Low-Dose Edoxaban in Very Elderly Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Clinical effects of direct oral anticoagulants in elderly patients with a bioprosthetic valve and atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines recommend direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and warfarin for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who have a bioprosthetic valve (BPV). However, the data related to elderly patients (aged ≥80 years) with BPV replacement and AF are limited.

METHODS

This post-hoc subgroup analysis of a BPV-AF Registry enrolled 752 patients with BPV replacement and AF. The primary net outcome was a composite of cardiac death, stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding, and cardiovascular events.

RESULTS

Among 752 patients, 429 (57%) patients were ≥ 80 and 323 (43%) were < 80 years old. The higher risk in patients aged ≥80 than <80 years was significant for the net outcome (hazard ratio [HR], 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-3.17; P = 0.001). After adjustment for confounders, there was no statistically significant difference between warfarin (reference) and DOAC users in the risk of net outcomes (adjusted HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.71-2.24; P = 0.44), stroke and systemic embolism (adjusted HR, 2.01; 95% CI, 0.48-8.38; P = 0.34), and major bleeding (adjusted HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.11-4.98; P = 0.75) in patients aged ≥80 years old as well as those aged <80 years. Among 489 warfarin users, the cumulative incidence of net outcomes tended to be higher in patients aged ≥80 than <80 years (12.2% vs. 5.7% at 1 year, log-rank P = 0.002). Among 263 DOAC users, however, it was similar between patients aged ≥80 and < 80 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that DOAC showed similar efficacy and safety compared with warfarin even in elderly patients aged ≥80 years with BPV replacement and AF.

Pharmacokinetics of Edoxaban 15 mg in Very Elderly Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Subanalysis of the ELDERCARE-AF Study

BACKGROUND

 We evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of low-dose (15 mg) edoxaban in very elderly patients (≥80 years) with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and high bleeding risk.

METHODS

 This subanalysis of the phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter ELDERCARE-AF study evaluated edoxaban plasma concentrations and compared them with the Japanese population of the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 and Japanese severe renal impairment (SRI) studies.

RESULTS

 The PK analysis population included 451 patients, 53.8% of whom concomitantly used antiplatelet drugs, 41.0% had SRI, and 38.0% had low body weight. Edoxaban plasma concentrations at trough and 1 to 3 hours post-dose in ELDERCARE-AF were 17.3 ± 13.9 (n = 427) and 93.3 ± 57.8 ng/mL (n = 447), respectively. These values were slightly higher than the 15 mg group in ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 (n = 79; 12.4 ± 12.1 and n = 115; 78.7 ± 45.0 ng/mL, respectively), lower than the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 high-dose reduced to 30 mg group (n = 83; 25.1 ± 36.6 and n = 111; 150 ± 91.6 ng/mL, respectively), but similar to the Japanese SRI study (n = 39; 18.4 ± 11.2 and n = 40; 96.8 ± 48.3 ng/mL, respectively). ELDERCARE-AF patients with SRI and low body weight (≤45 kg) had higher concentrations than those without, and those taking antiplatelet drugs had lower concentrations than those who were not.

CONCLUSION

 PK data support edoxaban 15 mg once daily for very elderly NVAF patients with high bleeding risk, with caution for patients with SRI and/or low body weight.

Dose Reduction of Edoxaban in Patients 80 Years and Older With Atrial Fibrillation: Post Hoc Analysis of the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

In older patients with atrial fibrillation who take anticoagulants for stroke prevention, bleeding is increased compared with younger patients, thus, clinicians frequently prescribe lower than recommended doses in older patients despite limited randomized data.

Objective

To evaluate ischemic and bleeding outcomes in patients 80 years and older with atrial fibrillation receiving edoxaban, 60 mg vs 30 mg, and edoxaban, 30 mg vs warfarin.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial (Effective Anticoagulation With Factor Xa Next Generation in Atrial Fibrillation-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 48) was a parallel-design, double-blind, global clinical trial that randomized patients with atrial fibrillation to either one of 2 edoxaban dosing regimens or warfarin. This secondary analysis focused on patients 80 years or older without dose-reduction criteria receiving edoxaban, 60 mg vs 30 mg, as well as patients with or without dose-reduction criteria receiving edoxaban, 30 mg, vs warfarin. Study data were analyzed between October 2022 and December 2023.

Interventions

Oral edoxaban, 30 mg once daily; edoxaban, 60 mg once daily; or warfarin.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary net clinical outcome of death, stroke or systemic embolism, and major bleeding and each individual component.

Results

The current analysis included 2966 patients 80 years and older (mean [SD] age, 83 [2.7] years; 1671 male [56%]). Among 1138 patients 80 years and older without dose-reduction criteria, those receiving edoxaban, 60 mg vs 30 mg, had more major bleeding events (hazard ratio [HR], 1.57; 95% CI, 1.04-2.38; P = .03), particularly gastrointestinal hemorrhage (HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.29-3.90; P = .004), with no significant difference in efficacy end points. Findings were supported by analyses of endogenous factor Xa inhibition, a marker of anticoagulant effect, which was comparable between younger patients receiving edoxaban, 60 mg, and older patients receiving edoxaban, 30 mg. In 2406 patients 80 years and older with or without dose-reduction criteria, patients receiving edoxaban, 30 mg, vs warfarin had lower rates of the primary net clinical outcome (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68-0.91; P = .001), major bleeding (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.45-0.77; P < .001), and death (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70-1.00; P = .046), whereas rates of stroke or systemic embolism were comparable.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this post hoc analysis of the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 randomized clinical trial, in patients 80 years and older with atrial fibrillation, major bleeding events were lower in patients randomized to receive edoxaban, 30 mg per day, compared with either edoxaban, 60 mg per day (in patients without dose-reduction criteria), or warfarin (irrespective of dose-reduction status), without an offsetting increase in ischemic events. These data support the concept that lower-dose anticoagulants, such as edoxaban, 30 mg, may be considered in older patients with atrial fibrillation even in the absence of dose-reduction criteria.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00781391.

Comparative effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants and warfarin in atrial fibrillation patients with dementia

INTRODUCTION

Developing an effective stroke prevention strategy is crucial for elderly atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with dementia. This is due to the limited and inconsistent evidence available on this topic. In this nationwide, population-based cohort study, we aim to compare the effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and warfarin in AF patients with dementia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified AF patients with dementia, aged 50 years or older, from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database between 2010 and 2019. The primary outcome was a composite of hospitalizations due to ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction, intracranial hemorrhage, or major bleeding, as well as all-cause mortality. We used 1:1 propensity score matching and Cox proportional hazard models to adjust for confounding factors when comparing outcomes between warfarin and DOAC (apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, or rivaroxaban) users or warfarin and each individual DOAC.

RESULTS

There were 2952 patients in the DOAC-warfarin matched cohort. The apixaban-, dabigatran-, edoxaban-, and rivaroxaban-warfarin matched cohorts had 2346, 2554, 1684, and 2938 patients, respectively. The DOAC group, when compared to warfarin, was associated with a lower risk of both the composite outcome (hazard ratio (HR), 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.95) and ischemic stroke (HR 0.65; 95% CI 0.48-0.87). Apixaban (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.66-0.94), dabigatran (HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.53-0.77), and rivaroxaban (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.70-0.97) were also associated with a lower risk of the composite outcome.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Compared to warfarin, DOACs, whether as a group or apixaban, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban individually, were associated with a reduced risk of the composite outcome in elderly patients with concurrent AF and dementia.

