Defining High Bleeding Risk in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Prognosis of anemic patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

There are limited data regarding whether anemia is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

Patients with AF undergoing PCI at 15 institutions between January 2015 and March 2021 were included in this analysis. Based on the baseline hemoglobin levels, moderate to severe anemia was defined as hemoglobin levels <11 g/dL, and mild anemia was defined as hemoglobin levels 11-12.9 g/dL for men and 11-11.9 g/dL for women. Clinical outcomes within 1 year, including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and stroke) and major bleeding events (BARC 3 or 5), were compared among patients with moderate/severe anemia, mild anemia, and no anemia.

RESULTS

In a total of 746 enrolled patients, 119 (16.0%) and 168 (22.5%) patients presented with moderate/severe and mild anemia. The incidence of MACE (22.5%, 11.0%, and 9.1%, log-rank p < 0.001), all-cause death (20.0%, 7.2%, and 4.8%, log-rank p < 0.001), and major bleeding events (10.7%, 6.5%, and 2.7%, log-rank p < 0.001) were the highest in the moderate/severe anemia group compared with the mild and no anemia groups. Multivariable Cox regression analyses determined moderate/severe anemia as an independent predictor for MACE (p = 0.008), all-cause death (p = 0.005), and major bleeding events (p = 0.031) at 1 year after PCI.

CONCLUSION

Moderate/severe anemia was significantly associated with the higher incidence of MACE and all-cause death as well as major bleeding events compared with mild and no anemia in AF patients undergoing PCI.

How I treat the co-occurrence of venous and arterial thromboembolism: anticoagulation, antiplatelet therapy, or both?

ABSTRACT

Arterial and venous thromboses are classically considered distinct disease states, with arterial thrombosis mediated predominantly by platelets and therefore, treated with antiplatelet therapy, and venous thrombosis mediated by the plasmatic coagulation system and treated with anticoagulation. However, co-occurrence of arterial and venous events is common, and there is increasing evidence of shared risk factors and pathophysiologic overlap. This presents a management challenge: does the patient with venous and arterial thrombosis, require anticoagulation, antiplatelet therapy, or both? Herein, we present a structured approach to the evaluation and management of patients with venous thrombosis who are also at risk for or have a history of an arterial thromboembolic event. We emphasize the importance of defining the indications for antithrombotic therapy, as well as the evaluation of factors that influence both thrombotic and bleeding risk, including disorder-specific and patient-specific factors, as well as the inherent risk balance of antithrombotic therapy regimens. We illustrate this approach in 4 cases, discussing the unique considerations and recent updates in the management of venous thrombosis, acute noncardioembolic ischemic stroke, coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction, and peripheral artery disease after revascularization.

Analysis of post-extraction bleeding in patients taking antithrombotic therapy using data from the longevity improvement and fair evidence study

BACKGROUND

Several studies have investigated post-extraction bleeding in patients on antithrombotic therapy, but most included a small sample size.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyse post-extraction bleeding in patients on antithrombotic therapy using data from a large database.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Claims data of National Health Insurance and Late-Stage Elderly Healthcare System enrollees who underwent tooth extraction between October 2014 and March 2019 (n = 107 767) in a large multiregional cohort study (Longevity Improvement and Fair Evidence study) were included. Antithrombotic therapy was determined based on the drug codes used at the time of tooth extraction (classified into six groups: no antithrombotic, single antiplatelet, dual antiplatelet, Direct Oral Anticoagulant, warfarin and combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies). The outcome was defined as the presence of "post-extraction bleeding" as a receipt disease name in the same month as tooth extraction. To examine the association between antithrombotic therapy and post-extraction bleeding in detail, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with post-extraction bleeding as the objective variable; each antithrombotic therapy as the explanatory variable; and age, sex and comorbidities as adjustment variables.

RESULTS

Antithrombotic therapy was administered in 14 343 patients (13.3%), and post-extraction bleeding was observed in 419 patients (0.4%). The rate of post-extraction bleeding was significantly lower in the no antithrombotic therapy and single antiplatelet groups than that in the other groups (odds ratio: 2.00-9.02).

CONCLUSION

The frequency of post-extraction bleeding is high in patients on anticoagulation or dual antithrombotic therapy. Therefore, careful preparation before extraction is necessary in these patients.

Complete vs Culprit-Only Revascularization in Older Patients With Myocardial Infarction and High Bleeding Risk: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Patients with high bleeding risk (HBR) have a poor prognosis, and it is not known if they may benefit from complete revascularization after myocardial infarction (MI).

Objective

To investigate the benefit of physiology-guided complete revascularization vs a culprit-only strategy in patients with HBR, MI, and multivessel disease.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a prespecified analysis of the Functional Assessment in Elderly MI Patients With Multivessel Disease (FIRE) randomized clinical trial data. FIRE was an investigator-initiated, open-label, multicenter trial. Patients 75 years or older with MI and multivessel disease were enrolled at 34 European centers from July 2019 through October 2021. Physiology treatment was performed either by angiography- or wire-based assessment. Patients were divided into HBR or non-HBR categories in accordance with the Academic Research Consortium HBR document.

Interventions

Patients were randomized to either physiology-guided complete revascularization or culprit-only strategy.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome comprised a composite of death, MI, stroke, or revascularization at 1 year. Secondary outcomes included a composite of cardiovascular death or MI and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) types 3 to 5.

Results

Among 1445 patients (mean [SD] age, 81 [5] years; 917 male [63%]), 1025 (71%) met HBR criteria. Patients with HBR were at higher risk for the primary end point (hazard ratio [HR], 2.01; 95% CI, 1.47-2.76), cardiovascular death or MI (HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.26-2.83), and BARC types 3 to 5 (HR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.40-7.64). The primary end point was significantly reduced with physiology-guided complete revascularization as compared with culprit-only strategy in patients with HBR (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.55-0.96). No indication of interaction was noted between revascularization strategy and HBR status for primary and secondary end points.

Conclusions and Relevance

HBR status is prevalent among older patients with MI, significantly increasing the likelihood of adverse events. Physiology-guided complete revascularization emerges as an effective strategy, in comparison with culprit-only revascularization, for mitigating ischemic adverse events, including cardiovascular death and MI.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03772743.

Impact of the Japanese Version of High Bleeding Risk Criteria on Clinical Outcomes in Patients with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

AIMS

Bleeding complications are often observed in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Although the Japanese version of the high bleeding risk criteria (J-HBR) were established, it has not been sufficiently validated in patients with STEMI. This retrospective study aims to examine whether J-HBR is associated with cardiovascular and bleeding events in patients with STEMI.

METHODS

We included 897 patients with STEMI and divided them into the J-HBR group (n=567) and the non-J-HBR group (n=330). The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as the composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and systemic embolism. Another primary endpoint was total bleeding events defined as type 3 or 5 bleeding events as defined by the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium .

RESULTS

During the median follow-up duration of 573 days, 187 MACE and 141 total bleeding events were observed. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that MACE and total bleeding events were more frequently observed in the J-HBR group than in the non-J-HBR group (p＜0.001). Multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed that after controlling for multiple confounding factors, the J-HBR group was significantly associated with MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 4.676, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.936-7.448, p＜0.001) and total bleeding events (HR 6.325, 95% CI 3.376-11.851, p＜0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

J-HBR is significantly associated with MACE and total bleeding events in patients with STEMI. This study validated J-HBR as a risk marker for bleeding events and suggests J-HBR as a potential risk marker for MACE in patients with STEMI.

