scholarly journals Combination of Oral Anticoagulants and Single Antiplatelets versus Triple Therapy in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation and Acute Coronary Syndrome: Stroke Prevention among Asians

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (02) ◽  
pp. 088-097
Author(s):  
Anwar Santoso ◽  
Sunu B. Raharjo
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Triple Therapy ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Coronary Syndrome

AbstractAtrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent arrhythmic disease, tends to foster thrombus formation due to hemodynamic disturbances, leading to severe disabling and even fatal thromboembolic diseases. Meanwhile, patients with AF may also present with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) requiring stenting, which creates a clinical dilemma considering that majority of such patients will likely receive oral anticoagulants (OACs) for stroke prevention and require additional double antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) to reduce recurrent cardiac events and in-stent thrombosis. In such cases, the gentle balance between bleeding risk and atherothromboembolic events needs to be carefully considered. Studies have shown that congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 years (doubled), diabetes mellitus, and previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA; doubled)–vascular disease, age 65 to 74 years, sex category (female; CHA2DS2-VASc) scores outperform other scoring systems in Asian populations and that the hypertension, abnormal renal/liver function (1 point each), stroke, bleeding history or predisposition, labile international normalized ratio (INR), elderly (>65 years), drugs/alcohol concomitantly (1 point each; HAS-BLED) score, a simple clinical score that predicts bleeding risk in patients with AF, particularly among Asians, performs better than other bleeding scores. A high HAS-BLED score should not be used to rule out OAC treatment but should instead prompt clinicians to address correctable risk factors. Therefore, the current review attempted to analyze available data from patients with nonvalvular AF who underwent stenting for ACS or CAD and elaborate on the direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) and antiplatelet management among such patients. For majority of the patients, “triple therapy” comprising OAC, aspirin, and clopidogrel should be considered for 1 to 6 months following ACS. However, the optimal duration for “triple therapy” would depend on the patient's ischemic and bleeding risks, with DOACs being obviously safer than vitamin-K antagonists.

scholarly journals 2021 Korean Heart Rhythm Society Guidelines for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation

2021 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 296-311
Author(s):  
Ki Hong Lee ◽  
Jin-Bae Kim ◽  
Seung Yong Shin ◽  
Boyoung Joung
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Optimal Strategies ◽  
Mechanical Valve ◽  
Heart Rhythm ◽  
Bleeding Risk

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a strong risk factor for ischemic stroke and systemic embolism. To prevent thromboembolic events in patients with AF, anticoagulation therapy is essential. The anticoagulant strategy is determined after stroke and bleeding risk assessments using the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores, respectively; both consider clinical risk factors. Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are the sole anticoagulant option in AF patients with a prosthetic mechanical valve or moderate-severe mitral stenosis; in all other AF patients VKA or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are therapeutic options. However, antiplatelet therapy should not be used for stroke prevention in AF patients. Anticoagulation is not needed in AF patients with low stroke risk but strongly recommended in those with a with low bleeding risk. Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion offers an alternative in AF patients in whom long-term anticoagulation is contraindicated. Surgical occlusion or the exclusion of LAA can be considered for stroke prevention in AF patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In this article, we review existing data for stroke prevention and suggest optimal strategies to prevent stroke in AF patients.

Efficacy and safety of apixaban compared with warfarin regarding time within the therapeutic range

2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (5) ◽  
pp. 177-181
Author(s):  
Kálmán Havasi
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Therapeutic Range ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
International Normalized Ratio ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Major Drawback ◽  
Routine Monitoring

Prevention of thromboembolism by lifelong anticoagulation is an important therapeutic goal in patients with atrial fibrillation according to recent guidelines. Major drawback of vitamin K antagonists are their narrow therapeutic range and interactions with other drugs and food. These have significant impact on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics requiring regular measurements of the international normalized ratio. Efficiency of the anticoagulant therapy depends considerably on time within the therapeutic range of prothrombin international normalized ratio. Time within the therapeutic range represents the percentage of time within the required range of prothrombin international normalized ratio. Prothrombin international normalized ratio outside the therapeutic range increases the risk of thromboembolism or bleeding according to whether it falls below or above the range. New oral anticoagulants do not require routine monitoring of anticoagulation. Their efficacy and safety are shown to be at least as good as or better than those of warfarin. In patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation ARISTOTLE study revealed that antithrombotic effect of apixaban compared with warfarin is better and with lower bleeding risk irrespective of the quality of prothrombin international normalized ratio control. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(5), 177–181.