Effectiveness and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in low-weight patients with atrial fibrillation

It remains unclear whether non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are more effective and safer than warfarin in low-weight patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Here, we retrospectively compared the effectiveness and safety of NOACs with those of warfarin in low-weight patients with AF. We extracted the July 2011-September 2022 data of patients with AF treated with a NOAC (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, or edoxaban) or warfarin at a tertiary hospital. The patients were divided into low-weight (body weight ≤ 60 kg) and non-low-weight (body weight = 60-100 kg) groups. The primary outcomes were hospitalization for ischemic stroke (IS) or systemic embolism (SE) and major bleeding, whereas the secondary outcomes were any ischemic and bleeding events. We used the inverse probability of treatment weighting to balance the baseline characteristics between the groups. In total, 5,044 patients (mean age = 73.7 years, mean CHA2DS2-VASc score = 3.0, mean HAS-BLED score = 2.3) were enrolled and divided into low-weight and non-low-weight groups-containing 1,666 (1,406 NOAC users, 260 warfarin users) and 3,378 (2,978 NOAC users, 400 warfarin users) patients, respectively. NOACs were associated with a lower risk of any bleeding event in the low-weight group (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.61, 95% confidence interval = 0.51-0.73). The between-group differences in the risks of IS/SE, any ischemic event, major bleeding, and any bleeding event were nonsignificant. Thus, the use of NOACs (specifically dabigatran or edoxaban) is associated with a lower risk of any bleeding event than warfarin use in low-weight patients with AF.

Patient Outcomes in Very Elderly Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation - ANAFIE Registry

Background

The All Nippon Atrial Fibrillation In the Elderly Registry provides real-world insights into non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in >30,000 elderly Japanese patients (aged ≥75 years), including >2,000 nonagenarians. We aimed to investigate outcomes in these patients by age and oral anticoagulant (OAC) type.

Methods and Results

This prospective, multicenter, observational, cohort, 2-year follow-up study included elderly patients with NVAF who were able to attend hospital visits. The incidences of stroke/systemic embolic events (SEE), major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), cardiovascular death, all-cause death, and major adverse cardiovascular or neurological events (MACNE) were evaluated by age. Incidence rates increased significantly with age. Stroke/SEE, major bleeding, and ICH incidences plateaued in patients aged ≥90 years. Direct OACs (DOACs) yielded a numerically lower event incidence vs. warfarin in all age groups and endpoints, except for major bleeding in patients aged ≥90 years. DOACs (vs. warfarin) were significantly associated with a lower risk of stroke/SEE, major bleeding, and ICH in the ≥80-<85 years group, and reduced cardiovascular and all-cause death in the ≥75-<80 years group. In the ≥90 years subgroup, major bleeding history was a risk factor for all-cause death.

Conclusions

Although DOAC vs. warfarin offers potential benefits for stroke prevention, limitations occurred in reducing major bleeding among those aged ≥90 years, indicating a potential benefit of very-low-dose DOAC for this demographic.

Multidisciplinary Approach in Atrial Fibrillation: As Good as Gold

Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most common sustained arrhythmia necessitating dual focus: acute complication management and sustained longitudinal oversight to modulate disease progression and ensure comprehensive patient care over time. AF is a multifaceted disorder; due to such a great number of potential exacerbating conditions, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) should manage AF patients by cooperating with a cardiologist. Effective management of AF patients necessitates the implementation of a well-coordinated and tailored care pathway aimed at delivering optimized treatment through collaboration among various healthcare professionals. Management of AF should be carefully evaluated and mutually agreed upon in consultation with healthcare providers. It is crucial to recognize that treatment may evolve due to the emergence of new risk factors, symptoms, disease progression, and advancements in treatment modalities. In the context of multidisciplinary AF teams, a coordinated approach involves assembling a diverse team tailored to meet individual patients' unique needs based on local services' availability.

Risk of ocular neovascular conversion and systemic bleeding complications in patients with AMD on DOACs or Warfarin

PURPOSE

Conversion to neovascular disease in patients with non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) initiated on direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) compared to matched patients treated with warfarin.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS, PARTICIPANTS, AND/OR CONTROLS

The study included 20,300 patients and 13,387 patients with non-neovascular AMD initiated on DOACs or warfarin, respectively, before propensity score matching (PSM).

METHODS, INTERVENTION, OR TESTING

TriNetX (Cambridge, MA, USA), was used to identify patients diagnosed with non-neovascular AMD stratified by treatment with DOACs or warfarin with at least six months of follow-up. Propensity score matching was performed to control for baseline demographics and medical comorbidities.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Relative risk (RR) of developing neovascular AMD, macular hemorrhage (MH), vitreous hemorrhage (VH), and requiring an ocular intervention (intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy or pars plana vitrectomy (PPV)) within six months and one year. Patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) on anticoagulation were separately evaluated for the same measures within 5 years after initiating therapy.

RESULTS

Treatment with warfarin was associated with higher risk of developing neovascular AMD at six months (RR,1.24, 95% CI, 1.12 - 1.39; P<.001) and one year (RR, 1.26, 95% CI, 1.14 - 1.40; P<.001) when compared to matched patients treated with DOACs. There was an increased risk of requiring intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy (6 months: RR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.13-1.49; P<.001; 1 year: RR, 1.31, 95% CI, 0.72 - 2.05; P<.001) and PPV (6 months: RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.16-3.94; P = .01; 1 year: RR, 2.29, 95% CI, 1.30 - 4.05; P=.003). Among patients with AMD and AF treated with warfarin, there was an increased risk of ocular complications (neovascular AMD: RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.14-1.38; P<.001; MH: RR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.47-2.35; P<.001; VH: RR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.51-3.26; P<.001) and need for intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy (RR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.18-1.52; P<.001) over an extended 5-year period. There was no significant difference in the development of major systemic hemorrhagic events between the two cohorts over five years.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with non-neovascular AMD treated with warfarin were more likely to develop neovascular disease and require ocular intervention for hemorrhagic complications when compared to matched patients initiated on DOACs.

Trajectories of Frailty and Clinical Outcomes in Older Adults With Atrial Fibrillation: Insights From the Shizuoka Kokuho Database

BACKGROUND

The increasing prevalence of frailty has gained considerable attention due to its profound influence on clinical outcomes. However, our understanding of the progression of frailty and long-term clinical outcomes in older individuals with atrial fibrillation remains scarce.

METHODS

Using data from 2012 to 2018 from a comprehensive claims database incorporating primary and hospital care records in Shizuoka, Japan, we selected patients aged ≥65 years with atrial fibrillation who initiated oral anticoagulant therapy. The trajectory of frailty was plotted using Sankey plots, illustrating the annual changes in their frailty according to the electronic frailty index during a 3-year follow-up after oral anticoagulant initiation, along with the incidence of clinical adverse outcomes. For deceased patients, we assessed their frailty status in the year preceding their death.

RESULTS

Of 6247 eligible patients (45.1% women; mean age, 79.3±8.0 years) at oral anticoagulant initiation, 7.7% were categorized as fit (electronic frailty index, 0-0.12), 30.1% as mildly frail (>0.12-0.24), 35.4% as moderately frail (>0.24-0.36), and 25.9% as severely frail (>0.36). Over the 3-year follow-up, 10.4% of initially fit patients transitioned to moderately frail or severely frail. Conversely, 12.5% of severely frail patients improved to fit or mildly frail. Death, stroke, and major bleeding occurred in 23.4%, 4.1%, and 2.2% of patients, respectively. Among the mortality cases, 74.8% (N=1183) and 3.5% (N=55) had experienced moderately or severely frail and either a stroke or major bleeding in the year preceding their death, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In a contemporary era of atrial fibrillation management, a minor fraction of older patients on oral anticoagulants died following a stroke or major bleeding. However, their frailty demonstrated a dynamic trajectory, and a substantial proportion of death was observed after transitioning to a moderately or severely frail state.

