[Antiplatelet agents increase hemorrhagic risk in patients undergoing a cardiac pacemaker or ICD implantation]

Perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy in patients receiving cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: a network meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Network meta-analysis (NMA) has advantages including being able to simultaneously compare and rank multiple treatments over traditional meta-analysis. We evaluated by a NMA the optimal antithrombotic strategy during the perioperative period of implantation of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).

METHODS

We performed a network meta-analysis of observational studies (cohort and case-control studies). The eligible studies tested the following antithrombotic therapy during the CIED placement: aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs), and heparin bridging.

RESULTS

Thirty-one observational studies with 119 study arms were included (41,174 patients receiving long-term antithrombotic therapy; median age, 72.6 years; 70.1% males; median follow-up, 3.6 years). Aspirin (4.26 [2.88-7.22]), warfarin (3.37 [2.17-5.23]), and clopidogrel (3.30 [1.49-5.88]) reduced the risk of bleeding as compared with heparin bridging, and there was no significance difference between continued NOACs and heparin bridging (0.67 [0.21-2.18]). The comparison of commonly used protocols in the management of anticoagulant therapy revealed that continued warfarin (0.38 [0.20-0.74]), continued NOACs (0.19 [0.04-0.89]), and heparin bridging therapy (0.01 [0.05-0.21]) increased the risk of bleeding as compared that of control, and continued warfarin (3.74 [1.96-7.16]), interrupted warfarin (4.89 [2.20-10.88]), and interrupted NOACs (12.5 [1.25-100]) reduced the risk of bleeding compared with that of heparin bridging.

CONCLUSIONS

Among various antithrombotic drugs, aspirin had the lowest bleeding risk, followed by warfarin, clopidogrel and NOACs, and heparin, with the greatest bleeding risk. NOACs therapy appears safe and effective, and interrupted NOACs may be the optimal anticoagulation protocol for use during the perioperative period of CIED implantation.

[Safety of device implantation under antipatelet therapy with ticagrelor: About 20 cases]

INTRODUCTION

Management of antiplatelet therapy at the time of device implantation remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the risk of bleeding complications in patients receiving ticagrelor at the time of cardiac device surgery.

METHODS

We performed a multicentre (n=4), retrospective study from January 2015 to January 2016. The survey included all patients (pts) treated with ticagrelor before undergoing pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation or generator replacement. We report hemorrhagic post-procedural complications at 1 month. A significant bleeding complication was defined as pocket hematoma requiring a surgical evacuation or prolonged hospitalization, hemothorax, pericardial effusion, or tamponade.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients underwent a permanent pacemaker or ICD implantation while taking a combination of antipatelet therapy with ticagrelor and aspirin. The mean age of the patients was 65±9 years, 95% were male, 25% of patients were diabetics, 55% had hypertension and 50% presented a history of heart failure. All the patients had a history of acute coronary syndrome [6 (4-26) months before the procedure]. The majority of implanted devices were ICDs (17, 85%) with 5 single chamber, 4 dual chambers and 9 triple chambers ICDs. Subclavian venous approach was utilized in 9 patients. The mean duration of procedure was 60minutes. One per-procedure bleeding was described due to high venous pressure, without post-procedure hematoma. A post-procedure pocket hematoma has been experienced by one patient. The subclavian approach was used for the 2 patients. No blood transfusion was needed for these 2 cases.

CONCLUSION

Ticagrelor treatment at the time of heart rhythm device procedures does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of significant bleeding complications. In our study, 2 patients experienced nonsignificant bleeding complications.