Incidence of cardiovascular events and gastrointestinal bleeding in patients receiving clopidogrel with and without proton pump inhibitors: an updated meta-analysis

Proton pump inhibitors and other disease-based factors in the recurrence of adverse cardiovascular events following percutaneous coronary angiography: A long-term cohort

BACKGROUND

Dual aspirin-clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) has been shown to decrease the risk of adverse cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used in these patients to decrease the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and several studies have reported potential interaction and conflicting clinical outcomes with their use. We aim to assess the effect of different PPIs and other factors on the recurrence of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients following PCI.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort on patients who underwent PCI in the last 5 years and were discharged with or without PPIs. Strict inclusion criteria were adopted, outcome measures were defined, and patient follow up up to 2 years was collected.

RESULTS

Out of 740 patients, 453 (61.2 %) had received PPIs and 287 (38.8 %) were discharged without PPIs. Ninety-five (12.8 %) patients were readmitted due to adverse CV events. Statistically, there was no significant difference in the recurrence of CV events with the use of different PPIs (p = 0.384) and PPI use had an overall protective effect (p = 0.009, HR 0.58 (CI 0.39-0.88). Patients with history of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.048) had an increased risk of adverse CV events.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that pharmacokinetic interaction between PPIs and antiplatelet therapy is not associated with adverse CV events. A comprehensive, multicenter, open-label trial including all PPI subclasses and patient and disease-based factors is warranted for a fair evaluation.

Changes in Practice Patterns of Clopidogrel in Combination with Proton Pump Inhibitors after an FDA Safety Communication

Objectives

In 2009, the FDA issued a warning that omeprazole–a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)–reduces the antithrombotic effect of clopidogrel by almost half when taken concomitantly. This study aims to analyze the impact of the FDA Safety Communications on prescribing clopidogrel together with PPIs.

Methods

This retrospective study identified clopidogrel users from the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Databases (01/2006–12/2012). Rates of clopidogrel-PPI combination therapy were estimated in 6-month intervals for patients with ≥1 clopidogrel prescription fill, then were analyzed pre- and post-safety communication (11/17/2009). Analyses were also conducted by grouping PPIs into CYP2C19 inhibitors (omeprazole and esomeprazole) and CYP2C19 non-inhibitors (pantoprazole, lansoprazole, dexlansoprazole, and rabeprazole).

Results

Overall, 483,074 patients met the selection criteria; of these, 157,248 used a clopidogrel-PPI combination. On average, 30.5% of patients in the pre- and 19.9% in the post-communication period used a clopidogrel-PPI combination therapy. Among clopidogrel users, the probability of using clopidogrel-PPI combinations fell by over 40% in the post-communication period (OR = 0.57; p<0.001); the proportion of patients using esomeprazole fell from 12.9% to 5.3%, and the proportion using omeprazole fell from 10.1% to 6.3%. Among combination therapy users, the probability of patients using a combination with a CYP2C19 inhibitor decreased by 53% (OR = 0.47; p<0.001); however, 31.5% of patients were still prescribed a clopidogrel-PPI combination therapy. Trends were similar for all and newly treated patients, regardless of clopidogrel indication and physician specialty.

Conclusions

The FDA Safety Communication resulted in a reduction in the number of patients undergoing combination therapy; however approximately one-third of patients still used combination therapy post-communication.

Concomitant nitrates enhance clopidogrel response during dual anti-platelet therapy

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in modern anti-platelet strategies, clopidogrel still remains the cornerstone of dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). There is some inconclusive evidence that response after clopidogrel may be impacted by concomitant medications, potentially affecting clinical outcomes. Sustained released nitrates (SRN) are commonly used together with clopidogrel in post-PCI setting for mild vasodilatation and nitric oxide-induced platelet inhibition.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 458 patients (64.5 ± 9.6 years old, and 73.4% males) following PCI undergoing DAPT with clopidogrel and aspirin. Platelet reactivity was assessed by the VerifyNow™ P2Y12 assay at the maintenance outpatient setting.

RESULTS

Concomitant SRN (n=266) significantly (p=0.008) enhanced platelet inhibition after DAPT (251.6 ± 80.9PRU) when compared (232.1 ± 73.5PRU) to the SRN-free (n=192) patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with the cut-off value of 253 PRU for defining heightened platelet reactivity confirmed independent correlation of more potent platelet inhibition during DAPT and use of SRN (Relative risk=1.675; Odds ratio [1.059-2.648]; p=0.027). In contrast, statins, calcium-channel blockers, beta blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE-inhibitors, diuretics, and anti-diabetic agents did not significantly impact platelet inhibition following DAPT.

CONCLUSION

The synergic ability of SRN to enhance response during DAPT may have important clinical implications with regard to better cardiovascular protection, but extra bleeding risks, requiring further confirmation in a large randomized study.