMI criteria for bleeding, of whom 11 (5.4%) had minimal bleeding and 3 (1.5%) had minor bleeding. There was no incidence of major bleeding. The discrimination and calibration of the PRECISE-DAPT Score was good {ROC curve 0.699 (95% CI: 0.564-0.835)} and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test (Chi-square, 6.53; p = 0.588), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of bleeding was low, with the majority of patients having minimal bleeding that did not require medical intervention. The PRECISE-DAPT Score performed well in predicting bleeding in patients on DAPT.

2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes" incorporates new evidence since the "2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction" and the corresponding "2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes" and the "2015 ACC/AHA/SCAI Focused Update on Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction." The "2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes" and the "2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization" retire and replace, respectively, the "2016 ACC/AHA Guideline Focused Update on Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease."

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from July 2023 to April 2024. Clinical studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and other evidence conducted on human participants were identified that were published in English from MEDLINE (through PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline.

STRUCTURE

Many recommendations from previously published guidelines have been updated with new evidence, and new recommendations have been created when supported by published data.

Role of platelets and NETs in arterial thrombosis

Arterial thrombosis is one of the main causes of mortality and mortality worldwide. Platelets are effectively targeted by antithrombotic strategies. However, current antiplatelet agents are often associated with a bleeding risk and single antiplatelet agent may not completely prevent thrombosis. Platelets, neutrophils, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been found to play crucial synergistic roles in the pathological process of arterial thrombosis in recent years. Platelets play a key regulatory role in the formation of NETs, and NETs can enhance platelet aggregation and activation, further aggravating the process of arterial thrombosis. Targeting the interaction mechanisms of platelets and NETs may provide a promising approach to better prevent arterial thrombosis. This review highlights the current insight in the interaction of platelets and neutrophil-forming NETs and their mechanisms involved in the process of arterial thrombosis. Finally, we discuss the potential of interventions targeting platelets and NETs to treat arterial thrombosis.

P2Y12 Inhibitor Pretreatment in Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome: The NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry

BACKGROUND

Although high rates of P2Y12 inhibitor pretreatment (defined as the administration before coronary angiography) for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) have been reported, contemporary U.S. practice patterns are not well studied.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to investigate the temporal U.S. trends, variability, and clinical outcomes of P2Y12 inhibitor pretreatment in NSTE-ACS.

METHODS

Consecutive patients who underwent early invasive strategy for NSTE-ACS (coronary angiography ≤24 hours of arrival) in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Chest Pain-Myocardial Infarction (MI) Registry were analyzed. A time-trend analysis was conducted on a complete cohort between January 1, 2013, and March 31, 2023. Subsequently, a more recent cohort (January 1, 2019, to March 31, 2023) with a complete set of variables was used to construct hierarchical regression models to quantify the variability in the use of pretreatment among operators and institutions. For this contemporary cohort, instrumental variable analysis, with operator preference as the instrument, was performed to compare the in-hospital outcomes between patients who received pretreatment and those who did not.

RESULTS

Use of P2Y12 inhibitor pretreatment decreased from 24.8% in 2013Q1 to 12.4% in 2023Q1. Among the contemporary cohort of 110,148 patients (2019-2023; mean age 63.9 ± 12.5 years; 33.0% female), 17,509 (15.9%) received pretreatment. Significant variability in P2Y12 inhibitor pretreatment was observed (range: 0%-100%): hierarchical regression model demonstrated that 2 similar patients would have a >3-fold difference in the odds of pretreatment from 1 random operator or institution as compared with another (median OR: 3.74 [95% CI: 3.57-3.91] and 3.63 [95% CI: 3.51-3.74], respectively). Instrumental variable analysis demonstrated no significant differences in in-hospital all-cause death (1.5% vs 1.7%; P = 0.07), recurrent MI (0.6% vs 0.6%; P = 0.98), or major bleeding (2.7% vs 2.8%; P = 0.98) with pretreatment. However, in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, pretreatment was associated with a longer length of stay (11.2 ± 5.1 days vs 9.8 ± 5.0 days; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In a national U.S. registry, we observed significant variability in the use of P2Y12 inhibitor pretreatment among NSTE-ACS patients. Given the lack of clear advantages and the potential for prolonged hospital stays, our findings highlight the importance of efforts to improve standardization.

Real-world Data of Antithrombotic Therapy in Neuroendovascular Therapy: Analysis of JR-NET 4

As the number of neuroendovascular therapies in Japan increases, the current trends in periprocedural antithrombotic therapy must be understood.We retrospectively analyzed data on periprocedural antithrombotic therapy in the Japanese Registry of Neuroendovascular Therapy (JR-NET) 4, a nationwide survey carried out in Japan between January 2015 and December 2019. Details on antithrombotic therapy in neuroendovascular therapy for ruptured cerebral aneurysms, unruptured cerebral aneurysms, and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or stenting were collected from the JR-NET 4 database. These data were analyzed and compared with those from the JR-NET 2 (January 2008 to December 2009) and JR-NET 3 (January 2010 to December 2014). A total of 36,560 cases were analyzed in the JR-NET 4. The frequency of preprocedural dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) significantly increased from the JR-NET 2 to 4 (48.1%, 53.4%, and 62.3%, respectively; P < 0.001), whereas the frequency of monotherapy significantly decreased (15.7%, 13.9%, and 8%, respectively; P < 0.001). Postprocedural antiplatelet therapy exhibited similar trends, and postprocedural anticoagulant therapy was discontinued. Particularly, heparin use significantly decreased from the JR-NET 2 to 4 (23.4% vs. 12.7% vs. 7.9%, respectively; P < 0.001). In terms of periprocedural complications, the incidence of ischemic complications increased from the JR-NET 3 to 4 (5.8% vs. 6.2%; P = 0.05). In the JR-NET 4, severe adverse events and hemorrhagic and all complications were significantly more frequent in the preprocedural triple or more therapy group.The rate of postprocedural anticoagulant therapy decreased, whereas that of antiplatelet therapy increased. Overall, in Japan, periprocedural DAPT has become increasingly common.

