Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Warfarin in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Patient-Level Network Meta-Analyses of Randomized Clinical Trials With Interaction Testing by Age and Sex

Real-world management, resource use, patient-reported outcomes and adherence in patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants for first stroke attributed to non-valvular atrial fibrillation in secondary care: A UK mixed-methods observational study

This real-world study investigated the patient-related factors, characteristics, and outcomes of adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) receiving a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) for secondary stroke prevention. This was a multi-centre, mixed-methods, non-interventional study conducted in 8 UK secondary care National Health Service centres. The study included adult patients who presented with first ischaemic stroke associated with NVAF without previous anticoagulants. Group 1 included all patients. Group 2 is comprised of prospectively enrolled patients who were initiated on apixaban (n = 49), edoxaban (n = 39) or rivaroxaban (n = 5) post-first stroke from Group 1. The primary objective (Group 1) was to describe patients' demographics, clinical characteristics, and medical history, stratified by the anticoagulant prescribed. The secondary objectives (Group 2) were to describe the patient management pathways, hospital resource use and clinical assessments associated with DOAC treatment, and the patient-reported satisfaction and experience of DOAC treatment. 234 patients were recruited from 8 centres (Group 1). Baseline CHA2DS2-VASc risk scores ranged from 2-7; 70% (157/224) had a score of ≥4. 86% (n = 202/234) of patients presented with stroke at accident and emergency. For Group 2, the median time from stroke to first DOAC dose was 6 (IQR, 2.0-10.2; n = 88) days; 50% patients had ≥ 1 outpatient visit recorded related to AF or DOACs. At 3 and 6 months, 73% (46/63) and 83% (43/52) had high (score of 8) Morisky Medication Adherence Scale score (MMAS-8), respectively. No patients reported being dissatisfied at 3 or 6 months post-DOAC initiation. The study findings demonstrate high levels of adherence, persistence, and treatment satisfaction in the 6 months post-initiation of DOAC after first stroke attributable to NVAF in patients. The presented results provide clinicians with valuable insights into the experience of post-stroke patients with NVAF receiving treatment with a DOAC for secondary prevention of stroke during the 6 months post-stroke.

Continued Versus Interrupted Oral Anticoagulation During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

A substantial number of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) require long-term oral anticoagulants (OAC) owing to comorbidities. This study examined whether continuing oral anticoagulation periprocedurally during TAVR is as safe and effective as interrupting it.

METHODS

A systematic search of the major databases was performed to identify relevant studies. Effect estimates were calculated using risk ratios (RR) and 95% CIs by pooling the data using the inverse-variance random effects model. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Four studies were included, with 2962 patients undergoing TAVR with continued OAC (n = 1318) and interrupted OAC (n = 1644). The pooled analysis demonstrated that TAVR with continued OAC had comparable risks for all-cause mortality (RR: 0.91; 95% CI, 0.62-1.34; P = 0.64), cardiovascular mortality (RR: 0.89; 95% CI, 0.43-1.84; P = 0.76), stroke (RR: 0.67; 95% CI, 0.42-1.08; P = 0.09), closure device failure (RR: 0.86; 95% CI, 0.47-1.59; P = 0.64), major/life-threatening bleeding (RR: 0.93; 95% CI, 0.74-1.15; P = 0.49), and major vascular complications (RR: 0.97; 95% CI, 0.79-1.20; P = 0.80) compared with TAVR with interrupted OAC.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing TAVR, continued OAC showed comparable safety and efficacy with interrupted OAC. These findings demonstrate that continuing OAC in the periprocedural period may be a viable option in patients with atrial fibrillation because of comorbidities requiring anticoagulants.

Relevance of selected pharmacogenetic polymorphisms to bleeding and thromboembolic risks in Chinese patients taking direct-acting oral anticoagulants

AIMS

Gene polymorphisms play a critical role in the variability of plasma concentrations of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs). In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of genetic variants on the clinical outcomes of Chinese patients treated with DOACs.

METHODS

The retrospective study recruited 720 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who were receiving dabigatran, rivaroxaban or edoxaban. Cox regression models were employed to compare the clinical outcomes between carriers and noncarriers of the key single nucleotide polymorphisms.

RESULTS

Results revealed that the CES1 rs2244613 C allele significantly reduced bleeding events in patients treated with dabigatran (adjusted hazard ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.85, P = .021). The carriage of ABCB1 rs1045642 T allele was associated with a lower risk of thromboembolism in rivaroxaban users (adjusted hazard ratio 0.19, 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.57, P = .003). Additionally, a trend toward statistical significance (P = .052) was observed between the SLCO1B1 rs4149056 C allele and bleeding risk among the edoxaban users.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that the CES1 rs2244613 and ABCB1 rs1045642 alleles were associated with outcome events in Chinese patients taking dabigatran and rivaroxaban, respectively. The findings could help predict clinical outcomes and develop personalized anticoagulation treatment strategies for Chinese patients taking DOACs.

Comparative analysis of therapeutic strategies in atrial fibrillation patients with left atrial appendage thrombus despite optimal NOAC therapy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus is the primary cause of stroke and systemic embolism in atrial fibrillation (AF). Non-vitamin-K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) effectively reduce LAA thrombus prevalence and stroke risk. However, the optimal treatment of a NOAC-resistant thrombus remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate therapeutic strategies for resolving LAA thrombus in patients on optimal NOAC therapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients scheduled for cardioversion or catheter ablation of AF between 2014 and 2023 with LAA thrombus on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) despite being on optimal NOAC therapy. We assessed how the applied management strategy affected thrombus resolution.

RESULTS

Among the analyzed 120 patients, a change to a different NOAC occurred in 41% of cases, a transition to a VKA in 30%, and the supplementation with antiplatelet therapy in 11%. In contrast, 18% of the patients received unchanged therapy. Follow-up imaging at 65 [44 - 95] days showed successful thrombus resolution in 92 (77%) of cases, predicted by a lower CHA2DS2-VASc score (p = 0.01). Any modification of antithrombotic therapy was an independent predictor of thrombus resolution (OR 5.28 [1.55-18], p = 0.01). Of the four strategies, there was a trend toward better thrombus resolution with switching to a VKA (OR 3.23 [1.03-10.1], p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Resolution of LAA thrombus in patients already on adequate NOAC treatment may require a revision of the anticoagulation strategy. In addition, transitioning from NOAC to VKA might be considered.

Contemporary trends in incident ischaemic stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, and mortality in individuals with atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients is based on data that is decades old. Given evolving standards of clinical practice, we sought to evaluate temporal trends in clinically important outcomes among patients with AF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

California's Department of Health Care Access and Information databases were used to identify adults aged ≥18 years with AF receiving hospital-based care in California. We compared three time-periods: 2005-2009, 2010-2014, and 2015-2019. International Classification of Diseases codes were used to identify chronic diseases and acute events. The outcomes were incident ischaemic stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, and overall mortality. We included 2 009 832 patients with AF (52.7% males, 70.7% Whites, and mean age of 75.0 years), divided in three cohorts: 2005-2009 (n = 738 954), 2010-2014 (n = 609 447), and 2015-2019 (n = 661 431). Each outcome became substantially less common with time: compared with 2005-2009, AF patients diagnosed in 2015-2019 experienced a 34% (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval 0.64-0.69), 22% (HR 0.78, 0.75-0.82), and 24% (HR 0.76, 0.75-0.77) reduction in risk of incident ischaemic stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, and mortality, respectively. Between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019, patients aged ≥65 years experienced more reductions in each outcome compared with younger patients (P < 0.001 for all), and declines in each outcome were significantly lower for Hispanics and Blacks compared with white patients.

