Safety profile of prasugrel and clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes in Switzerland

Drinking patterns of alcohol and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events after an acute coronary syndrome

AIMS

To evaluate the risk of alcohol consumption after acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 6557 patients hospitalized for ACS at four Swiss centres were followed over 12 months. Weekly alcohol consumption was collected at baseline and 12 months. Binge drinking was defined as consumption of ≥6 units of alcohol on one occasion. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or clinically indicated target vessel coronary revascularization. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the risk of MACE in patients with heavy (>14 standard units/week), moderate (7-14 standard units per week), light consumption (<1 standard unit/week), or abstinence, and with binge drinking episodes, adjusted for baseline differences. At baseline, 817 (13.4%) patients reported heavy weekly alcohol consumption. At 1-year follow-up, 695/1667 (41.6%) patients reported having at least one or more episodes of binge drinking per month. The risk for MACE was not significantly higher in those with heavy weekly consumption compared to abstinence [8.6% vs. 10.2%, hazard ratio (HR) 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-1.36] or light consumption (8.6% vs. 8.5%, HR 1.41, 95% CI 0.97-2.06). Compared to patients with no binge drinking, the risk of MACE was dose-dependently higher in those with binge drinking with less than one episode per month (9.2% vs. 7.8%, HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.23-2.11) or one or more episodes per month (13.6% vs. 7.8%, HR 2.17, 95% CI 1.66-2.83).

CONCLUSION

Binge drinking during the year following an ACS, even less than once per month, is associated with worse clinical outcomes.

Higher 1-year mortality on rest days in patients with acute coronary syndromes and decompensated heart failure-A SPUM-ACS sub-study

BACKGROUND

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) occurring on rest days have been associated with higher mortality, but the current literature remains inconsistent in this regard. This study included ACS patients presenting with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) investigating the relationship between time of coronary catheterization and outcomes.

METHODS

Analyses were performed from the prospective, multicentric Special Program University Medicine Acute Coronary Syndromes and Inflammation (SPUM-ACS) Cohort. Patients were divided into two groups according to time of coronary catheterization on either workdays (Monday, 00:00 to Friday, 23:59) or rest days (Saturday, 00:00 to Sunday, 23:59 and public holidays). ADHF was defined by Killip Class III or IV upon presentation. Patients were followed over 1 year.

RESULTS

Out of 4787 ACS patients enrolled in the SPUM-ACS Cohort, 207 (4.3%) presented with ADHF. 52 (25.1%) and 155 (74.9%) patients underwent coronary angiography on rest days or workdays, respectively. Baseline characteristics were similar among these groups. ACS patients with ADHF showed increased 1-year mortality on rest days (34.6% vs. 17.4%, p-value = 0.009). After correction for baseline characteristics, including the GRACE 2.0 Score, rest day presentation remained a significant predictor for 1-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.42 [95% confidence interval: 1.14-5.17], p-value = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

One-year all-cause mortality was high in ACS patients with ADHF and doubled for patients admitted on rest days. The present data support the association of a rest day effect and long-term patient survival and indicate a need for further investigations.

Thrombotic risk in patients with acute coronary syndromes discharged on prasugrel or clopidogrel: results from the PROMETHEUS study

AIMS

Based on recent clinical data, the 2020 ESC guidelines on non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) suggest to tailor antithrombotic strategy on individual thrombotic risk. Nonetheless, prevalence and prognostic impact of the high thrombotic risk (HTR) criteria proposed are yet to be described. In this analysis from the PROMETHEUS registry, we assessed prevalence and prognostic impact of HTR, defined according to the 2020 ESC NSTE-ACS guidelines, and if the benefits associated with prasugrel vs. clopidogrel vary with thrombotic risk.

METHODS AND RESULTS

PROMETHEUS was a multicentre prospective study comparing prasugrel vs. clopidogrel in ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients were at HTR if presenting with one clinical plus one procedural risk feature. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or unplanned revascularization, at 1 year. Adjusted hazard ratio (adjHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with propensity score stratification and multivariable Cox regression. Among 16 065 patients, 4293 (26.7%) were at HTR and 11 772 (73.3%) at low-to-moderate thrombotic risk. The HTR conferred increased incidence of MACE (23.3 vs. 13.6%, HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.71-2.00, P < 0.001) and its single components. Prasugrel was prescribed in patients with less comorbidities and risk factors and was associated with reduced risk of MACE (HTR: adjHR 0.83, 95% CI 0.68-1.02; low-to-moderate risk: adjHR 0.75, 95% CI 0.64-0.88; pinteraction = 0.32).