Association between antithrombotic drug regimen changes and clinical outcomes after stroke in atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

The impact of post-stroke antithrombotic regimen in atrial fibrillation is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe antithrombotic therapy prescribing patterns after ischemic stroke and the impact on outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 23,165 patients with atrial fibrillation experiencing ischemic stroke were identified. Subsequent post-stroke events included recurrent ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, major bleeding, mortality, and composite outcomes.

RESULTS

Of those who were nonanticoagulated before a stroke, 33.5% remained nonanticoagulated and 39.2% were prescribed only antiplatelet agents (APs) after a stroke. Compared with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) after stroke, there was a significant increase in ischemic stroke and mortality in nonanticoagulated patients (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.09 and 3.92) and AP users (aHR, 1.32 and 1.28). Post-stroke warfarin was associated with a significantly increased risk of major bleeding compared with NOACs (aHR, 1.23). Of 769 patients receiving NOACs before stroke and continuing NOACs after stroke, those switching to a different NOAC were associated with significantly higher risk of ischemic stroke (aHR, 2.07) and composite outcomes (aHR, 1.36-1.85) with no difference in intracranial hemorrhage, major bleeding, or mortality compared with those receiving the same NOAC after stroke. Of patients receiving NOACs before stroke, the risks of clinical events were similar between patients taking NOACs alone and those taking NOAC plus AP after stroke.

CONCLUSION

NOAC alone after stroke was associated with a better clinical outcome compared with nonanticoagulation, AP, or warfarin. Of patients already taking NOACs before stroke, the addition of AP did not confer additional benefits compared with NOACs alone. A change of NOAC types after stroke was associated with a 2-fold higher risk of ischemic stroke and composite outcomes.

Optimal Dose of Edoxaban for Very Elderly Atrial Fibrillation Patients at High Risk of Bleeding: The LEDIOS Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Optimal anticoagulation in very elderly patients is challenging due to the high risk of anticoagulant-induced bleeding. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes of on-label reduced-dose edoxaban (30 mg) in very elderly patients who had additional risk factors for bleeding.

METHODS

This was a multi-center, prospective, non-interventional observational study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of on-label reduced-dose edoxaban in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients 80 years of age or older and who had more than 1 risk factor for bleeding.

RESULTS

A total of 2448 patients (mean age 75.0±8.3 years, 801 [32.7%] males) was included in the present study, and 586 (23.9%) were 80 years of age or older with additional risk factors for bleeding. Major bleeding events occurred frequently among very elderly AF patients who had additional bleeding risk factors compared to other patients (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-4.02); however, there were no significant differences in stroke incidence (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 0.98-3.55). There were no significant differences for either factor after adjusting for age and sex (adjusted HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 0.75-3.62 for major bleeding; adjusted HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.51-2.50 for stroke).

CONCLUSIONS

In very elderly AF patients with comorbidities associated with greater risk of bleeding, the incidence of major bleeding events was significantly increased. In addition, risk of stroke showed tendency to increase in same population. Effective anticoagulation therapy might be important in these high-risk population, and close observation of bleeding events might also be required.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03554837.

What is the Future Position of Factor XIa Inhibitors for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation?

Factor XIa (FXIa) may be involved in thrombus formation, but only to a lesser extent involved in haemostasis. Several novel FXIa inhibitors are under investigation, and Phase II trials demonstrated marked reduction of bleeding compared with standard treatment by factor Xa inhibitors. Asundexian is a small molecule that selectively inhibits FXIa. A large-scale Phase III clinical trial, OCEANIC-AF, has been initiated to compare the efficacy and safety between asundexian and apixaban. However, the OCEANIC-AF study was recently halted due to the inferior efficacy of asundexian versus the apixaban control arm. The present report describes up-to-date evidence of FXIa inhibitors and discusses the future position of FXIa inhibitors for patients with AF.

Selection criteria for anticoagulants: survey of Japanese cardiologists based on their daily clinical practice: the Selection DOAC study

BACKGROUND

In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been utilized as an alternative to warfarin, which is known to have several limitations. This study aimed to clarify the selection criteria for anticoagulants, considering both individual patient factors and the differences between various drugs.

METHODS

This study conducted a web-based questionnaire from September 20, 2023 to October 3, 2023, among physicians who were members of a cardiology-specific website.

RESULTS

In total, 172 respondents were enrolled in this study. Edoxaban was the most frequently selected anticoagulant (39.1%), followed by apixaban (32.7%) and rivaroxaban (16.8%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that increased concern for adherence enhanced the frequency of selecting edoxaban (odds ratio [OR] = 2.42; p = 0.047), with the opposite trend observed for dabigatran (OR = 0.404; p = 0.029). The selection of apixaban is related to whether the patient is able to maintain a regular lifestyle, including adherence to medication schedules (OR = 1.874; p = 0.031). Furthermore, detailing activities from a medical representative, especially regarding a new indication, were found to influence drug selection for rivaroxaban (OR = 2.422; p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that edoxaban is the most frequently selected anticoagulant. Although prescribing cardiologists select drugs based on background factors, adherence to medication and information from medical representatives were also crucial factors in the selection process.

Time to benefit and harm of direct oral anticoagulants in device-detected atrial fibrillation: A pooled analysis of the NOAH-AFNET 6 and ARTESiA trials

BACKGROUND

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) reduce stroke risk in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation (DD-AFib) but increase major bleeding risk. The time to benefit (TTB) and time to harm (TTH) are not well quantified.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine TTB and TTH in DOAC-treated patients with DD-AFib.

METHODS

Studies were identified from PubMed searching until November 2023. The primary efficacy outcome was the time to the first stroke event, and the primary safety outcome was the time to the first major bleeding event. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) and its confidence interval (CI) were calculated through reconstructed patient-level data and study-level data. Weibull model and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation were applied to determine time to specific absolute risk change thresholds.

RESULTS

Two trials involving DOACs-NOAH-AFNET 6 (Non-vitamin K antagonist Oral anticoagulants in patients with Atrial High rate episodes) and ARTESiA (Apixaban for the Reduction of Thrombo-Embolism in Patients With Device-Detected Sub-Clinical Atrial Fibrillation)-were identified, which randomized 6548 adults with a mean age of >75 years and a median atrial high-rate episode duration ranging from 1.5 to 2.8 hours. DOACs decreased the risk of stroke (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.50-0.90) but increased the risk of major bleeding (HR 1.57; 95% CI 1.21-2.04). A TTB of 2.67 years was needed to prevent 1 stroke per 100 DOAC-treated patients, while a TTH of 1.67 years was needed to observe 1 major bleeding.

CONCLUSION

In elderly patients with low durations of DD-AFib, DOACs result in a delayed and restricted stroke-preventive benefit while posing an early-onset bleeding risk. Our findings offer new insights into the risk-benefit profile and provide clinicians an additional dimension to facilitate shared decision-making discussions with patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Rivaroxaban for Extremely Aged Patients with Venous Thromboembolism: A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Real-World Study

Background

Rivaroxaban, a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant, has become widely used for the management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult patients. However, few trials have explored the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in VTE patients over 80 years of age. This necessitates further real-world studies of rivaroxaban across elderly populations.

