Anticoagulation in CKD and ESRD

Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in Patients on Hemodialysis: The Prognostic Value of the CHA2DS2-VASc Score

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular events are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients on hemodialysis (HD). Identifying risk factors can help in the effort to reduce cardiovascular risk and improve life expectancy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the CHA2DS2-VASc score-the risk index of stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF)-to predict strokes, major cardiovascular events, and mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Materials and Methods: The CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores (the bleeding risk from the use of anticoagulation in AF) were calculated in 237 HD patients, 99 women with a median age of 76 (15) years, at the time they commenced HD. The scores' ability to predict long term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality was estimated, both in those with and without AF. Among the exclusion criteria were the change of dialysis method or loss of follow-up, HD due to acute renal failure, and incompliance with medical instructions, thus the sample is not representative of a broader population. Results: The CHA2DS2-VASc score was higher in AF (n = 69) compared to non-AF (n = 168) patients, 5 (2.5) vs. 4 (2), p < 0.0001, respectively. An increased CHA2DS2-VASc score was correlated with cardiovascular events, namely, heart failure (p = 0.007, p = 0.024), stroke (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001), and risk of all-cause mortality (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001) in AF and non-AF groups, respectively. The C statistics indicated that the referred score showed modest discrimination in AF and non-AF patients on HD for heart failure, stroke, and all-cause mortality, however for cardiovascular mortality this was found only in the AF group. Conclusions: An increased CHA2DS2-VASc score at the time of HD initiation can predict strokes, heart failure, and all-cause mortality in HD patients independent of the presence of AF. The risk of cardiovascular mortality could only be predicted in patients with AF.

Value of Safety of Anticoagulant Therapy in Elderly Patient with Atrial Fibrillation and High Risk of Bleeding

The review article discusses  the safety issue of anticoagulant therapy in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation and high risk of bleeding.  An evidence base is presented demonstrating the high safety of rivaroxaban in patients over 80  years of age,  with a high risk of bleeding  and cardiovascular complications,  the presence of comorbid  pathology, geriatric syndromes  and chronic kidney disease (including in combination with anemia). The problem of low adherence to treatment in elderly patients and the possibility of solving it were separately considered.

Pharmacology of Heparin and Related Drugs: An Update

Heparin has been used extensively as an antithrombotic and anticoagulant for close to 100 years. This anticoagulant activity is attributed mainly to the pentasaccharide sequence, which potentiates the inhibitory action of antithrombin, a major inhibitor of the coagulation cascade. More recently it has been elucidated that heparin exhibits anti-inflammatory effect via interference of the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps and this may also contribute to heparin's antithrombotic activity. This illustrates that heparin interacts with a broad range of biomolecules, exerting both anticoagulant and nonanticoagulant actions. Since our previous review, there has been an increased interest in these nonanticoagulant effects of heparin, with the beneficial role in patients infected with SARS2-coronavirus a highly topical example. This article provides an update on our previous review with more recent developments and observations made for these novel uses of heparin and an overview of the development status of heparin-based drugs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This state-of-the-art review covers recent developments in the use of heparin and heparin-like materials as anticoagulant, now including immunothrombosis observations, and as nonanticoagulant including a role in the treatment of SARS-coronavirus and inflammatory conditions.

Choosing the right chronic medication for hemodialysis patients. A short ABC for the dialysis nephrologist

BACKGROUND

Adapting drug treatments for patients on hemodialysis with multiple chronic pathologies is a complex affair. When prescribing a medication, the risk-benefit analysis usually focuses primarily on the indication of the drug class prescribed. However, the pharmacokinetics of the chosen drug should also be taken into account. The purpose of our review was to identify the drugs to be favored in each therapeutic class, according to their safety and pharmacokinetic profiles, for the most common chronic diseases in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

METHODS

We conducted a narrative review of the literature using Medline and Web of Science databases, targeting studies on the most commonly-prescribed drugs for non-communicable diseases in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

RESULTS

The search identified 1224 articles, 95 of which were further analyzed. The main classes of drugs included concern the cardiovascular system (anti-hypertensives, anti-arrhythmics, anti-thrombotics, hypocholesterolemics), the endocrine and metabolic pathways (anti-diabetics, gastric anti-secretory, anticoagulant, thyroid hormones, anti-gout) and psychiatric and neurological disorders (antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics and anti-epileptics).