Impact of haemoglobinA1c on platelet reactivity and cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation

This study investigates the impact of hemoglobin A1c on platelet reactivity and cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation. HbA1c levels were categorized into 3 groups: < 6.5%, 6.5-8.5%, and > 8.5%. ROC (resistance to clopidogrel) and ROA (resistance to aspirin) were calculated. The primary endpoint was a composite of MACE, including all-cause mortality, nonfatal MI, and ischemia-driven revascularization. The secondary endpoints comprised individual MACE components. The incidence of ROC was 9.3% (151 of 1621), whereas that of ROA was 16.5% (268 of 1621). The ROC for each of the 3 groups significantly increased with increasing HbA1c levels [4.3% vs. 7.1% vs. 10.1%, p = 0.006]; however, the ROA did not [16.4% vs. 17.7% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.694]. HbA1c > 8.5 was significantly associated with ROC (3.356 [1.231, 9.234], p = 0.009). Compared with the HbA1c < 6.5 subgroup, the HbA1c˃8.5 subgroup was significantly associated with MACE (3.142 [2.346, 4.206], < 0.001), nonfatal MI (2.297 [1.275, 4.137], P = 0.006) and ischemia-driven revascularization (3.845 [2.082, 7.101], p < 0.001), but not all-cause mortality (2.371 [0.551, 10.190], 0.246) at the 36-month follow-up. HbA1c levels were positively correlated with ROC, but the adverse cardiovascular events were driven by elevated HbA1c, constituting an argument to intensify glycemic control in subjects with diabetes after intracoronary stent placement.

Association Between the Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Retrospective Study

Purpose

The Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI) has emerged as a novel marker for inflammation and prognosis, but its role in patients with acute myocardial infarction has not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of different AISI levels on the clinical outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Patients and Methods

This study was a retrospective study, including 1044 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who were treated at the Fujian Medical University Affiliated Union Hospital, China from May 2017 to December 2022. The patients were divided into high and low AISI groups based on the median value (Q1 Group, ≤ 416.15, n=522; Q2 Group, ≥ 416.16, n=522), and the differences in baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes between the two groups were analyzed. The primary outcome included major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), while the secondary outcomes included contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) risk and all-cause rehospitalization rate.

Results

The findings of the single-factor analysis suggest that a significant association between high AISI levels and the occurrence of MACCEs in AMI patients. After adjusting for confounding factors, the results indicated that compared to Q1, patients in the Q2 group had a higher risk of all-cause mortality [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.64; 95% CI 1.37-15.72; p=0.032], new-onset atrial fibrillation (aOR 1.75; 95% CI 1.02-3.00; p=0.047), and CIN (aOR 1.75; 95% CI 1.02-3.01; p=0.043), with all differences being statistically significant.

Conclusion

In the population of AMI patients, an elevated AISI level is significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and can serve as an early marker for adverse prognosis.

2023 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes : Statement of endorsement by the NVVC

This review discusses the new recommendations in the 2023 European Society of Cardiology guidelines on the management of acute coronary syndrome and provides a perspective on topics specific to clinical practice in the Netherlands, including pre-treatment, antiplatelet agent strategies, the use of risk scores and logistical considerations with regard to the timing of coronary angiography.

Association of genetic variations of 3'-UTR in clopidogrel pharmacokinetic-relevant genes with clopidogrel response in Han Chinese patients with coronary artery disease

Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel has reduced ischemic vascular events significantly. Genetic influence, especially those in clopidogrel pharmacokinetic-relevant genes partially accounts for interindividual pharmacodynamic variability of clopidogrel. However, most studies have concentrated on the genetic variations in introns, exons, or promoters of the candidate genes, and the association between genetic variations in 3'-UTR in clopidogrel pharmacokinetic-relevant genes and clopidogrel response is unknown. In our study, ten different algorithms were applied to pick potential miRNAs targeting the clopidogrel pharmacokinetic-relevant genes. Furthermore, the correlation between miRNA expression profiles and mRNA expression of corresponding clopidogrel pharmacokinetic-relevant genes was analyzed. Through comprehensive analysis, including bioinformatics prediction and correlation analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles, miR-218-5p and miR-506-5p were supposed to regulate the expression of PON1 via binding with its 3'-UTR. Moreover, PON1 rs854551 and rs854552 were located in miRNA recognizing sequences and may serve as potential miRSNPs possibly affecting PON1 expression. The rs854552 polymorphism was genotyped and platelet reactivity index (PRI) indicative of clopidogrel response was measured in 341 Chinese coronary artery disease (CAD) patients 24 h after administration of 300 mg clopidogrel. Our results showed that PON1 rs854552 had a significant influence on PRI in CAD patients, especially in patients with CYP2C19 extensive metabolic phenotype. In conclusion, PON1 rs854552 polymorphisms may affect clopidogrel response. Bioinformatics prediction followed by functional validation could aid in decoding the contribution of unexplained variations in the 3'-UTR in drug-metabolizing enzymes on clopidogrel response.

Current Management of Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

Cardiovascular disease constitutes the leading cause of morbimortality worldwide. Non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) is a common cardiovascular condition, closely related to the ageing population and significantly affecting survival and quality of life. The management of NSTE-ACS requires specific diagnosis and therapeutic strategies, thus highlighting the importance of a personalized approach, including tailored antithrombotic therapies and regimens, combined with timely invasive management. Moreover, specific and frequent populations in clinical practice, such as the elderly and those with chronic kidney disease, pose unique challenges in the management of NSTE-ACS due to their increased risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic complications. In this scenario, comprehensive management strategies and multidisciplinary care are of great importance. Cardiac rehabilitation and optimal management of cardiovascular risk factors are essential elements of secondary prevention since they significantly improve prognosis. This review highlights the need for a personalized approach in the management of NSTE-ACS, especially in vulnerable populations, and emphasizes the importance of precise antithrombotic management together with tailored revascularization strategies, as well as the role of cardiac rehabilitation in NSTE-ACS patients.

Navigating Aspirin Hypersensitivity in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Aspirin hypersensitivity continues to be a major clinical challenge in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), particularly in those requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the absence of a validated alternative antiplatelet regimen. Although true aspirin allergies are uncommon, they can manifest with severe reactions such as angioedema or anaphylaxis, highlighting the critical role of diagnostic challenge tests and tolerance induction strategies. Here, a 61-year-old female with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis presented with new-onset heart failure and elevated troponins in the setting of a hypertensive emergency. A subsequent left heart catheterization revealed severe multivessel disease, but PCI was deferred due to her history suggestive of aspirin-induced angioedema and the absence of a known optimal approach in this scenario. Given the feasibility of completing a desensitization protocol, aspirin desensitization was pursued, facilitating the successful placement of a drug-eluting stent. This case highlights the need for validated protocols to manage aspirin hypersensitivity, as the current treatment paradigm necessitates a highly individualized approach by the treating clinician.