CONCLUSION

The risks of stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, and death have significantly declined among AF patients, although differences in the magnitude of improvement of these outcomes by demographic groups were observed. Commonly described estimates of the prognosis for AF patients should be updated to reflect contemporary care.

Characteristics of chronic subdural haematomas related to DOACs vs warfarin

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of anticoagulation with DOACs and warfarin on the characteristics of chronic subdural hematomas (CSDHs), specifically, the size of the hematomas, the presence of midline shift and the effect on consciousness levels, measured via the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).

METHODS

A multi-centre retrospective case series analysis from January 2015 to May 2020 was conducted. Patients who were anticoagulated with DOACs and warfarin were of primary interest. The CSDH characteristics that were focussed on included the size of the CSDH, midline shift and GCS. Chi-squared analysis and independent t-tests were conducted for inter-variable analysis. Relative risk was also calculated.

RESULTS

Two thousand, six hundred seventy-five patients across two tertiary neurosurgical units referred with CSDHs were included in the analysis. 1799 patients were male (67.3%), with a mean age of 78.5 years. 905 patients (33.8%) were on antithrombotic therapy, with 298 patients (11.1%) on warfarin and 203 patients (7.6%) on DOACs. There were statistically significant associations between the type of antithrombotic medication and both midline shift and size of the CSDH (p < 0.0001), but not GCS (p = 0.1956). No significant difference in relative risk (RR) for impaired GCS was found between DOACs and warfarin (1.158 vs 1.174 respectively). Relative risk analysis revealed a safer profile for DOACs, with a lower risk of developing a larger sized hematoma (RR 0.887 v 1.021) and a reduced likelihood of midline shift (RR 0.858 VS 0.938), which was supported by effect size analysis using odd's ratios. Comparative risk analysis between DOACs and warfarin further demonstrated a higher risk of midline shift for patients on warfarin (RR 1.431), that trended towards statistical significance (p = 0.0511, 95% confidence interval 0.998-2.05).

CONCLUSIONS

For CSDH patients, DOACs may potentially be a safer method of anticoagulation as opposed to warfarin as they appear to be linked to the development of smaller sized hematomas and reduced midline shift, although there was no significant difference in GCS between the groups. These features are known to reduce the risk of needing neurosurgical intervention for CSDH. This is important in influencing the management of an increasingly ageing, multi-morbid population on increasing amounts of anticoagulation medication.

Ischemic Stroke in Patients Under Oral Anticoagulation: The Achilles Heel of Atrial Fibrillation Management

Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is essential for preventing ischemic stroke events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and leads to a significant ischemic prophylaxis, when appropriately used. However, there is still a risk of experiencing stroke events, despite being under anticoagulation. Stroke despite OAC is an increasingly common diagnosis, and pathophysiologically, it can be associated with several etiologies, ranging from AF competing mechanisms to true anticoagulation failure. While the cardioembolic origin of stroke is the most frequently identified etiology, other factors also have to be considered, as there is a significance risk of coexistence. This highlights the need for thorough diagnostic testing, evaluating each stroke etiology independently, with the use of imaging, biomarker and blood tests. Treating such patients, however, is more complex, as there is still uncertainty regarding the selection of OAC post-stroke, with data showing a superiority of direct OAC (DOAC), compared to vitamin K antagonists, in recurrent ischemic stroke prevention and conflicting results regarding OAC switch. Finally, the additive value of cardiac interventions, such as left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), in secondary prevention of stroke, is being explored, as it could potentially lead to significant stroke risk reduction. This review, therefore, provides an updated summary of the pathophysiology, diagnostics and therapeutics of stroke under OAC, while also discussing the future direction on the Achilles heel of AF management.

Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion and Its Role in Stroke Prevention

Atrial fibrillation is a frequent cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with an increased risk of cardioembolic stroke. The left atrial appendage is a finger-like extension originating from the main body of the left atrium and the main location of thrombus formation in patients with atrial fibrillation. Surgical or percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) aims at preventing clot formation in the left atrial appendage. Here, we describe available surgical and percutaneous approaches to achieve LAAO and discuss the available evidence for LAAO in patients with atrial fibrillation. We discuss the role of LAAO and its role in stroke prevention in frequent scenarios in cerebrovascular medicine: LAAO as a potential alternative to oral anticoagulation in patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage, and LAAO as a promising add-on therapy to direct oral anticoagulant therapy in patients with breakthrough stroke despite anticoagulation. Finally, we provide an outlook on currently ongoing trials that will provide further evidence in the next years.

The association between proton pump inhibitors and the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in oral anticoagulants users

Current evidence of whether proton pump inhibitor (PPI) reduces the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) associated with oral anticoagulants (OACs) is limited. Propensity score-weighted cohort and case-crossover studies were conducted separately in England and Hong Kong between 2011.01.01 and 2019.12.31. In the cohort design, we compared the hazards of hospitalised GIB in OAC  +  PPI users with OAC only users in people with atrial fibrillation and found higher hazard of GIB in OAC  +  PPI users in both settings. In the case-crossover design, elevated odds of exposure to PPI only , OAC only and OAC  +  PPI associated with GIB between 30-day hazard and referent periods were similarly found in both settings. Overall, the evidence of an elevated risk of OAC  +  PPI associated with GIB compared with OAC only was modest in the cohort study. Our case-crossover study suggested that residual confounding is likely to explain the association, suggesting that concomitant prescription of PPI with OAC did not modify GIB.

Geographic and Racial Variation in Oral Anticoagulant (OAC) Treatment Among Commercially Insured Patients with Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation (NVAF) in the United States

BACKGROUND

Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are recommended for stroke reduction in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). OAC use has been studied in Medicare populations, but data for younger, commercially insured populations are limited.

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study aimed to describe the geographic variation of OAC use among commercially insured patients with NVAF at high risk of stroke (CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2) in the USA.

METHODS

Geographic variation was assessed by 3-digit zip code and race among patients identified from the Komodo Health commercial database with a diagnosis of NVAF between January 1, 2016, and August 31, 2021. Continuous health plan enrollment for ≥ 12 months before and 12 months after the NVAF diagnosis was required.

RESULTS

A total of 619,111 patients with NVAF at high risk for stroke were identified, of whom approximately 50% were not treated with OACs. Of the half who received OACs, almost 85% received direct OACs (DOACs) and 15% received warfarin therapy. Overall, the highest untreated rates were observed in the South and West US regions, followed by the Midwest, then the Northeast. The highest DOAC treatment rates were in the Northeast for White patients and in the North and South for Black patients. The highest warfarin treatment rates were in the upper Midwest for White patients and the Midwest for Black patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study may help guide the identification of areas to target interventions to improve treatment rates and confirm prior findings of geographic and racial variations of OAC use in NVAF.