Antithrombotic Therapy and Freedom From Bridging Stent Occlusion After Elective Branched Endovascular Repair: A Multicenter International Cohort Study

CLINICAL IMPACT

Based on our study, no antithrombotic therapy is significantly associated with bridging stent occlusion, and no evidence of the superiority of other antithrombotic therapy exists. Nevertehless, due to the low number of bridging stent occlusions, this study can neither support nor reject the PRINCE2SS recommendations. Further studies with larger cohorts are needed to determine clear guideliness of the best antithrombotic treatment regimen after complex enfovascular aortic repair.

One-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Followed by P2Y12 Inhibitor Monotherapy After Biodegradable Polymer Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation - The REIWA Region-Wide Registry

BACKGROUND

The safety and feasibility of using 1-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) followed by P2Y12inhibitor monotherapy for patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with thin-strut biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents (BP-DES) in daily clinical practice remain uncertain.Methods and Results: The REIWA region-wide registry is a prospective study conducted in 1 PCI center and 9 local hospitals in northern Japan. A total of 1,202 patients who successfully underwent final PCI using BP-DES (Synergy: n=400; Ultimaster: n=401; Orsiro: n=401), were enrolled in the registry, and received 1-month DAPT followed by P2Y12inhibitor (prasugrel 3.75 mg/day or clopidogrel 75 mg/day) monotherapy. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular and bleeding events at 12 months, including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), definite stent thrombosis (ST), ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) major or minor bleeding. Based on the results of a previous study, we set the performance goal at 5.0%. Over the 1-year follow-up, the primary endpoint occurred in 3.08% of patients, which was lower than the predefined performance goal (Pnon-inferiority<0.0001). Notably, definite ST occurred in only 1 patient (0.08%) within 1 year (at 258 days). No differences were observed in the primary endpoint between stent types.

CONCLUSIONS

The REIWA region-wide registry suggests that 1-month DAPT followed by P2Y12inhibitor monotherapy is safe and feasible for Japanese patients with BP-DES.

Treatment and Care of Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction-What Challenges Remain after Three Decades of Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention?

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) has revolutionized the prognosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and is the gold standard treatment. As a result of its success, the number of pPCI centres has expanded worldwide. Despite decades of advancements, clinical outcomes in STEMI patients have plateaued. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock remain a major cause of high in-hospital mortality, whilst the growing burden of heart failure in long-term STEMI survivors presents a growing problem. Many elements aiming to optimize STEMI treatment are still subject to debate or lack sufficient evidence. This review provides an overview of the most contentious current issues in pPCI in STEMI patients, with an emphasis on unresolved questions and persistent challenges.

PRECISE-DAPT, ARC-HBR, or Simplified Clinical Evaluation for the Prediction of Major Bleeding After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in older Patients

Older patients have been remarkably underrepresented in bleeding risk cohorts. Thus, the PRECISE-DAPT (Derivation and validation of the predicting bleeding complications in patients undergoing stent implantation and subsequent dual antiplatelet therapy) and Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) scores are not validated in older adults. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the PRECISE-DAPT and ARC-HBR scores in an exclusively older population and assess the prognostic value of a truly simplified clinical evaluation (SCE), consisting of only 3 binary clinical variables (hemoglobin <11 g/100 ml, previous bleeding, and anticipated use of anticoagulants). This is a retrospective analysis of the prospective single-center older-HCD registry. Consecutive patients aged ≥75 years who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention from 2012 to 2019 were included. The primary end point was postdischarge bleeding at 12 months of follow-up, defined according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 3 or 5 criteria. A total of 693 patients with a mean age of 81 (±4.4) years were included in the study and 60 patients (6.8%) met the primary end point. The PRECISE-DAPT and ARC-HBR scores did not significantly predict postdischarge bleeding in the Cox regression models (hazard ratio 1.65 [0.78 to 3.42] and 1.46 [0.72 to 4.24], respectively), whereas the SCE outperformed both scores (hazard ratio 2.47, 1.34 to 4.49). All 3 scores exhibited a moderate discriminatory potential, as determined by a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis (areas under the curve 0.601, 0.621, and 0.616, respectively), with no significant differences between them. The SCE showed an Integrated Discrimination Improvement of 0.25, p = 0.02 (SCE vs ARC-HBR) and 0.24, p = 0.01 (SCE vs PRECISE-DAPT), with an Net Reclassification Improvement of 6.54%, p = 0.37 and 7.12%, p = 0.43, respectively. In conclusion, the PRECISE-DAPT score and ARC-HBR criteria showed insufficient predictive value in older adults. A truly SCE consisting of 3 easily accessible variables not only provides equal discriminatory potential but also demonstrates superior predictive value, as determined by Cox regression models. This makes it a highly appealing tool for risk stratification, pending its evaluation in larger prospective studies.

Individualising Antithrombotic Strategies for Acute and Chronic Coronary Syndromes

For patients presenting with acute or chronic coronary syndromes, current guideline recommendations and expert consensus provide a range of options for antithrombotic treatment. The European Society of Cardiology 2023 guidelines on the management of acute coronary syndrome emphasise the need to assess the risk of both ischaemic events and bleeding. Those with high bleeding risk warrant particular consideration of the duration and intensity of antithrombotic therapy combinations. A joint consensus of experts takes a similar approach, informed by two network meta-analyses that appraised all available antithrombotic treatments within or after the 12 months following coronary revascularisation and/or acute coronary syndrome and individual participant data from six trials. In this article, four case studies are used to illustrate how these guidelines and expert consensus recommendations can be applied in clinical practice.

Defining high bleeding risk in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a VARC-HBR consensus document

The identification and management of patients at high bleeding risk (HBR) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are of major importance, but the lack of standardised definitions is challenging for trial design, data interpretation, and clinical decision-making. The Valve Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (VARC-HBR) is a collaboration among leading research organisations, regulatory authorities, and physician-scientists from Europe, the USA, and Asia, with a major focus on TAVI-related bleeding. VARC-HBR is an initiative of the CERC (Cardiovascular European Research Center), aiming to develop a consensus definition of TAVI patients at HBR, based on a systematic review of the available evidence, to provide consistency for future clinical trials, clinical decision-making, and regulatory review. This document represents the first pragmatic approach to a consistent definition of HBR evaluating the safety and effectiveness of procedures, devices and drug regimens for patients undergoing TAVI..

Management Considerations for Acute Coronary Syndromes in Chronic Kidney Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Propensity of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to adverse outcomes of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) derives, in part, from imperfection in management. Dearth of data resulting from underrepresentation of patients with CKD in ACS trials and underuse of evidence-based testing and therapy compound biological risks inherent to CKD. We sought in this narrative review to critically appraise contemporary evidence and offer suggested approaches to practicing clinicians for the optimization of ACS management in patients with CKD.

RECENT FINDINGS

Updated multisociety chest pain guidelines emphasize the diversity of clinical presentations of ACS, pertinent to recognition of ACS in patients with CKD. Evolving tools to predict and prevent acute kidney injury complicating invasive management of ACS serve to support improved access to and safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in CKD patients, who remain at elevated risk. Growth in use of radial access, advances in PCI quality, incorporation of intravascular imaging, and new options and insights in pharmacotherapy contribute to an evolving calculus of ischemic and bleeding risk in ACS with bearing on management in CKD patients. Key opportunities to improve outcomes of ACS for patients with CKD center on avoiding underuse of beneficial medical and invasive therapies; enhancing safety of therapies by leveraging evidence-based strategies to prevent acute kidney injury; and devoting specific effort to investigation of ACS management in the context of CKD.

Antiplatelet Therapy for Patients Who Have Undergone Revascularization Within the Past Year: Which Agents and for How Long?

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor is recommended for at least 6 and 12 months following percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents among patients with stable ischemic heart disease and acute coronary syndrome, respectively. Additional exposure to antiplatelet therapy reduces ischemic events but also increases bleeding risk. Conversely, shorter durations of DAPT are preferred among those at high bleeding risk. Hence, decisions surrounding duration of DAPT after revascularization should include clinical judgment, assessment of the risk of bleeding and ischemic events, and time after revascularization.