Methods

We performed a retrospective single center study involving extremely aged VTE sufferers treated with rivaroxaban. The sample comprised 121 patients newly initiated on rivaroxaban diagnosed between January 2018 and January 2020. Patients were followed up for no less than 2 years. The effectiveness outcome was the disappearance of thromboembolism. The safety outcome was the incidence of major bleeding events. Comorbidities and complications were recorded throughout the entire study.

Results

The efficacy outcome occurred in 114 of 121 patients (94.21%) and the safety outcome occurred in 12 of 121 patients (9.91%). Increased hemorrhages were observed in patients with infection (15.15% vs 7.80%), but no significant difference was observed due to limited sample size (P=0.3053). Patients with an age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index score higher than 6 points exhibited higher bleeding rates (14.08% vs 4.00%; P=0.0676) and lower thrombus cure rates (88.73% vs 100%; P=0.0203).

Key conclusions

Patients with infection should be more careful of bleeding events during rivaroxaban therapy. An age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index score higher than 6, which predicted poor survival, indicated inferior safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban.

Aim

To investigate the efficacy and safety of Rivaroxaban in an aged venous thromboembolism patient population under real-world conditions.

Clinical characteristics of apixaban prescription in AF patients with single dose-reduction criterion: the ASPIRE (efficAcy and safety of aPixaban in rEal-world practice in Korean frail patients with atrial fibrillation) study

Background

Data on off-label reduced dose risk among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who qualify for a single-dose reduction of apixaban is scarce.

Objectives

We prospectively assessed apixaban dosing and clinical characteristics in AF patients meeting a dose reduction criterion.

Methods

The multicentre, prospective cohort study, the efficAcy and Safety of aPixaban In REal-world practice in Korean frail patients with AF (ASPIRE), encompasses patients with AF who met the criteria for a single-dose reduction of apixaban and were given varying doses of apixaban, either the on-label standard dose or the off-label reduced dose.

Results

Of 2,000 patients (mean age 74.3 ± 7.9 years, 55.8% women), 29.7% were ≥80 years, 62.6% weighed ≤60 kg, and 7.8% had serum creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dL. Of these, 51.3% were prescribed an off-label reduced dose of apixaban. The off-label group was characterized with older age, more comorbidities, and antiplatelet agents, while the on-label group had more prior strokes. Physicians preferred off-label reduced dose in the "marginal zone," defined as age 75-80 years, weight 60-65 kg, and creatinine levels 1.2-1.5 mg/dL.

Conclusions

In real-world clinical setting of the Korean population, off-label reduced dose apixaban was administered to nearly half of the patients who qualified for a single dose reduction. This reduced dosage was more commonly prescribed to patients with frail characteristics, while patients with a history of stroke were more often given the standard dose as per the label. A future study is planned to contrast the safety and effectiveness of the standard dose against the reduced dose of apixaban in this population.

Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, significantly impacting patients' quality of life and increasing the risk of death, stroke, heart failure, and dementia. Over the past two decades, there have been significant breakthroughs in AF risk prediction and screening, stroke prevention, rhythm control, catheter ablation, and integrated management. During this period, the scale, quality, and experience of AF management in China have greatly improved, providing a solid foundation for the development of the guidelines for the diagnosis and management of AF. To further promote standardized AF management, and apply new technologies and concepts to clinical practice timely and fully, the Chinese Society of Cardiology of Chinese Medical Association and the Heart Rhythm Committee of Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering jointly developed the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation. The guidelines comprehensively elaborated on various aspects of AF management and proposed the CHA2DS2‑VASc‑60 stroke risk score based on the characteristics of the Asian AF population. The guidelines also reevaluated the clinical application of AF screening, emphasized the significance of early rhythm control, and highlighted the central role of catheter ablation in rhythm control.

Oral anticoagulant therapy in older adults

Patients aged ≥65 years not only account for the majority of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE), they are also at a higher risk of morbidity, mortality, and undertreatment than younger patients. Several age-related physiological changes with effects on drug pharmacokinetics/-dynamics and blood vessel fragility as well as the higher prevalence of geriatric conditions such as frailty, multimorbidity, polypharmacy, fall risk, dementia, and malnutrition make older persons more vulnerable to disease- and anticoagulation-related complications. Moreover, because older patients with AF/VTE are underrepresented in oral anticoagulation (OAC) trials, evidence on OAC in older adults with AF/VTE is mainly based on subgroup analyses from clinical trials and observational studies. A growing body of such limited evidence suggests that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may be superior in terms of efficacy and safety compared to vitamin K antagonists in older persons with AF/VTE and that specific DOACs may have a differing risk-benefit profile. In this narrative review, we summarize the evidence on epidemiology of AF/VTE, impact of age-related physiological changes, efficacy/safety of OAC, specifically considering individuals with common geriatric conditions, and review OAC guideline recommendations for older adults with AF/VTE. We also propose a research agenda to improve the evidence basis on OAC older individuals with AF/VTE, including the conduct of advanced age-specific and pragmatic studies using less restrictive eligibility criteria and patient-reported health outcomes, in order to compare the effectiveness and safety of different DOACs, and investigate lower-dose regimens and optimal OAC durations in older patients.

Oral anticoagulants and cognitive impairment in patients with atrial fibrillation: A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

BACKGROUND

This systematic review assesses the likelihood of developing dementia and cognitive impairment in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) as opposed to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs).

METHODS

We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA), which encompassed both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. The objective was to assess the impact of NOACs and VKAs on the incidence of dementia in individuals diagnosed with AF.

RESULTS

Out of 1914 studies that were screened, 31 studies were included in the final analysis, which consisted of nine RCTs or their subsequent post-hoc analyses, in addition to 22 observational studies. The meta-analysis shows that NOACs were associated with a decreased probability of developing dementia of any cause [Rate Ratio (RR): 0.88; 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI): 0.82-0.94], especially in patients below the age of 75 (RR: 0.78; 95 % CI: 0.73-0.84). Consistent patterns were observed across all forms of dementia and cognitive function decline. The overall evidence indicates notable variability in the outcome with a moderate-to-low degree of certainty. The TSA suggests that the total sample size of the included trials (155,647 patients) was significantly smaller than the required information size of 784,692 patients to discern the true effect of NOAC versus VKA in terms of reducing dementia risk.

CONCLUSION

NOACs may reduce the likelihood of developing dementia in patients with AF, particularly in those under the age of 75. This review highlights the urgent necessity for thorough research to determine the efficacy of NOACs in safeguarding cognitive health.

Initial results of transcatheter modification of left atrial appendage by obliteration with device in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: Real-world data from the TERMINATOR registry

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has increased for those who need alternative to long-term anticoagulation with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

From September 2019, after initiating WATCHMAN (Boston Scientific, Maple Grove, MN, USA) device implantation, we established Transcatheter Modification of Left Atrial Appendage by Obliteration with Device in Patients from the NVAF (TERMINATOR) registry. Utilizing 729 patients' data until January 2022, we analyzed percutaneous LAAC data regarding this real-world multicenter prospective registry. A total of 729 patients were enrolled. Average age was 74.9 years and 28.5 % were female. Paroxysmal AF was 37.9 % with average CHADS2 3.2, CHA2DS2-VASc 4.7, and HAS-BLED score of 3.4. WATCHMAN implantation was successful in 99.0 %. All-cause deaths were 3.2 %, and 1.2 % cardiovascular or unexplained deaths occurred during follow-up [median 222, interquartile range (IQR: 93-464) days]. Stroke occurred in 2.2 %, and the composite endpoint which included cardiovascular or unexplained death, stroke, and systemic embolism were counted as 3.4 % [median 221, (IQR: 93-464) days]. Major bleeding defined as BARC type 3 or 5 was seen in 3.7 %, and there was 8.6 % of all bleeding events in total [median 219, (IQR: 93-464) days].

