Effectiveness and Safety of Oral Anticoagulants Among Non-Valvular Atrial FibrillationPatients with Polypharmacy

The Impact of Polypharmacy on the Effectiveness and Safety of Non-vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

 Polypharmacy may affect outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) using non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) due to interactions or reduced adherence, but comparative data are lacking. Therefore, the impact of polypharmacy on AF-related outcomes and benefit-risk profiles of NOACs in patients with polypharmacy were investigated.

METHODS

 AF patients initiating anticoagulation between 2013 and 2019 were included using Belgian nationwide data. Inverse probability of treatment weighted Cox regression was used to investigate outcomes.

RESULTS

 Among 254,478 AF patients, 167,847 (66.0%) used ≥5 drugs. Polypharmacy was associated with higher stroke or systemic embolism (stroke/SE) (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.15), all-cause mortality (aHR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.40-1.50), and major bleeding risks (aHR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.23-1.35). Among patients with polypharmacy, NOACs were associated with lower stroke/SE (aHR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.63-0.73), all-cause mortality (aHR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.77-0.84), major bleeding (aHR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.97), and intracranial bleeding risks (aHR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.69-0.85), but higher gastrointestinal bleeding risks (aHR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.19) compared to VKAs. Major bleeding risks were lower with apixaban (aHR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.74-0.85), but nonsignificantly different with other NOACs compared to VKAs. Lower major bleeding risks were observed with dabigatran (aHR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85-0.97) and apixaban (aHR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.73-0.81) compared to rivaroxaban, and with apixaban compared to dabigatran (HR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.77-0.90) and edoxaban (HR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.70-0.85).

CONCLUSION

 Polypharmacy was associated with increased thromboembolic, bleeding, and mortality risks in AF patients. NOACs had better benefit-risk profiles than VKAs in patients with polypharmacy.

Atrial fibrillation: comorbidities, lifestyle, and patient factors

Modern anticoagulation therapy has dramatically reduced the risk of stroke and systemic thromboembolism in people with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, AF still impairs quality of life, increases the risk of stroke and heart failure, and is linked to cognitive impairment. There is also a recognition of the residual risk of thromboembolic complications despite anticoagulation. Hence, AF management is evolving towards a more comprehensive understanding of risk factors predisposing to the development of this arrhythmia, its' complications and interventions to mitigate the risk. This review summarises the recent advances in understanding of risk factors for incident AF and managing these risk factors. It includes a discussion of lifestyle, somatic, psychological, and socioeconomic risk factors. The available data call for a practice shift towards a more individualised approach considering an increasingly broader range of health and patient factors contributing to AF-related health burden. The review highlights the needs of people living with co-morbidities (especially with multimorbidity), polypharmacy and the role of the changing population demographics affecting the European region and globally.

Effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulants for non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a population-based cohort study in primary healthcare in Catalonia

Objectives: Our objective was to analyse effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulants (OAC) for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Material and methods: Population-based cohort study including adults initiating oral anticoagulants, either direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) or vitamin K antagonists (VKA), during 2011-2020. Data source: SIDIAP, capturing information from the electronic health records of Primary Health Care in Catalonia, Spain. Study outcomes: stroke, cerebral and gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage, assessed by patients' subgroups according to different clinical characteristics. Results: We included 90,773 patients. Male sex, older than 75, previous event, peripheral artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, or receiving antiplatelets, antidiabetics or proton pump inhibitors (PPI) was associated with higher stroke risk. For DOAC-treated, treatment switch increased stroke risk, while being adherent had a protective effect. Men, antidiabetic treatment or a previous event increased the risk of cerebral bleeding. Receiving direct oral anticoagulants had a protective effect in comparison to vitamin K antagonists. For DOAC-treated, treatment switch increased, and adherence decreased the bleeding risk. Men, people with chronic kidney disease or a previous event posed an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, whereas receiving PPI had a protective effect. For DOAC-treated, switch was associated with a higher bleeding risk. Conclusion: Being men, a previous event and DOAC-switch posed a higher risk for all study outcomes. direct oral anticoagulants had a protective effect against cerebral bleeding in comparison to vitamin K antagonists. Adherence to direct oral anticoagulants resulted in lower risk of stroke and cerebral bleeding. We found no differences in the risk of stroke and gastrointestinal bleeding when we compared direct oral anticoagulants vs. vitamin K antagonists.

Atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention: 25 years of research at EP Europace journal

Stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is one pillar of the management of this common arrhythmia. Substantial advances in the epidemiology and associated pathophysiology underlying AF-related stroke and thrombo-embolism are evident. Furthermore, the introduction of the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (also called direct oral anticoagulants) has clearly changed our approach to stroke prevention in AF, such that the default should be to offer oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention, unless the patient is at low risk. A strategy of early rhythm control is also beneficial in reducing strokes in selected patients with recent onset AF, when compared to rate control. Cardiovascular risk factor management, with optimization of comorbidities and attention to lifestyle factors, and the patient's psychological morbidity are also essential. Finally, in selected patients with absolute contraindications to long-term oral anticoagulation, left atrial appendage occlusion or exclusion may be considered. The aim of this state-of-the-art review article is to provide an overview of the current status of AF-related stroke and prevention strategies. A holistic or integrated care approach to AF management is recommended to minimize the risk of stroke in patients with AF, based on the evidence-based Atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway, as follows: A: Avoid stroke with Anticoagulation; B: Better patient-centred, symptom-directed decisions on rate or rhythm control; C: Cardiovascular risk factor and comorbidity optimization, including lifestyle changes.

Towards optimal use of antithrombotic therapy of people with cancer at the end of life: A research protocol for the development and implementation of the SERENITY shared decision support tool

BACKGROUND

Even though antithrombotic therapy has probably little or even negative effects on the well-being of people with cancer during their last year of life, deprescribing antithrombotic therapy at the end of life is rare in practice. It is often continued until death, possibly resulting in excess bleeding, an increased disease burden and higher healthcare costs.

METHODS

The SERENITY consortium comprises researchers and clinicians from eight European countries with specialties in different clinical fields, epidemiology and psychology. SERENITY will use a comprehensive approach combining a realist review, flash mob research, epidemiological studies, and qualitative interviews. The results of these studies will be used in a Delphi process to reach a consensus on the optimal design of the shared decision support tool. Next, the shared decision support tool will be tested in a randomised controlled trial. A targeted implementation and dissemination plan will be developed to enable the use of the SERENITY tool across Europe, as well as its incorporation in clinical guidelines and policies. The entire project is funded by Horizon Europe.

RESULTS

SERENITY will develop an information-driven shared decision support tool that will facilitate treatment decisions regarding the appropriate use of antithrombotic therapy in people with cancer at the end of life.

CONCLUSIONS

We aim to develop an intervention that guides the appropriate use of antithrombotic therapy, prevents bleeding complications, and saves healthcare costs. Hopefully, usage of the tool leads to enhanced empowerment and improved quality of life and treatment satisfaction of people with advanced cancer and their care givers.

Payer formulary tier increases of apixaban: how patients respond and potential implications

OBJECTIVE

To assess potential impacts of formulary tier increases of apixaban-an efficacious oral anticoagulant (OAC) for preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF)-on patients' prescription drug plan (PDP) switching and OAC treatment patterns.

METHODS

Nationwide claims data for Medicare beneficiaries with Parts A, B, and D (100% sample) were used to assess apixaban-treated AF patients who faced a formulary tier increase for apixaban in 2017 by their Part D PDP. Patients' out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for apixaban were described, along with PDP switching and OAC treatment patterns.

RESULTS

Among 1845 included patients, 97.7% had apixaban on tier 3 of their plan's formulary in 2016 and faced its increase to tier 4 for 2017. Approximately 4% (N = 81) of patients pre-emptively switched to a different PDP for 2017 with almost all switching to plans with apixaban on a lower formulary tier and 85.2% continuing apixaban treatment. Among the 96% (N = 1764) of patients who remained on the same PDP for 2017, over half (57.5%) continued apixaban treatment, despite increased OOP costs ($54 vs. $135 for a 30-day supply in 2016 vs. 2017). Only 12.4% of those who remained on the same plan for 2017 switched to another OAC, while as much as 30.1% discontinued OACs. These discontinuers exhibited higher comorbidity burdens than patients continuing on any OAC.

CONCLUSION

The majority of patients continued on apixaban despite higher OOP cost, suggesting patients' reluctance to change treatment for non-medical reasons; however, 30% of patients discontinued OAC treatment after higher apixaban tier placement.