Preferred monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy: Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy following short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, no studies have compared P2Y12 inhibitor and aspirin monotherapy following short-term DAPT. We aimed to compare available strategies for DAPT duration and post-DAPT antiplatelet monotherapy following PCI.

METHODS

Seven DAPT strategies [ticagrelor or clopidogrel following 1-month DAPT, ticagrelor following 3-month DAPT, aspirin following 3-6 months of DAPT (reference strategy), aspirin or P2Y12 inhibitor following 6-18-months of DAPT, and DAPT for ≥18 months] were compared using a network meta-analysis. The primary efficacy outcome was defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The primary bleeding outcome was trial-defined major or minor bleeding.

RESULTS

Our analysis identified 25 eligible RCTs, including 89,371 patients who underwent PCI. Overall, none of the strategies negatively affected the primary efficacy outcomes. For primary bleeding outcomes, ticagrelor following 3-month DAPT was associated with a reduced risk of primary bleeding outcomes (HR 0.73; 95 % CI 0.57-0.95). Clopidogrel following 1-month DAPT was also associated with a reduced risk of primary bleeding outcomes (HR 0.54; 95 % CI 0.34-0.85), however, the strategy was associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction or stent thrombosis. Similar trends were observed among patients with acute coronary syndrome and high bleeding risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with aspirin monotherapy following short-term DAPT, ticagrelor following 3-month DAPT was associated with a reduced risk of primary bleeding outcomes without increasing any ischemic outcomes.

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.

Aetiology and predictors of major bleeding events in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the relationship between the degree of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) impairment and the frequency and type of bleeding events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

DESIGN

This was an observational retrospective cohort analysis. Patients who underwent PCI from 2009 to 2017 were identified from our institutional National Cardiovascular Disease Registry (NCDR) CathPCI database. Patients were stratified by pre-PCI LVEF: preserved (≥50%), mildly reduced (41%-49%) and reduced (≤40%) LVEF.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The outcome was major bleeding, defined by NCDR criteria. Events were classified based on bleeding aetiology and analysed by multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 13 537 PCIs, there were 817 bleeding events (6%). The rate of bleeding due to any cause, blood transfusion, gastrointestinal bleeding and coronary artery perforation or tamponade each increased in a stepwise fashion comparing preserved, mildly reduced and reduced LVEF reduction (p<0.05 for all comparisons). However, there were no differences in bleeding due to asymptomatic drops in haemoglobin, access site haematoma or retroperitoneal bleeding. After multivariable adjustment, mildly reduced and reduced LVEF remained independent predictors of bleeding events (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.74, p<0.05 and OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.06, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The degree of LV dysfunction is an independent predictor of post-PCI major bleeding events. Patients with mildly reduced or reduced LVEF are at greatest risk of post-PCI bleeding, driven by an increased need for blood transfusion, major GI bleeding events and coronary artery perforation or tamponade. Pre-PCI LV dysfunction does not predict asymptomatic declines in haemoglobin, access site haematoma or retroperitoneal bleeding.

Clinical Correlates of In-Hospital Mortality in Patients Undergoing Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement for Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis

Background: It is reasonable to place an Inferior Vena Cava Filter (IVCF) when an acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs occurs in a patient with absolute contraindication to therapeutic anticoagulation. An additional potential reason for placing an IVCF is the need to stop therapeutic anticoagulation in a patient with acute DVT who must undergo urgent non-deferrable surgery. However, IVCFs are often used outside of such established indications and many authors argue about their actual utility, especially in terms of survival. In this retrospective study, we looked for clinical correlates of in-hospital mortality among patients who underwent IVCF placement, limiting our analysis to the cases for which a correct indication to IVCF placement existed. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the electronic database of our University Hospital, searching for consecutive hospitalized patients who had acute DVT and underwent IVCF placement because of an established contraindication to therapeutic anticoagulation and/or because it was necessary to stop anticoagulation due to urgent surgery. The search covered the period between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2020. Results: The search resulted in the identification of 168 individuals. An established contraindication to therapeutic anticoagulation was present in 116 patients (69.0%), while urgent non-deferrable surgery was the reason for IVCF placement in 52 patients (31.0%). A total of 24 patients (14.3%) died during the same hospital stay in which the IVCF was placed. Mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with a contraindication to anticoagulation than in patients who underwent IVCF placement because of urgent surgery (19.0% vs. 3.8%, OD 5.85 vs. 0.17). In-hospital mortality was also significantly higher among patients with chronic kidney disease and those who needed blood cell transfusion during hospitalization. Conclusions: This study provides novel information on clinical correlates of in-hospital mortality among patients with acute DVT who undergo IVCF. Prospective observational studies are needed to substantiate these findings.

Sex Differences in Bleeding Risk Associated With Antithrombotic Therapy Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background: Antithrombotic therapy is crucial for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but women with CVD may face increased bleeding complications post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) under antithrombotic therapy. However, women are often underrepresented in clinical trials in this field, so evidence for sex-specific recommendations is lacking. Methods and Results: A search on PubMed was conducted for English-language articles addressing bleeding complications and antithrombotic therapy in women. Despite women potentially showing higher baseline platelet responsiveness than men, the clinical implications remain unclear. Concerning antiplatelet therapy post-PCI, although women have an elevated bleeding risk in the acute phase, no sex differences were observed in the chronic phase. However, women require specific considerations for factors such as age, renal function, and weight when determining the dose and duration of antiplatelet therapy. Regarding anticoagulation post-PCI, direct oral anticoagulants may pose a lower bleeding risk in women compared with warfarin. Concerning triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) post-PCI for patients with atrial fibrillation, there is a lack of evidence on whether sex differences should be considered in the duration and regimen of TAT. Conclusions: Recent findings on sex differences in post-PCI bleeding complications did not provide enough evidence to recommend specific therapies for women. Further studies are needed to address this gap and recommend optimal antithrombotic therapy post-PCI for women.

Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Burden for Bleeding Risk during Antithrombotic Therapy: Bleeding with Antithrombotic Therapy 2 Study

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to determine the excess risk of antithrombotic-related bleeding due to cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) burden.

METHODS

In this observational, prospective cohort study, patients with cerebrovascular or cardiovascular diseases taking oral antithrombotic agents were enrolled from 52 hospitals across Japan between 2016 and 2019. Baseline multimodal magnetic resonance imaging acquired under prespecified conditions was assessed by a central diagnostic radiology committee to calculate total SVD score. The primary outcome was major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included bleeding at each site and ischemic events.

RESULTS

Of the analyzed 5,250 patients (1,736 women; median age = 73 years, 9,933 patient-years of follow-up), antiplatelets and anticoagulants were administered at baseline in 3,948 and 1,565, respectively. Median SVD score was 2 (interquartile range = 1-3). Incidence rate of major bleeding was 0.39 (per 100 patinet-years) in score 0, 0.56 in score 1, 0.91 in score 2, 1.35 in score 3, and 2.24 in score 4 (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] for score 4 vs 0 = 5.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.26-13.23), that of intracranial hemorrhage was 0.11, 0.33, 0.58, 0.99, and 1.06, respectively (aHR = 9.29, 95% CI = 1.99-43.35), and that of ischemic event was 1.82, 2.27, 3.04, 3.91, and 4.07, respectively (aHR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.08-2.86). In addition, extracranial major bleeding (aHR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.13-10.38) and gastrointestinal bleeding (aHR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.02-6.35) significantly increased in SVD score 4 compared to score 0.