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary data demonstrated percutaneous LAAC with WATCHMAN device might have a potential to reduce stroke and bleeding events for patients with NVAF. Further investigation is mandatory to confirm the long-term results of this strategy using this transcatheter local therapy instead of life-long systemic anticoagulation.

Direct oral anticoagulants compared with other strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation and stroke or transient ischemic attack: Systematic review

BACKGROUND

For patients with atrial fibrillation and a prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), the risk-benefit of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared to alternative treatment approaches has not been firmly established. We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate efficacy and safety of DOACs vs warfarin and DOACs vs aspirin or placebo in patients with AF and a prior stroke or TIA.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1, 2000, to January 31, 2023, to find RCTs. Risk ratio (RR) with 95 % CI measured the association of DOACs vs warfarin, and DOACs vs aspirin or placebo, with clinical outcomes. Primary efficacy outcome was stroke or systemic embolism and primary safety outcome was ICH.

RESULTS

We identified 7 RCTs with 19,111 patients with AF and a prior stroke or TIA, of which 5 trials compared DOACs with warfarin and 2 trials compared DOACs vs aspirin or placebo. Compared with warfarin, DOACs were associated with a lower risk of stroke or systemic embolism (RR, 0.85; 95 % CI, 0.75-0.97) and ICH (RR, 0.53; 95 % CI, 0.41-0.68). Compared with aspirin or placebo, DOACs were associated with a reduced risk of stroke or systemic embolism (RR, 0.33; 95 % CI, 0.19-0.58) and risk of ICH did not differ between apixaban and aspirin.

CONCLUSION

This contemporary evaluation of the literature indicates that DOACs, rather than other antithrombotic agents or no treatment, should be used in patients with AF and a prior stroke or TIA.

Assessment and Management of Atrial Fibrillation in Older Adults with Frailty

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major driver of morbidity and mortality among older adults with frailty. Moreover, frailty is highly prevalent in older adults with AF. Understanding and addressing the needs of frail older adults with AF is imperative to guide clinicians caring for older adults. In this review, we summarize current evidence to support the assessment and management of older adults with AF and frailty, incorporating numerous recent landmark trials and studies in the context of the 2023 US AF guideline.

Characteristics and outcomes in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and high bleeding risk: subanalysis of the J-RHYTHM Registry

Recently, a once-daily dose of edoxaban (15-mg) has been approved for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients aged ≥ 80 years, in whom standard oral anticoagulants are not recommended because of high bleeding risk (HBR), based on the ELDERCARE-AF trial. However, information regarding the characteristics and clinical outcomes among such patients is limited. Thus, this study aimed to clarify the characteristics and event rates in elderly patients with NVAF and HBR defined by the ELDERCARE-AF criteria. Of the 7406 NVAF outpatients included in the J-RHYTHM Registry, 60 patients with creatinine clearance (CrCl) < 15 mL/min were excluded. The remaining 7346 patients (age, 69.7 ± 9.9 years; men, 70.9%; warfarin use, 78.7%) were divided into three groups: Group 1, aged < 80 years (n = 6165); Group 2, aged ≥ 80 years without HBR (n = 584); and Group 3, aged ≥ 80 years with HBR (at least one of the followings; CrCl, 15-30 mL/min, history of bleeding, body weight ≤ 45 kg, and antiplatelet use) (n = 597, eligible for 15-mg edoxaban). Patients in Group 3 had a higher prevalence of comorbidities, and therefore, both higher thromboembolic and bleeding risk scores than in the other groups. During the 2-year follow-up period, the incidence rates (per 100 person-years) of thromboembolism in Groups 1, 2, and 3 were 0.7, 1.5, and 2.1 (P < 0.001), major hemorrhage, 0.8, 1.2, and 2.0 (P < 0.001), and all-cause death, 0.8, 2.6, and 4.6 (P < 0.001), respectively. Adjusted hazard ratios of Group 3 were 1.64 (95% confidence interval 0.89-3.04, P = 0.116) for thromboembolism, 1.53 (0.85-2.72, P = 0.154) for major hemorrhage, and 1.84 (1.19-2.85, P = 0.006) for all-cause death compared with Group 1. The NVAF Patients aged ≥ 80 years with HBR defined by the ELDERCARE-AF criteria were certainly at a higher adverse event risk, especially for all-cause death. Clinical trial registration: The J-RHYTHM Registry is registered in the University Hospital Medicine Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trials Registry (unique identifier: UMIN000001569) http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/ .

Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, significantly impacting patients' quality of life and increasing the risk of death, stroke, heart failure, and dementia. Over the past two decades, there have been significant breakthroughs in AF risk prediction and screening, stroke prevention, rhythm control, catheter ablation, and integrated management. During this period, the scale, quality, and experience of AF management in China have greatly improved, providing a solid foundation for the development of guidelines for the diagnosis and management of AF. To further promote standardized AF management, and apply new technologies and concepts to clinical practice in a timely and comprehensive manner, the Chinese Society of Cardiology of the Chinese Medical Association and the Heart Rhythm Committee of the Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering have jointly developed the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation. The guidelines have comprehensively elaborated on various aspects of AF management and proposed the CHA2DS2-VASc-60 stroke risk score based on the characteristics of AF in the Asian population. The guidelines have also reevaluated the clinical application of AF screening, emphasized the significance of early rhythm control, and highlighted the central role of catheter ablation in rhythm control.

Frailty in clinical drug trials: Frailty assessments, subgroup analyses and outcomes

With population ageing, drug trials are increasingly turning their attention to including older, frailer people. This review aimed to provide an overview of how frailty was assessed in published studies related to clinical pharmacological trials, and on the interaction of frailty on the efficacy of the treatments. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane for clinical drug trials in older people. A total of 4031 abstracts were screened and 17 relevant studies were included in this review. We summarized the findings of these 17 trials into five main clinical areas: cardiovascular (eight studies), cognition (one study), vaccination (two studies), cancer (four studies) and other (two studies). Frailty was assessed retrospectively in most of the studies. Frailty was treated as an ordinal variable (with different levels of frailty) or binary variable (frail/non-frail) using cut-offs in some studies, and as a continuous in some other studies. The effect of frailty on the treatment efficacy was not consistent among the studies. While several trials, such as the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease-Preterax and Diamicron Modified Release Controlled Evaluation trials, the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial and the Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly trial, showed some reduced effects of the treatment in frail patients, most of the trials showed that the benefits of the treatment are not affected by frailty. Some trials even showed that the benefits of the treatment were more significant in frailer patients (the Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure and the Dapagliflozin Evaluation to Improve the Lives of Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure trials). The results of this review suggest that routine measurement of frailty in participants in clinical drug trials would improve our knowledge of the effect of treatment in the frail and identify those who have more or least to gain from treatment.

Clinical trial evaluation: the EDOSURE clinical trial program

EDOSURE is a trial program of the direct oral anticoagulant drug edoxaban, comprising ten randomized clinical trials of which eight are currently published. They evaluate the use of edoxaban in the treatment of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and acute venous thromboembolism, including in special circumstances such as patients undergoing cardiac procedures, cancer-associated venous thromboembolism, and elderly patients whose bleeding risk precludes conventional anticoagulation strategies. As a result of the collective evidence generated by EDOSURE, edoxaban is now recommended as a treatment option by numerous international guidelines. This review summarizes the context, rationale, and key findings of the studies.