Prescriptions of CYP3A4- and P-gp inducers for patients on direct oral anticoagulants: Bridging the gap between epidemiology and patient management for optimal thromboembolic event prevention

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are frequently used for the treatment and prevention of ischaemic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Compared to vitamin K antagonists, DOACs have significant advantages, although their drug-drug interaction (DDI) profile may complicate drug efficacy and safety. This narrative review addresses the clinical challenges posed by these DDIs and the potential pharmacological alternatives and monitoring strategies available. A PubMed search was conducted (1 January 2000-31 December 2023) including human DDI studies on DOAC use and CYP3A4/P-gp inducers in adult patients, evaluating patient outcome data and recommendations for DDI management. Twenty-two studies were included. Case reports (n = 6) indicated that antiepileptic drugs such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin may be associated with thromboembolic events. The nested case-control studies (n = 2) and cohort studies (n = 9) found that co-administration of DOACs and CYP3A4/P-gp inducers, particularly carbamazepine and phenytoin, increased the risk of thromboembolic events. Pharmacovigilance database analyses indicated a significant association between DOAC DDIs and increased reported stroke rates. Management recommendations in systematic reviews (n = 5) highlighted monitoring when DOACs were combined with inducers. Strategies included using alternative drugs with a weaker or preferentially absent inducing profile. Limited evidence suggests that edoxaban may be an acceptable option in case of DOAC and CYP3A4/P-gp inducer interactions; however, robust clinical data confirming safety are needed. Present literature indicates a higher thromboembolic risk in patients on DOAC treatment combining CYP3A4- and/or P-gp inducers. DOAC management should be tailored to the individual patient through collaboration between expert healthcare professionals.

Concomitant Use of Oral Anticoagulants With Oral Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors and Serious Bleeding Events

In a prior screening study, saxagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i), was found to have an increased rate of serious bleeding when used concomitantly with several oral anticoagulants (OACs). We aimed to confirm or refute the associations between concomitant use of individual OACs and DPP-4is and serious bleeding in a large US database, using self-controlled case series (SCCS) and case-crossover (CCO) designs. The study population was eligible Medicare beneficiaries co-exposed to a DPP-4i (precipitant) and either an OAC (object drug) or lisinopril (negative control object drug) in 2016-2020. For the SCCS, we used conditional Poisson regression to estimate adjusted rate ratios (RRs) between each co-exposure (vs. not) and serious bleeding and divided the RR by the adjusted RR for the corresponding lisinopril + precipitant pair to obtain ratios of RRs (RRRs). For the CCO, we estimated the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of exposure to the precipitant in the focal window vs. referent window using multivariable conditional logistic regression and divided the ORs in the object drug-exposed cases over the ORs in negative object drug-exposed cases to obtain the ratios of ORs (RORs). The adjusted RRRs for serious bleeding ranged from 0.32 (0.05-1.91) for apixaban/lisinopril + saxagliptin to 3.49 (1.29-9.48) for warfarin/lisinopril + linagliptin. The adjusted RORs ranged from 0.01 (0.00-0.20) for rivaroxaban/lisinopril + saxagliptin to 2.99 (0.74-12.11) for apixaban/lisinopril + linagliptin. While we could not confirm previously identified signals because of statistical imprecision, several numerically elevated estimates still warrant caution in concomitant use and further examination.

Pericardial Effusion Associated With Direct Oral Anticoagulant Use in a Single Center Experience

BACKGROUND

Pericardial effusion (PEff) has been described to occur in association with direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC).

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence, characteristics, and predisposing factors of PEff associated with DOACs.

METHODS

In this retrospective single center study, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with PEff in adult patients (age ≥18 years) in the Santa Clara Health System between 2013 and 2023.

RESULTS

Of the 456 patients with at least small to moderate PEff, 50 were on DOACs (DOAC PEff), 16 on warfarin (warfarin PEff), and 390 with no anticoagulation (NA PEff), with annual incidence 0.069%, 0.047%, and 0.001% for DOAC, warfarin, and NA PEff, respectively. Twenty-five (50%) of the DOAC PEff cases had moderately large or large PEff. Twenty-one cases underwent either percutaneous or surgical drainage. The DOAC PEff patients were significantly older and with more concurrent use of amiodarone. Logistic regression identified the following factors associated with moderately large or large PEff: DOAC (OR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.19-4.37), warfarin (OR: 5.50; 95% CI: 1.88-16.06), concurrent use of amiodarone (OR: 4.32; 95% CI: 1.46-12.78), and presence of solid tumor (OR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.25-3.39).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest single center case series of DOAC PEff, with annual incidence higher than previously reported. Future research is needed to study the pharmacokinetic interactions between DOACs and commonly co-prescribed drugs as well as the cost-effectiveness of enhanced surveillance of PEff in those with solid cancer while on DOACs.

Safety and Efficacy of Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibitors in Patients With Nephrotic Syndrome: Results From a National Retrospective Study

Introduction

The optimal management of thromboembolism (TE) in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) remains challenging. Until now, anticoagulation therapy for NS consisted of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or heparin. Data on direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use in NS are limited, and their safety and convenience have been well-demonstrated in other indications.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of adult patients with NS treated with therapeutic-dose anticoagulation between 2014 and 2022. We compared the incidences of bleeding and TE events between patients receiving DOAC and those receiving VKAs or heparin (standard-of-care [SOC]). Patients with end-stage kidney disease were excluded.

Results

The overall population consisted of 144 patients (median [interquartile range] age of 54 [38-67] years, 34.7% women) with a median albumin level at 1.5 (1.2-1.8) g/dl and a median urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio of 8.8 (5.5-12.3)g/g. Membranous nephropathy was the main NS etiology (45.8%). No significant differences were observed between the DOAC (n = 72) and the SOC (n = 72) groups. The anticoagulant strategy was primary prophylaxis in 79.2% of patients taking DOAC and 83.3% of patients with SOC (P = 0.67). DOAC use was not associated with an increased rate of TE (4.2% vs. 0%, P = 0.25) or bleeding events (6.9% vs. 13.9%, P = 0.28) compared with the SOC group. Univariate analysis identified female sex, age > 75 years, and anticoagulant exposure > 90 days as risk factors for bleeding.

Conclusion

This study suggests that DOAC are safer and more effective than conventional anticoagulant strategies for both primary and secondary prophylaxis in patients with NS.

Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure: Supporting Evidence, Limitations and Future Directions

Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) has emerged as a promising intervention for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation who are contraindicated for long-term anticoagulation therapy. Despite its growing adoption, a comprehensive review of the LAAO procedure is essential to consolidate the supporting evidence, identify limitations, and outline future directions. This review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LAAO, drawing on clinical trials and real-world studies to provide a balanced perspective. Additionally, we address the limitations of current research, including variability in patient selection, procedural techniques, and follow-up protocols. By highlighting gaps in the knowledge and areas for improvement, this review aims to guide future research efforts to optimize and expand the therapeutic potential of LAAO.

Asundexian or Apixaban in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation According to Prior Oral Anticoagulant Use: A Subgroup Analysis of the OCEANIC-AF Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), oral anticoagulants (OACs) reduce the risk of stroke.

Objective

To investigate if patients with less prior OAC exposure respond differently to a new OAC than patients with more OAC exposure.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this prespecified exploratory subgroup analysis of the Oral Factor 11a Inhibitor Asundexian as Novel Antithrombotic-Atrial Fibrillation (OCEANIC-AF) randomized clinical trial, patients enrolled in the OCEANIC-AF trial were categorized as OAC naive or OAC experienced based on whether they had 6 or fewer weeks or more than 6 weeks of prior OAC use. The effect of asundexian vs apixaban was then compared on outcomes among patients who were OAC naive and OAC experienced. The study setting included 1035 sites in 38 countries, and participants were those enrolled in the OCEANIC-AF trial. Data were analyzed from June to July 2024.