INTERPRETATION

Total SVD score was predictive for intracranial hemorrhage and probably for extracranial bleeding, suggesting the broader clinical relevance of cerebral SVD as a marker for safe implementation of antithrombotic therapy. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:774-787.

Antiplatelet De-Escalation Strategies in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Dual antiplatelet therapy-the combination of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor-remains the standard antiplatelet regimen recommended to prevent ischemic complications immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention. Nonetheless, recent advances in stent technologies, percutaneous coronary intervention techniques, adjunctive pharmacotherapy for secondary prevention, and the rising awareness of the prognostic impact of bleeding, which are inevitably associated with dual antiplatelet therapy, led to the investigation of alternative antiplatelet regimens related to fewer bleeding and a preserved ischemic protection. Thrombotic complications occur mostly in the first months after percutaneous coronary intervention, while the risk of bleeding remains stable over time; this observation laid the foundation of the concept of antiplatelet de-escalation, consisting of a more intense antiplatelet regimen early after percutaneous coronary intervention, followed by a less potent antiplatelet therapy thereafter. According to new definitions proposed by the Academic Research Consortium, de-escalation can be achieved by discontinuation of 1 antiplatelet agent, switching from a potent P2Y12 inhibitor to clopidogrel, or by reducing the dose of antiplatelet agents. This review discusses the rationale and the evidence supporting antiplatelet de-escalation, provides practical guidance to use these new regimens, and gives insights into future developments in the field.

Risk Burden of Cancer in Patients Treated With Abbreviated Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After PCI: Analysis of Multicenter Controlled High-Bleeding Risk Trials

BACKGROUND

Oncological patients with coronary artery disease face an elevated risk of hemorrhagic and ischemic events following percutaneous coronary intervention. Despite medical guidelines recommending minimal dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration for patients with cancer, dedicated data on abbreviated DAPT in this population is lacking. This study aims to evaluate the occurrence of ischemic and hemorrhagic events in patients with cancer compared with other high-bleeding risk individuals.

METHODS

Patient-level data from 4 high-bleeding risk coronary drug-eluting stent studies (ONYX One, LEADERS FREE, LEADERS FREE II, and SENIOR trials) treated with short DAPT were analyzed. The comparison focused on patients with high-bleeding risk with and without cancer, assessing 1-year rates of net adverse clinical events (all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularization, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] types 3 to 5 bleeding) and major adverse clinical events (all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke).

RESULTS

A total of 5232 patients were included, of whom 574 individuals had cancer, and 4658 were at high-bleeding risk without previous cancer. Despite being younger with fewer risk factors, patients with cancer had higher net adverse clinical event (HR, 1.25; P=0.01) and major adverse clinical event (HR, 1.26; P=0.02), primarily driven by all-cause mortality and major bleeding (BARC 3-5), but not myocardial infarction, stroke, stent thrombosis, or repeat revascularization. Cancer was an independent predictor of net adverse clinical event (P=0.005), major adverse clinical event (P=0.01), and major bleeding (P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The present work is the first report on abbreviated DAPT dedicated to patients with cancer. Cancer is a major marker of adverse outcomes and these events had high lethality. Despite short DAPT, patients with cancer experienced higher rates of major bleeding compared with patients without cancer with high-bleeding risk, which occurred mainly after DAPT discontinuation. These findings reinforce the need for a more detailed and individualized stratification of those patients.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifiers: NCT03344653, NCT01623180, NCT02843633, NCT0284.

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.

The Impact of Geriatric Conditions in Elderly Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A State-of-the-Art Review

The growing geriatric population presenting with coronary artery disease poses a primary challenge for healthcare services. This is a highly heterogeneous population, often underrepresented in studies and clinical trials, with distinctive characteristics that render them particularly vulnerable to standard management/approaches. In this review, we aim to summarize the available evidence on the treatment of acute coronary syndrome in the elderly. Additionally, we contextualize frailty, comorbidity, sarcopenia, and cognitive impairment, common in these patients, within the realm of coronary artery disease, proposing strategies for each case that may assist in therapeutic approaches.

Clinical Background and Coronary Artery Lesions Characteristics in Japanese Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Suffering Major Bleeding

Background: Although the clinical factors that predict major bleeding in Western patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are becoming elucidated, they have not been fully investigated, especially coronary lesion characteristics, in a Japanese population. Methods and Results: ACS patients (n=1,840) were divided into a "bleeding group" and a "no-bleeding group," according to whether they had major bleeding during the 2-year follow-up period, to investigate the prognostic effect of bleeding and the predictive factors of bleeding. Among them, patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention with optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance (n=958) were examined to identify the effect of coronary lesion characteristics on bleeding. Of the 1,840 enrolled patients, 124 (6.7%) experienced major bleeding during the 2-year follow-up period. Incidence of cardiovascular death during the 2-year follow-up period was significantly higher among patients with major bleeding (26.4% vs. 8.5%, P=0.001). OCT examination showed that disrupted fibrous cap (DFC: 68% vs. 48%, P=0.014) and calcified plaque (63% vs. 42%, P=0.011) were more prevalent in the bleeding group. DFC was a predictor of major bleeding in the multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses (hazard ratio 2.135 [95% confidence interval 1.070-4.263], P<0.001). Conclusions: ACS patients with major bleeding had poorer cardiac outcomes. Advanced atherosclerosis at the culprit lesion influences the higher incidence of major bleeding in ACS patients.

Time interval of esomeprazole and dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with cardiocerebrovascular diseases

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with the combination of clopidogrel and aspirin is recommended for preventing secondary ischemic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are suggested as preventive treatment for these patients. Due to clopidogrel-PPI interactions, separating their administration might be considered. However, a paucity of studies has been conducted to investigate the outcome differences between concurrent and interval-based use in ACS and AIS patients. Our study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes based on administration timing. This study included patients with ACS or AIS onset or recurrence of within the last month. Patients who were expected to receive DAPT for at least 6 months and who were currently taking or planning to take esomeprazole were included. Patients were divided into Group 1 (interval administration group, IA group) and Group 2 (concurrent administration group, CA group) according to the interval between esomeprazole and DAPT administration. The time interval was based on 12 hours. The primary outcome was the occurrence of major adverse cardiocerebrovascular events (MACCEs), and safety outcomes were defined as major bleeding, minor bleeding and gastrointestinal bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage. A total of 3600 patients completed this study. The proportions of patients in the 2 groups were as follows: CA group, 99% (n = 3489) and IA group, 1% (n = 111). The primary outcome occurred in 0.9% of patients in the IA group and 1.8% of patients in the CA group (P = .51). There was no significant distinction in the overall bleeding risk of the CA group compared to that of the IA group (2.75% in the CA group and 2.70% in the IA group). Additionally, there was no significant difference observed between the 2 groups for safety outcomes. This multicenter, prospective, observational study that enrolled patients with ACS or AIS demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the occurrence of MACCEs and bleeding issues within 6 months according to the medication administration interval. The majority of patients with DAPT were taking PPIs simultaneously in real-world practice.

What is the current optimal antithrombotic therapy after transcatheter aortic valve implantation? Current evidence from Japan and the world

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a major valvular disease that can have a negative impact on patients' prognosis, and its prevalence is increasing due to an aging population worldwide. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a well-established therapy for symptomatic severe AS utilized across the entire surgical risk spectrum. Based on the recently published evidence of large, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the number of patients undergoing TAVI is increasing worldwide. Ischemic and bleeding events are common after TAVI and can have serious consequences both immediately after the procedure and in the long-term. Antiplatelet therapy has been traditionally recommended to prevent thromboembolic events after TAVI. The situation regarding the optimal antithrombotic regimen following TAVI is rapidly changing because many game-changing RCTs have been published. This report provides an overview of the current status and remaining issues in the field of optimal antithrombotic therapy following TAVI, including its possible effect on leaflet thrombosis.