Effect of Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Polypharmacy: A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

 The aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with polypharmacy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

 Randomized controlled trials or observational studies reporting the data of NOACs versus VKAs among AF patients with polypharmacy were included. The search was performed in the PubMed and Embase databases up to November 2022. A total of 12 studies involving 767,544 AF patients were included. For the primary outcomes, the use of NOACs compared with VKAs was significantly associated with a reduced risk of stroke or systemic embolism in AF patients with moderate polypharmacy (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.77 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69-0.86]) and severe polypharmacy (HR: 0.76 [95% CI: 0.69-0.82]), but there was no significant difference in major bleeding (moderate polypharmacy: HR: 0.87 [95% CI: 0.74-1.01]; severe polypharmacy: HR: 0.91 [95% CI: 0.79-1.06]) between the two groups. In secondary outcomes, there were no differences in the rates of ischemic stroke, all-cause death, and gastrointestinal bleeding between the NOAC- and VKA- users, but NOAC users had a reduced risk of any bleeding compared with VKA- users. Compared with VKAs, the risk of intracranial hemorrhage was reduced in NOAC- users with moderate polypharmacy but not severe polypharmacy.

CONCLUSION

 In patients with AF and polypharmacy, NOACs showed advantages over VKAs in stroke or systemic embolism and any bleeding, and were comparable to VKAs for major bleeding, ischemic stroke, all-cause death, intracranial hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Effectiveness and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Among Patients with Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation and Multimorbidity

INTRODUCTION

In the USA, there is a steady rise of atrial fibrillation due to the aging population with increased morbidity. This study evaluated the risk of stroke/systemic embolism (S/SE) and major bleeding (MB) among elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and multimorbidity prescribed direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).

METHODS

Using the CMS Medicare database, a retrospective observational study of adult patients with NVAF and multimorbidity who initiated apixaban, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2017 was conducted. High multimorbidity was classified as having ≥ 6 comorbidities. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the hazard ratios of S/SE and MB among three 1:1 propensity score matched DOAC cohorts. All-cause healthcare costs were estimated using generalized linear models.

RESULTS

Overall 36% of the NVAF study population had high multimorbidity, forming three propensity score matched (PSM) cohorts: 12,511 apixaban-dabigatran, 60,287 apixaban-rivaroxaban, and 12,567 dabigatran-rivaroxaban patients. Apixaban was associated with a lower risk of stroke/SE and MB when compared with dabigatran and rivaroxaban. Dabigatran had a lower risk of stroke/SE and a similar risk of MB when compared with rivaroxaban. Compared to rivaroxaban, apixaban patients incurred lower all-cause healthcare costs, and dabigatran patients incurred similar all-cause healthcare costs. Compared to dabigatran, apixaban patients incurred similar all-cause healthcare costs.

CONCLUSION

Patients with NVAF and ≥ 6 comorbid conditions had significantly different risks for stroke/SE and MB when comparing DOACs to DOACs, and different healthcare expenses. This study's results may be useful for evaluating the risk-benefit ratio of DOAC use in patients with NVAF and multimorbidity.

Clinical Characteristics, Patterns of Use, and incidence of Adverse Events in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Treated With Oral Anticoagulants in Colombia

Purpose

The aim was to analyze the characteristics, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes of Colombian patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) under treatment with oral anticoagulants (OAs).

Patients and Methods

Retrospective cohort in patients with NVAF identified from a drug dispensing database, aged ≥18 years, with first prescription of an OA (index) between January/2013 and June/2018, and a follow-up until June/2019. Data from the clinical history, pharmacological variables, and outcomes were searched. International Classification of Diseases-10 codes were used to identify the patient sample and outcomes. Patients were followed until a general composite outcome of effectiveness (thrombotic events), bleeding/safety or persistence (switch/discontinuation of anticoagulant) events. Descriptive and multivariate analyzes (Cox regressions comparing warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants-DOACs) were carried out.

Results

A total of 2076 patients with NVAF were included. The 57.0% of patients were women and the mean age was 73.3±10.4 years. Patients were followed for a mean of 2.3±1.6 years. 8.7% received warfarin before the index date. The most frequent OA was rivaroxaban (n=950; 45.8%), followed by warfarin (n=459; 22.1%) and apixaban (n=405; 19.5%). Hypertension was present in 87.5% and diabetes mellitus in 22.6%. The mean CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score was 3.6±1.5. The 71.0% (n=326/459) of the warfarin patients presented the general composite outcome, and 24.6% of those with DOACs (n=397/1617). The main effectiveness and safety outcomes were stroke (3.1%) and gastrointestinal bleeding (2.0%) respectively. There were no significant differences between patients with warfarin and DOACs regarding thrombotic events (HR: 1.28; 95% CI: 0.68-2.42), but warfarin was associated with higher bleeding/safety events (HR: 4.29; 95% CI: 2.82-6.52) and persistence events (HR: 4.51; 95% CI: 3.81 -5.33).

