Combined Antiplatelet Therapy Research Articles

Pretreatment with dual antiplatelet therapy in acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Combined antithrombotic therapy prevents thrombus progression and its components embolization, and thus, it has an essential role in coronary microcirculation (re)perfusion in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Pretreatment with P2Y12 inhibitors, on top of aspirin, before primary angioplasty has not been satisfactorily studied in STEMI. Purpose To investigate the impact of combined antiplatelet therapy on-treatment on the outcome of patients with STEMI. Methods Patients who suffered STEMI during the 7 years (1/2016-12/2022) were included. The analysis is based on population data from the National Health Information System (NHIS). Information on AMIs from the Intervention Module of the Registry of Cardiovascular Operations and Interventions was combined with prescription data from the Registry of Reimbursed Health Services 6 months before MI and identification of deceased patients from the Registry of Death Records. Data from the NHIS covers almost 100% of all cases in the population. Standard descriptive statistics and test were applied in the analysis. Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for clinical and procedural characteristics was adopted to analyze the influence of pretreatment on the risk of 1) out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), 2) clinical condition at admission – need of mechanical ventilation and circulatory instability (Killip III,IV), 3) initial TIMI flow through the infarct-related coronary artery (IRA ), and 4) short term mortality. Results The study sample consisted of data from 40,383 STEMIs of which 1,601 patients were on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin plus iP2Y12 lasting 1 to 6 months before the event occurred. Patients on chronic oral anticoagulation (N 2101) were excluded. Patients on DAPT versus those without antiplatelet therapy or on aspirin at a daily dose of 100 mg were older, had higher comorbidity rates, and were at higher risk of mortality (Table). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients on DAPT at the time of MI onset and lasting for at least one month had a higher likelihood of preserved perfusion through the IRA (Odds ratio and 95% Confidence interval, OR (95% CI) 1. 193 (1.074; 1.326), p=0.001). However, the DAPT pretreatment did not reduce the risk of OHCA, the need for mechanical ventilation, or initial circulatory destabilization. It did not positively affect the prognosis of the patients (Figure ). Conclusion The significant benefit of the DAPT pretreatment on the preservation of infarct-related coronary artery flow did not translate into a positive effect on the prognosis of STEMI patients.

Bleeding and Thrombotic Events in Hemodialysis Patients with Atrial Fibrillation on Anticoagulation and Antiplatelet Therapy: A 24-Month Cohort Study

Background and Objectives: Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD) are predisposed to both thrombotic and bleeding complications due to the complex interplay of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), cardiovascular comorbidities, and the routine use of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of bleeding and thrombotic events in chronic HD patients receiving anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy, with a specific focus on those with atrial fibrillation (AF). Materials and Methods: A total of 224 patients, with 43 (19%) of them diagnosed with AF, were included in this single-center, observational cohort study conducted over 24 months. The cohort was divided into three groups: patients without anticoagulation, those on warfarin monotherapy, and those on combined warfarin and aspirin therapy. Bleeding events were classified as major, clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB), or minor bleeding, while thrombotic events included ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and arteriovenous fistula thrombosis. Results: Overall, 35.7% of patients experienced a bleeding event, with major bleeding occurring in 9.4%. Patients with AF had significantly higher rates of major bleeding (18.6%) compared to those without AF (7.18%; p = 0.043), especially in the combined therapy group. Mortality due to bleeding was also higher in AF patients (14%). In contrast, thrombotic events occurred in 26.8% of patients, with AF patients experiencing significantly more events (48.8%) compared to non-AF patients (21.5%; p = 0.0006). The hazard ratio (HR) for major bleeding in patients on combined warfarin and aspirin therapy was 2.56 (p = 0.016), while the HR for thrombotic events was 2.34 (p = 0.0202). Conclusions: These findings highlight the increased risks of both bleeding and thrombosis in chronic HD patients with AF, particularly those on combined anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy.