Interventions

Asundexian, a novel factor XIa inhibitor, was compared with apixaban in patients with AF.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary efficacy outcome was stroke or systemic embolism. The main safety outcome was major bleeding.

Results

Of patients in the OCEANIC-AF trial, 2493 (17%) were OAC naive (mean [SD] age, 72.6 [8.6] years; 1464 male [59%]) and 12 317 (83%) were OAC experienced (mean [SD] age, 74.2 [7.5] years; 8132 male [66%]). In the asundexian arm, patients who were OAC naive had a stroke or systemic embolism rate of 0.8% (10 of 1238) compared with 1.4% (88 of 6177) in those who were OAC experienced. In the apixaban arm, patients who were OAC naive had a stroke or systemic embolism rate of 0.6% (7 of 1255) compared with 0.3% (19 of 6140) in those who were OAC experienced. Thus, patients who were OAC naive had a smaller increase in stroke or systemic embolism with asundexian compared with apixaban (hazard ratio [HR], 1.42; 95% CI, 0.54-3.73) than patients who were OAC experienced (HR, 4.66; 95% CI, 2.84-7.65; P for interaction =.03). Bleeding rates were lower among both OAC-naive patients (0.2% [2 of 1228]) and OAC-experienced patients (0.2% [15 of 6145]) assigned asundexian than among OAC-naive patients (1.0% [13 of 1249]) and OAC-experienced patients (0.7% [40 of 6115]) assigned apixaban.

Conclusions and Relevance

In the OCEANIC-AF randomized clinical trial, patients with AF who were OAC naive had a smaller increase in stroke or systemic embolism and a similar lower rate of bleeding with asundexian compared with apixaban than patients who were OAC experienced. The mechanism of these findings is unknown and deserves further research.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05643573.

Biomarker-Based Model for Prediction of Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) the risk of ischemic stroke is central to recommendations for stroke-prevention treatment.

OBJECTIVES

The authors evaluated the biomarker-based Age, Biomarkers, Clinical history (ABC)-AF-stroke risk score and developed a modified ABC-AF-istroke risk score for prediction of respectively total and ischemic stroke in patients with AF.

METHODS

In 26,452 patients with AF assigned to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or warfarin, information on age, clinical history of stroke, and levels of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin were used for calculation of the ABC-AF-stroke score and the modified ABC-AF-istroke score.

RESULTS

During follow-up, there were 756 cases with stroke or systemic embolism (SEE) including 534 with ischemic stroke/SEE. The discrimination of total stroke/SEE was superior for the ABC-AF-stroke score, C-index (0.667 [95% CI: 0.648-0.687]), compared with 0.632 (95% CI: 0.612-0.652) for the ATRIA (Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation) and 0.614 (95% CI: 0.594-0.633) for the CHA2DS2-VASc score (P < 0.001 for both). The results were similar for ischemic stroke/SEE with C-index for ABC-AF-istroke 0.677 (95% CI: 0.654-0.700) compared with 0.642 (95% CI: 0.618-0.666) for the ATRIA and 0.624 (95% CI: 0.601-0.647) for the CHA2DS2-VASc score (P < 0.001 for both). The ABC-AF-stroke scores showed good calibration for total and ischemic stroke. Results were consistent in relevant subgroups. Decision curve analyses showed a net benefit concerning stroke-prevention decision thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS

The biomarker-based ABC-AF risk scores for the risk of total and ischemic stroke were well calibrated, showed better discrimination than clinical risk scores in predicting total and ischemic stroke, and provided meaningful decision support for stroke-prevention treatments in patients with AF.

The role of vitamin K and its antagonist in the process of ferroptosis-damaged RPE-mediated CNV

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people over the age of 55. AMD currently affects approximately 8% of the world's population, and the number is growing as the global population ages. Growing evidence suggests that pathological choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is often related to more severe and rapid vision loss and blindness associated with AMD. The typical clinical treatment is intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents. However, some patients do not respond well to this therapy, and the potential risks of long-term repeated injections cannot be ignored. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore the specific mechanisms of CNV development and find new, safe, and effective treatments. In this study, our data indicate that ferroptotic damage of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and its induced VEGFA overexpression are critical promoting factors in the development of CNV. Vitamin K can mediate the protection of RPE cells from ferroptotic damage and regulate the expression of eIF2α-ATF4-VEGFA in a VKOR/FSP1-dependent manner, inhibiting new angiogenesis to alleviate CNV. On the contrary, vitamin K antagonists (VKA) represented by warfarin, can promote RPE ferroptotic damage and related vascular proliferation in mice and eventually aggravate CNV lesions. However, vitamin K still showed significant protective effects even in the presence of VKA. Due to its significant anti-ferroptosis and anti-neovascular effects, as well as its relative safety and convenience of use, vitamin K has excellent potential in the treatment of CNV and is expected to become a clinically effective and safe new CNV treatment strategy.

Association of rivaroxaban plasma trough concentrations with clinical characteristics and outcomes

Background

Rivaroxaban use has increased significantly among older adults; however, no definitive plasma concentration thresholds for bleeding or thrombosis have been established. However, dose adjustments for this population remain controversial.

Methods

Between January 2022 and August 2023, we analyzed trough plasma samples from hospitalized patients treated with rivaroxaban for at least three consecutive days. Clinical data, including demographics, comorbidities, and adverse events, were extracted from electronic medical records. The plasma concentrations of rivaroxaban were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Statistical analyses were performed to identify factors influencing rivaroxaban exposure and clinical outcomes.

Results

Among 360 plasma samples analyzed (55% male; median age: 72 years), age (P = 0.042) and renal function (P = 0.002) were significant predictors of rivaroxaban concentration-to-dose ratio. Bleeding events were associated with higher trough concentrations (median: 81.85 ng/mL in the bleeding group vs. 26.80 ng/mL in others; P < 0.001) and were more common in patients with malignancies or prior bleeding history. Thrombotic events occurred predominantly in older patients with a history of stroke (P < 0.05). Patients who died were older and had higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores (P < 0.05), prolonged prothrombin times (P < 0.001), and multiple comorbidities.

Conclusion

Routine monitoring of rivaroxaban plasma concentrations may improve safety in older adults with multiple comorbidities or impaired hepatic, renal, or coagulation functions. Further research is required to establish specific therapeutic thresholds for bleeding and thrombosis.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants for the Treatment of Unusual-Site Venous Thrombosis: An Update

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have emerged as the preferred oral anticoagulant therapy for patients with deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities and pulmonary embolism. DOACs offer several advantages over vitamin K antagonists, including fixed dosage, fewer drug interactions, faster onset of action, and a lower risk of major bleeding, especially intracranial. Although evidence on the use of DOACs in unusual-site venous thrombosis (USVT) is limited, their use in such cases is becoming increasingly common. This narrative review examines the evidence derived from randomized controlled trials, and large observational studies focused on the use of the DOACs in USVT, including cerebral, splanchnic, upper extremity, ovarian, renal, and retinal vein thrombosis. In addition, it also provides practical advice for their use in these clinical settings according to the updated scientific literature.