CONCLUSION

High thrombotic risk, as defined by the 2020 ESC NSTE-ACS guidelines, is highly prevalent among ACS patients undergoing PCI. The HTR definition had a strong prognostic impact, as it successfully identified patients at increased 1 year risk of ischaemic events.

Efficacy and Safety of Oral P2Y12 Inhibitors in Older Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Frequentist Network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Previous studies and meta-analyses have assessed optimal P2Y12 inhibitors following acute coronary syndrome in overall trial cohorts. However, there are insufficient data for the elderly cohort who are prone to high bleeding and ischemic events. We aimed to assess the optimal P2Y12 inhibitor therapy for older patients.

METHODS

PubMed, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched from inception through July 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials and propensity-matched observational studies including older patients (aged ≥ 65 years) that reported study-defined major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) or major bleeding events. Outcomes at the mid-term follow-up were pooled to conduct a frequentist network meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies involving 12,953 older patients were included in our analysis. No significant difference was observed with MACE when all three P2Y12 inhibitors were compared with each other. Compared with clopidogrel, ticagrelor significantly increased the risk of major bleeding (risk ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 1.10-1.67) while prasugrel did not (risk ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.67-1.57). A sensitivity analysis of only randomized controlled trials yielded similar results for both MACE and major bleeding. The P score displayed prasugrel (0.5871) as the best treatment for MACE, while clopidogrel (0.7701) was the best P2Y12 inhibitor to decrease the risk of major bleeding. Ticagrelor (0.0634) was ranked the lowest because of an increased bleeding risk.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant difference is observed between the three P2Y12 inhibitors in study-defined MACE. Ranking by p-score suggests prasugrel as the best P2Y12 inhibitor to reduce the risk of MACE while clopidogrel is a better alternative than ticagrelor in older patients with acute coronary syndrome to decrease the risk of major bleeding. Because of a lack of individual-patient data analysis and heterogeneity amongst studies, future studies representing older patients with acute coronary syndrome are required to strengthen evidence regarding optimal antithrombotic therapy in this cohort.

Application of Modern Clinical Risk Scores in the Global Assessment of Risks Related to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Everyday Medical Practice

This article presents an overview of contemporary risk assessment systems used in patients with myocardial infarction. The full range of risk scales, both recommended by the European Society of Cardiology and others published in recent years, is presented. Scales for assessing the risk of ischemia/death as well as for assessing the risk of bleeding are presented. A separate section is devoted to systems assessing the integrated risk associated with both ischemia and bleeding. In the first part of the work, each of the risk scales is described in detail, including the clinical trials/registers on the basis of which they were created, the statistical methods used to develop them, as well as the specification of their individual parameters. The next chapter presents the practical application of a given scale in the patient risk assessment process, the timing of its application on the timeline of myocardial infarction, as well as a critical assessment of its potential advantages and limitations. The last part of the work is devoted to the presentation of potential directions for the development of risk assessment systems in the future.

Vascular endothelial tissue factor contributes to trimethylamine N-oxide-enhanced arterial thrombosis