Combination of oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy does not change the 1-year prognosis compared to oral anticoagulant alone in stroke patients with atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combined antiplatelet and oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy versus OAC therapy alone on one-year post-stroke outcomes in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and systemic atherosclerosis. A retrospective study was conducted using the recorded data of patients diagnosed with ischemic cerebrovascular disease between January 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023, at the Neurology Clinic, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University. Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and systemic atherosclerosis were included in the study. Collected data included demographic information, medical history. Patients were divided into two groups based on the treatment regimen used at discharge: those receiving OAC alone and those receiving a combination of OAC and antiplatelet therapy. Clinical outcomes were evaluated within one year following the stroke. A total of 671 stroke patients were screened, and 565 (84.2%) had ischemic stroke. Among these, 113 (20%) had NVAF, and 53 had both NVAF and systemic atherosclerosis. Data from these 53 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 71.81±11.90 years, with a female gender ratio of 52.8%. Logistic regression analysis showed no statistically significant differences between the two treatment groups in terms of all-cause mortality, bleeding, recurrent stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke (p>0.05 for all comparisons). The combination of antiplatelet and OAC therapy did not demonstrate superiority over OAC therapy alone in reducing the risks of recurrent ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, myocardial infarction, and mortality in patients with NVAF and systemic atherosclerosis. These findings suggest that OAC therapy alone may provide sufficient protection in this patient population. Prospective studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these results.

Comparative Analysis of Anticoagulation Versus Combination Anticoagulation and Antiplatelet Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Presenting With Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) taking antithrombotic (AT) therapy are at increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). The comparative effect of a combination of anticoagulant (AC) and antiplatelet (AP) versus AC monotherapy on clinical outcomes in patients with AF presenting with GIB is not well characterized. This study compares outcomes in AF patients with GIB on AC alone to those on combination AP and AC therapy, as part of a larger prospective study from 2013 to 2023. 137 patients diagnosed with AF who presented with overt GIB were evaluated during their hospitalization, at one month and one year post-discharge, and then annually. The median follow-up of patients was 57 months. Patients in the combination AP +AC therapy group had a higher prevalence of CAD, myocardial infarction, and coronary/vascular stent placement compared to the AC monotherapy group. No statistically significant differences were noted between the two groups in terms of end-of-follow-up mortality, in-hospital mortality, major bleeding, rebleeding, and length of hospital stay. Cox regression analysis revealed chronic kidney disease (CKD) (hazard ratio (HR) 2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.04,4.05] (p= 0.038)] and warfarin use [(HR 4.94, 95% CI [1.11,22.09] (p= 0.037)] to be independent predictors of mortality at 12 months. Anti-thrombotic therapy in patients with AF who experience GIB should be mainly directed by their cardiovascular needs. Healthcare providers may explore non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants as alternatives to warfarin for AF patients at risk of GIB, and efforts must be maximized to prevent bleeding in patients with CKD.

Optimal Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Duration For Carotid Artery Stenting On the Basis of Angioscopic Findings

Background Dual antiplatelet therapy plays a crucial role in preventing thrombosis in the perioperative period of carotid artery stenting (CAS); however, it has been associated with a risk of hemorrhagic complications. A standard regimen for the duration and combination of antiplatelet therapy is yet to be established. Angioscopy enables direct visualization of neointimal coverage and might help determine the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy through the assessment of post‐CAS neointimal coverage. Methods This prospective study enrolled 20 patients who were scheduled to undergo CAS at the Osaka Police Hospital. A 2‐month post‐CAS period was chosen for angioscopic neointima evaluation on the basis of previous evidence of reliable neointimal coverage 2 months following coronary artety stenting. Furthermore, antiplatelet therapy was initiated 1 week before CAS and continued until angioscopic examination. Angioscopic evaluation categorized the degree of neointimal coverage and was supplemented with carotid ultrasonography and biplane angiography. Results Coincidentally, a dual‐layer stent was used in all cases. The stent lumen was observed in 19 of the 20 cases. One case was difficult to evaluate owing to poor visibility. Angioscopy showed complete neointimal coverage in 18 of 19 cases and partial coverage in 1 case. Ultrasonography could detect neointima in 9 of 20 cases, and angiography showed a radiolucent gap suggestive of neointima in all cases in which neointima was confirmed via angioscopy. No post‐CAS or procedural complications occurred. Conclusion Angioscopy performed 2 months following CAS revealed large neointimal coverage, suggesting that a 2‐month duration of dual antiplatelet therapy is generally sufficient. However, as a limitation, this study was performed using the same dual‐layer stent; thus, additional studies with other stents are required.