Care for Atrial Fibrillation and Outcomes in Rural Versus Urban Communities in the United States: A Systematic and Narrative Review

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Differences have been identified between medical care delivered in urban and rural settings, and rurality-based disparities may exist in AF care. We performed a systematic review investigating the effect of rurality on AF care and outcomes in the United States. PubMed was queried for entries on AF and rurality: ("atrial fibrillation" OR "atrial flutter") AND ("rural" OR "urban" OR "rurality" OR "metro" OR "metropolitan") AND ("united states" OR "US" OR "U.S.") published up to September 24, 2023. Anticoagulation, rhythm control, settings of care, outcomes, and all-cause mortality were reviewed in relevant studies. The search identified 395 total articles. After screening, 14 relevant articles were included in the review. These studies ranged from 1993 to 2020 and analyzed approximately 41.7 million AF patient encounters. The use of catheter ablation for AF per electrophysiologist was similar across the rural-urban spectrum. Patients with AF and rural residence were less likely to receive a direct oral anticoagulant and more likely to remain on warfarin (relative risk, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.88-0.92]). Patients in rural communities were less likely to receive non-emergent AF care (odds ratio [OR], 0.96 [95% CI, 0.93-0.98]). In-hospital mortality for patients with AF admitted to rural hospitals was higher than urban hospitals (OR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.01-1.39)]. Measurable differences exist in both treatments and outcomes of patients with AF between rural and urban settings in the United States. These differences should inform future investigations and strategies to improve health in people with AF.

Current Real-World Status of Off-Label Under- and Over-Dose of Direct Oral Anticoagulants After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

BACKGROUND

Off-label under- and overdosing of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is not uncommon in real-world practice.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify efficacy and safety of off-label DOACs dose after AF ablation.

METHODS

The RYOUMA registry was a prospective multicenter study of Japanese patients who underwent AF ablation between 2017 and 2018. DOAC prescriptions were categorized into on-label standard dose, on-label reduced dose, off-label underdose, and off-label overdose.

RESULTS

The proportion of off-label doses among patients after AF ablation varied depending on the type of DOAC, ranging from 13.5% to 34.9%. Of 2821 patients, 366 (13.0%) were prescribed an off-label underdose and exhibited significantly higher CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, CHA2DS2-VA, HELT-E2S2, and HAS-BLED scores, age, concomitant use of antiplatelets, and lower weight when compared to the on-label standard dose (n = 1809). While the incidence of ischemic stroke after 1 year of off-label underdose was notably low (0.28%), the rate of major bleeding was relatively high (1.7%). Off-label overdose was prescribed to 134 patients (4.8%), who showed a significantly higher incidence of major bleeding (3.0%) compared to on-label standard dose (0.91%; p = 0.02). The off-label overdose group did not have any particular background and its thromboembolic risk was, conversely, low. The most likely cause of off-label overdose was clinicians potentially overlooking dose criteria, including advanced age, low body weight, and low creatinine clearance.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients after AF ablation, off-label DOAC overdose was infrequent, but significantly associated with higher incidence of major bleeding during the remote period after AF ablation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered as UMIN000026092 (University Hospital Medical Information Network-Clinical Trial Registry).

Use of Direct Anticoagulants in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Review of the Current Evidence and Emerging Perspectives

Thromboembolic events and atrial fibrillation are common among kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), and these conditions typically require anticoagulation. Traditionally, vitamin K antagonists were used for management, but the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has increased in KTRs. In the general population, DOACs are recommended over warfarin, but the applicability of these recommendations to KTRs is unclear because of risk-benefit concerns. There is some hesitancy to use DOACs in KTRs because of their dependence on renal clearance for elimination, potential drug-drug interactions, and limited data. To date, studies of DOACs in KTRs have demonstrated that they are efficient in thromboembolic events, major bleeding is rare, and drug-drug interactions appear rare. However, no guidance yet exists about the use of DOACs, reversal of DOAC action, and the pre- and post-kidney transplant management of DOACs in KTRs, and the evidence base is scarce. Thus, decisions on DOAC use in KTRs are based on expert opinion and the resources and experiences of individual transplant centers. This review summarizes 10 published studies on the use of DOACs in 741 KTRs, evaluating the side effects, efficacy, drug-drug interactions, and perioperative management compared with those of 1320 KTRs using vitamin K antagonists. Although current data are limited, DOACs appear to be relatively safe and effective in KTRs, with some studies suggesting lower bleeding rates and better kidney function than with vitamin K antagonists. However, more research with larger patient groups is needed to draw definitive conclusions.

Controversies and challenges of anticoagulation therapy in obesity

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between anticoagulation efficacy and safety in obesity is complex and can vary between degrees of obesity and anticoagulant choice. Indeed, patients at extremes of body weight were under-represented in randomized trials. Additionally, the possibility of an 'obesity paradox' has been raised in atrial fibrillation, describing decreased thromboembolic risk in obese patients.

AREAS COVERED

We explore the current literature on anticoagulation in obesity, specifically with regard to efficacy in atrial fibrillation, efficacy in venous thromboembolism, and bleeding risk. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic considerations are also discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

As a class, direct oral anticoagulants are comparable to vitamin-K antagonists in preventing and treating thromboembolism in overweight and obese patients, whilst not increasing bleeding risk.

Analysis of The 2024 ESC/EACTS Guidelines For The Management Of Atrial Fibrillation

The 2024 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for atrial fibrillation (AF) emphasize a patient-centered approach to management, structured around the AF-CARE pathway: Comorbidity and risk factor management (C), Avoiding stroke and thromboembolism (A), Reducing symptoms through rate and rhythm control (R), and Evaluation and dynamic reassessment (E). This framework ensures that comorbidities such as hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, and obesity are effectively managed to prevent disease progression and improve outcomes. A key principle of the guidelines is shared decision making involving patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare teams to ensure individualized care that reflects patient preferences. The guidelines also stress healthcare equity, advocating for the elimination of disparities related to sex, ethnicity, disability, and socioeconomic status. For diagnosis, electrocardiographic confirmation of clinical AF is essential, followed by risk stratification using the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score to guide anticoagulation therapy. Direct oral anticoagulants are preferred for most patients because of their good safety profile. Stroke prevention is prioritized, with rhythm control as first-line treatment for suitable patients. For those with persistent symptoms despite medications, catheter ablation is recommended. Rate control strategies, including beta-blockers, digoxin, and calcium channel blockers, are used to manage heart rate and symptoms. Ongoing education for patients, families, and providers supports informed decision making and dynamic reassessment, optimizing patient outcomes and quality of life.

Network Meta-Analysis With Individual Participant-Level Data of Time-to-Event Outcomes Using Cox Regression

The accessibility of individual participant-level data (IPD) enhances the evaluation of moderation effects of patient covariates. It facilitates the provision of accurate estimation of intervention effects and confidence intervals by incorporating covariate correlations across multiple clinical trials. With a time-to-event outcome, Cox regression can be applied for network meta-analysis (NMA) using IPD. However, there lacks comprehensive reviews and comparisons of the specifications and assumptions of these Cox models and their impact on the interpretation of hazard ratios, effect moderation, and trial heterogeneity in IPD-NMA. In this paper, we examine various Cox models for IPD-NMA and compare different approaches to modeling trial, treatment, and covariate effects. We employ multiple graphical tools and statistical tests to assess proportional hazard assumptions and discuss their implications. Additionally, we explore the application of extended Cox models when the proportional hazard assumption is violated. Practical guidance on interpreting and reporting NMA results is provided. A simulation study is conducted to compare the performance of different models. We illustrate the methods to conduct IPD-NMA through a real data example.