Conclusion

The patients with NVAF in this study were mainly older adults with multiple comorbidities. Compared to warfarin, DOACs were found to be equally effective, but safer and had a lower probability of discontinuation or switch.

Polypharmacy and adverse events in atrial fibrillation: Main cause or reflection of multimorbidity?

BACKGROUND

Previous evidence indicated that atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with polypharmacy presented increased probability of adverse events. We investigated the prevalence of polypharmacy, risk factors for polypharmacy, and the impact of polypharmacy in clinical outcomes in a 'real-world' cohort of AF patients starting vitamin K antagonists (VKAs).

METHODS

Prospective study including AF outpatients starting VKA therapy from July, 2016 to June, 2018. At inclusion, all concomitant drugs were carefully collected and recorded. Polypharmacy was defined as the intake of ≥ 5 concomitant drugs. During 2-years of follow-up, ischemic strokes/transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), fatal/nonfatal myocardial infarctions (MIs), bleeding events, venous thromboembolisms, and all-cause deaths were recorded.

RESULTS

1050 patients (51.5 % females, median age 77 [69-83] years) were included, and the prevalence of polypharmacy was 32.9 % (345). Female sex (OR 1.5; 95 % CI 1.11-2.03), hypertension (OR 2.53; 95 % CI 1.51-4.22), diabetes (OR 3.11; 95 % CI 2.31-4.17), vascular disease (OR 3.08; 95 % CI 2.19-4.33), heart failure (OR 1.86; 95 % CI 1.35-2.58) and dyslipidemia (OR 2.61; 95 % CI 1.9-3.58) were independently associated to the polypharmacy. Patients with polypharmacy showed significantly higher incidence of major bleeding, net clinical outcomes (composite of major bleeding, ischemic stroke/TIA, and mortality), MACE (composite of ischemic stroke/TIA, MI, and cardiovascular death), and composite thrombotic/thromboembolic events; being an independent risk factor for major bleeding (HR 1.77, 95 % CI 1.07-2.92), and composite thrombotic/thromboembolic events (HR 1.55, 95 % CI 1.05-2.31).

CONCLUSION

In this "real world" AF cohort, polypharmacy was highly prevalent and conditioned worse prognosis due to its association with bleeding and thromboembolic events.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants versus Vitamin K Antagonists in Individuals Aged 80 Years and Older: An Overview in 2021

Two main types of oral anticoagulants are available in France: vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and, more recently, direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC). The benefit−risk profile appears to be favorable for DOAC, which is as effective as VKA but safer (fewer cases of severe and cerebral bleeding). In a study in 2017, we observed that older adults did not seem to receive the same modalities of oral anticoagulants as younger individuals for various reasons. To assess anticoagulation prescribing practices over time, we repeated this cross-sectional study by comparing very old individuals taking DOAC to those taking VKA. Ambulatory individuals aged 80 years and older were included. They were affiliated with the Mutualité Sociale Agricole of Burgundy and were refunded for a medical prescription of oral anticoagulation in March 2021. The demographic characteristics, registered chronic diseases (RCD), number and types of prescribed drugs, and mortality of the DOAC group and the VKA group were compared. A total of 4275 subjects were included in the study: 67.44% (2883) received DOAC and 32.56% (1392) received VKA. The two groups were similar in age. In the DOAC group, there were more women (54.98% vs. 46.98%) (p < 0.001), fewer RCD (91.47% vs. 93.68%) (p = 0.014), and lower rates of venous thromboembolism (2.53% vs. 6.75%) (p < 0.001), severe heart failure (56.50% vs. 68.03%) (p < 0.001), and severe kidney diseases (1.38% vs. 3.59%) (p < 0.001), but there were more subjects with Alzheimer’s disease (7.49% vs. 4.31%) (p = 0.001). Individuals in the DOAC group had fewer prescriptions of furosemide (48.53% vs. 55.75%) (p < 0.001) and fibrates (2.32% vs. 3.88%) (p = 0.044). They also had more prescriptions of proton pump inhibitors (43.95% vs. 39.44%) (p = 0.006) and antirheumatics (1.60% vs. 0.65%) (p = 0.009) than those in the VKA group. There was no difference in mortality. This study revealed that prescribing practices for DOAC have changed over time.