CONCLUSION

We report on the most often prescribed drugs for chronic pathologies in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Most of them require adaptation, and in some cases one better alternative stands out among the drug class. More pharmacokinetic data are needed to define the pharmacokinetics in the various dialysis techniques.

Patients with end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis benefit from percutaneous coronary intervention after non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment significantly improves outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It remains unclear whether the benefits of PCI exist in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The present study was designed to investigate the effects of PCI on the short- and long-term prognosis of patients with ESRD and NSTEMI. We conducted a retrospective study from 1 January 2015 to 1 January 2020, which includes 148 consecutive patients with ESRD and NSTEMI. All patients were estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 15 mL/min/1.73 m² and had received regular hemodialysis treatment before hospitalization. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify independent predictors of 1-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE). In this study, 62 patients received PCI treatment. Univariable logistic regression analysis showed that PCI treatment was associated with the trend of reduction in the risk of in-hospital mortality (11.3% vs 43%, P = 0.022), but was not independently related to lower in-hospital mortality risk after multivariable logistic regression analysis (P = 0.131). After a 1-year follow-up, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that MACE rate was significantly lower in patients with ESRD and NSTEMI who had received PCI treatment during hospitalization (P < 0.001). After multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, no PCI treatment was independently associated with 1-year MACE (hazard ratios 3.217, 95% CI 2.03-8.489, P = 0.003). PCI treatment during hospitalization is associated with reduced 1-year MACE in patients with ESRD and NSTEMI, which suggests that more aggressive therapies may be beneficial for this special higher risk population.

Different glomerular filtration rate estimating formula for prescribing DOACs in oldest patients: appropriate dosage and bleeding risk. Post hoc analysis of a prospective cohort

Background

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) pharmacokinetics depends on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), whose estimation is crucial for optimal risk/benefit balance.

Aims

To assess the concordance among different eGFR formulas and the potential impact on DOACs prescription appropriateness and bleeding risk in oldest hospitalized patients.

Methods

Post hoc analysis of a single-centre prospective cohort study. eGFR was calculated by creatinine-based (MDRD, CKD-EPI_Cr, BIS₁) and creatinine–cystatin-C-based (CKD-EPI_Comb and BIS₂) formulas. Patients were stratified according to eGFR [severely depressed (SD) 15–29; moderately depressed (MD) 30–49; preserved/mildly depressed (PMD): ≥ 50 ml/min/1.73 m²]. Concordance between the different equations was assessed by Cohen’s kappa coefficient.

Results

Among AF patients, 841 (59.2% women, mean age 85.9 ± 6.5 years) received DOACs. By CKD-EPI_Cr equation, 135 patients were allocated in the SD, 255 in the MD and 451 in the PMD group. The concordance was excellent only between BIS 2 and CKD-EPI_Comb and MDRD and CKD-EPI_Cr, while was worse (from good to poor) between the other formulas. Indeed, by adding cystatin-C almost over 1/3 of the patients were reallocated to a worse eGFR class. Bleeding prevalence increased by 2–3% in patients with discordant eGFR between formulas, reallocated to a worse chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage, although without reaching statistical significance. CKD-EPI_Comb resulted the best predictor of bleeding events (AUROC 0.71, p = 0.03).

Discussion

This study highlights the variability in CKD staging according to different eGFR formulas, potentially determining inappropriate DOACs dosing. Although the cystatin-C derived CKDEPI_Comb equation is the most accurate for stratifying patients, BIS₁ may represent a reliable alternative.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40520-021-01986-w.

Therapeutic anticoagulation complications in the elderly: a case report

Background

The demographic transition leads to a continuously growing number of elderly patients who receive therapeutic anticoagulation by reason of several comorbidities. Though therapeutic anticoagulation may reduce the number of embolic complications in these patients, major complications such as bleeding complications need to be kept in mind when considering such therapy. However, evidence regarding the choice of anticoagulation agents in chronic kidney disease patients of higher age is limited. In this report, a guideline-based anticoagulation treatment which led to a fulminant atraumatic bleeding complication is discussed.