Emerging Therapeutic Targets for Acute Coronary Syndromes: Novel Advancements and Future Directions

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, requiring ongoing efforts to identify novel therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes. This manuscript reviews promising therapeutic targets for ACS identified through preclinical research, including novel antiplatelet agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, and agents targeting plaque stabilization. Preclinical studies have expounded these agents' efficacy and safety profiles in mitigating key pathophysiological processes underlying ACS, such as platelet activation, inflammation, and plaque instability. Furthermore, ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the efficacy and safety of these agents in ACS patients, with potential implications for optimizing ACS management. Challenges associated with translating preclinical findings into clinical practice, including patient heterogeneity and trial design considerations, are also discussed. Overall, the exploration of emerging therapeutic targets offers promising avenues for advancing ACS treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.

Demystifying the Contemporary Role of 12-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Acute Coronary Syndrome

For almost two decades, 12-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been the only class I recommendation on DAPT in American and European guidelines, which has resulted in 12-month durations of DAPT therapy being the most frequently implemented in ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) across the globe. Twelve-month DAPT was initially grounded in the results of the CURE (Clopidogrel in Unstable Angina to Prevent Recurrent Events) trial, which, by design, studied DAPT versus no DAPT rather than the optimal DAPT duration. The average DAPT duration in this study was 9 months, not 12 months. Subsequent ACS studies, which were not designed to assess DAPT duration, rather its composition (aspirin with prasugrel or ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel) were further interpreted as supportive evidence for 12-month DAPT duration. In these studies, the median DAPT duration was 9 or 15 months for ticagrelor and prasugrel, respectively. Several subsequent studies questioned the 12-month regimen and suggested that DAPT duration should either be fewer than 12 months in patients at high bleeding risk or more than 12 months in patients at high ischemic risk who can safely tolerate the treatment. Bleeding, rather than ischemic risk assessment, has emerged as a treatment modifier for maximizing the net clinical benefit of DAPT, due to excessive bleeding and no clear benefit of prolonged treatment regimens in high bleeding risk patients. Multiple DAPT de-escalation treatment strategies, including switching from prasugrel or ticagrelor to clopidogrel, reducing the dose of prasugrel or ticagrelor, and shortening DAPT duration while maintaining monotherapy with ticagrelor, have been consistently shown to reduce bleeding without increasing fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular or cerebral ischemic risks compared with 12-month DAPT. However, 12-month DAPT remains the only class-I DAPT recommendation for patients with ACS despite the lack of prospectively established evidence, leading to unnecessary and potentially harmful overtreatment in many patients. It is time for clinical practice and guideline recommendations to be updated to reflect the totality of the evidence regarding the optimal DAPT duration in ACS.

Evaluating Aspirin's Efficacy for Primary Prevention in Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease: Insights from a Nationwide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of aspirin for the primary prevention of cerebro-cardiovascular diseases in Koreans remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the preventive effects of low-dose aspirin (equal or less than 100 mg) on cerebro-cardiovascular events.

METHOD

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Sample Cohort dataset. From the 1,106,580 individuals eligible in 2004, we selected 200 individuals (47% male and 22.5% aged 65 or older) who consistently received low-dose aspirin from 2004 to 2013 for inclusion in the aspirin cohort. Participants for the control cohort, who did not use aspirin, were selected through propensity score matching based on variables.

RESULT

We compared the incidences of endpoints (acute myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and cerebral hemorrhage) between the aspirin group and the non-aspirin group over the 9-year follow-up period. There was no significant difference in the incidence rates of acute myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, or cerebral hemorrhage between the aspirin and non-aspirin groups. Low-dose aspirin for primary prevention in Koreans did not reduce myocardial or cerebral infarctions and did not increase the risk of gastrointestinal or cerebral hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, we suggest that aspirin for primary prevention should be used cautiously and tailored to the individual's baseline cardiovascular risk.

P2Y12 Receptor Inhibitor for Antiaggregant Therapies: From Molecular Pathway to Clinical Application

Platelets play a significant role in hemostasis, forming plugs at sites of vascular injury to limit blood loss. However, if platelet activation is not controlled, it can lead to thrombotic events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. To prevent this, antiplatelet agents are used in clinical settings to limit platelet activation in patients at risk of arterial thrombotic events. However, their use can be associated with a significant risk of bleeding. An enhanced comprehension of platelet signaling mechanisms should facilitate the identification of safer targets for antiplatelet therapy. Over the past decade, our comprehension of the breadth and intricacy of signaling pathways that orchestrate platelet activation has expanded exponentially. Several recent studies have provided further insight into the regulation of platelet signaling events and identified novel targets against which to develop novel antiplatelet agents. Antiplatelet drugs are essential in managing atherothrombotic vascular disease. The current antiplatelet therapy in clinical practice is limited in terms of safety and efficacy. Novel compounds have been developed in response to patient variability and resistance to aspirin and/or clopidogrel. Recent studies based on randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have definitively demonstrated the role of antiplatelet therapy in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. Antiplatelet therapy is the recommended course of action for patients with established atherosclerosis. These studies compared monotherapy with a P2Y12 inhibitor versus aspirin for secondary prevention. However, in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, it is still unclear whether the efficacy of P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after a short course of dual antiplatelet therapy depends on the type of P2Y12 inhibitor. This paper focuses on the advanced-stage evaluation of several promising antiplatelet drugs.

The Cost of Breaking Even: a Perspective on the Net Clinical Impact of Adding Aspirin to Antithrombotic Therapies in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

PURPOSE

Outcomes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) inform the latest recommendations on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) management of a short period of oral anticoagulation (OAC), a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, and aspirin for 1 week or until hospital discharge in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing PCI, and up to 4 weeks in individuals considered to be at high-risk for ischemic events, followed by discontinuation of aspirin and continuation of OAC and a P2Y12 inhibitor for up to 12 months.

METHODS

We examined and summarized the outcomes of bleeding and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) from RCTs and meta-analyses, published between 2013 and 2022, comparing therapy with OAC and a P2Y12 inhibitor with and without aspirin in AF patients undergoing PCI with stenting.