Long-term combined antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention of noncardioembolic stroke

Introduction. The high risk of recurrent ischemic events after non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke(IS), the prevalence of which is 25% of all strokes in the Russian Federation, determines the need to search for effective and safe secondary prevention strategies.Аim. The study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination of ADP receptor inhibitors (dipyridamole) with acetylsalicylic acid in patients with ischemic stroke (IS) in the secondary prevention of noncardioembolic stroke.Materials and methods. 229 patients in the early recovery period of noncardioembolic IS (139 women, 90 men), with an average age of 59.0 ± 5.7 years were included in the study. The duration of IS was 54.4 ± 6.1 days. All patients received a multimodal medical rehabilitation (MMR) program. Long-term double antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) 75 mg per day and dipyridamole at a daily dose of 225 mg divided into 3 doses were prescribed to all the patients. The neurological and neuropsychological status of the patient, quality of life and hemorheological parameters were assessed initially (T0), after MMR (T1, 6 weeks) and 12 months after IS(T2).Results. Motor and coordination indicators of patients as well as the cognitive and emotional parameters were significantly (p < 0,05) improved due to MMR technology. These were confirmed by the dynamics of the corresponding scales. The prescribed double antiplatelet therapy did not cause significant adverse events and worsening of the patients’ well-being both during the MMR process and during the observation period. The combination of ASA with dipyridamole was well tolerated. At the end of the study, recurrent IS, myocardial infarctions, and fatal bleeding were not recorded. In 5.2% patients with severe risks of cardiovascular complications there was occurred TIA. The effectiveness of the dual antiplatelet therapy was confirmed by a decrease in the level of platelet aggregation (p < 0,05).Conclusions. The high effectiveness of secondary prevention of IS with a combination of ASA and dipyridamole with good tolerability and safety in patients after IS has been shown.

Safety and efficacy of combined dual antiplatelet therapy and factor VIII prophylaxis in patients with haemophilia A after acute coronary syndrome.

The increased life expectancy of patients with haemophilia A (HA) has led to a growing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and events. There is still scarce evidence on the safety and appropriate duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in HA patients. We describe our experience on the clinical management of Italian HA patients after ACS. Nine patients with congenital HA treated with DAPT after a revascularization procedure performed for ACS have been enrolled and followed at the Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Haemophilia and Thrombosis Center in Milan between 2005 and September 2022. The safety and efficacy of DAPT with or without FVIII prophylaxis were assessed. Ten ACS events occurred in the nine HA patients (four mild and five severe). All events were treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with deployment of 1 to 3 drug-eluting stents followed by DAPT for 1-12 months. All patients except one were treated with FVIII prophylaxis during DAPT aimed at achieving FVIII trough levels ≥20-30IU/dL. DAPT was effective in all cases in preventing early ACS recurrence, with only a late recurrence. We observed two clinically relevant non-major bleeds (one in a patient without FVIII prophylaxis) and three minor bleeds. No venous thrombosis occurred. The long-term secondary antithrombotic prevention consisting of DAPT and FVIII prophylaxis achieving a trough level of 20-30IU/dL can be effective and safe in HA patients.

Efficacy of antiplatelet drugs combined with Argatroban in treating acute ischemic stroke and its impact on patients’ coagulation function and neurological function: a preliminary trial

This retrospective study analyzed the efficacy of combined antiplatelet therapy with Argatroban in treating acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and its impact on patients’ coagulation and neurological functions. Clinical data of 113 AIS patients admitted between January 2021 and January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into control (n = 56) and observation (n = 57) groups based on treatment interventions. The control group patients were treated with antiplatelet drugs, while the observation group patients received combination therapy with apatinib on the basis of the control group treatment. Compared to the control group, the observation group demonstrated higher clinical efficacy, improved coagulation parameters, reduced stroke severity (measured by NIHSS), enhanced daily living abilities (BI scores), and lowered inflammatory and neural injury markers post-treatment. Adverse reaction incidence was similar between groups. Combining Argatroban with antiplatelet drugs in AIS management showed superior efficacy without increasing adverse effects, suggesting its potential for clinical application.