Oral Anticoagulation Use in Individuals With Atrial Fibrillation and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Review

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is associated with an increased risk of stroke, which increases as kidney function declines. In the general population and in those with a moderate degree of CKD (creatinine clearance 30-50 mL/min), the use of oral anticoagulation to decrease the risk of stroke has been the standard of care based on a favorable risk-benefit profile that had been established in seminal randomized controlled trials. However, evidence regarding the use of oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention is less clear in patients with severe CKD (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min) and those receiving maintenance dialysis, as these individuals were excluded from such large randomized controlled trials. Nevertheless, the direct oral anticoagulants have invariably usurped vitamin K antagonists as the preferred choice for oral anticoagulation among patients with AF across all strata of CKD based on their well-defined safety and efficacy and multiple pharmacokinetic benefits (e.g., less drug-drug interactions). This review summarizes the current literature on the role of oral anticoagulation in the management of AF among patients with CKD and highlights current deficiencies in the evidence base and how to overcome them.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Venous Thromboembolism Receiving Edoxaban in the Real World

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness and safety of edoxaban for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in unselected real-world patients have not been fully evaluated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the Japanese nationwide administrative database, we identified 6,262 VTE patients in whom edoxaban was initiated; these patients were divided into 3 groups based on their index doses: 15 mg/day (n=235), 30 mg/day (n=4,532), and 60 mg/day (n=1,495). We evaluated patient characteristics, recurrent VTEs, and a composite endpoint of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Patient characteristics among the 15-, 30-, and 60-mg edoxaban groups varied widely regarding several aspects, including age (mean 81.0, 76.2, and 65.0 years, respectively) and body weight (mean 49.5, 51.8, and 70.3 kg, respectively). At 180 days, the cumulative incidence of recurrent VTEs in the 15-, 30-, and 60-mg edoxaban groups was 4.4%, 2.6%, and 1.8%, respectively, whereas that of ICH or GI bleeding was 7.3%, 5.4%, and 3.3%, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed that the cumulative incidence of ICH or GI bleeding in patients in the 15-mg edoxaban group was 3.6% for patients aged ≥80 years, 8.4% for those with a body weight <60 kg, and 31.3% for those with renal dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Only a minority of patients with VTEs received a super low dose (15 mg) of edoxaban, and these patients may be at higher risk of bleeding as well as VTE recurrence.

Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Edoxaban by Body Weight in Very Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Subanalysis of the Randomized ELDERCARE-AF Trial

BACKGROUND

The ELDERCARE-AF trial showed that low-dose edoxaban benefits elderly patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation considered ineligible for standard oral anticoagulants due to high bleeding risk, but whether this applied to patients with extremely low body weight was unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This was a prespecified subanalysis by body weight (≤45, >45 kg) of the phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven ELDERCARE-AF trial, which compared low-dose edoxaban (15 mg once daily) with placebo in Japanese patients considered ineligible for oral anticoagulants at the recommended therapeutic strength or the approved doses. The primary efficacy and safety end points were stroke or systemic embolism and major bleeding (International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis definition), respectively. The ≤45-kg weight group included 374/984 patients (38.0%), and the >45-kg group included 610/984 patients (62.0%). The stroke or systemic embolism rate was lower with edoxaban than placebo in both weight groups (≤45 kg: hazard ratio [HR], 0.36 [95% CI, 0.16-0.80]; >45 kg: HR, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.13-0.73]; interaction P=0.82). Major bleeding incidence was numerically higher with edoxaban than placebo (≤45 kg: HR, 3.05 [95% CI, 0.84-11.11]; >45 kg: HR, 1.40 [95% CI, 0.56-3.48), with no interaction with body weight (interaction P=0.33). All-cause mortality was higher in the ≤45-kg group, with no significant difference between treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The benefit of edoxaban 15 mg was consistent in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation and extremely low body weight, though clinicians must remain vigilant about the risk of major bleeding, especially gastrointestinal bleeding.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT02801669.

Edoxaban for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and factors associated with dosing: patient characteristics from the prospective observational ETNA-AF-China registry

Real-world data on effectiveness and safety of a single non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant in the Chinese population with atrial fibrillation (AF) are limited. This study reports characteristics of patients treated with edoxaban and factors associated with dosing patterns from routine care in China. ETNA-AF-China (NCT04747496) is a multicentre, prospective, observational study enrolling edoxaban-treated patients from four economic regions with a targeted 2-year follow-up. Of the 4930 patients with AF (mean age: 70.2 ± 9.5 years; male, 57.1%), the mean creatinine clearance (CrCl), CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED scores were 71.2 mL/min, 2.9, and 1.6. Overall, 6.4% of patients were perceived as frail by investigators. Available label dose reduction criteria (N = 4232) revealed that 3278 (77.5%) patients received recommended doses and 954 (22.5%) non-recommended doses. Northeast (53.0%) and West (43.1%) regions had the highest prescriptions of 60 mg and 30 mg recommended doses, respectively. Non-recommended 30 mg doses were more frequently prescribed in patients with antiplatelet use and history of heart failure than recommended 60 mg. Multivariate analysis identified advanced age as the strongest associated factor with non-recommended doses. Frailty had the strongest association with 30 mg except for age, and history of TIA was the most relevant factor associated with 60 mg. In conclusion, patients in the ETNA-AF-China study were predominantly aged 65 years and older, had mild-to-moderate renal impairment and good label adherence. Advanced age was associated with non-recommended doses, with frailty most common for non-recommended 30 mg and a history of TIA for the non-recommended 60 mg dose.

Atrial fibrillation: stroke prevention

Stroke prevention is central to the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) which has moved towards a more holistic or integrative care approach. The published evidence suggests that management of AF patients following such a holistic approach based on the Atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway is associated with a lower risk of stroke and adverse events. Risk assessment, re-assessment and use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are important for stroke prevention in AF. The stroke and bleeding risks of AF patients are not static and should be re-assessed regularly. Bleeding risk assessment is to address and mitigate modifiable bleeding risk factors, and to identify high bleeding risk patients for early review and follow-up. Well-controlled comorbidities and healthy lifestyles also play an important role to achieve a better clinical outcome. Digital health solutions are increasingly relevant in the diagnosis and management of patients with AF, with the potential to improve stroke prevention. In this review, we provide an update on stroke prevention in AF, including importance of holistic management, risk assessment/re-assessment, and stroke prevention for special AF populations. Evidence-based and structured management of AF patients would reduce the risk of stroke and other adverse events.

Clinical Outcomes in Older Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry

BACKGROUND

Oral anticoagulants (OAC) are underutilized in older patients with atrial fibrillation, despite proven clinical benefits. Our objective was to investigate baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and impact of anticoagulation upon clinical outcomes with respect to age.

METHODS

Adults with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation were recruited into the prospective observational registry, GARFIELD-AF, and followed up for 24 months. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were obtained via Cox proportional-hazards models with applied weights, to quantify the association of age with clinical outcomes. Comparative effectiveness of OAC vs No OAC and non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) vs vitamin K antagonists (VKA) were assessed using a propensity score with an overlap weighting scheme.

RESULTS

Of 52,018 patients, 32.6% were 65-74 years of age, 29.3% were 75-84 years, and 7.9% were ≥85 years. OAC treatment was associated with a numerical reduction in all-cause mortality among those aged 65-74 years (HR; 95% confidence interval) (0.86; 0.69-1.06) and aged 75-84 years (0.89; 0.75-1.05) and a significant reduction in patients ≥85 years (0.77; 0.63-0.95) vs no OAC. Similarly, OACs were associated with a decrease in stroke: 65-74 (0.51; 0.35-0.76) and ≥85 years (0.58; 0.34-0.99) and a numerical decrease in 75-84 years (0.84; 0.59-1.18). No increase in major bleeding was observed in patients aged ≥85 treated with OACs. Compared with VKA, NOACs were associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality in patients aged <65 and 65-74, with numerical reductions in those aged 75-84 and ≥85 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Older patients using OACs saw lower all-cause mortality and stroke risk; NOACs had less mortality and major bleeding compared with VKAs.

