Dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary stent implantation: Individualizing the optimal duration

Challenges and Advances in Interventional Cardiology for Coronary Artery Disease Management

The development of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been one of the greatest advances in cardiology and has changed clinical practice for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Despite continuous improvements in operators' experience, techniques, and the development of new-generation devices, significant challenges remain in improving the efficacy of PCI, including calcification, bifurcation, multivascular disease, stent restenosis, and stent thrombosis, among others. The present review aims to provide an overview of the current status of knowledge of endovascular revascularization in CAD, including relevant trials, therapeutic strategies, and new technologies addressing particular scenarios that can impact the prognosis of this vulnerable population.

Prognostic Implication of Platelet Reactivity According to Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Status in Patients Treated With Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation: Analysis of the PTRG-DES Consortium

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) often exhibit reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, the impact of LV dysfunction status in conjunction with platelet reactivity on clinical outcomes has not been previously investigated.

METHODS

From the multicenter PTRG-DES (Platelet function and genoType-Related long-term prognosis in DES-treated patients) consortium, the patients were classified as preserved-EF (PEF: LVEF ≥ 50%) and reduced-EF (REF: LVEF< 5 0%) group by echocardiography. Platelet reactivity was measured using VerifyNow P2Y12 assay and high platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined as PRU ≥ 252. The major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) were a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis and stroke at 5 years after PCI. Major bleeding was defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium bleeding types 3-5.

RESULTS

A total of 13,160 patients from PTRG-DES, 9,319 (79.6%) patients with the results of both PRU and LVEF were analyzed. The incidence of MACCE and major bleeding was higher in REF group as compared with PEF group (MACCEs: hazard ratio [HR] 2.17, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.85-2.55; major bleeding: HR 1.78, P < 0.001, 95% CI 1.39-2.78). The highest rate of MACCEs was found in patients with REF and HPR, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (HR 3.14 in REF(+)/HPR(+) vs. PEF(+)/HPR(-) group, P < 0.01, 95% CI 2.51-3.91). The frequency of major bleeding was not associated with the HPR in either group.

CONCLUSION

LV dysfunction was associated with an increased incidence of MACCEs and major bleeding in patients who underwent PCI. The HPR status further exhibited significant increase of MACCEs in patients with LV dysfunction in a large, real-world registry.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04734028.

Evaluation of Circulating Platelet Extracellular Vesicles and Hypertension Mediated Organ Damage

Elevated circulating platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (pEVs) have been associated with arterial hypertension. The role of hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) to induce EV release is still unknown. We studied the micro- and macro-vascular changes (retinal vascular density and pulse wave velocity), endothelial function (flow-mediated vasodilation of brachial artery and finger plethysmography), and assessed the psychosocial status (anxiety and depression) in hypertensive patients to determine their relationship with EV release. Pulse wave velocity showed a significant positive correlation with pEVs (r = 0.33; p = 0.01). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) negatively correlated with retinal vascularity. The superficial retinal vascular plexus density in the whole image showed a significant negative correlation with 24 h SBP (r = −0.38, p < 0.01), day-SBP (r = −0.35, p = 0.01), and night-SBP (r = −0.27, p = 0.04). pEVs did not show significant associations with microvascular damage (retinal vascular density), endothelial function (flow-mediated vasodilation of brachial artery and finger plethysmography), or psychosocial status (anxiety and depression). Our results indicate that the pEV levels were associated with macrovascular damage measured by PWV, whereas no significant association between pEVs and microvascular damage, endothelial function, or emotional status could be detected. The potential utility of pEV in clinical practice in the context of HMOD may be limited to macrovascular changes.

Short-term DAPT after coronary stenting has similar ischemic and bleeding outcomes as long-term DAPT: a 5-year population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial.

AIM

We investigated the relationship between DAPT duration following PCI and long-term ischemic and bleeding outcomes under real-world conditions.

METHODS

Patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent PCI with stenting in Western Australian hospitals between 2003 and 2008 and survived 2 years were identified from linked hospital admissions data. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) defined as a composite of all-cause death and admissions for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), coronary artery revascularization procedure, stroke, and major bleeding. Secondary outcomes were ACS admissions, all-cause death, and major bleeding admissions. Patients were followed up for 5 years from initial PCI.

RESULTS

A total of 3963 patients were included in the final analysis. The mean age of the cohort was 74.5 ± 6.1 years with 67.3% males. No significant difference was seen with 6-12, 12-18, or 18-24 months DAPT, compared to 0-6 months DAPT duration for MACCE and all secondary outcomes at 3- and 5-year post-PCI.