Optimal Antithrombotic Therapy Beyond 1-Year After Coronary Revascularization in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Currently, non-vitamin K-antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) monotherapy has been suggested as the optimal antithrombotic therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF) beyond one year after coronary revascularization. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes between NOAC monotherapy and NOAC plus antiplatelet combination therapy using real-world data. Between 2015 and 2020, patients with AF who had received NOACs beyond one year after coronary revascularization were enrolled from Korean national insurance data. We emulated a pragmatic sequence of trials between the NOAC monotherapy and the antiplatelet combination therapy followed by propensity score matching. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Among 206,407 person-trials from 4,465 individuals, we compared 3,275 pairs of the monotherapy and the matched combination therapy. During a median follow-up of 1.24 years, the incidence rate of MACCE was 19.4% and 20.0% per patient-year in the monotherapy group and the antiplatelet combination group, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88-1.05; P = 0.422). Compared with the antiplatelet combination group, the monotherapy group had a significantly lower incidence rate of major bleeding, defined as intracranial bleeding or gastrointestinal bleeding requiring hospitalization (2.8% vs. 3.6% per patient-year; HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62-0.97; P = 0.024). As an antithrombotic therapy for AF beyond one year after coronary revascularization, NOAC monotherapy was associated with a similar risk of MACCE and a lower risk of major bleeding compared to NOAC plus antiplatelet combination therapy.

Do We Still Need Aspirin in Coronary Artery Disease?

Aspirin has for some time been used as a first-line treatment for acute coronary syndromes, including ST-elevation myocardial infarction, for secondary prevention of established coronary disease, and for primary prevention in patients at risk of coronary artery disease. Although aspirin has been in use for decades, the available evidence for its efficacy largely predates the introduction of other drugs, such as statins and P2Y12 inhibitors. Based on recent trials, the recommendation for aspirin use as primary prevention has been downgraded. In addition, P2Y12 inhibitors given as a single antiplatelet therapy have been associated with a lower incidence of bleeding than dual antiplatelet therapy in combination with aspirin in patients with stable and unstable coronary artery disease. The aim of this review is to discuss the role of aspirin considering the available evidence for primary prevention, secondary prevention for stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndromes, and after percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass revascularization.

Prevalence, adequacy and adherence of anticoagulation for stroke thromboprophylaxis in minority patients with atrial fib referred for transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis screening: The SCAN-MP Study