RESULTS

Data comparing dual therapy with OAC and a P2Y12 inhibitor alone to triple therapy with OAC, a P2Y12 inhibitor, and aspirin with respect to the risks of MACEs, including stent thrombosis within the first 30 days, are underpowered and inconclusive. The addition of aspirin does not appear to be associated with a decreased risk of ischemic events, even in patients with high-risk CHA2DS2-VASc scores, but does significantly increase bleeding hazards. The increased safety of newer generation drug-eluting stents may have further minimized any theoretical anti-ischemic benefits of aspirin. The possible attenuation of the pleiotropic effects of concomitant cardiovascular medications by aspirin may also have been a contributing factor.

CONCLUSION

The addition of aspirin to OAC and a P2Y12 inhibitor is likely associated with a net clinical harm in patients with AF who undergo PCI with stenting, even within the first 1-4 weeks after PCI. Revisiting the guideline recommendations to administer aspirin in this timeframe may be warranted.

Clopidogrel resistance and its relevance: Current concepts

Clopidogrel is the most widely used P2Y12 receptor inhibitor (P2Y12i) as a part of dual antiplatelet therapy along with aspirin. Clopidogrel is a pro-drug and is metabolized to its active metabolite by the hepatic enzyme cytochrome P4502C19 (CYP2C19). This active metabolite is responsible for the antiplatelet action of clopidogrel. Recent studies have demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CYP2C19 gene, including CYP2C19*2,*3,*4, and *5 alleles, result in reduced production of the active metabolite of clopidogrel, and hence reduced inhibition of platelet aggregation. This in turn enhances the incidence of stent thrombosis and recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events. We report a case of coronary stent thrombosis due to clopidogrel resistance proven by CYP2C19 genotyping. We then review the literature on clopidogrel resistance and its impact on CV outcomes. Subsequently, we discuss the methods of diagnosis of resistance, evidence from clinical trials for tailoring clopidogrel therapy, the role of potent P2Y12 inhibitors, the current guidelines, and future directions.

Ticagrelor alone versus ticagrelor plus aspirin from month 1 to month 12 after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ULTIMATE-DAPT): a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Following percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement to treat acute coronary syndromes, international clinical guidelines generally recommend dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin plus a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor for 12 months to prevent myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis. However, data on single antiplatelet therapy with a potent P2Y12 inhibitor earlier than 12 months after percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with an acute coronary syndrome are scarce. The aim of this trial was to assess whether the use of ticagrelor alone, compared with ticagrelor plus aspirin, could reduce the incidence of clinically relevant bleeding events without an accompanying increase in major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events (MACCE).

METHODS

In this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial, patients aged 18 years or older with an acute coronary syndrome who completed the IVUS-ACS study and who had no major ischaemic or bleeding events after 1-month treatment with dual antiplatelet therapy were randomly assigned to receive oral ticagrelor (90 mg twice daily) plus oral aspirin (100 mg once daily) or oral ticagrelor (90 mg twice daily) plus a matching oral placebo, beginning 1 month and ending at 12 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (11 months in total). Recruitment took place at 58 centres in China, Italy, Pakistan, and the UK. Patients were required to remain event-free for 1 month on dual antiplatelet therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention with contemporary drug-eluting stents. Randomisation was done using a web-based system, stratified by acute coronary syndrome type, diabetes, IVUS-ACS randomisation, and site, using dynamic minimisation. The primary superiority endpoint was clinically relevant bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [known as BARC] types 2, 3, or 5). The primary non-inferiority endpoint was MACCE (defined as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, definite stent thrombosis, or clinically driven target vessel revascularisation), with an expected event rate of 6·2% in the ticagrelor plus aspirin group and an absolute non-inferiority margin of 2·5 percentage points between 1 month and 12 months after percutaneous coronary intervention. The two co-primary endpoints were tested sequentially; the primary superiority endpoint had to be met for hypothesis testing of the MACCE outcome to proceed. All principal analyses were assessed in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03971500, and is completed.

FINDINGS

Between Sept 21, 2019, and Oct 27, 2022, 3400 (97·0%) of the 3505 participants in the IVUS-ACS study were randomly assigned (1700 patients to ticagrelor plus aspirin and 1700 patients to ticagrelor plus placebo). 12-month follow-up was completed by 3399 (>99·9%) patients. Between month 1 and month 12 after percutaneous coronary intervention, clinically relevant bleeding occurred in 35 patients (2·1%) in the ticagrelor plus placebo group and in 78 patients (4·6%) in the ticagrelor plus aspirin group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·45 [95% CI 0·30 to 0·66]; p<0·0001). MACCE occurred in 61 patients (3·6%) in the ticagrelor plus placebo group and in 63 patients (3·7%) in the ticagrelor plus aspirin group (absolute difference -0·1% [95% CI -1·4% to 1·2%]; HR 0·98 [95% CI 0·69 to 1·39]; pnon-inferiority<0·0001, psuperiority=0·89).

INTERPRETATION

In patients with an acute coronary syndrome who had percutaneous coronary intervention with contemporary drug-eluting stents and remained event-free for 1 month on dual antiplatelet therapy, treatment with ticagrelor alone between month 1 and month 12 after the intervention resulted in a lower rate of clinically relevant bleeding and a similar rate of MACCE compared with ticagrelor plus aspirin. Along with the results from previous studies, these findings show that most patients in this population can benefit from superior clinical outcomes with aspirin discontinuation and maintenance on ticagrelor monotherapy after 1 month of dual antiplatelet therapy.

FUNDING

The Chinese Society of Cardiology, the National Natural Scientific Foundation of China, and the Jiangsu Provincial & Nanjing Municipal Clinical Trial Project.

TRANSLATION

For the Mandarin translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy for stent-assisted coiling or flow diverter placement

BACKGROUND

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is necessary to prevent thromboembolic complications after stent-assisted coiling (SAC) or flow-diversion (FD) for cerebral aneurysms, but the optimal antiplatelet regimen remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the optimal DAPT duration in patients with SAC/FD.

METHODS

This multicenter cohort study enrolled patients who received SAC/FD for cerebral aneurysms at seven Japanese institutions between January 2010 and December 2020. The primary outcome was the time from procedure to the occurrence of a composite of target vessel-related thromboembolic events, procedure-unrelated major bleeding events, or death. The cumulative event-free survival rates were analyzed using a Kaplan-Meier curve, and the differences in each outcome between the groups dichotomized by the duration of DAPT were analyzed using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Of 632 patients (median observational period, 646 days), primary outcome occurred in 63 patients (10.0%), most frequently within 30 days after the procedure. The cumulative event-free survival rates at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years after the procedure were 93.3% (91.4 to 95.3%), 91.5% (89.3 to 93.7%), and 89.5% (87.0 to 92.0%), respectively. The cumulative event-free survival rates after switching to monotherapy were similar for the >91 and <90 days DAPT groups in the population limited to patients who were switched from DAPT to monotherapy without major clinical events.