Left atrial appendage closure in patients with failure of anticoagulation therapy: A multicenter comparative study on the hybrid strategy using DOACs and VKAs

BACKGROUND

Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (nvAF) who experienced a cardioembolic (CE) event despite adequate oral anticoagulation (OAC) are at high risk of recurrence and the combination between percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and long-term OAC may be a valuable option. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and the efficacy of post-LAAC long-term assumption of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) vs. vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in this population.

METHODS

Consecutive nvAF patients who experienced OAC failure despite adequate OAC therapy and underwent LAAC were retrospectively enrolled from three Italian centers. Patients were divided according to the anticoagulation strategy following LAAC: DOAC group and VKA group. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, CE event, and major bleeding, while secondary endpoint was a composite of CE event and major bleeding.

RESULTS

Overall, 132 patients (39 % females; mean age 69 ± 11 years), including 73 patients on DOAC and 59 patients on VKA, were enrolled. At a median follow up of 61 ± 23 months, the DOAC group reported lower rate of primary endpoint (HR 0.42, 95 %CI 0.18-0.99, p = 0.038) and lower rate of secondary endpoint (HR 0.28, 95 %CI 0.09-0.89, p = 0.02). No significant differences were detected regarding the type of DOAC assumed. Previous cerebrovascular events, CHA2DS2-VASc, CHADS2, HAS-BLED, and renal dysfunction were predictors of the primary endpoint.

CONCLUSION

Long-term DOAC assumption was associated with higher free from primary and secondary endpoint with respect to VKA in nvAF patients undergoing LAAC for OAC failure.

Reversal of Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) for Critical Bleeding or Urgent Procedures

The advent of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has transformed the care of patients requiring prevention and treatment for thrombotic disease. Many randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of these agents and their comparative advantages over conventional anticoagulants such as vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). While historically clinicians and patients raised questions about the reversal of DOAC-associated bleeding, federal approval in recent years of targeted DOAC reversal agents, along with adjunctive modalities, has given clinicians reliable pharmacologic options. Yet, optimal reversal strategies for bleeding at specific anatomic locations and in specific clinical scenarios remains uncertain. We present here a narrative review of the literature on the reversal of DOAC-associated bleeding or for urgent procedures. The totality of the reversal literature synthesized here yields several clear conclusions: (1) targeted DOAC reversal with specific agents demonstrates superior efficacy for both bleeding and urgent surgical indications when compared to the use of non-specific agents, such as prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs); (2) at the same time, high-quality data suggest potentially increased thrombotic risks, particularly for ischemic stroke, when using the specific targeted agent andexanet; (3) in all cases of life-threatening bleeding, timely reversal is of the essence; (4) in particular, there is growing consensus that DOAC-associated intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) should be reversed promptly, with a goal door-to-reversal time of 60 min; (5) future research will focus on optimizing clinical pathways for reversal to address "calls to action" from professional groups on this critical topic.

Prescription Medication Use and Expenditure for Atrial Fibrillation in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To study the national trends of anticoagulants, antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs), and expenditures in the civilian noninstitutionalized atrial fibrillation (AF) population.

METHODS

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey was queried from January 2016 to December 2021 to identify adults (age ≥18 years) with a diagnosis of AF utilizing the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification code I48. Prevalence of anticoagulants (AAD) and its expenditure and AF expenditure across clinical settings in the United States were estimated. The predictors of anticoagulant use were identified utilizing multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 17.3 million AF adults were identified, of which 46.5% were female, 89.6% were White, and ∼70% were middle/high income with prevalent comorbidities of hypertension (75.3%) and coronary heart disease (30%). The mean CHA2DS2 VASc score was 3.2, and 40% had a score of ≥4. In the United States, an average of $26 103 (2021 inflation adjusted) was spent per year per adult with AF for health-related expenditures. The prevalence of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and class I AAD use has increased; in contrast, vitamin K antagonists use has declined. DOAC-related per person annual expenses increased from $849 in 2016 to $1929 in 2021. In those with a CHA2DS2 VASc score of ≥2, female sex and the presence of coronary heart disease were associated with a lower likelihood of anticoagulant use.

CONCLUSIONS

AF is a costly condition in which prescription medication use, such as DOACs and class III AADs, are significant contributors.

Factor XI localization in human deep venous thrombus and function of activated factor XI on venous thrombus formation and hemostasis

Background

Novel anticoagulants targeting coagulation factor (F)XI/activated FXI (FXIa) are currently under development. However, whether FXI is present in human deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and whether FXIa and activated FX (FXa) play different roles in venous thrombus formation and hemostasis remain unclear.

Objectives

To determine the presence of FXI in DVT and the effects of direct oral FXIa and FXa inhibitors on venous thrombus formation and hemostasis in rabbits and on in vitro thrombus formation.

Methods

We immunohistochemically assessed FXI localization in human-aspirated DVT (n = 15). Additionally, we compared thrombus formation induced by endothelial denudation and stenosis or stasis in the jugular vein and skin bleeding time and volume between rabbits treated with direct FXIa inhibitors (ONO-1600586) and FXa inhibitors (rivaroxaban). Ex vivo rabbit and human blood were perfused in a flow chamber under low-shear rates (70/s).

Results

FXI was localized in all DVT, predominantly in fibrin-rich areas. The FXI immunopositive area in the nonorganizing area was greater than that in the organizing area. Although FXIa and FXa inhibitors comparably inhibited venous thrombus formation, FXIa inhibitors did not affect bleeding time or volume in rabbits. FXIa or FXa inhibitors mildly or strongly inhibited fibrin formation at low-shear rates, respectively. Furthermore, the FXIa inhibitor suppressed human FXIa activity, thrombin generation, and fibrin formation during perfusion.

Conclusion

The pathologic findings of human DVT suggest FXI's role in human DVT. FXIa inhibitors may inhibit less fibrin formation than FXa inhibitors and may explain the minor role of FXIa in hemostasis.

Real-world safety profile of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs): Disproportionality analysis of major bleeding events

BACKGROUND

Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) have revolutionized the management of thrombotic conditions, providing more predictable and manageable anticoagulation compared to traditional vitamin K antagonists. Despite their success, major bleeding events remain a significant concern. This study aims to assess and compare the haemorrhagic risks associated with various DOACs using data from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

METHODS

A retrospective disproportionality analysis of the FAERS database was conducted, covering the period from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2023. The study focused on adverse bleeding events reported for DOACs. The Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR) was calculated for each DOAC to identify disproportionate reporting of haemorrhagic events. Major haemorrhagic events were classified as those leading to hospitalization. The analysis also utilized the Medicare Part D dataset to estimate the usage of specific DOACs from 2015 to 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 353,188 haemorrhagic events were identified, with 17,236 (4.9%) attributed to DOACs. The PRR for major haemorrhagic events was highest for Edoxaban at 14.1 (95% CI 13.93-14.85), followed by Dabigatran at 4.0 (95% CI 3.81-4.20), Apixaban at 3.53 (95% CI 3.47-3.61), and Rivaroxaban at 2.11 (95% CI 2.05-2.18). Edoxaban also had the highest PRR for cerebral haemorrhages. Medicare data indicated that Apixaban was the most commonly used DOAC (58.3%), followed by Rivaroxaban (34.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Edoxaban shows a significantly higher risk of major and cerebral haemorrhages compared to other DOACs, while Rivaroxaban demonstrates a lower overall risk of haemorrhage. These findings emphasize the need for careful consideration of bleeding risks in DOAC therapy. Continuous post-marketing surveillance is crucial for understanding the safety profiles of DOACs in real-world clinical settings, aiding clinicians and patients in making informed decisions about anticoagulant therapy.