Safety of Clopidogrel vs. Ticagrelor in Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Regimens for High-Bleeding Risk Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients: A Comprehensive Meta-analysis of Adverse Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Patients of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at a high-bleeding risk (HBR) often require dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) to reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. Clopidogrel and ticagrelor are the most commonly used antiplatelet agents in DAPT regimens. However, the safety profiles of these drugs in ACS patients at HBR remain a subject of ongoing debate.

AIM

To investigate any difference between the safety of clopidogrel and ticagrelor used as a part of DAPT regimen in ACS patients at HBR.

METHODS

A systematic search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify experimental and observational studies published up to the knowledge cutoff date in September 2023. Studies comparing the safety of clopidogrel and ticagrelor in ACS patients at HBR were included for analysis. The primary outcomes assessed were major bleeding events, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI), while secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), and net adverse clinical and cerebral events (NACCE).

RESULTS

We included a total of 8 observational studies in our meta-analysis. The pooled analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in the risk of MI (pooled RR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.12-1.83; P = 0.005) in the patients using clopidogrel. There were no statistically significant differences in major bleeding events (pooled RR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.82-1.09; P = 0.44), stroke (pooled RR = 1.36; 95% CI 0.86-2.14; P = 0.18), all-cause mortality (pooled RR = 1.17; 95% CI 0.97-1.41; P = 0.10), MACCE (pooled RR = 1.07; 95% CI 0.76-1.50; P = 0.69) and NACCE (pooled RR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.66-1.37; P = 0.78) between the two groups. Subgroup analyses based on region were performed.

CONCLUSION

Both drugs are generally safe for treating ACS patients with HBR at baseline, although a higher risk of MI was observed with the use of clopidogrel. Nevertheless, drug choice should factor in regional variations, patient-specific characteristics, cost, accessibility, and potential drug interactions.

An Aspirin-Free Versus Dual Antiplatelet Strategy for Coronary Stenting: STOPDAPT-3 Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Bleeding rates on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) within 1 month after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain high in clinical practice, particularly in patients with acute coronary syndrome or high bleeding risk. Aspirin-free strategy might result in lower bleeding early after PCI without increasing cardiovascular events, but its efficacy and safety have not yet been proven in randomized trials.

METHODS

We randomly assigned 6002 patients with acute coronary syndrome or high bleeding risk just before PCI either to prasugrel (3.75 mg/day) monotherapy or to DAPT with aspirin (81-100 mg/day) and prasugrel (3.75 mg/day) after loading of 20 mg of prasugrel in both groups. The coprimary end points were major bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 3 or 5) for superiority and cardiovascular events (a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or ischemic stroke) for noninferiority with a relative 50% margin.

RESULTS

The full analysis set population consisted of 5966 patients (no-aspirin group, 2984 patients; DAPT group, 2982 patients; age, 71.6±11.7 years; men, 76.6%; acute coronary syndrome, 75.0%). Within 7 days before randomization, aspirin alone, aspirin with P2Y12 inhibitor, oral anticoagulants, and intravenous heparin infusion were given in 21.3%, 6.4%, 8.9%, and 24.5%, respectively. Adherence to the protocol-specified antiplatelet therapy was 88% in both groups at 1 month. At 1 month, the no-aspirin group was not superior to the DAPT group for the coprimary bleeding end point (4.47% and 4.71%; hazard ratio, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.75-1.20]; Psuperiority=0.66). The no-aspirin group was noninferior to the DAPT group for the coprimary cardiovascular end point (4.12% and 3.69%; hazard ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.87-1.45]; Pnoninferiority=0.01). There was no difference in net adverse clinical outcomes and each component of coprimary cardiovascular end point. There was an excess of any unplanned coronary revascularization (1.05% and 0.57%; hazard ratio, 1.83 [95%CI, 1.01-3.30]) and subacute definite or probable stent thrombosis (0.58% and 0.17%; hazard ratio, 3.40 [95% CI, 1.26-9.23]) in the no-aspirin group compared with the DAPT group.

CONCLUSIONS

The aspirin-free strategy using low-dose prasugrel compared with the DAPT strategy failed to attest superiority for major bleeding within 1 month after PCI but was noninferior for cardiovascular events within 1 month after PCI. However, the aspirin-free strategy was associated with a signal suggesting an excess of coronary events.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04609111.

Age and Aspirin Dosing in Secondary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

BACKGROUND

In patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, increasing age is concurrently associated with higher risks of ischemic and bleeding events. The objectives are to determine the impact of aspirin dose on clinical outcomes according to age in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the ADAPTABLE (Aspirin Dosing: A Patient-Centric Trial Assessing Benefits and Long-Term Effectiveness) trial, patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were randomized to daily aspirin doses of 81 mg or 325 mg. The primary effectiveness end point was death from any cause, hospitalization for myocardial infarction, or hospitalization for stroke. The primary safety end point was hospitalization for bleeding requiring transfusion. A total of 15 076 participants were randomized to aspirin 81 mg (n=7540) or 325 mg (n=7536) daily (median follow-up: 26.2 months; interquartile range: 19.0-34.9 months). Median age was 67.6 years (interquartile range: 60.7-73.6 years). Among participants aged <65 years (n=5841 [38.7%]), a primary end point occurred in 226 (7.54%) in the 81 mg group, and in 191 (6.80%) in the 325 mg group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.23 [95% CI, 1.01-1.49]). Among participants aged ≥65 years (n=9235 [61.3%]), a primary end point occurred in 364 (7.12%) in the 81 mg group, and in 378 (7.96%) in the 325 mg group (adjusted HR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.82-1.10]). The age-dose interaction was not significant (P=0.559). There was no significant interaction between age and the randomized aspirin dose for the secondary effectiveness and the primary safety bleeding end points (P>0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Age does not modify the impact of aspirin dosing (81 mg or 325 mg daily) on clinical end points in secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The Combinations of the Patterns of Non-adherence to Anti-platelet Regimen in Stented Patients (PARIS) and Coronary Revascularization Demonstrating Outcome Study in Kyoto (CREDO-Kyoto) Thrombotic and Bleeding Risk Scores on Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective The Patterns of Non-adherence to Anti-platelet Regimen in Stented Patients (PARIS) and Coronary Revascularization Demonstrating Outcome Study in Kyoto (CREDO-Kyoto) thrombotic and bleeding risk scores were established to predict ischemic and bleeding events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, whether or not the combination of these risk scores is predictive of clinical outcomes is unclear. Methods This bicenter registry included a total of 1,098 patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) undergoing primary PCI. Patients were divided into three groups according to the PARIS and CREDO-Kyoto thrombotic and bleeding risk scores. The study endpoints included the rates of both ischemic (cardiovascular death, recurrent MI, and ischemic stroke) and major bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 3 or 5) events at two years. Results Two years after primary PCI, ischemic and major bleeding events occurred in 17.3% and 10.2% of patients, respectively. The higher-risk categories of PARIS and CREDO-Kyoto scores were associated with increased risks of ischemic and bleeding events. The rates of ischemic and major bleeding events progressively increased with the increase in risk categories in the two risk scoring systems. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the addition of CREDO-Kyoto thrombotic and bleeding risk scores to PARIS scores significantly improved diagnostic ability in predicting ischemic (area under the curve: 0.59 vs. 0.63, p=0.01) and bleeding (area under the curve: 0.65 vs. 0.68, p=0.01) events. Conclusion The combinations of the PARIS and CREDO-Kyoto risk scores might be useful for evaluating ischemic and bleeding risks in patients with acute MI undergoing primary PCI.

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.