Case presentation

We present the case of an 85-year-old female stage V chronic kidney disease patient who suffered from a diffuse arterial, subcutaneous bleeding in her lower left leg due a therapeutic anticoagulation using low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Anticoagulation was started in accordance with general recommendations for patients with atrial fibrillation, and the dosage was adapted for the patient’s renal function. Nevertheless, the above-mentioned complication occurred, and the bleeding led to a hemorrhagic shock and an acute kidney injury on top of a chronic kidney disease. The hematoma required surgical evacuation and local coagulation in the operating room. In the further course, the patient underwent additional four surgical interventions due to a superinfected skin necrosis, including skin grafting. Furthermore, the patient needed continuous renal replacement therapy, as well as intensive care unit treatment, for a total of 47 days followed by 36 days of geriatric rehabilitation. Afterwards, she was discharged from the hospital to her previous nursing home.

Discussion and conclusions

Although therapeutic anticoagulation may sufficiently protect patients at cardiovascular risk, major complications such as bleeding complications may occur at any time. Therefore, physicians need to regularly re-evaluate any prior indication for therapeutic anticoagulation. With this case report, we hope to draw attention to the cohort of geriatric patients and the need for more and well differentiated study settings to preferably prevent any potentially avoidable complications.

Outcomes on safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage occlusion in end stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis

BACKGROUND

In patients with end stage renal disease and atrial fibrillation (AF), undergoing chronic dialysis, direct oral agents are contraindicated and warfarin does not fully prevent embolic events while increasing the bleeding risk. The high hemorrhagic risk represents the main problem in this population. Aim of the study was to estimate the safety and efficacy for thromboembolic prevention of left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion in a cohort of dialysis patients with AF and high hemorrhagic risk.

METHODS

Ninety-two dialysis patients with AF who underwent LAA occlusion were recruited. For comparative purposes, two cohorts of dialysis patients with AF, one taking warfarin (oral anticoagulant therapy, OAT cohort, n = 114) and the other not taking any OAT (no-therapy cohort, n = 148) were included in the study. Primary endpoints were (1) incidence of peri-procedural complications, (2) incidence of 2-year thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events, (3) mortality at 2 years. In order to evaluate the effect of the LAA occlusion on the endpoints with respect to the OAT and No-therapy cohorts, a multivariable Cox regression model was applied adjusted for possible confounding factors.

RESULTS

The device was successfully implanted in 100% of cases. Two major peri-procedural complications were reported. No thromboembolic events occurred at 2-year follow-up. The adjusted multivariable Cox regression model showed no difference in bleeding risk in the OAT compared to the LAA occlusion cohort in the first 3 months of follow-up [HR 1.65 (95% CI 0.43-6.33)], when most of patients were taking two antiplatelet drugs. In the following 21 months the bleeding incidence became higher in OAT patients [HR 6.48 (95% CI 1.32-31.72)]. Overall mortality was greater in both the OAT [HR 2.76 (95% CI 1.31-5.86)] and No-Therapy [HR 3.09 (95% CI 1.59-5.98)] cohorts compared to LAA occlusion patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The study could open the way to a non-pharmacological option for thromboembolic protection in dialysis patients with AF and high bleeding risk.

Heparin locks with low and high concentration in haemodialysis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

There is no evidence-based consensus on the optimal concentration for heparin locks; several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have evaluated the concentration of heparin locks, yet the results remain inconsistent. We aimed to assess heparin locks with low and high concentration in haemodialysis patients.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs focusing on the concentration in heparin locks. Studies were identified by searching PUBMED, EMBASE, Science Direct, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang databases (from inception to 15 March 2020). Summary risk ratios or mean differences with 95% confidence interval were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 370 patients with four RCTs were included. Heparin locks with 1000 U/ml could significantly reduce the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) compared with 5000 U/ml. No significant differences were seen in the occurrence of catheter-related thrombosis, the length of catheter stay, the rates of bleeding and catheter occlusions between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower concentrations in heparin lock are optimal for shortening APTT in haemodialysis patients; further studies are needed to elucidate the role of heparin concentration in the lock practice.