Major bleeding increases the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation: insights from the SAKURA AF registry and RAFFINE registry

BACKGROUND

Bleeding events are one of the major concerns in patients using oral anticoagulants (OACs). We aimed to evaluate the association between major bleeding and long-term clinical outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients taking OACs.

METHODS

We analyzed a database comprising two large-scale prospective registries of patients with documented AF: the RAFFINE and SAKURA registries. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), defined as the composite of all-cause death, ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction. Major bleeding was defined in accordance with the criteria of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis. Cox multivariate analysis was used to determine the impact of major bleeding on the incidence of MACCE.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 39.7 (interquartile range, 33.1-48.1) months. Among 6,633 patients with AF who were taking OAC, 298 (4.5%) had major bleeding and 737 (11.1%) had MACCE. The incidence of MACCE was higher in patients with bleeding than in those without (18.33 and 3.22, respectively, per 100 patient-years; log-rank p < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed older age, vitamin K antagonist use, and antiplatelet drug use as independent predictors of major bleeding. Median duration of MACCE occurrence after major bleeding was 41 (interquartile range, 3-300) days. Multivariate Cox hazard regression analysis showed that the risk of MACCE was significantly higher in patients with major bleeding compared to those without (hazard risk, 4.64; 95% confidence interval, 3.62-5.94; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Major bleeding was associated with long-term adverse cardiovascular events among AF patients taking OAC. Therefore, reducing the risk of bleeding is important for improving clinical outcomes in patients with AF.

Long-term FXa inhibition attenuates thromboinflammation after acute myocardial infarction and stroke by platelet proteome alteration

BACKGROUND

Immediate activated factor (F)X (FXa) inhibition exerts direct antiplatelet effects in the context of arterial thrombosis but little is known about the impact of long-term therapy on platelet function in ischemic cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVES

Therefore, we analyzed platelet-derived effects of long-term FXa inhibition in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke.

METHODS

We evaluated the effect of acute versus chronic FXa inhibition on thromboinflammation following AMI and stroke in mice in vivo. Mechanistically, we identified changes in platelet gene expression and proteome under chronic FXa nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant treatment and characterized its functional consequence on platelet physiology. In a prospectively recruited cohort of patients with AMI, we determined cardiovascular magnetic resonance based cardiac endpoints under FXa nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant effects on clinical endpoints in a cohort of patients with AMI.

RESULTS

Chronic but not acute FXa inhibition reduced cerebral and myocardial infarct size and improved cardiac function 24 hours after AMI in mice. Mechanistically, we identified an attenuated thromboinflammatory response with reduced neutrophil extracellular trap formation in mice and patient samples. Proteome and RNA expression analysis of FXa inhibitor treated patients revealed a reduction of key regulators within the membrane trafficking and secretion machinery hampering platelet α and dense granule release. Subsequent, thromboinflammatory neutrophil extracellular trap density in thrombi isolated from stroke and myocardial infarction patients was reduced. Patients with AMI treated with FXa inhibitors showed decreased infarct size after myocardial infarction compared to patients without anticoagulation treatment.

CONCLUSION

Long-term FXa inhibition induces antithromboinflammatory proteome signatures in platelets, improving infarct size after myocardial infarction and stroke.

Network Meta-Analysis of Time-to-Event Endpoints With Individual Participant Data Using Restricted Mean Survival Time Regression

Network meta-analysis (NMA) extends pairwise meta-analysis to compare multiple treatments simultaneously by combining "direct" and "indirect" comparisons of treatments. The availability of individual participant data (IPD) makes it possible to evaluate treatment effect moderation and to draw inferences about treatment effects by taking the full utilization of individual covariates from multiple clinical trials. In IPD-NMA, restricted mean survival time (RMST) models have gained popularity when analyzing time-to-event outcomes because RMST models offer more straightforward interpretations of treatment effects with fewer assumptions than hazard ratios commonly estimated from Cox models. Existing approaches estimate RMST within each study and then combine by using aggregate-level NMA methods. However, these methods cannot incorporate individual covariates to evaluate the effect moderation. In this paper, we propose advanced RMST NMA models when IPD are available. Our models allow us to study treatment effect moderation and provide a comprehensive understanding about comparative effectiveness of treatments and subgroup effects. The methods are evaluated by an extensive simulation study and illustrated using a real NMA example about treatments for patients with atrial fibrillation.

Ocular Neovascular Conversion and Systemic Bleeding Complications in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration on Anticoagulants

PURPOSE

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

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

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

TriNetX was used to identify patients diagnosed with non-neovascular AMD stratified by treatment with DOACs or warfarin with at least 6 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-VEGF therapy or pars plana vitrectomy [PPV]) within 6 months and 1 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 a higher risk of developing neovascular AMD at 6 months (RR, 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.39; P < 0.001) and 1 year (RR, 1.26, 95% CI, 1.14-1.40; P < 0.001) when compared with 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 < 0.001; 1 year: RR, 1.31, 95% CI, 0.72-2.05; P < 0.001) and PPV (6 months: RR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.16-3.94; P = 0.01; 1 year: RR, 2.29, 95% CI, 1.30-4.05; P = 0.003). 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 < 0.001; MH: RR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.47-2.35; P < 0.001; VH: RR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.51-3.26; P < 0.001) and need for intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy (RR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.18-1.52; P < 0.001) over an extended 5-year period. There was no significant difference in the development of major systemic hemorrhagic events between the 2 cohorts over 5 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 with matched patients initiated on DOACs.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Abelacimab versus Rivaroxaban in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Abelacimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to the inactive form of factor XI and blocks its activation. The safety of abelacimab as compared with a direct oral anticoagulant in patients with atrial fibrillation is unknown.

METHODS

Patients with atrial fibrillation and a moderate-to-high risk of stroke were randomly assigned, in a 1:1:1 ratio, to receive subcutaneous injection of abelacimab (150 mg or 90 mg once monthly) administered in a blinded fashion or oral rivaroxaban (20 mg once daily) administered in an open-label fashion. The primary end point was major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding.

RESULTS

A total of 1287 patients underwent randomization; the median age was 74 years, and 44% were women. At 3 months, the median reduction in free factor XI levels with abelacimab at a dose of 150 mg was 99% (interquartile range, 98 to 99) and with abelacimab at a dose of 90 mg was 97% (interquartile range, 51 to 99). The trial was stopped early on the recommendation of the independent data monitoring committee because of a greater-than-anticipated reduction in bleeding events with abelacimab. The incidence rate of major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding was 3.2 events per 100 person-years with 150-mg abelacimab and 2.6 events per 100 person-years with 90-mg abelacimab, as compared with 8.4 events per 100 person-years with rivaroxaban (hazard ratio for 150-mg abelacimab vs. rivaroxaban, 0.38 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.24 to 0.60]; hazard ratio for 90-mg abelacimab vs. rivaroxaban, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.19 to 0.51]; P<0.001 for both comparisons). The incidence and severity of adverse events appeared to be similar in the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with atrial fibrillation who were at moderate-to-high risk for stroke, treatment with abelacimab resulted in markedly lower levels of free factor XI and fewer bleeding events than treatment with rivaroxaban. (Funded by Anthos Therapeutics; AZALEA-TIMI 71 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04755283.).