CONCLUSIONS

Thromboembolic events rarely occurred beyond 30 days after SAC/FD. The duration of DAPT may be shortened if patients have a periprocedural period without events. Further prospective studies are warranted to determine the optimal duration of antiplatelet therapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

UMIN000044122 :https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000050384.

Real-world performance of indobufen versus aspirin after percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the ASPIRATION registry

BACKGROUND

Indobufen is widely used in patients with aspirin intolerance in East Asia. The OPTION trial launched by our cardiac center examined the performance of indobufen based dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the vast majority of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and aspirin intolerance were excluded. We aimed to explore this question in a real-world population.

METHODS

Patients enrolled in the ASPIRATION registry were grouped according to the DAPT strategy that they received after PCI. The primary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Propensity score matching (PSM) was adopted for confounder adjustment.

RESULTS

A total of 7135 patients were reviewed. After one-year follow-up, the indobufen group was associated with the same risk of MACCE versus the aspirin group after PSM (6.5% vs. 6.5%, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.65 to 1.52, P = 0.978). However, BARC type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding was significantly reduced (3.0% vs. 11.9%, HR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.15 to 0.40, P < 0.001). These results were generally consistent across different subgroups including aspirin intolerance, except that indobufen appeared to increase the risk of MACCE in patients with ACS.

CONCLUSIONS

Indobufen shared the same risk of MACCE but a lower risk of bleeding after PCI versus aspirin from a real-world perspective. Due to the observational nature of the current analysis, future studies are still warranted to further evaluate the efficacy of indobufen based DAPT, especially in patients with ACS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Register ( https://www.chictr.org.cn ); Number: ChiCTR2300067274.

Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists Position Paper 'Gender discrepancy: time to implement gender-based clinical management'

It has been well assessed that women have been widely under-represented in cardiovascular clinical trials. Moreover, a significant discrepancy in pharmacological and interventional strategies has been reported. Therefore, poor outcomes and more significant mortality have been shown in many diseases. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences in drug metabolism have also been described so that effectiveness could be different according to sex. However, awareness about the gender gap remains too scarce. Consequently, gender-specific guidelines are lacking, and the need for a sex-specific approach has become more evident in the last few years. This paper aims to evaluate different therapeutic approaches to managing the most common women's diseases.

Impact of Preloading Strategy With Ticagrelor on Periprocedural Myocardial Injury in Patients With Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Early Invasive Strategy

ABSTRACT

Pretreatment with an oral P2Y12 receptor blocker (before coronary angiography) versus treatment in the catheterization laboratory has been a matter of debate in patients presenting with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The primary aim of this study was to assess the impact of an immediate preloading strategy with ticagrelor on periprocedural myocardial injury in patients with NSTEMI treated with an early invasive strategy. NSTEMI patients who underwent coronary angiography and subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 24 hours after hospital admission were divided into 2 groups: the first group (pretreatment group) included patients who received ticagrelor pretreatment as soon as possible after admission and the second group (no pretreatment group) included patients who received a loading dose of ticagrelor after coronary angiography. The pretreatment group included 232 patients, and the no pretreatment group included 87 patients. Male patients represented the majority of the patients. The 2 groups were similar in baseline characteristics, except for a greater incidence of hypertension ( P = 0.014) and higher hemoglobin levels ( P = 0.01) in the pretreatment group in comparison with the no pretreatment group. Patients in the ticagrelor pretreatment group had less myocardial injury until coronary angiography based on troponin measurements collected at 12 hours after admission ( P = 0.025). Patients in the ticagrelor pretreatment group also had fewer periprocedural myocardial injuries based on troponin measurements taken between 12 and 24 hours after the PCI ( P = 0.026 and P = 0.022, respectively). Our findings suggested that ticagrelor pretreatment reduces periprocedural myocardial injury in NSTEMI patients who underwent PCI within 24 hours after admission.

Aspirin-free antiplatelet strategies after percutaneous coronary interventions

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a platelet P2Y12 receptor inhibitor is the standard antithrombotic treatment after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Several trials have challenged guideline-recommended DAPT after PCI by testing the relative clinical effect of an aspirin-free antiplatelet approach-consisting of P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after a short course (mostly 1-3 months) of DAPT-among patients undergoing PCI without a concomitant indication for oral anticoagulation (OAC). Overall, these studies have shown P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after short DAPT to be associated with a significant reduction in the risk of bleeding without an increase in thrombotic or ischaemic events compared with continued DAPT. Moreover, the effects of the P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy without prior DAPT or following a very short course of DAPT after PCI are being investigated in emerging studies, of which one has recently reported unfavourable efficacy results associated with the aspirin-free approach compared with conventional DAPT. Finally, P2Y12 inhibitor alone has been compared with aspirin alone as chronic therapy after DAPT discontinuation, thus challenging the historical role of aspirin as a standard of care for secondary prevention following PCI. A thorough understanding of study designs, populations, treatments, results, and limitations of trials testing P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy vs. DAPT or vs. aspirin is required to consider adopting this treatment in clinical practice. This review addresses the use of aspirin-free antiplatelet strategies among patients undergoing PCI without a concomitant indication for OAC, providing an overview of clinical evidence, guideline indications, practical implications, ongoing issues, and future perspectives.

A review on regulation of DNA methylation during post-myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) imposes a huge medical and economic burden on society, and cardiac repair after MI involves a complex series of processes. Understanding the key mechanisms (such as apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, and fibrosis) will facilitate further drug development and patient treatment. Presently, a substantial body of evidence suggests that the regulation of epigenetic processes contributes to cardiac repair following MI, with DNA methylation being among the notable epigenetic factors involved. This article will review the research on the mechanism of DNA methylation regulation after MI to provide some insights for future research and development of related drugs.