[Safety performance of rivaroxaban versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation and advanced chro-nic kidney disease]

Aim To evaluate safety of using rivaroxaban in patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) or transient, stable decline of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to 15-29 ml /min / 1.73 m2 in the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF).Material and methods This multicenter prospective, randomized study included patients admitted to cardiology departments from 2017 through 2019. Of 10 224 admitted patients 109 (3 %) patients with AF and stage 4 CKD or a stable decline of GFR to 15-29 ml /min / 1.73 m2 were randomized at 2:1 ratio to the rivaroxaban 15 mg /day (n=73) treatment group or to the warfarin treatment group (n=36). The primary endpoint was development of BARC and ISTH major, minor, and clinically relevant minor bleeding. Mean follow-up duration was 18 months.Results Patients receiving warfarin had a significantly higher incidence of BARC (n=26 (72.2 %) vs. n=31 (42.4 %), р&lt;0.01) and ISTH (n=22 (61.1 %) vs. n=27 (36.9 %), p&lt;0.01) minor bleeding and all ISTH clinically relevant (minor clinically relevant and major bleedings) n=10 (27.7 %) vs. n=8 (10.9 %), р=0.03]. The number of repeated hospitalizations was 65 (43% of patients) in the rivaroxaban treatment group and 27 (48% of patients) in the warfarin treatment group (р=0.57), including 24 (36.9 %) and 11 (40.7 %) emergency admissions in the rivaroxaban and warfarin treatment groups, respectively (р=0.96). Significant improvement of changes in creatinine clearance and GFR (by CKD-EPI and Cockroft-Gault) was observed in the rivaroxaban treatment group.Conclusion The study provided evidence for a more beneficial safety profile of rivaroxaban compared to warfarin in patients with AF and advanced CKD.

Anticoagulation in hemodialysis: A narrative review

Systemic anticoagulation in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) has historically been considered necessary to maintain the extracorporeal circuit (ECC) and preserve dialysis efficiency. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is the most commonly used anticoagulant due to low cost and staff familiarity. Despite widespread use, there is little standardization of heparin dosing protocols in the United States. Although the complication rates with UFH are low for the general population, certain contraindications have led to exploration in alternative anticoagulants in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Here we review the current evidence regarding heparin dosing protocols, complications associated with heparin use, and discuss alternatives to UFH including anticoagulant-free routine HD.

Position paper on the safety/efficacy profile of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with chronic kidney disease. Consensus document from the SIN, FCSA and SISET

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are mostly prescribed to prevent cardioembolic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). An increasing number of guidelines recommend DOAC in AF patients with preserved renal function for the prevention of thromboembolism, and an increased use of DOAC in daily practice has been recorded also in elderly patients. Ageing is associated with a reduction in glomerular filtration rate, and impaired renal function, regardless of the cause, increases the risk of bleeding. Multiple medication use (polypharmacy) for treating superimposed co-morbidities is common in both elderly and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and drug-drug interaction may cause accumulation of DOAC, thereby increasing the risk of bleeding. The safety profile of DOAC in patients with CKD has not been defined with any certainty, particularly in those with severely impaired renal function or end stage renal disease. This has been due to the heterogeneity of studies and the relative paucity of data. This document reports the position of three Italian scientific societies engaged in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation who are treated with DOAC and present with CKD.

Position paper on the safety/efficacy profile of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Consensus document of Società Italiana di Nefrologia (SIN), Federazione Centri per la diagnosi della trombosi e la Sorveglianza delle terapie Antitrombotiche (FCSA) and Società Italiana per lo Studio dell'Emostasi e della Trombosi (SISET)

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are mostly prescribed to prevent cardioembolic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). An increasing number of guidelines recommend DOAC in AF patients with preserved renal function for the prevention of thromboembolism and an increased use of DOAC in daily practice is recorded also in elderly patients. Aging is associated with a reduction of glomerular filtration rate and impaired renal function, regardless of the cause, increases the risk of bleeding. Multiple medication use (polypharmacy) for treating superimposed co-morbidities is common in both elderly and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and drug-drug interaction may cause accumulation of DOAC, thereby increasing the risk of bleeding. There is uncertainty on the safety profile of DOAC in patients with CKD, particularly in those with severely impaired renal function or end stage renal disease, due to the heterogeneity of studies and the relative paucity of data. This document reports the position of three Italian scientific societies engaged in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation who are treated with DOAC and present with CKD.