Incidence and outcomes of high bleeding risk patients with type 1 and type 2 myocardial infarction in a community-based cohort: Application of the Academic Research Consortium High Bleeding Risk Criteria

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The incidence and outcomes of high bleeding risk (HBR) patients in a community cohort according to the Academic Research Consortium (ARC) criteria is not known. We hypothesized that HBR is common and associated with worse outcomes for all-comers with myocardial infarction.

METHODS

We prospectively collected all patients with cardiac troponin T > 99th percentile upper limit of normal (≥0.01 ng/mL) in Olmsted County between 2003 and 2012. Events were retrospectively classified as type 1 myocardial infarction (T1MI), type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI), or myocardial injury. Patients were further classified as HBR based on the "ARC-HBR definition." Outcomes included all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, recurrent MI, stroke, and major bleeding.

RESULTS

2419 patients were included in the final study; 1365 were classified as T1MI and 1054 as T2MI. Patients were followed for a median of 5.5 years. ARC-HBR was more common in T2MI than T1MI (73% vs 46%, p < 0.001). Among patients with T1MI, HBR was associated with higher all-cause mortality (HR 3.7, 95% CI 3.2-4.5, p < 0.001), cardiovascular mortality (4.7, 3.6-6.3, p < 0.001), recurrent MI (2.1, 1.6-2.7, p < 0.001), stroke (4.9, 2.9-8.4, p < 0.001), and major bleeding (6.5, 3.7-11.4, p < 0.001). For T2MI, HBR was similarly associated with higher all-cause mortality (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.8-2.5, p < 0.001), cardiovascular mortality (2.7, 1.8-4.0, p < 0.001), recurrent MI (1.7, 1.1-2.6, p = 0.02) and major bleeding (HR 15.6, 3.8-63.8, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

HBR is common among unselected patients with T1MI and T2MI and is associated with increased overall and cardiovascular mortality, recurrent cardiovascular events, and major bleeding on long-term follow up.

Prognostic impact of peripheral artery disease in patients with and without high bleeding risk undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with worse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of PAD according to high bleeding risk (HBR) status.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing PCI with drug-eluting stent implantation at a tertiary-care center (Mount Sinai Hospital) between 2012 and 2019 were stratified according to HBR and PAD status. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke 1 year after PCI. Secondary outcomes included major bleeding.

RESULTS

Out of 16,750 patients, 43% were HBR and 57% were no-HBR. Within the two groups, PAD patients were 14% and 6%, respectively, and were more likely to have comorbidities and to undergo complex PCI than no-PAD patients. Within the HBR group, PAD was associated with an increased risk of MACE (11.4% vs. 7.3%, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-1.99, p < 0.001) and a numerical nonsignificant increase of major bleeding (8.5% vs. 6.9%, HR: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.98-1.59, p = 0.066) as compared with no-PAD. Among no-HBR patients, rates of MACE and major bleeding were numerically but not significantly higher in the PAD group. After multivariable adjustment, PAD was no longer a predictor of adverse outcomes, irrespective of HBR status.

CONCLUSIONS

At 1-year after PCI, PAD was associated with increased 1-year risks of MACE in HBR patients. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities, the effect of PAD on adverse events was largely attenuated.

Discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy after stent-assisted coil embolisation of cerebral aneurysm: a nationwide cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Stent-assisted coil embolisation (SACE) for the treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms has been increasingly used. Long-term advantages of antiplatelet therapy (APT) post-SACE treatment are still not well understood. We investigated the long-term effects of APT on clinical prognosis after SACE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study using nationwide health insurance claims data from South Korea, including patients with cerebral aneurysm treated with SACE from January 2009 to December 2020. The study outcomes consisted of the occurrence of cerebral infarction and major haemorrhage. To evaluate the impact of APT, we employed a multivariable time-dependent Cox proportional hazards regression model for each of the three distinct periods: 1-12 months, 12-24 months and >24 months after SACE.

RESULTS

This study included 17 692 unruptured cerebral aneurysm patients treated with SACE. During the mean follow-up of 4.2 years, there were 379 (2.1%) patients with cerebral infarction and 190 (1.1%) patients with major haemorrhage. The percentage of patients receiving APT was 79.5% at 1 year, which gradually decreased to 58.3% at 2 years after SACE. APT was beneficial in preventing cerebral infarction within 12 months after SACE (adjusted HR (aHR) 0.56; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.89; p=0.014). After 12 months, this association was not evident. APT increased the risk of haemorrhage after 24 months (aHR 1.76; 95% CI 1.11 to 2.87; p=0.016).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that in patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysm treated with SACE, the reasonable duration of APT for preventing cerebral infarction might be 1 year after SACE.

Oral Anticoagulants Beyond Warfarin

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have largely replaced vitamin K antagonists, mostly warfarin, for the main indications for oral anticoagulation, prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism, and prevention of embolic stroke in atrial fibrillation. While DOACs offer practical, fixed-dose anticoagulation in many patients, specific restrictions or contraindications may apply. DOACs are not sufficiently effective in high-thrombotic risk conditions such as antiphospholipid syndrome and mechanical heart valves. Patients with cancer-associated thrombosis may benefit from DOACs, but the bleeding risk, particularly in those with gastrointestinal or urogenital tumors, must be carefully weighed. In patients with frailty, excess body weight, and/or moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease, DOACs must be cautiously administered and may require laboratory monitoring. Reversal agents have been developed and approved for life-threatening bleeding. In addition, the clinical testing of potentially safer anticoagulants such as factor XI(a) inhibitors is important to further optimize anticoagulant therapy in an increasingly elderly and frail population worldwide.

Randomized evaluation of 5-month Ticagrelor monotherapy after 1-month dual-antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with drug-coated balloons: REC-CAGEFREE II trial rationale and design

BACKGROUND

Patients treated with drug-coated balloons (DCB) have the theoretical advantage of adopting a low-intensity antiplatelet regimen due to the absence of struts and polymers. Nevertheless, the optimal antiplatelet strategy for patients undergoing DCB-only treatment remains a topic of debate and has not been investigated in randomized trials.

METHODS

The REC-CAGEFREE II is an investigator-initiated, prospective, open-label, multi-center, randomized, non-inferiority trial aimed to enroll 1908 patients from ≥ 40 interventional cardiology centers in China to evaluate the non-inferiority of an antiplatelet regimen consisting of Aspirin plus Ticagrelor for one month, followed by five months Ticagrelor monotherapy, and then Aspirin monotherapy for six months (Experimental group) compared to the conventional treatment of Aspirin plus Ticagrelor for 12 months (Reference group) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using paclitaxel-coated balloons (DCB) exclusively. Participants will be randomly assigned to the Experimental or Reference group in a 1:1 ratio. The randomization will be stratified based on the center and the type of lesion being treated (De novo or in-stent restenosis). The primary endpoint is net adverse clinical events (NACE) within 12 months of PCI, which includes the composite of all-cause death, any stroke, any myocardial infarction, any revascularization and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) defined type 3 or 5 bleeding. The secondary endpoint, any ischemic and bleeding event, which includes all-cause death, any stroke, MI, BARC-defined type 3 bleeding, any revascularization, and BARC-defined type 2 bleeding events, will be treated as having hierarchical clinical importance in the above order and analyzed using the win ratio method.

DISCUSSION

The ongoing REC-CAGEFREE II trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of a low-intensity antiplatelet approach among ACS patients with DCB. If non-inferiority is shown, the novel antiplatelet approach could provide an alternative treatment for ACS patients with DCB.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04971356.

Sex-based differences in ischemic cardiovascular and bleeding outcomes following implantation of drug-eluting stent in patients at high bleeding risk

BACKGROUND

Patients with high bleeding risk (HBR) may exhibit uncertain adherence to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. The current population-based cohort study aimed to investigate the sex-based differences in adverse outcomes among the HBR population by analyzing the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.