Abstract Introduction/Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in adults, confers a 5-fold increase in risk of stroke, and is present in up to 50% of patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA). 1,2 When present in ATTR-CA, AF is associated with a significant risk of stroke and systemic thromboembolism, even independent of CHA2DS2VASc score. 2-4. Current guidelines advocate the use of oral anticoagulant therapy in all patients with ATTR-CA and AF, without a contraindication for such treatment. Up to 50% of patients with an escalated risk for systemic thromboembolism may not be receiving appropriate anticoagulation, but less is known about patterns and adequacy of anticoagulation in minority patients, specifically Black/Hispanic patients with suspected amyloidosis and AF. 5,6. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of patients in SCAN-MP (Screening for Cardiac Amyloidosis with Nuclear Imaging in Minority Populations) who were ≥60 years of age with heart failure, Black or Hispanic, with an EF >30% and increased left ventricular wall thickness, (n=431) from 4 large urban hospitals who had documented AF in their medical records. We assessed the prescription of anticoagulation in participants stratified by the CHA2DS2VASc score and whether they received an appropriate dose (versus inappropriately low or high dose, when adjusted for renal function for dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban; for renal function, age, and weight for apixaban). Results 122 subjects (28.3%) had a history of atrial fibrillation and of that number, 25.4% (n=31) were either not receiving any treatment (n=14) or only received a single anti-platelet therapy (n=17) for stroke thromboprophylaxis. Among participants with AF, patients with a CHA2DS2VASc of 6-9 (n=27), 21 patients (77.8%) were receiving an oral anticoagulant (either VKA or DOAC) either alone or in combination with antiplatelet therapy (Table 1). Among patients with CHA2DS2VASc of 2-5 (n=95), 70 patients (73.7%) were receiving such therapy. Among patients receiving a DOAC (n=74), dosing was incorrect in 20.3% (n=15). There were a significant proportion of patients receiving antiplatelet therapy in combination with oral anticoagulant (n=30, 24.5%). Among these patients receiving both therapies, only about half (n=16, 53.3%) had some form of vascular disease, coronary artery disease and/or peripheral arterial disease (Table 2). Conclusions These data suggest that thromboprophylaxis in Black and Hispanic patients with AF and suspected amyloidosis with heart failure is better than the often ≤50% historically reported in the literature. 6 Nearly ¼ of patients were receiving both antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy, even though only half had documentation of vascular disease. Factors underlying this observation requires additional study, but the indication for such dual anti-thrombotic therapy is limited, may be associated with harm 7, and is an opportunity for improvement.Anti-thrombotic regimens in patientsTable 2:Frequency of vascular disease

Incorporating Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Dual Functional Groups into Thermosetting Polymer Chain for Enhancing Antithrombogenicity.

In clinical practice, high-effective antithrombosis remains a challenge for blood-contacting medical devices. Inspired by the enhanced antithrombogenicity of anticoagulant and antiplatelet combination therapy, a strategy is proposed to synthesize dual-pathway antithrombotic polymers by incorporating anticoagulant and antiplatelet dual functional groups into a single thermosetting polymer chain. The synthesized polymer shows increased antithrombogenicity in vitro, with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and decreased platelet adhesion. Additionally, it downregulates the expression of coagulation- and inflammation-related factors in rabbit plasma after ex vivo arteriovenous shunt assay and maintains patency of small vascular grafts for at least 6 months without thrombosis on the luminal surface after invivoreplacement of rabbit carotid artery. Thiswork provides a new approach to producing novel antithrombotic polymers for blood-contacting medical devices.

Is It Really Safe to Discontinue Antiplatelet Therapy 12 Months After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation?

The prevalence of AF in patients with coronary artery disease is high. The guidelines from many professional groups, including the European Society of Cardiology, American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and Heart Rhythm Society, recommend a maximum duration of 12 months of combination single antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention and who have concurrent AF, followed by anticoagulation alone beyond 1 year. However, the evidence that anticoagulation alone without antiplatelet therapy adequately reduces the well-documented attritional risk of stent thrombosis after coronary stent implantation is relatively sparse, particularly given that very late stent thrombosis (>1 year from stent implantation) is the commonest type. By contrast, the elevated risk of bleeding from combined anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy is clinically important. The aim of this review is to assess the evidence for long-term anticoagulation alone without antiplatelet therapy 1 year post-percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with AF.

Inappropriate Combined Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Therapy in Older Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Trend over Time (2009-18).

Antiplatelet therapy, when prescribed in combination with anticoagulant therapy to older patients with atrial fibrillation and no recent cardiovascular event, is inappropriate and a reversible risk factor of major bleeding. We aimed to assess the trend over time of the prevalence of inappropriate combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy and to determine its associated factors during the direct oral anticoagulant era. This was a study of consecutive older patients (age ≥75 years) with atrial fibrillation, receiving anticoagulant therapy upon admission, and undergoing a comprehensive geriatric assessment during their first admission in a Belgian teaching hospital between 2009 and 2018. Antiplatelet therapy was considered inappropriate in the absence of a recent cardiovascular event. We studied the prevalence of inappropriate combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy by 2-year periods and assessed its associated factors since the year 2013. Inappropriate combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy was identified in 21% of the 654 patients (median age 84 years, 51% women), with a prevalence decreasing (p ≤ 0.01) from 25% (2009-10) to 14.8% (2017-18). Among the 469 patients recruited during the direct oral anticoagulant era, inappropriate combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy (19%) was associated in a multivariable analysis with a history of stroke/transient ischemic attack (odds ratio 2.13, p = 0.007), anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin (odds ratio 3.44, p = 0.015), and a history of vascular disease (odds ratio 5.68, p < 0.001). While inappropriate combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy has declined over the last decade, there is still room for improvement. Antiplatelet deprescribing should be considered in all patients with inappropriate combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy, including those with vascular disease and no recent cardiovascular event.