The Effects of Clopidogrel Duration On Carotid Artery In-stent Restenosis

OBJECTIVE

There is limited data supporting a specific duration for dual antiplatelet therapy in carotid artery stenting (CAS), and most clinical evidence is derived from studies involving coronary interventions. As a result, the appropriate duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after CAS has yet to be determined. We aimed to elucidate whether the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy played a role in the rate of carotid in-stent restenosis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent CAS at our institution over a 20-year period (1996-2016) was performed (n=279). Patients who did not complete their follow-up duplex studies or were not discharged on clopidogrel were excluded from the study. Patients were separated into short-term (<6 weeks, n=159) and long-term (>6 weeks, n=112) clopidogrel users based on duration of therapy. We defined clinically significant in-stent restenosis as >50% restenosis (PSV = 224 cm/s) in symptomatic patients and >80% restenosis (PSV = 325 cm/s) in asymptomatic patients status-post prior CAS based on published velocity criteria. Rates of in-stent restenosis at 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year intervals were analyzed between the two groups using chi-squared analysis.

RESULTS

Demographic information was largely similar between the two groups; however, short-term clopidogrel users were more likely to have a history of atrial fibrillation (9.43% vs. 1.68%, p=0.008) and were less likely to have a history of CABG (16.35% vs. 29.41%, p=0.009), diabetes (33.34% vs. 49.58%, p=0.006) and CAD (50.31% vs. 63.03%, p=0.035). All patients were on long-term aspirin therapy. There was no significant difference between overall rates of in-stent restenosis between the short-term and long-term clopidogrel users (5.03% vs. 9.24%, p=0.168) within 5 years of the index procedure. Similar results were observed when these groups were evaluated at 1-year (5.61 % vs. 3%, p=0.321), 2-year (2.02% vs. 6.59%, p=0.072), and 5-year (2.24% vs. 3.57%, p=0.635) follow-up.

CONCLUSION

No statistically significant difference was observed in the rate of in-stent restenosis after CAS between short-term and long-term clopidogrel therapy. Patients in whom there is no other indication for longer duration clopidogrel therapy may be considered for shorter duration course of dual antiplatelet therapy following CAS.

Antithrombotic therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome: similarities and differences between a European expert consensus document and the 2023 European Society of Cardiology guidelines

Antithrombotic therapy represents the cornerstone of the pharmacological treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The optimal combination and duration of antithrombotic therapy is still matter of debate requiring a critical assessment of patient comorbidities, clinical presentation, revascularization modality, and/or optimization of medical treatment. The 2023 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of patients with ACS encompassing both patients with and without ST segment elevation ACS have been recently published. Shortly before, a European expert consensus task force produced guidance for clinicians on the management of antithrombotic therapy in patients with ACS as well as chronic coronary syndrome. The scope of this manuscript is to provide a critical appraisal of differences and similarities between the European consensus paper and the latest ESC recommendations on oral antithrombotic regimens in ACS patients.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology 2023 Focused Update of the Guidelines for the Use of Antiplatelet Therapy

Antiplatelet therapy (APT) is the foundation of treatment and prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Selecting the optimal APT strategies to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events, while balancing bleeding risk, requires ongoing review of clinical trials. Appended, the focused update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology guidelines for the use of APT provides recommendations on the following topics: (1) use of acetylsalicylic acid in primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; (2) dual APT (DAPT) duration after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients at high bleeding risk; (3) potent DAPT (P2Y12 inhibitor) choice in patients who present with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and possible DAPT de-escalation strategies after PCI; (4) choice and duration of DAPT in ACS patients who are medically treated without revascularization; (5) pretreatment with DAPT (P2Y12 inhibitor) before elective or nonelective coronary angiography; (6) perioperative and longer-term APT management in patients who require coronary artery bypass grafting surgery; and (7) use of APT in patients with atrial fibrillation who require oral anticoagulation after PCI or medically managed ACS. These recommendations are all on the basis of systematic reviews and meta-analyses conducted as part of the development of these guidelines, provided in the Supplementary Material.

The Antimicrobial Potential of the Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Oral Streptococci

Plant extracts are in the focus of the pharmaceutical industry as potential antimicrobials for oral care due to their high antimicrobial activity coupled with low production costs and safety for eukaryotic cells. Here, we show that the extract from Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) exhibits antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci in both planktonic and biofilm-embedded forms. An extract was prepared by acetone extraction from hop infructescences, followed by purification and solubilization of the remaining fraction in ethanol. The effect of the extract on S. aureus (MSSA and MRSA) was comparable with the reference antibiotics (amikacin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone) and did not depend on the bacterial resistance to methicillin. The extract also demonstrated synergy with amikacin on six S. aureus clinical isolates, on four of six isolates with ciprofloxacin, and on three of six isolates with ceftriaxone. On various Streptococci, while demonstrating lower antimicrobial activity, an extract exhibited a considerable synergistic effect in combination with two of three of these antibiotics, decreasing their MIC up to 512-fold. Moreover, the extract was able to penetrate S. aureus and S. mutans biofilms, leading to almost complete bacterial death within them. The thin-layer chromatography and LC-MS of the extract revealed the presence of prenylated flavonoids (2',4',6',4-tetrahydroxy-3'-geranylchalcone) and acylphloroglucides (cohumulone, colupulone, humulone, and lupulone), apparently responsible for the observed antimicrobial activity and ability to increase the efficiency of antibiotics. Taken together, these data suggest an extract from H. lupulus as a promising antimicrobial agent for use both as a solely antiseptic and to potentiate conventional antimicrobials.

Shortened Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Contemporary Clinical Review

Percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation is an integral aspect of minimally interventional cardiac procedures. The technology and techniques behind stent design and implantation have evolved rapidly over several decades. However, continued discourse remains around optimal peri- and post-interventional management with dual antiplatelet therapy to minimise both major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events and iatrogenic bleeding risk. Standard guidelines around dual antiplatelet therapy historically recommended long-term dual antiplatelet therapy for 12 months (with consideration for >12 months in certain patients); however, emerging data and generational improvements in the safety of drug-eluting stents have ushered in a new era of short-term therapy to reduce the incidence of major bleeding events. This case review will provide an overview of the current state of guidelines around duration of dual antiplatelet therapy and examine recent updates and continued gaps in existing research.

Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Survey of UK Cardiac Surgeons

OBJECTIVE

Antiplatelet therapy after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is important in postoperative medical management. Although cardiac surgeons are well-versed in the guidelines regarding discontinuation of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT; aspirin and a P2Y12 antagonist) before CABG to minimize bleeding risk, there is considerable variability in DAPT dosing after CABG. The objective of this study was to explore the current trends in DAPT after CABG in the UK to improve understanding of the existing practice.