METHODS

Patients who had HBR features defined by the Academic Research Consortium (ARC) and received DES implantation between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017, were enrolled. Propensity score matching was adopted to select 3,981 pairs with similar clinical cardiovascular risks but different sexes. A competing risk model was performed to evaluate the risk of adverse ischemic events (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke) and any bleeding events in both sexes. Noncardiac death was considered a competing risk.

RESULTS

Within a 5-year follow-up, the incidence rates (per 1,000 person-year (95% confidence interval (CI)) of composite ischemic events and any bleeding events in males were respectively 44.09 (40.25-48.30) and 42.55 (38.79-46.68), while those in females were respectively 40.18 (36.51-44.23) and 42.35 (38.57-46.51). After adjustment for clinical variables, male patients had a marginally increased risk in the composite ischemic events (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) = 1.15 (1.00-1.31), p = 0.045) and a similar risk of any bleeding events (adjusted SHR = 1.00 (0.88-1.15), p = 0.946) compared with female patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the HBR population, males had an increased risk of ischemic outcomes but a similar risk of bleeding compared with females following DES implantation.

Predictive value of the thrombotic risk criteria proposed in the 2023 ESC guidelines for the management of ACS: insights from a large PCI registry

AIM

To assess the value of the thrombotic risk criteria proposed in the 2023 guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) for the management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to predict the ischaemic risk after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Consecutive patients with acute or chronic coronary syndrome undergoing PCI at a large tertiary-care center from 2014 to 2019 were included. Patients were stratified into low, moderate, or high thrombotic risk based on the ESC criteria. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at 1 year, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke. Secondary endpoints included major bleeding. Among 11 787 patients, 2641 (22.4%) were at low-risk, 5286 (44.8%) at moderate risk, and 3860 (32.7%) at high-risk. There was an incremental risk of MACE at 1 year in patients at moderate (hazard ratios (HR) 2.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78-3.58) and high-risk (HR 3.39, 95% CI 2.39-4.80) as compared to those at low-risk, due to higher rates of all-cause death and MI. Major bleeding rates were increased in high-risk patients (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.25-2.02), but similar between the moderate and low-risk group. The Harrell's C-index for MACE was 0.60.

CONCLUSION

The thrombotic risk criteria of the 2023 ESC guidelines for ACS enable to stratify patients undergoing PCI in categories with an incremental 1 year risk of MACE; however, their overall predictive ability for MACE is modest. Future studies should confirm the value of these criteria to identify patients benefiting from an extended treatment with a second antithrombotic agent.

Impact of Age on Antiplatelet Monotherapy in the Chronic Maintenance Period After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Post Hoc Analysis From the HOST-EXAM Extended Study

BACKGROUNDS

The HOST-EXAM Extended study reported the benefit of clopidogrel monotherapy over aspirin monotherapy in secondary prevention after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This age-specific subgroup analysis of the study aimed to assess the impact of age on antiplatelet monotherapy after PCI.

METHODS

We analysed data from the per-protocol population (4717 patients) with a median follow-up of 5.8 years. The old age group comprised 2033 patients (43.1%), defined as those 65 years of age or older. The primary end point was the composite of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, readmission due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) bleeding type 3 or greater. The secondary end points were thrombotic composite outcomes and any bleeding.

RESULTS

Age correlated with an elevated risk of adverse events, particularly from age 65. Clopidogrel monotherapy was associated with a reduction of the primary end point in both the old age group (19.4% vs 23.1%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.802, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.664-0.968; P = 0.022) and the young age group (7.8% vs 11.7%, HR 0.646, 95% CI 0.506-0.825; P < 0.001), without significant interaction (interaction P = 0.167). These findings were consistent for the secondary composite thrombotic end point and any bleeding events (interaction P value of secondary thrombotic end point: 0.786; interaction P value of any bleeding end point: 0.565). Consistent results were observed in analyses with a 75-year age cutoff and in subgroup analyses by 10-year age intervals.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients requiring antiplatelet monotherapy after PCI, occurrence of both ischemic and bleeding events dramatically increased from age 65. The beneficial impact of clopidogrel over aspirin monotherapy was consistent regardless of age.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02044250.

Validation of prediction tools for GI bleeding in patients on dual anti-platelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The management of dual anti-platelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and GI bleeding (GIB) remains a clinical dilemma. We sought to identify predictors of GIB and recurrent bleeding and to determine whether recurrent bleeding increases the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs).

METHODS

In this single-center retrospective study, patients undergoing PCI were identified. The primary and secondary endpoints were GIB at 180 days and recurrent bleeding or MACE at 365 days. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of GIB and recurrent bleeding. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to determine whether recurrent bleeding can predict a MACE.

RESULTS

Five hundred thirty-six patients were included. On multivariable analysis, PCI for acute coronary syndrome was associated with a 95% increased odds of GIB (P < .001). The P2Y12 inhibitor was continued in >90% of patients, which trended toward significance for recurrent bleeding (P < .10). The HAS-BLED score (Hypertension, Abnormal renal and liver function, Stroke, Bleeding tendency or predisposition, Labile INRs, Elderly, Drugs), including a labile international normalized ratio and prior major bleeding, was strongly associated with recurrent bleeding (P ≤ .009). Recurrent bleeding was associated with a 115% increased risk of MACEs (P = .02). We derived a novel risk score, named the SIGE score ([S]TEMI at PCI, having a labile [I]NR at PCI, index [G]IB within 180 days of PCI, and previous precatheterization [E]ndoscopy within 6 months), to predict recurrent bleeding at 365 days with a high predictive accuracy (area under the curve, .773; 95% confidence interval, .702-.845).

CONCLUSIONS

The SIGE score may help to predict recurrent bleeding, which was shown to be associated with an increased risk of MACEs. Further external validation is needed.

Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia is a Residual Bleeding Risk Factor among Patients with Lower Extremity Artery Disease

AIM

Lower-extremity artery disease (LEAD) is a high-risk factor for bleeding. However, the specific risk factors for bleeding in patients with LEAD remain unclear. We aimed to identify risk factors for bleeding in patients with LEAD after endovascular treatment (EVT).

METHODS

This multicenter, retrospective, observational study included 732 consecutive patients with LEAD who underwent EVT between January 2018 and December 2019. Patient characteristics, laboratory data, target lesions, and medications were compared between patients with and without chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Predictive bleeding risk factors were explored using Cox regression analysis with differential models.

RESULTS

In model 1, a body mass index (BMI) ＜18.5 kg/m2, prior heart failure, high bleeding risk, use of single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) plus warfarin, and CLTI were predictive bleeding risk factors (hazard ratio [HR] 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-3.52; p＜0.01; HR 2.15; 95% CI 1.28-3.55; p＜0.01; HR 3.40; 95% CI 1.28-3.55; p＜0.01; HR 2.05; 95% CI 1.33-5.84; p＜0.01; respectively). In model 2, a BMI ＜18.5 kg/m2, prior heart failure, anemia (＜11 g/dL), low platelet count (＜10*104/µL), chronic kidney disease, use of single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) plus warfarin, and CLTI were independent risk factors for bleeding (model 2: HR 2.05; 95% CI 1.12-3.56; p=0.02; HR 2.35; 95% CI 1.39-3.90; p＜0.01; HR 2.71; 95% CI 1.64-4.50; p＜0.01; HR 2.66; 95% CI 1.00-5.89; p=0.05; HR 2.47; 95% CI 1.25-5.45; p＜0.01; HR 2.79; 95% CI 1.24-5.63; p=0.01; respectively) Conclusions: CLTI is a residual and predictive risk factor for bleeding in patients with LEAD. We have to pay attention to the bleeding events of patients with CLTI after EVT during follow-up.