Rivaroxaban vs Vitamin K Antagonist in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease

Background

Treatment with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) has been linked to worsening of kidney function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objectives

XARENO (Factor XA-inhibition in RENal patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation Observational registry; NCT02663076) is a prospective observational study comparing adverse kidney outcomes in patients with AF and advanced chronic kidney disease receiving rivaroxaban or VKA.

Methods

Patients with AF and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15 to 49 mL/min/1.73 m2 were included. Blinded adjudicated outcome analysis evaluated adverse kidney outcomes (a composite of eGFR decline to <15 mL/min/1.73 m2, need for chronic kidney replacement therapy, or development of acute kidney injury). A composite net clinical benefit outcome (stroke or systemic embolism, major bleeding, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, or cardiovascular death) was also analyzed. HRs with 95% CIs were calculated using propensity score overlap weighting Cox regression.

Results

There were 1,455 patients (764 rivaroxaban; 691 VKA; mean age 78 years; 44% females). The mean eGFR was 37.1 ± 9.0 in those receiving rivaroxaban and 36.4 ± 10.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 in those receiving VKA. After a median follow-up of 2.1 years, rivaroxaban was associated with less adverse kidney outcomes (HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.43-0.88) and all-cause death (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.98). No significant differences were observed in net clinical benefit.

Conclusions

In patients with AF and advanced chronic kidney disease, those receiving rivaroxaban had less adverse kidney events and lower all-cause mortality compared to those receiving VKA, supporting the use of rivaroxaban in this high-risk group of patients.

Safety outcomes of direct oral anticoagulants in older adults with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of (subgroup analyses from) randomized controlled trials

Balancing stroke prevention and risk of bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is challenging. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are by now considered standard of care for treating patients with AF in international guidelines. Our objective was to assess the safety of long-term intake of DOACs in older adults with AF. We included RCTs in elderly (≥ 65 years) patients with AF. A systematic search in MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed on 19 April 2022. For determination of risk of bias, the RoB 2 tool was applied. We pooled outcomes using random-effects meta-analyses. The quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Eleven RCTs with a total of 63,374 patients were identified. Two RCTs compared apixaban with either warfarin or aspirin, four edoxaban with either placebo, aspirin, or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), two dabigatran with warfarin and three rivaroxaban with warfarin. DOACs probably reduce mortality in elderly patients with AF (HR 0.89 95%CI 0.77 to 1.02). Low-dose DOACs likely reduce bleeding compared to VKAs (HR ranged from 0.47 to 1.01). For high-dose DOACS the risk of bleeding varied widely (HR ranged from 0.80 to 1.40). We found that low-dose DOACs probably decrease mortality in AF patients. Moreover, apixaban and probably edoxaban are associated with fewer major or clinically relevant bleeding (MCRB) events compared to VKAs. For dabigatran and rivaroxaban, the risk of MCRB varies depending on dose. Moreover, subgroup analyses indicate that in the very old (≥ 85) the risk for MCRB events might be increased when using DOACs.Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42020187876.

Digital marketing innovation: New business models for pharmaceutical and medical device product marketing

Background

Within the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape in Japan, digital marketing innovations are transforming pharmaceutical and medical device marketing. This study explores the emergence of new business models in the digital marketing, highlighting a transition from traditional methods to more dynamic, data-driven strategies.

Methods

InsighTCROSS® is a business model that qualitatively and quantitatively examines three steps based on stratified persona images: (1) verifying the effectiveness of product marketing promotions, (2) identifying competitors from the users' perspective, and (3) developing marketing strategies to counter competition. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this model, a case study was conducted focusing on the current anticoagulant drugs, including apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, and warfarin.

Results

Rivaroxaban, the only drug prescribed for the prevention of thrombus and embolism formation in patients with peripheral artery disease after lower limb revascularization, garnered the most interest from interventional cardiologists performing peripheral vascular interventions, as determined by InsighTCROSS® factor analysis, confirming that the manufacturer's marketing activities have effectively penetrated the market. A survey conducted between 20 September 2023 and 3 October 2023, among members of a cardiology website, identified edoxaban as the market leader with a 39.1% share, followed by apixaban (32.7%) and rivaroxaban (16.8%). The main competitor of edoxaban was warfarin, whereas that of rivaroxaban was apixaban. Decision tree analysis was conducted using InsighTCROSS®, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each anticoagulant, providing strategic approaches to exploit competitive weaknesses. For edoxaban, increased use was driven by elderly and poorly adherent patients; for apixaban, high-volume percutaneous coronary intervention centers; and for rivaroxaban, the influence of medical representative detailing. It is recommended to avoid markets where these drugs have a strong presence and to focus marketing activities on leveraging their specific strengths.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that digital marketing enhances product visibility and patient engagement, providing valuable insights into market behavior and consumer preferences.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Special Patient Populations

Anticoagulants are a cornerstone of treatment in atrial fibrillation. Nowadays, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are extensively used for this condition in developed countries. However, DOAC treatment may be inappropriate in certain patient populations, such as: patients with chronic kidney disease in whom DOAC concentrations may be dangerously elevated; frail elderly patients with an increased risk of falls; patients with significant drug-drug interactions (DDI) affecting either DOAC concentration or effect; patients at the extremes of body mass in whom an "abnormal" volume of distribution may result in inappropriate drug concentrations; patients with recurrent stroke reflecting an unusually high thromboembolic tendency; and, lastly, patients who experience major hemorrhage on an anticoagulant and in whom continued anticoagulation is deemed necessary. Herein we provide a fictional case-based approach to review the recommendations for the use of DOACs in these special patient populations.

Clinical outcomes in elderly atrial fibrillation patients at increased bleeding risk treated with very low dose vs. regular-dose non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants: a nationwide cohort study

AIMS

The Edoxaban Low-Dose for Elder Care Atrial Fibrillation Patients (ELDERCARE-AF) trial showed that edoxaban at a very low dosage (VLD) of 15 mg/day was more effective than a placebo at preventing stroke/systemic embolism without significantly increasing the risk of serious bleeding. We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety for VLD non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) [edoxaban 15 mg o.d., dabigatran 110 or 150 o.d., apixaban 2.5 mg o.d., or rivaroxaban 10 mg (without the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease) or <10 mg o.d.] vs. regular-dosage (RD) NOACs (edoxaban 60/30 mg o.d. or other labeling-dosage NOACs) among a real-world cohort of elderly atrial fibrillation (AF) population similar to the ELDERCARE-AF cohort.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), we identified a total of 7294 and 4151 consecutive AF patients aged 80 years or older with a CHADS2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age 75 years or older, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke/transient ischemic attack (2 points) score ≥2 who met the enrollment criteria (generally similar to ELDERCARE-AF) taking VLD and RD NOACs from 1 June 2012 to 31 December 2019, respectively. Propensity-score stabilized weighting (PSSW) was used to balance covariates across study groups. Patients were followed up from the first date of prescription for NOACs until the first occurrence of any study outcome, death, or until the end date of the study period (31 December 2020). After PSSW, VLD NOAC was associated with a comparable risk of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding but a higher risk of major adverse limb events (MALEs) requiring lower limb revascularization or amputation [hazard ratio (HR): 1.54, 95% confidential interval (CI): 1.09-2.18; P = 0.014), venous thrombosis (HR: 3.75, 95% CI: 1.56-8.97; P = 0.003), and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.15-1.29; P <0.001) compared with RD NOACs. VLD NOACs showed worse outcomes in most net clinical outcome (NCO) benefits. The main result was consistent based on on-treatment analysis or accounting for death as a competing risk. In general, the advantage of NCOs for the RD NOACs over VLD NOACs persisted in most high-risk subgroups, consistent with the main analysis (P for interaction > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Use of VLD NOACs was associated with a greater risk of arterial and venous thrombosis, death as well as the composite outcomes, when compared with that of RD NOAC in high-risk elderly AF patients at increased bleeding risk. Thromboprophylaxis with RD NOAC is still preferable over VLD NOAC for the majority of elderly AF patients at increased bleeding risk.