Anticancer Drug-Related Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Challenges in Management and Antithrombotic Strategies

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (04) ◽  
pp. 388-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Galderisi ◽  
Luca Esposito ◽  
Valentina Trimarco ◽  
Daniela Sorriento ◽  
Guy Gerusalem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Antiarrhythmic Drugs ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Pharmacological Interactions

AbstractCancer patients may experience nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) as a manifestation of cardiotoxicity. AF may be a direct effect of a neoplasm or, more often, appear as a postsurgical complication, especially after thoracic surgery. AF may also develop as a consequence of anticancer therapy (chemotherapy or radiotherapy), a condition probably underestimated. Cancer patients with AF require a multidisciplinary approach involving oncologists/hematologists, cardiologists, and coagulation experts. An echocardiogram should be performed to detect possible abnormalities of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, as well as left atrial dilation and the existence of valvular heart disease, to determine pretest probability of sinus rhythm restoration, and identify the best treatment. The choice of antiarrhythmic treatment in cancer patients may be difficult because scanty information is available on the interactions between anticancer agents and antiarrhythmic drugs. A careful evaluation of the antithrombotic strategy with the best efficacy/safety ratio is always needed. The use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) may be problematic because of the unpredictable therapeutic response and high bleeding risk in patients with active cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy and who may experience thrombocytopenia and changes in renal or hepatic function. Low molecular weight heparins (in particular for short and intermediate periods) and non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) should be preferred. However, the possible pharmacological interactions of NOACs with both anticancer and antiarrhythmic drugs should be considered. Based on all these considerations, antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant therapy for AF should be tailored individually for each patient.

scholarly journals Safety and Efficacy of Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Renal Impairment

Pharmacy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo Min Jang ◽  
Khaled Bahjri ◽  
Huyentran Tran
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Renal Impairment ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Efficacy Data ◽  
Safety And Efficacy

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are gaining popularity for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) for stroke prevention. Less bleeding risk with comparable stroke prevention compared to warfarin was shown. DOACs have predictable anticoagulant effects, infrequent monitoring requirements and less drug-food interactions compared to warfarin. However, safety and efficacy data of DOACs in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are limited. This is a retrospective study to evaluate thromboembolic and bleeding events in patients with AF (with/without CKD) in October 2010 and July 2017. A total of 495 patients were included and only 150 patients had CKD. Our study found that patients with renal impairment on a DOAC do not have a higher incidence of bleeding events. It showed significant increase in thromboembolic events in CKD patients with dabigatran compared to CKD patients with apixaban with odds ratio of 6.58 (95%CI 1.35–32.02, p = 0.02).

scholarly journals Possibility of using dabigatran in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome and PCI

2019 ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
A. D. Erlich
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Triple Therapy ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Dual Therapy ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Bleeding Complications ◽  
P2y12 Inhibitor ◽  
Coronary Syndrome

This article is devoted to the problem of combined antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Traditionally, these patients require an oral anticoagulant (OAC) to prevent stroke and dual anti-platelet therapy (DAT) to prevent coronary complications. The necessity of combining various antithrombotic drugs, since this greatly increases the risk of bleeding is becoming an increasing relevant clinical problem. The prolonged triple therapy in the form of a combination of OAC and DAT does not bring additional benefit to the patients, but, on the contrary, may be potentially dangerous. Currently, the possibility of using several new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) in patients with AF and ACS/PCI in the form of dual therapy has been proven: combination of OAC and p2Y12 inhibitor. The article focuses on the RE-DUAL PCI study, in which the use of dabigatran at both doses permitted in AF (150 mg twice daily and 110 mg twice daily) in combination with the p2Y12 inhibitor was associated with fewer bleeding complications than during the triple therapy in the form of OAK + DAT.The article presents a clinical case of the possibility of management of a patient with AF and ACS under the modern clinical guidelines, as well as an overview of current guidelines for the use of OAC and DAT in patients with AF undergoing PCI. 

scholarly journals Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation Cardioversion: What Is Crucial to Take into Account

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3212
Author(s):  
Fabiana Lucà ◽  
Simona Giubilato ◽  
Stefania Angela Di Fusco ◽  
Laura Piccioni ◽  
Carmelo Massimiliano Rao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Thromboembolic Events ◽  
Thromboembolic Risk ◽  
Pharmacological Cardioversion