CONCLUSION

There is no significant difference in both bleeding and ischemic outcomes in long-term DAPT as compared to short-term DAPT for first- and second-generation drug-eluting stents in a real-world population.

Reclassification of Treatment Strategy with Fractional Flow Reserve in Cancer Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Background and Objectives: Cancer and coronary artery disease (CAD) often coexist. Compared to quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), fractional flow reserve (FFR) has emerged as a more reliable method of identifying significant coronary stenoses. We aimed to assess the specific management, safety and outcomes of FFR-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in cancer patients with stable CAD. Materials and Methods: FFR was used to assess cancer patients that underwent coronary angiography for stable CAD between September 2008 and May 2016, and were found to have ≥50% stenosis by QCA. Patients with lesions with an FFR > 0.75 received medical therapy alone, while those with FFR ≤ 0.75 were revascularized. Procedure-related complications, all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or urgent revascularizations were analyzed. Results: Fifty-seven patients with stable CAD underwent FFR on 57 lesions. Out of 31 patients with ≥70% stenosis as measured by QCA, 14 (45.1%) had an FFR ≥ 0.75 and lesions were reclassified as moderate and did not receive PCI nor DAPT. Out of 26 patients with <70% stenosis as measured by QCA, 6 (23%) had an FFR < 0.75 and were reclassified as severe and were treated with PCI and associated DAPT. No periprocedural complications, urgent revascularization, acute coronary syndromes, or cardiovascular deaths were noted. There was a 22.8% mortality at 1 year, all cancer related. Patients who received a stent by FFR assessment showed a significant association with decreased risk of all-cause death (HR: 0.37, 95% CI 0.15−0.90, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Further studies are needed to define the optimal therapeutic approach for cancer patients with CAD. Using an FFR cut-off point of 0.75 to guide PCI translates into fewer interventions and can facilitate cancer care. There was an overall reduction in mortality in patients that received a stent, suggesting increased resilience to cancer therapy and progression.

Circulating platelet-derived extracellular vesicles correlate with night-time blood pressure and vascular organ damage and may represent an integrative biomarker of vascular health

Elevated office blood pressure (BP) has previously been associated with increased levels of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs). The present study aimed to assess the relationship between levels of platelet derived EVs, ambulatory BP parameters, and pulse wave velocity as a marker of macrovascular organ damage. A total of 96 participants were included in the study. Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (pEVs) were evaluated by flow cytometry (CD41+/Annexin v+). BP evaluation included unobserved automated office BP and ambulatory BP monitoring. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as a marker of macrovascular damage. pEVs correlated with nocturnal systolic BP (r = 0.31; p = .003) and nocturnal dipping (r = -0.29; p = .01) in univariable analysis. Multivariable regression models confirmed robustness of the association of EVs and nocturnal blood pressure (p = .02). In contrast, systolic office, 24h- and daytime-BP did not show significant associations with pEVs. No correlations were found with diastolic BP. Circulating pEVs correlated with pulse wave velocity (r = 0.25; p = .02). When comparing different hypertensive phenotypes, higher levels of EVs and PWV were evident in patients with sustained hypertension compared to patients with white coat HTN and healthy persons. Circulating platelet derived EVs were associated with nocturnal BP, dipping, and PWV. Given that average nocturnal BP is the strongest predictor of CV events, platelet derived EVs may serve as an integrative marker of vascular health, a proposition that requires testing in prospective clinical trials.

Adherence to dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary stenting: A study conducted at two Vietnamese hospitals

Introduction: Adherence to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is critical after drug-eluting stent(DES) placement. We aimed to assess patient’s knowledge, rates of DAPT adherence, trends in DAPT use over time, and patient‐level factors associated with nonadherence in the patient with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: ACS patients who received one or more DES between May and September 2018from two hospitals in Vietnam and used DAPT after stent placement were eligible for a direct interview to assess patient’s knowledge on disease and DAPT. Telephone interviews were conducted one, three, and six months following discharge. Nonadherence was defined as premature discontinuation of DAPT. Factors related to nonadherent patients were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: Of the 200 patients identified, 154 (77%) participated. Of the ten questions related to knowledge, the mean score of correct answers was 8.2 ± 2.3, and 71.7% had good knowledge.Adherence to DAPT was high at one month (94.2%) but declined by three months (44.2%) and then by six months (46.8%). Aspirin adherence was 99.3%-100% throughout. Three factors associated with nonadherence of DAPT following DES placement by six months included: rural location, linactive occupation, and inadequate knowledge on disease and DAPT (p<0.05). Conclusion: DAPT adherence is high at one month but is suboptimal at three and six months.Factors associated with the nonadherence of DAPT will be helpful in the planning of patient education strategies.