Efficacy and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention in Older Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Although older patients with atrial fibrillation are at heightened risk of thromboembolic and bleeding events, their optimal treatment choice remains uncertain.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials that compared thromboembolic or bleeding outcomes between a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) and a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) and reported outcomes for patients aged ≥75 years with atrial fibrillation. The efficacy outcome was the composite of stroke and systemic embolism. Safety outcomes included major bleeding, any clinically relevant bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage. Each DOAC and VKA was compared pairwise in a network meta-analysis. High- and low-dose regimens and factor IIa and Xa inhibitors were also compared. Seven randomized controlled trials were included in the analysis. Stroke and systemic embolism risks did not differ significantly among DOACs. There were no significant differences in major bleeding between each DOAC and VKA. Intracranial hemorrhage risk was significantly lower with dabigatran, apixaban, and edoxaban than with VKA and rivaroxaban, which had similar risks. High-dose regimens led to lower risks of stroke or systemic embolism compared with VKA and low-dose regimens, with both doses having similar bleeding risks.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients aged ≥75 years with atrial fibrillation, DOACs were associated with fewer thromboembolic events compared with VKA, whereas dabigatran, apixaban, and edoxaban were associated with lower risks of intracranial hemorrhage compared with VKA and rivaroxaban.

REGISTRATION

URL: www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/. Unique identifier: CRD42022329557.

Left atrial appendage occlusion for atrial fibrillation and bleeding diathesis

BACKGROUND

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and likelihood of bleeding can undergo left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) as an alternative method of stroke prophylaxis. Short-term anti-thrombotic drugs are used postprocedure to offset the risk of device-related thrombus, evidence for this practice is limited.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate optimal postimplant antithrombotic strategy in high bleeding-risk patients.

METHODS

Patients with AF and high-risk for both stroke and bleeding undergoing LAAO were advised their perioperative drug therapy by a multidisciplinary physician panel. Those deemed to be at higher risk of bleeding from anti-thrombotic drugs were assigned to minimal treatment with no antithrombotics or Aspirin-alone. The remaining patients received standard care (STG) with a 12 week course of dual-antiplatelets or anticoagulation postimplant. We compared mortality, device-related thrombus, ischemic stroke, and bleeding events during the 90 days postimplant and long-term. Event-free survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, with logrank testing for statistical significance.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients underwent LAAO of whom 63 patients (84%) had a prior serious bleeding event. The 42 patients on minimal treatment were older (74.3 ± 7.7 vs. 71.2 ± 7.2) with higher HASBLED score (3.6 ± 0.9 vs. 3.3 ± 1.2) than the 33 patients having standard care. There were no device-related thrombi or strokes in either group at 90 days postprocedure; STG had more bleeding events (5/33 vs. 0/42, p = 0.01) with associated deaths (3/33 vs. 0/42, p = 0.05). During long-term follow-up (median 2.2 years), all patients transitioned onto no antithrombotic drugs (43 patients [61%]) or a single-antiplatelet (29 patients [39%]). There was no evidence of early minimal treatment adversely affecting long-term outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term anti-thrombotic drugs may not be needed after LAAO implant in patients with high bleeding risk and could be harmful. Larger, prospective studies would be warranted to test these findings.

Effects of oral anticoagulation in people with atrial fibrillation after spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (COCROACH): prospective, individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised trials

BACKGROUND

The safety and efficacy of oral anticoagulation for prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events in people with atrial fibrillation and spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage are uncertain. We planned to estimate the effects of starting versus avoiding oral anticoagulation in people with spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage and atrial fibrillation.

METHODS

In this prospective meta-analysis, we searched bibliographic databases and trial registries using the strategies of a Cochrane systematic review (CD012144) on June 23, 2023. We included clinical trials if they were registered, randomised, and included participants with spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage and atrial fibrillation who were assigned to either start long-term use of any oral anticoagulant agent or avoid oral anticoagulation (ie, placebo, open control, another antithrombotic agent, or another intervention for the prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events). We assessed eligible trials using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. We sought data for individual participants who had not opted out of data sharing from chief investigators of completed trials, pending completion of ongoing trials in 2028. The primary outcome was any stroke or cardiovascular death. We used individual participant data to construct a Cox regression model of the time to the first occurrence of outcome events during follow-up in the intention-to-treat dataset supplied by each trial, followed by meta-analysis using a fixed-effect inverse-variance model to generate a pooled estimate of the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021246133.

FINDINGS

We identified four eligible trials; three were restricted to participants with atrial fibrillation and intracranial haemorrhage (SoSTART [NCT03153150], with 203 participants) or intracerebral haemorrhage (APACHE-AF [NCT02565693], with 101 participants, and NASPAF-ICH [NCT02998905], with 30 participants), and one included a subgroup of participants with previous intracranial haemorrhage (ELDERCARE-AF [NCT02801669], with 80 participants). After excluding two participants who opted out of data sharing, we included 412 participants (310 [75%] aged 75 years or older, 249 [60%] with CHA2DS2-VASc score ≤4, and 163 [40%] with CHA2DS2-VASc score >4). The intervention was a direct oral anticoagulant in 209 (99%) of 212 participants who were assigned to start oral anticoagulation, and the comparator was antiplatelet monotherapy in 67 (33%) of 200 participants assigned to avoid oral anticoagulation. The primary outcome of any stroke or cardiovascular death occurred in 29 (14%) of 212 participants who started oral anticoagulation versus 43 (22%) of 200 who avoided oral anticoagulation (pooled HR 0·68 [95% CI 0·42-1·10]; I2=0%). Oral anticoagulation reduced the risk of ischaemic major adverse cardiovascular events (nine [4%] of 212 vs 38 [19%] of 200; pooled HR 0·27 [95% CI 0·13-0·56]; I2=0%). There was no significant increase in haemorrhagic major adverse cardiovascular events (15 [7%] of 212 vs nine [5%] of 200; pooled HR 1·80 [95% CI 0·77-4·21]; I2=0%), death from any cause (38 [18%] of 212 vs 29 [15%] of 200; 1·29 [0·78-2·11]; I2=50%), or death or dependence after 1 year (78 [53%] of 147 vs 74 [51%] of 145; pooled odds ratio 1·12 [95% CI 0·70-1·79]; I2=0%).

INTERPRETATION

For people with atrial fibrillation and intracranial haemorrhage, oral anticoagulation had uncertain effects on the risk of any stroke or cardiovascular death (both overall and in subgroups), haemorrhagic major adverse cardiovascular events, and functional outcome. Oral anticoagulation reduced the risk of ischaemic major adverse cardiovascular events, which can inform clinical practice. These findings should encourage recruitment to, and completion of, ongoing trials.

FUNDING

British Heart Foundation.