The therapeutic dilemma between rhythm and rate control in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is still unresolved and electrical or pharmacological cardioversion (CV) frequently represents a useful strategy. The most recent guidelines recommend anticoagulation according to individual thromboembolic risk. Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have been routinely used to prevent thromboembolic events. Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) represent a significant advance due to their more predictable therapeutic effect and more favorable hemorrhagic risk profile. In hemodynamically unstable patients, an emergency electrical cardioversion (ECV) must be performed. In this situation, intravenous heparin or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) should be administered before CV. In patients with AF occurring within less than 48 h, synchronized direct ECV should be the elective procedure, as it restores sinus rhythm quicker and more successfully than pharmacological cardioversion (PCV) and is associated with shorter length of hospitalization. Patients with acute onset AF were traditionally considered at lower risk of thromboembolic events due to the shorter time for atrial thrombus formation. In patients with hemodynamic stability and AF for more than 48 h, an ECV should be planned after at least 3 weeks of anticoagulation therapy. Alternatively, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to rule out left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) should be performed, followed by ECV and anticoagulation for at least 4 weeks. Theoretically, the standardized use of TEE before CV allows a better stratification of thromboembolic risk, although data available to date are not univocal.

scholarly journals Optimal Anticoagulation Strategy for Cardioversion in Atrial Fibrillation

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Bushoven ◽  
Sven Linzbach ◽  
Mate Vamos ◽  
Stefan H Hohnloser ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Prospective Trial ◽  
Bleeding Complications ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Pharmacological Cardioversion

For many patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation, cardioversion is performed to restore sinus rhythm and relieve symptoms. Cardioversion carries a distinct risk for thromboembolism which has been described to be in the order of magnitude of 1 to 3 %. For almost five decades, vitamin K antagonist therapy has been the mainstay of therapy to prevent thromboembolism around the time of cardioversion although not a single prospective trial has formally established its efficacy and safety. Currently, three new direct oral anticoagulants are approved for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. For all three, there are data regarding its usefulness during the time of electrical or pharmacological cardioversion. Due to the ease of handling, their efficacy regarding stroke prevention, and their safety with respect to bleeding complications, the new direct oral anticoagulants are endorsed as the preferred therapy over vitamin K antagonists for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation including the clinical setting of elective cardioversion.

scholarly journals Apixaban or Vitamin K Antagonists and Aspirin or Placebo According to Kidney Function in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation After Acute Coronary Syndrome or PCI: Insights from The AUGUSTUS Trial

Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziad Hijazi ◽  
John H. Alexander ◽  
Zhuokai Li ◽  
Daniel M. Wojdyla ◽  
Roxana Mehran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Kidney Function ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Exclusion Criterion ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Risk Of Bleeding ◽  
Ischemic Events

Background: In the AUGUSTUS trial, apixaban resulted in less bleeding and fewer hospitalizations than vitamin K antagonists (VKA), and aspirin caused more bleeding than placebo in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome or percutaneous coronary intervention treated with a P2Y 12 inhibitor. We evaluated the risk-benefit balance of antithrombotic therapy according to kidney function. Methods: In 4456 patients, the CKD-EPI formula was used to calculate baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The effect of apixaban vs. VKA and aspirin vs. placebo was assessed across kidney function categories using Cox models. The primary outcome was ISTH major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included death or hospitalization and ischemic events (death, stroke, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis [definite or probable], or urgent revascularization). Creatinine clearance below 30 mL/min was an exclusion criterion in the AUGUSTUS trial. Results: Overall, 30%, 52%, and 19% had an eGFR of >80, >50 to 80, and 30-50 mL/min/1.73m 2 , respectively. During 6-months follow-up a total of 543 primary outcomes of bleeding, 1125 death or hospitalizations, and 282 ischemic events occurred. Compared with VKA, patients assigned apixaban had lower rates for all 3 outcomes across most eGFR categories without significant interaction. The absolute risk reduction with apixaban was most pronounced in those with an eGFR of 30-50 mL/min/1.73m 2 for bleeding events with rates of 13.1% vs. 21.3%; HR (95% CI) 0.59 (0.41-0.84). Patients assigned aspirin had a higher risk of bleeding in all eGFR categories with an even greater increase among those with eGFR >80 mL/min/1.73m 2 : 16.6% vs. 5.6%; HR 3.22 (2.19-4.74); p for interaction=0.007). The risk of death or hospitalization and ischemic events were comparable with aspirin and placebo across eGFR categories with HR ranging from 0.97 (0.76-1.23) to 1.28 (1.02-1.59) and from 0.75 (0.48-1.17) to 1.34 (0.81-2.22), respectively. Conclusions: The safety and efficacy of apixaban was consistent irrespective of kidney function, as compared with warfarin, and in accordance with the overall trial results. The risk of bleeding with aspirin was consistently higher across all kidney function categories. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov Unique Identifier: NCT02415400

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