Antithrombotic strategies in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation revascularized with drug-eluting stents: PACO-PCI (EPIC-15) registry

BACKGROUND

We sought to investigate the antithrombotic regimens applied and their prognostic effects in patients over 75 years old with atrial fibrillation (AF) after revascularization with drug-eluting stents (DES).

METHODS

Retrospective registry in 20 centers including patients over 75 years with AF treated with DES. A primary endpoint of MACCE and a co-primary endpoint of major bleeding by ISTH criteria were considered at 12 months.

RESULTS

A total of 1249 patients (81.1 ± 4.2 years, 33.1% women, 66.6% ACS, 30.6% complex PCI) were included. Triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) was prescribed in 81.7% and dual antithrombotic therapy (DAT) in 18.3%. TAT was based on direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in 48.4% and maintained for only 1 month in 52.2%, and DAT included DOAC in 70.6%. Primary endpoint of MACCE was met in 9.6% and primary endpoint of major bleeding in 9.4%. TAT was significantly associated with more bleeding (10.2% vs. 6.1%, p = 0.04) but less MACCE (8.7% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.02) than DAT and the use of DOAC was significantly associated to less bleeding (8% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.03) and similar MACCE (9.8% vs. 9.4%, p = 0.8). TAT over 1 month or with VKA was associated with more major bleeding but comparable MACCE rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite advanced age TAT prevails, but duration over 1 month or the use of other agent than Apixaban are associated with increased bleeding without additional MACCE prevention. DAT reduces bleeding but with a trade-off in terms of ischemic events. DOAC use was significantly associated to less bleeding and similar MACCE rates.

Incidence and risk factors for major bleeding among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Findings from the Norwegian Coronary Stent Trial (NORSTENT)

INTRODUCTION

Bleeding is a concern after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and subsequent dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). We herein report the incidence and risk factors for major bleeding in the Norwegian Coronary Stent Trial (NORSTENT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

NORSTENT was a randomized, double blind, pragmatic trial among patients with acute coronary syndrome or stable coronary disease undergoing PCI during 2008-11. The patients (N = 9,013) were randomized to receive either a drug-eluting stent or a bare-metal stent, and were treated with at least nine months of DAPT. The patients were followed for a median of five years, with Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 3-5 major bleeding as one of the safety endpoints. We estimated cumulative incidence of major bleeding by a competing risks model and risk factors through cause-specific Cox models.

RESULTS

The 12-month cumulative incidence of major bleeding was 2.3%. Independent risk factors for major bleeding were chronic kidney disease, low bodyweight (< 60 kilograms), diabetes mellitus, and advanced age (> 80 years). A myocardial infarction (MI) or PCI during follow-up increased the risk of major bleeding (HR = 1.67, 95% CI 1-29-2.15).

CONCLUSIONS

The 12-month cumulative incidence of major bleeding in NORSTENT was higher than reported in previous, explanatory trials. This analysis strengthens the role of chronic kidney disease, advanced age, and low bodyweight as risk factors for major bleeding among patients receiving DAPT after PCI. The presence of diabetes mellitus or recurrent MI among patients is furthermore a signal of increased bleeding risk.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Unique identifier NCT00811772; http://www.clinicaltrial.gov.

Association of fractalkine with functional severity of heart failure and impact on clopidogrel efficacy in patients with ischemic heart disease

INTRODUCTION

Patients with heart failure (HF) display elevated levels of soluble fractalkine, a chemokine involved in inflammation processes, atherosclerosis and platelet activation. Further, fractalkine has been associated with reduced pharmacodynamic (PD) responsiveness to clopidogrel. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of fractalkine with the severity of HF and its impact on platelet activation and clopidogrel response in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with and without HF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective PD study included 116 stable CAD patients on DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel. Subjects were classified in two groups: patients with HF and reduced (<40%) left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF group, n = 56) and patients without HF (no HF group, n = 60). Clinical severity of HF was graded according to NYHA classification. Platelet function assays included vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein assay, multiple electrode aggregometry and light transmittance aggregometry. Fractalkine and P-selectin concentrations were determined by ELISA.