Payer formulary exclusions of apixaban: how patients respond and potential implications

In recent years, US payers have increased usage of formulary exclusions as a means to help manage costs. Earlier this year, one of the largest pharmacy benefit managers in the country added Eliquis (apixaban), the most widely used anticoagulant, to its list of excluded medicines from its formulary, raising concerns by physicians and patients. In this commentary, we examine the potential impacts of formulary exclusion of a drug like apixaban-a treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism to help prevent stroke and clotting events and which has been demonstrated to have a strong efficacy and safety profile. We discuss the effect of formulary exclusions on patients' ability to access the most clinically appropriate treatment for their health needs, along with possible effects on their health and well-being. We also report descriptive results on apixaban-treated patients with traditional Medicare coverage who faced a formulary exclusion of apixaban in 2017, and these patients' observed behaviors. We found that the majority of these patients remained on apixaban either through pre-emptively switching to a different Part D drug plan with apixaban coverage or applying for formulary exception. Our findings suggest that formulary exclusion did not help to achieve the goal of switching patients to less costly medications but created additional hurdles for patients to access their preferred treatment and increased patient burden. Alternative ways to manage payer costs may be needed to help avoid poor outcomes and reduce the burden placed on patients in their efforts to access life-saving medications.

Oral anticoagulant treatment in rheumatoid arthritis patients with atrial fibrillation results of an international audit

Objective

To describe the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to evaluate the proportion of patients with AF receiving guideline-recommended anticoagulation for prevention of stroke, based on data from a large international audit.

Methods

The cohort was derived from the international audit SUrvey of cardiovascular disease Risk Factors in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (SURF-RA) which collected data from 17 countries during 2014-2019. We evaluated the prevalence of AF across world regions and explored factors associated with the presence of AF with multivariable logistic regression models. The proportion of AF patients at high risk of stroke (CHA₂DS₂-VASc ≥ 2 in males and ≥ 3 in females) receiving anticoagulation was examined.

Results

Of the total SURF-RA cohort (n = 14,503), we included RA cases with data on whether the diagnosis of AF was present or not (n = 7,665, 75.1% women, mean (SD) age 58.7 (14.1) years). A total of 288 (3.8%) patients had a history of AF (4.4% in North America, 3.4% in Western Europe, 2.8% in Central and Eastern Europe and 1.5% in Asia). Factors associated with the presence of AF were older age, male sex, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure and hypertension. Two-hundred and fifty-five (88.5%) RA patients had a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score indicating recommendation for oral anticoagulant treatment, and of them, 164 (64.3%) were anticoagulated.

Conclusion

Guideline-recommended anticoagulant therapy for prevention of stroke due to AF may not be optimally implemented among RA patients, and requires special attention.

Effectiveness and Safety of Apixaban in over 3.9 Million People with Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: There is a plethora of real-world data on the safety and effectiveness of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs); however, study heterogeneity has contributed to inconsistent findings. We compared the effectiveness and safety of apixaban with those of other direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKA e.g., warfarin). Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted retrieving data from PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science from January 2009 to December 2021. Studies that evaluated apixaban (intervention) prescribed for adults (aged 18 years or older) with AF for stroke prevention compared to other DOACs or VKAs were identified. Primary outcomes included stroke/systemic embolism (SE), all-cause mortality, and major bleeding. Secondary outcomes were intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) and ischaemic stroke. Randomised controlled trials and non-randomised trials were considered for inclusion. Results: In total, 67 studies were included, and 38 studies were meta-analysed. Participants taking apixaban had significantly lower stroke/SE compared to patients taking VKAs (relative risk (RR) 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64–0.93, I² = 94%) and dabigatran (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74–0.95, I² = 66%), but not to patients administered rivaroxaban. There was no statistical difference in mortality between apixaban and VKAs or apixaban and dabigatran. Compared to patients administered rivaroxaban, participants taking apixaban had lower mortality rates (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.71–0.96, I² = 96%). Apixaban was associated with a significantly lower risk of major bleeding compared to VKAs (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.52–0.65, I² = 90%), dabigatran (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.70–0.88, I² = 78%) and rivaroxaban (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.53–0.70, I² = 87%). Conclusions: Apixaban was associated with a better overall safety and effectiveness profile compared to VKAs and other DOACs.