Impact of renal function on adverse bleeding events associated with dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome

It is believed, but not well established, that renal dysfunction increases the risk of adverse bleeding events associated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), especially in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of this study is to estimate the impact of renal function on adverse bleeding events associated with DAPT in patients with ACS. A total of 1,264 ACS patients who received DAPT, clopidogrel (n = 530) or prasugrel (n = 734) in addition to aspirin, were assessed in a multicenter observational study. The relationship between renal function and bleeding event, defined as BARC 3 or 5, was determined using a marginal effect from the logit model and Royston-Parmar model. During an average 313.1 days of the observation period, defined as the duration of DAPT after admission until the implementation of a change in the regimen, bleeding events were observed in 7.4% of patients (n = 94). The estimated curves demonstrated that the probability of bleeding was positive correlated with renal dysfunction (6.0 to 8.6), regardless of the DAPT regimen used. This probability was consistently higher in clopidogrel (7.4 to 10.5) than in prasugrel (4.8 to 0.7). This trend was also shown in maintenance hemodialysis patients (6.7 vs. 10.3). Estimated cumulative incidences among individual stages of renal function were drawn. In conclusion, bleeding events increased with worsening renal function, and prasugrel is safer than clopidogrel as a component of DAPT throughout all levels of renal function, including hemodialysis patients after ACS.

Critical Analysis of Thrombocytopenia Associated With Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors and Potential Role of Zalunfiban, a Novel Small Molecule Glycoprotein Inhibitor, in Understanding the Mechanism(s)

Thrombocytopenia is a rare but serious complication of the intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa; integrin αIIbβ3) receptor inhibitors (GPIs), abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban. The thrombocytopenia ranges from mild (50 000-100 000 platelets/μL), to severe (20 000 to <50 000/μL), to profound (<20 000/μL). Profound thrombocytopenia appears to occur in <1% of patients receiving their first course of therapy. Thrombocytopenia can be either acute (<24 hours) or delayed (up to ~14 days). Both hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications have been reported in association with thrombocytopenia. Diagnosis requires exclusion of pseudothrombocytopenia and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Therapy based on the severity of thrombocytopenia and symptoms may include drug withdrawals and treatment with steroids, intravenous IgG, and platelet transfusions. Abciximab-associated thrombocytopenia is most common and due to either preformed antibodies or antibodies induced in response to abciximab (delayed). Readministration of abciximab is associated with increased risk of thrombocytopenia. Evidence also supports an immune basis for thrombocytopenia associated with the 2 small molecule GPIs. The latter bind αIIbβ3 like the natural ligands and thus induce the receptor to undergo major conformational changes that potentially create neoepitopes. Thrombocytopenia associated with these drugs is also immune-mediated, with antibodies recognizing the αIIbβ3 receptor only in the presence of the drug. It is unclear whether the antibody binding depends on the conformational change and whether the drug contributes directly to the epitope. Zalunfiban, a second-generation subcutaneous small molecule GPI, does not induce the conformational changes; therefore, data from studies of zalunfiban will provide information on the contribution of the conformational changes to the development of GPI-associated thrombocytopenia.

External validity of the PRECISE-DAPT score in patients undergoing PCI: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

To summarize the totality of evidence validating the Predicting Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Stent Implantation and Subsequent Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (PRECISE-DAPT) score, ascertaining its aggregate discrimination and validation power in multiple population subsets.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We searched electronic databases from 2017 (PRECISE-DAPT proposal) up to March 2023 for studies that reported the occurrence of out-of-hospital bleedings according to the PRECISE-DAPT score in patients receiving DAPT following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as summary statistics and were calculated using a random-effects model. Primary and secondary endpoints were the occurrence of any and major bleeding, respectively. A total of 21 studies and 67 283 patients were included; 24.7% of patients (N = 16 603) were at high bleeding risk (PRECISE-DAPT score ≥25), and when compared to those at low bleeding risk, they experienced a significantly higher rate of any out-of-hospital bleeding (OR: 2.71; 95% CI: 2.24-3.29; P-value <0.001) and major bleedings (OR: 3.51; 95% CI: 2.71-4.55; P-value <0.001). Pooling data on c-stat whenever available, the PRECISE-DAPT score showed a moderate discriminative power in predicting major bleeding events at 1 year (pooled c-stat: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.64-0.77).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis confirms the external validity of the PRECISE-DAPT score in predicting out-of-hospital bleeding outcomes in patients on DAPT following PCI. The moderate discriminative ability highlights the need for future improved risk prediction tools in the field.

Early in-hospital discontinuation of aspirin on the first post-procedural day after percutaneous coronary stent implantation in patients on direct oral anticoagulation

Background

Previous trials investigating antithrombotic therapy with a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) and a P2Y12 inhibitor after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), termed dual therapy, allowed a short period of triple therapy including a DOAC, a P2Y12 inhibitor, and aspirin.

Aims

This study aimed to determine whether discontinuation of aspirin on the first post-procedural day is safe or causes ischemic events.

Methods

Ischemic and bleeding events during hospitalization were investigated retrospectively in all patients treated with dual therapy (DOAC + P2Y12 inhibitor, designated as group 1) or triple therapy (DOAC + P2Y12 inhibitor+aspirin, designated as group 2) from day 1 after PCI at our center.

Results

Of 4,564 consecutive PCI procedures, 1,059 (23.2%) had an indication for OAC. Of these, 322 met the inclusion criteria for group 1 and 62 for group 2. Baseline characteristics, CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores showed no relevant differences between the two groups, and the main indication for DOAC therapy was atrial fibrillation in both groups. Approximately ¼ of patients were treated for acute coronary syndrome. The mean length of post-procedural hospitalization was 2.1 ± 2.5 and 2.2 ± 3.0 days in group 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.305). One patient per group suffered a TIA (p = 0.297). There were no other ischemic events and no statistically significant differences in bleeding events. A subgroup analysis of cases hospitalized for ≥2 post-procedural days (group 1: 100 cases, mean 4.4 ± 3.4 days vs. group 2: 25 cases, mean 4.0 ± 4.1 days) confirmed these results.

Conclusion

The initiation of dual therapy and thus discontinuation of aspirin on the first postprocedural day appears to be safe with respect to short-term ischemic events in a real-world population. Almost ¼ of patients undergoing PCI have an indication for OAC, highlighting the relevance of this issue.

BNP level predicts bleeding event in patients with heart failure after percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the association between heart failure (HF) severity measured based on brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and future bleeding events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

BACKGROUND

The Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk presents a bleeding risk assessment for antithrombotic therapy in patients after PCI. HF is a risk factor for bleeding in Japanese patients.

METHODS

Using an electronic medical record-based database with seven tertiary hospitals in Japan, this retrospective study included 7160 patients who underwent PCI between April 2014 and March 2020 and who completed a 3-year follow-up and were divided into three groups: no HF, HF with high BNP level and HF with low BNP level. The primary outcome was bleeding events according to the Global Use of Streptokinase and t-PA for Occluded Coronary Arteries classification of moderate and severe bleeding. The secondary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Furthermore, thrombogenicity was measured using the Total Thrombus-Formation Analysis System (T-TAS) in 536 consecutive patients undergoing PCI between August 2013 and March 2017 at Kumamoto University Hospital.

RESULTS

Multivariate Cox regression showed that HF with high BNP level was significantly associated with bleeding events, MACE and all-cause death. In the T-TAS measurement, the thrombogenicity was lower in patients with HF with high BNP levels than in those without HF and with HF with low BNP levels.

CONCLUSIONS

HF with high BNP level is associated with future bleeding events, suggesting that bleeding risk might differ depending on HF severity.