RESULTS

Fractalkine levels progressively increased with the severity of the disease in the HFrEF group (NYHA I: 471.2 ± 52.4 pg/ml, NYHA II: 500.5 ± 38.4 pg/ml, NYHA III: 638.9 ± 54.3 pg/ml, p for linear trend 0.023). Numerically higher concentrations of fractalkine were observed in the HFrEF group compared to the no HF group with borderline significance (p = 0.052). No significant differences in clopidogrel-induced platelet inhibition according to fractalkine values were observed in any of the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Fractalkine levels were increased in patients with HFrEF and positively associated with the functional severity of the disease. No evident impact of fractalkine on clopidogrel PD efficacy was found.

Serum interleukin-18 levels as a predictor for patients with genetic dysfunction of cytochrome P450 2C19 in dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel

BACKGROUND

P2Y₁₂ reaction unit (PRU) is an index of platelet activity upon treatment with clopidogrel. In spite of suitable P2Y₁₂ reactions in dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), cardiovascular events actually occur in some patients, possibly due to a genetic dysfunction of cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19), which is a major metabolic enzyme of clopidogrel. As testing the CYP2C19 phenotypes to predict such patients may lack general versatility in daily clinical practice, the aim of this study was to examine whether measuring the blood levels of some cytokines in patients showing desirable PRUs in DAPT with clopidogrel could be a substitute for testing the CYP2C19 phenotypes.

METHODS

We analyzed relationships among PRU, serum levels of 51 cytokines, and CYP2C19 phenotypes in 22 patients receiving DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel after PCI.

RESULTS

Seventeen, 18, and 19 of 22 patients indicated PRU ≤ 208, PRU ≤ 230, and PRU ≤ 262, respectively. Approximately 60% of the patients had a genetically metabolic dysfunction of CYP2C19, and the serum levels of interleukin-18 were independently increased in those patients (p = 0.024 in patients with PRU ≤ 208, p = 0.021 with PRU ≤ 230, and p = 0.020 with PRU ≤ 262). The area under the curves in plot receiver operating characteristics curves for the serum levels of interleukin-18 were 0.94, 0.96, and 0.90 in the non-extensive metabolizer patients with PRU ≤ 208, PRU ≤ 230, and PRU ≤ 262, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The serum levels of interleukin-18 may be a predictor to diagnose patients who receive undesirable DAPT with clopidogrel, possibly due to the genetic dysfunction of CYP2C19 in spite of suitable P2Y₁₂ reactions after PCI.

Antithrombotic Therapy After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

The development of transcatheter aortic valve implantation has represented one of the greatest advances in the cardiology field in recent years and has changed clinical practice for patients with aortic stenosis. Despite the continuous improvement in operators’ experience and techniques, and the development of new generation devices, thromboembolic and bleeding complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation remain frequent, and are a major concern due to their negative impact on prognosis in this vulnerable population. In addition, the optimal antithrombotic regimen in this scenario is not known, and current recommendations are mostly empirical and not evidence based. The present review aims to provide an overview of the current status of knowledge, including relevant on-going randomised trials, on antithrombotic treatment strategies after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Clinical benefits of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy following complex percutaneous coronary intervention

AIMS

Prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) requires consideration of both reduced thrombotic events and increased bleeding risk. The associated subtle balance between the benefits and harms depends upon patient's clinical factors and complexity of the coronary anatomy. Our aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of prolonged (>12 months) DAPT in patients undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A thorough computer-based search was performed using four major databases. Complex PCI was defined as a procedure with at least one of the following angiographic characteristics: 3 vessels treated, >3 stents implanted, >3 lesions treated, bifurcation lesions, total stent length >60 mm, left main or proximal left anterior descending, a vein graft stent, or chronic total occlusion as target lesion. Of the 3543 titles searched, 5 studies met the inclusion criteria comparing short and prolonged DAPT therapy. We applied a random-effects model to acknowledge the variation in study design, treatment duration, and length of follow-up among studies. There was a reduction in cardiac mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.35-0.92; P = 0.02, I = 0%] and major adverse cardiovascular events (OR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.96; P = 0.02, I = 22%) with prolonged DAPT. Major bleeding was increased with prolonged DAPT (OR 1.75, 95% CI: 1.20-2.20; P = 0.004, I = 0%). There was no difference in the all-cause mortality (OR 0.86, 95% CI: 0.61-1.22; P = 0.41, I = 0%).

CONCLUSION

Prolonged DAPT reduces cardiac mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events in complex PCI. The results would need confirmation in a larger randomized study.