DESIGN

This study used an online survey with 9 questions about the use of DAPT after CABG. An invitation to participate was sent to all adult cardiac surgeons currently in practice in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

SETTING

The study was conducted in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants in this study were adult cardiac surgeons currently in practice in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

INTERVENTIONS

There were no interventions in this study.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Responses were received from across the UK (85.4% UK; 4% each from Scotland and Northern Ireland, 1.3% from Wales) and 5.3% from the Republic of Ireland. Fifty-seven percent of the respondents performed between 50 and 100 CABGs per year. Ninety-one percent of the respondents prescribe DAPT postoperatively, but the choice of which patients receive it varied. Most responding surgeons used DAPT for selective patient cohorts, such as those with acute coronary syndrome (51%), diffuse coronary artery disease (42%), perioperative myocardial infarction (36%), coronary endarterectomy (31%), or when bypassing a stented coronary artery (23%). Thirty-eight percent of the respondents began all their patients with CABGs on DAPT. The most preferred P2Y12 antagonist was clopidogrel, used by 75% of respondents and introduced on day 1 after surgical revascularization (71%). The routine duration for DAPT is 12 months, which 78% of the respondents preferred. The main reason for not starting DAPT in those surveyed was the bleeding risk associated with DAPT (72%).

CONCLUSIONS

The survey uncovered variation in the use of DAPT after CABG. However, DAPT remains the preferred strategy after CABG in the UK. The study highlighted the need to develop standardized protocols for DAPT after CABG.

Individualization of Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy after Coronary Stenting: A Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Review

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), comprising aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, is the cornerstone of post-percutaneous coronary intervention treatment to prevent stent thrombosis and reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. The selection of an optimal DAPT regimen, considering the interplay of various antiplatelet agents, patient profiles, and procedural characteristics, remains an evolving challenge. Traditionally, a standard duration of 12 months has been recommended for DAPT in most patients. While contemporary guidelines provide general frameworks, DAPT modulation with longer or shorter treatment courses followed by aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy are evolving towards an individualized strategy to optimize the balance between efficacy and safety. This review comprehensively examines the current landscape of DAPT strategies after coronary stenting, with a focus on emerging evidence for treatment individualization.

Remnant cholesterol but not LDL cholesterol is associated with 5-year bleeding following percutaneous coronary intervention

This study was aimed to investigate the association between remnant cholesterol (RC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations and long-term bleeding. A total of 10,724 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in 2013 were prospectively enrolled. During a median follow-up of 5.1 years, 411 bleeding events and 42 intracranial hemorrhages (ICH) were recorded. The findings revealed that lower RC concentrations were independently associated with an increased risk of long-term bleeding events (continuous RC hazard ratio [HR]: 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26-0.85; Q4 vs. Q1 HR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.45-0.98), whereas lower LDL-C concentrations did not show a similar association. Additionally, a non-linear relationship was observed between RC concentrations and the risk of ICH (P for non-linear trend = 0.014), but no such relationship was found for LDL-C concentrations. These results provided insights into the safety of LDL-C-lowering therapy and emphasized the significance of RC concentrations in lipid management.

A nightmare of clopidogrel resistance in a resource-limited setting: case report of subacute stent thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Stent thrombosis, a life-threatening complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) continues to occur despite effective antiplatelet regimens and improved stenting methods. Noncompliance with dual antiplatelet therapy is the most common etiology; however, in spite of timely and their optimum administration the rates of recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) and stent thrombosis remain high. Clopidogrel resistance is increasingly evoked with elevated risk of anterothrombotic events particularly in the setting of stent implantation. In this case report, we present a case of subacute stent thrombosis associated with clopidogrel resistance in a resource-constrained setting.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 60 year old man with a long standing history of hypertension presented with a 6-month history of progressive shortness of breath. Initial electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed T-wave inversion on lateral leads and echocardiogram revealed akinetic basal lateral wall and hypokinetic mid lateral wall with reduced systolic functions. An elective coronary angiography (CAG) revealed a 90% stenosis of mid left anterior descending (LAD) artery and an 80% stenosis on the proximal left circumflex artery. He underwent a successful PCI with a drug-eluting stent implantation to mid LAD. He was discharged in a stable state 48 h post revascularization with dual antiplatelet (clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid). Seven days later, he presented with a crushing substernal chest pain. Cardiac enzymes were elevated and ECG revealed anterior ST-elevation MI. An emergency CAG revealed a high thrombus burden with 100% occlusion of mid LAD. Following unsuccessful ballooning, intravenous and intracoronary thrombolysis with tenecteplase was given. A TIMI II flow was achieved and the patient was sent to the coronary care unit. However, 14 h later there was yet a new onset of severe chest pain. A 12-lead ECG previewed anterior ST-elevation MI and the cardiac enzymes were high. Urgent CAG revealed in-stent thrombotic total occlusion of mid LAD. A stent in stent was then implanted and TIMI III flow was restored. Clopidogrel resistance was suspected and the patient was transitioned to ticagrelol. There were no further ischemic events during the remainder of hospitalization and the patient was discharged in a hemodynamically stable state three days later. During follow-up after one and three months, he was fairly stable without any further cardiac events.

CONCLUSIONS

Owing to clopidogrel resistance, stent thrombosis in the setting of dual antiplatelet therapy compliance may occur. While in a situation of clopidogrel resistance newer and more potent antiplatelet drugs should be used, their availability and cost remains a significant barrier particularly in the developing world. Nonetheless, a high index of suspicion and timely revascularization is fundamental to restore patency of the thrombosed vessel and confer better risk-adjusted survival rates.

Outcomes with P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after PCI according to bleeding risk: A Bayesian meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy is a promising novel strategy to reduce bleeding complications compared to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In order to personalise treatment with DAPT based on patients' bleeding risk, we compared outcomes after PCI between P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy and DAPT according to bleeding risk.

METHODS

A search for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after a short period of DAPT to standard DAPT after PCI was performed. Outcome differences between treatment groups regarding major bleedings, major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) and net adverse clinical events (NACE) were assessed with hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding credible intervals (CrI) according a Bayesian random effects model in patients with and without high bleeding risk (HBR).