Drug therapies for stroke prevention.

Stroke is a major cause of mortality, morbidity and economic burden. Strokes can be thrombotic, embolic or haemorrhagic. The key risk factor for cardioembolic stroke is atrial fibrillation or flutter, and oral anticoagulation (OAC) is recommended in all but the lowest-risk patients with evidence of these arrhythmias. Risk factors for thrombotic stroke overlap strongly with those for other atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs). Antiplatelet therapy (APT) should be considered in patients with established ASCVD to reduce risk of cardiovascular events, including stroke. Intensification from single to dual APT or a combination of APT with low-dose OAC can reduce ischaemic stroke risk further, but increases bleeding risk. Blood pressure and lipid profile should be controlled appropriately to guideline targets. In patients with diabetes, good glycaemic control can reduce stroke risk. Inflammation is another emerging target for stroke prevention. Overall, comprehensive assessment and pharmacological modification of risk factors are central to stroke prevention.

Applicability of the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on the management of acute coronary syndromes to older people with haemophilia A - A modified Delphi consensus by the ADVANCE Working Group.

As people with haemophilia (PWH) receive better treatment and live longer they are more likely to encounter cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other comorbidities. ESC guidelines for the acute management of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are based on the non-haemophilia population. To review the guidelines and propose relevant adaptations for PWHA without inhibitors who are treated with prophylaxis and present with ACS. As part of the ADVANCE Group, 20 European haemophilia experts used a modified Delphi approach to develop and gain consensus on proposed adaptations of the ESC guidelines for PWHA without inhibitors. Of the 32 Class I recommendations across both guidelines, adaptions were considered necessary and proposed for 15. The adaptions highlight the need to provide sufficient FVIII trough levels at the time of antithrombotic treatment in people with haemophilia A (HA) without inhibitors. Patients receiving emicizumab prophylaxis and requiring oral anticoagulation therapy or combined single antiplatelet plus oral anticoagulation therapy will require additional FVIII replacement therapy. In the absence of high-quality clinical evidence, the combined expert opinion used to develop these adaptions to the current ESC guidelines may help to guide clinicians in their treatment decisions when a PWHA presents with ACS.

Outcomes of dual antiplatelet therapy in combination with direct oral anticoagulants in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis

Abstract Background Recent data showed that the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in addition to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is associated with reduced risk of adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with or without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but It has also been associated with increased risk of bleeding. The data differs among different studies, thus, the CV outcomes associated with use of DOAC therapy plus DAPT are not fully understood. We conducted a meta-analysis to explore the CV and bleeding outcomes of DOAC therapy plus DAPT vs DAPT with or without placebo in patients with ACS Methods We conducted a literature search of studies exploring the use of DAPT plus DOAC therapy with focusing on bleeding and CV outcomes including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, stent thrombosis, limb thrombosis and VTE using Ovid, Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and EBSCO databases from January 2010 to March 2020. We used the following terms for the literature search: (Aspirin AND Clopidogrel OR Prasugrel OR Ticagrelor) AND (Apixaban OR Rivaroxaban OR Edoxaban OR Dabigatran OR Betrixaban). The efficacy outcome was a composite of CV death, MI and stroke, and the safety outcome was major bleeding. Results 4857 articles were included. Only RCTs and RCTs post-hoc analysis, were included (N=3). We found no significant heterogeneity and lower odds of the efficacy outcome in DOAC plus DAPT (experimental arm) compared to DAPT plus placebo (Control arm), which were unchanged in both the fixed and random effect models (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.87, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.78–0.97, I2=0%). We found no significant heterogeneity and higher odds of the safety outcome in DOAC plus DAPT (experimental arm) compared to DAPT plus placebo (Control arm) (OR fixed model 3.27, 95% CI: 2.28–4.70; OR random model 3.18, 95% CI: 2.21–4.57; I2=0%). Conclusion DOAC therapy plus DAPT in patients with ACS with or without PCI was associated with a lower rate of CV death, MI and stroke when compared to DAPT alone or with placebo and also associated with significant increase in major bleeding Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