"Evaluating the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants compared to warfarin in very morbidly obese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: A retrospective cohort study"

•DOACs are effective and safe in very morbidly obese AF patients (BMI ≥50 kg/m2).•DOACs show similar stroke and bleeding risks as warfarin in this population.•Findings support DOACs in anticoagulation guidelines for very morbidly obese patients.

Can the Charlson comorbidity index help to guide DOAC dosing in patients with atrial fibrillation and improve the efficacy and safety of treatment? A subanalysis of the MAS study

BACKGROUND

Frailty influences the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The age-weighted Charlson comorbidity index may offer a valuable tool to assess the risk of adverse events in AF patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). This sub-analysis of MAS trial data aimed to assess whether using the Charlson index, instead of the standard criteria, would have led to different dosing and improved adverse event occurrence during treatment.

METHODS

The MAS study looked for a relationship between DOAC levels assessed at baseline and adverse events during follow-up. The study is described in detail elsewhere.

RESULTS

Among the 1,657 patients studied, 832 (50.2 %) had a relatively low Charlson index (up to 6, general median class), of whom 132 (15.9 %) were treated with reduced doses. Conversely, among the 825 patients with a high Charlson index (≥7), 257 (31.1 %) received standard doses. A weak but statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.1413, p < 0.0001 by ANOVA) was observed between increasing Charlson classes and DOAC levels standardized to allow comparability among drug results. However, no significant differences were found in the incidence or number of adverse events during follow-up, or in other parameters, between patients with low and high Charlson's scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Utilizing the Charlson index would have led to notable differences in DOAC dosing compared to standard criteria. However, we found no evidence that its use would have improved the prediction of adverse events in AF patients enrolled in the MAS study.

A Systematic Review of Factor XI/XIa Inhibitors Versus Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a leading cause of stroke, necessitating effective anticoagulation. While direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have improved stroke prevention, bleeding risks remain a concern. Factor XI/XIa inhibitors, targeting the intrinsic coagulation pathway, offer potential for reduced bleeding, although questions remain regarding their efficacy. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of Factor XI/XIa inhibitors compared to DOACs in AF patients.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Factor XI/XIa inhibitors with DOACs in AF patients, identified through PubMed and Embase up to January 2025. Data were synthesized narratively due to heterogeneity in study designs and outcomes.ResultsThree RCTs (AZALEA-TIMI 71, OCEANIC-AF, PACIFIC-AF) involving 16 852 patients were included. Factor XI/XIa inhibitors (abelacimab and asundexian) demonstrated significant reductions in bleeding compared to DOACs. In AZALEA-TIMI 71, abelacimab reduced major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding by 62%-69% versus rivaroxaban. In PACIFIC-AF, asundexian reduced bleeding by 50%-84% compared to apixaban. However, OCEANIC-AF showed asundexian was inferior in stroke prevention, with a 3.8-fold higher risk of stroke or systemic embolism compared to apixaban, leading to early trial termination. Abelacimab showed a trend toward higher ischemic stroke rates abelacimab (150 mg: 1.21 vs 0.59 events/100 person-years; and 90 mg: 1.24 vs 0.59 events/100 person-years), though not statistically significant.ConclusionFactor XI/XIa inhibitors significantly reduce bleeding risk in AF patients compared to DOACs, but their thrombotic efficacy remains uncertain. While promising, further research is needed to optimize their use.

Atrial fibrillation management in older hospitalized patients: Evidence of a poor oral anticoagulants prescriptive attitude from the Italian REPOSI registry

Atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence increases in older patients which also show a high thromboembolic risk. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are recommended to prevent cardioembolic events and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) improved anti-thrombotic treatment. However, the benefits/risks of anticoagulant in older patients still need to be completely defined. This retrospective observational study aimed to describe the treatment with OACs in older AF hospitalized patients, and to identify factors influencing OAC therapy or discontinuation using the REgistro Politerapie SIMI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to identify predictors of OACs treatment and discontinuation. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to evaluate one-year mortality by treatment groups. AF patients were 1,128(26.5 %) at discharge and 1,098(97.3 %) required OAC treatment; about half of them (N = 528;48.1 %) were no-OACs users; 236(21.5 %) and 334(30.4 %) used DOACs and VKA, respectively. Increasing DOACs use was observed during the study period. Predictors of OACs treatment were: BMI (OR:1.04; 95 %CI:1.01-1.07), Barthel index (OR:1.01; 95 %CI:1.01-1.02), medications number (OR:1.07; 95 %CI:1.01-1.13). Conversely, a lower probability was found in patients with a high CIR.S (OR:0.59; 95 %CI:0.36-0.97) and neoplasm (OR:0.57; 95 %CI:0.37-0.88). Hospital stay (OR:1.02; 95 %CI:1.01-1.05), neoplasm (OR:2.25; 95 %CI:1.07-4.70) and INR (OR:1.21; 95 %CI:1.05-1.40) increased OACs discontinuation. A lower discontinuation was observed in dyslipidemic patients (OR:0.18; 95 %CI:0.04-0.82) and heart failure (OR:0.38; 95 %CI:0.21-0.70). Among AF patients, 157(14.3 %) died during the follow-up year. Age (HR = 1.05; 95 %CI = 1.03-1.08) and CIR.S (HR = 2.54; 95 %CI = 1.53-4.21) were associated with a greater mortality risk. In conclusion, critical issues related to the underuse and discontinuation of OACs therapy in hospitalized older patients were highlighted.

Anticoagulation strategy for patients presenting with ischemic strokes while using a direct oral anticoagulant: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

While direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have established efficacy in reducing the risk of ischemic stroke, they still leave a residual risk of stroke, which may be greater in practice (0.7-2.3%) than in controlled clinical trial settings. This meta-analysis examines four therapeutic approaches following a stroke in patients already on DOACs: continuing with the same DOAC, changing to a different DOAC, increasing the current DOAC dosage, or switching to a vitamin K antagonist (VKA), such as warfarin.

METHODS

Systematic review of literature from the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases, was conducted in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The analysis focused on six studies with varied patient demographics, examining as outcomes as recurrent ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, other bleeding events, and mortality.

RESULTS

Six studies comprising 12,159 patients were included, all of them were observational. Patients who remained on their initial DOAC regimen had a lower risk of experiencing ischemic strokes (risk ratio (RR) 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.43-0.70; p < 0.001; I2 = 0%), intracranial hemorrhage (RR 0.37; 95% CI 0.25-0.55; p < 0.001; I2 = 0%), and hemorrhagic events (RR 0.44; 95% CI 0.30-0.63; p < 0.001; I2 = 6%) compared to those who were switched to warfarin, with an increase in mortality rates (hazard ratio (HR) 1.85; 95% CI 1.06-3.24; p = 0.03; I2 = 84%). In contrast, neither changing to a different DOAC nor adjusting the dose proved to be more effective than the original regimen.

CONCLUSION

Post-stroke adjustments to anticoagulation therapy-whether altering the drug or its dosage-do not yield additional benefits. In addition, the results suggest that warfarin may be less effective than DOACs for preventing stroke recurrence, bleeding complications, and death in this patient population.