RESULTS

Five RCTs including 30,084 patients were selected. P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy compared to DAPT reduced major bleedings in the total population (HR: 0.65, 95 % CrI: 0.44 to 0.92). The HRs of the HBR and non-HBR subgroups showed a similar reduction of bleedings for monotherapy (HBR: HR 0.66, 95 % CrI: 0.25 to 1.74; non-HBR: HR 0.63, 95 % CrI: 0.36 to 1.09). No notable differences between treatments on MACCE and NACE were observed in either sub-group or in the total population.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of bleeding risk, P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy is the favourable choice after PCI regarding major bleedings and does not increase ischemic events compared to DAPT. This suggests that bleeding risk is not decisive when considering P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy.

Effect of pretreatment with a P2Y12 inhibitor in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background

This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of different types and doses of pretreatment with P2Y12 inhibitors in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

Electronic databases were searched for studies comparing pretreatment with different types and doses of P2Y12 inhibitors or comparison between P2Y12 inhibitor pretreatment and nonpretreatment. Electronic databases included the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Literature was obtained from the establishment of each database until June 2022. The patients included in the study had pretreatment with P2Y12 inhibitors with long-term oral or loading doses, or conventional aspirin treatment (non-pretreatment). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) during follow-up within 30 days after PCI, which included determining the composite endpoints of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, and stroke. The safety endpoint was a major bleeding event.

Results

A total of 119,014 patients from 21 studies were enrolled, including 13 RCTs and eight observational studies. A total of six types of interventions were included-nonpretreatment (placebo), clopidogrel pretreatment, ticagrelor pretreatment, prasugrel pretreatment, double loading pretreatment (double loading dose of clopidogrel, ticagrelor, prasugrel) and P2Y12 inhibitors pretreatment (the included studies did not distinguish the types of P2Y12 inhibitors, including clopidogrel, ticagrelor, and prasugrel). The network meta-analysis results showed that compared to patients without pretreatment, patients receiving clopidogrel pretreatment (RR = 0.78, 95% CI:0.66, 0.91, P < 0.05) and double-loading pretreatment (RR = 0.62, 95% CI:0.41, 0.95, P < 0.05) had a lower incidence of MACCEs. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of major bleeding events among the six pretreatments (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

In patients with NSTE-ACS, pretreatment with P2Y12 inhibitors before percutaneous intervention reduced the incidence of recurrent ischemic events without increasing the risk of major bleeding after PCI compared with nonpretreatment. Clopidogrel or double loading dose P2Y12 inhibitors can be considered for the selection of pretreatment drugs.

[Impact of pretreatment with P2Y12 inhibitors in patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation. Analysis of 2 multicenter registries]

Objectives

To evaluate the rate of use of antiplatelet pretreatment in patients with non-ST elevated acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) and its association with adverse events in two Argentine registries.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively analyzed two Argentine acute coronary syndrome (ACS) registries from 2017 and 2022. We explored the incidence of pretreatment and the drug used. We evaluated the relationship between this strategy and a composite clinical outcome of in-hospital events: death + myocardial infarction + stent thrombosis + post-MI angina + transient ischemic event/cerebrovascular event, and with bleeding events (BARC 2 or higher). Subsequently, we performed a multivariate analysis by logistic regression with other clinical variables.

Results

A total of 1297 patients were included; 75.6% were men, 25.6% diabetics, 27.1% smokers, 70.3% hypertensive, and 23.1% had a previous ACS. The mean age was 55.3 years. The mean GRACE score was 113.5, and the CRUSADE was 23.8. 44% of the patients received pretreatment, the majority with clopidogrel (93.5%). Pretreatment was significantly associated with a higher incidence of the composite clinical outcome (10.1% vs. 6.9%) (OR 1,56; IC 95%: 1,06-2,3; p=0,02). Bleeding events were numerically more frequent with pretreatment (8.7% vs. 5.9%) (OR 1,51; IC95%: 0,99 -2,3; p=0,054). In the multivariate analysis, pretreatment was no longer associated with a higher incidence of ischemic outcomes (OR 1,4; IC95%: 0,89-2,3; p=0,13).

Conclusion

Pretreatment was used in almost half of the patients, mainly with clopidogrel, and did not show a reduction in ischemic events in patients with NSTACS.

Propensity-score-matched analysis of dual antiplatelet treatment and alternative antiplatelet regimens after transcarotid revascularizations

OBJECTIVE

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) continues to be the preferred medication regimen after the placement of a carotid stent using the transcarotid revascularization (TCAR) technique despite a dearth of quality data. Therefore, this investigation was performed to define the risks associated with antiplatelet choice.

METHODS

We queried all patients who underwent TCAR captured by the Vascular Quality Initiative from September 2016 to June 2022, to determine the association between antiplatelet choice and outcomes. Patients maintained on DAPT were compared with those receiving alternative regimens consisting of single antiplatelet, anticoagulation, or a combination of the two. A 1:1 propensity-score match was performed with respect to baseline comorbidities, functional status, anatomic/physiologic risk, medications, and intraoperative characteristics. In-hospital and 1-year outcomes were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

During the study period, 29,802 procedures were included in our study population, with 24,651 (82.7%) receiving DAPT and 5151 (17.3%) receiving an alternative antiplatelet regimen. A propensity-score match with respect to 29 variables generated 4876 unique pairs. Compared with patients on DAPT, in-hospital ipsilateral stroke was significantly higher in patients receiving alternative antiplatelet regimens (1.7% vs 1.1%, odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.54 [1.10-2.16], P = .01), whereas no statistically significant difference was noted with respect to mortality (0.6% vs 0.5%, 1.35 [0.72-2.54], P = .35). A composite of stroke/death was also more likely in patients receiving an alternative regimen (2.4% vs 1.7%, 1.47 [1.12-1.93], P = .01). Immediate stent thrombosis (2.75 [1.16-6.51]) and a nonsignificant trend toward increased return to the operating room were more common in the alternative patients. Conversely, the incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction was lower in the alternative regimen group (0.4% vs 0.7%, 0.53 [0.31-0.90], P = .02). At 1 year after the procedure, we observed an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.34 [1.11-1.63], P < .01) but not stroke (0.52 [0.27-0.99], P = .06) in patients treated with an alternative medication regimen.

CONCLUSIONS

This propensity-score-matched analysis demonstrates an increased risk of in-hospital stroke and 1-year mortality after TCAR in patients treated with an alternative medication regimen instead of DAPT. Further studies are needed to elucidate the drivers of DAPT failure in patients undergoing TCAR to improve outcomes for carotid stenting patients.