LIFE-THREATENING HEMOPTYSIS AS A COMPLICATION OF ENDOBRONCHIAL ULTRASOUND-GUIDED NEEDLE ASPIRATION IN A 55-YEAR-OLD MAN WITH END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE

LIFE-THREATENING HEMOPTYSIS AS A COMPLICATION OF ENDOBRONCHIAL ULTRASOUND-GUIDED NEEDLE ASPIRATION IN A 55-YEAR-OLD MAN WITH END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE

Combined Antiplatelet And Novel Oral Anticoagulant Therapy Is Increasingly Utilized But Associated With Worse Limb Outcomes And Equivalent Survival Compared To Antiplatelet And Warfarin And Antiplatelet Therapy Alone After Suprainguinal Bypass For Peripheral Artery Disease

Recent trials have reported that combined antiplatelet and novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) therapy reduces limb and cardiovascular events compared to antiplatelet therapy alone after infrainguinal surgical revascularization. The goal of this study is to compare long-term limb outcomes and survival in patients treated with antiplatelet + NOAC, antiplatelet + warfarin, and antiplatelet therapy alone after suprainguinal bypass.

Editors' Note: Early Neurologic Deterioration in Lacunar Stroke: Clinical and Imaging Predictors and Association With Long-term Outcome

Early neurologic deterioration (END) is a frequent complication of acute ischemic stroke and is often due to progressive tissue infarction. In their single-center analysis of acute lacunar stroke identified on magnetic resonance imaging (n = 365), Dr. Vynckier and colleagues report 16.7% of patients experienced a worsening of 2 or more points in the NIH Stroke Scale within 24 hours of arrival and were classified as having END. It is important that milder stroke severity, ventral pontine injury, capsular warning syndrome, and hypoperfusion on baseline imaging were predictive of END. Dr. Alpert comments that early mobilization—while important for expediting rehabilitation and discharge—may increase the risk of END. Dr. Zini and colleagues also highlight the putative relationship between END and branch atheromatous disease, which may be targeted with combination antiplatelet therapy. Indeed, the study by Vynckier et al. found that acute dual antiplatelet therapy was associated with a 90% lower chance of END (adjusted odds ratio 0.10, 95% CI 0.01–0.89). Dual antiplatelet therapy may be useful for preventing progressive tissue infarction in lacunar disease; however, this can only be confirmed in a randomized clinical trial. Early neurologic deterioration (END) is a frequent complication of acute ischemic stroke and is often due to progressive tissue infarction. In their single-center analysis of acute lacunar stroke identified on magnetic resonance imaging (n = 365), Dr. Vynckier and colleagues report 16.7% of patients experienced a worsening of 2 or more points in the NIH Stroke Scale within 24 hours of arrival and were classified as having END. It is important that milder stroke severity, ventral pontine injury, capsular warning syndrome, and hypoperfusion on baseline imaging were predictive of END. Dr. Alpert comments that early mobilization—while important for expediting rehabilitation and discharge—may increase the risk of END. Dr. Zini and colleagues also highlight the putative relationship between END and branch atheromatous disease, which may be targeted with combination antiplatelet therapy. Indeed, the study by Vynckier et al. found that acute dual antiplatelet therapy was associated with a 90% lower chance of END (adjusted odds ratio 0.10, 95% CI 0.01–0.89). Dual antiplatelet therapy may be useful for preventing progressive tissue infarction in lacunar disease; however, this can only be confirmed in a randomized clinical trial.