AIMS

Gut microbiota and their generated metabolites impact the host vascular phenotype. The metaorganismal metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is both associated with adverse clinical thromboembolic events, and enhances platelet responsiveness in subjects. The impact of TMAO on vascular Tissue Factor (TF) in vivo is unknown. Here, we explore whether TMAO-enhanced thrombosis potential extends beyond TMAO effects on platelets, and is linked to TF. We also further explore the links between gut microbiota and vascular endothelial TF expression in vivo.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In initial exploratory clinical studies, we observed that among sequential stable subjects (n = 2989) on anti-platelet therapy undergoing elective diagnostic cardiovascular evaluation at a single-site referral centre, TMAO levels were associated with an increased incident (3 years) risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (myocardial infarction, stroke, or death) [4th quartile (Q4) vs. Q1 adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.73 (1.25-2.38)]. Similar results were observed within subjects on aspirin mono-therapy during follow-up [adjusted HR (95% CI) 1.75 (1.25-2.44), n = 2793]. Leveraging access to a second higher risk cohort with previously reported TMAO data and monitoring of anti-platelet medication use, we also observed a strong association between TMAO and incident (1 year) MACE risk in the multi-site Swiss Acute Coronary Syndromes Cohort, focusing on the subset (n = 1469) on chronic dual anti-platelet therapy during follow-up [adjusted HR (95% CI) 1.70 (1.08-2.69)]. These collective clinical data suggest that the thrombosis-associated effects of TMAO may be mediated by cells/factors that are not inhibited by anti-platelet therapy. To test this, we first observed in human microvascular endothelial cells that TMAO dose-dependently induced expression of TF and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)1. In mouse studies, we observed that TMAO-enhanced aortic TF and VCAM1 mRNA and protein expression, which upon immunolocalization studies, was shown to co-localize with vascular endothelial cells. Finally, in arterial injury mouse models, TMAO-dependent enhancement of in vivo TF expression and thrombogenicity were abrogated by either a TF-inhibitory antibody or a mechanism-based microbial choline TMA-lyase inhibitor (fluoromethylcholine).

CONCLUSION

Endothelial TF contributes to TMAO-related arterial thrombosis potential, and can be specifically blocked by targeted non-lethal inhibition of gut microbial choline TMA-lyase.

Residual inflammatory risk at 12 months after acute coronary syndromes is frequent and associated with combined adverse events

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Residual inflammatory risk (RIR) after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) may identify patients likely to benefit from anti-inflammatory therapies.

METHODS

Patients from the Special Program University Medicine ACS cohort were divided into four groups according to level of hsCRP at baseline and after 12 months: persistently high RIR, increased RIR (first low, then high hsCRP), attenuated RIR (first high, then low hsCRP), or persistently low RIR. High RIR was defined as hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/L. An independently adjudicated incident of combined adverse events was defined as the composite of myocardial infarction, clinically indicated coronary revascularization or cerebrovascular events.

RESULTS

Among 1209 patients with available hsCRP, clinical and demographic data, 295 (24.4%) patients had persistently high RIR (delta hsCRP median (IQR): 2.3 (-9.9; 0.3) (mg/L) and 72 (5.96%) patients had increased RIR (delta hsCRP median (IQR): +2.45 (1.2; 8.35) (mg/L). A total of 390 (32.26%) patients had attenuated RIR (delta hsCRP median (IQR): 3.55 (-10; -2) (mg/L) and 452 (37.38%) patients had persistently low RIR (delta hsCRP median (IQR): 0.2 (-0.6; 0.1) (mg/L). Of 90 combined adverse events, 31 (10.5%) occurred in the persistently high (multivariable adjusted OR: 1.71, (95% CI 1.08-2.7), p = 0.022) compared with the three other groups combined (increased RIR: 3 (4.2%), attenuated RIR 30 (7.7%), persistently low RIR 26 (5.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Persistently elevated hsCRP after ACS is found in a quarter of patients with the highest risk of combined adverse events. This underlines the need to perform anti-inflammatory intervention trials in RIR patients.

Meta-Analysis Comparing P2Y12 Inhibitors in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Dual antiplatelet therapy combining aspirin with a P2Y₁₂-receptor inhibitor reduces atherothrombotic events following an acute coronary syndromes (ACS), but the relative merits of different P2Y₁₂ inhibitors remain unclear, despite several recent large-scale trials. We performed a network meta-analysis, representing the largest evidence to date to inform P2Y₁₂ inhibitor choice in patients with ACS. Fourteen studies were included, for a total population of 145,019 patients. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used in this systematic review. A network meta-analysis using a frequentist approach with surface under the cumulative ranking probability calculation was performed. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), definite stent thrombosis (ST) and major bleeding at 30-day and 1-year all-cause death and MI were the study endpoints. At 30-day, prasugrel was superior to both clopidogrel and ticagrelor in MACE, all-cause death and definite ST endpoints. Both prasugrel and ticagrelor were superior to clopidogrel in MI endpoint. Ticagrelor also reduced all-cause death compared with clopidogrel. Ticagrelor, prasugrel, and clopidogrel resulted equivalent in terms of the safety outcome of 30-day major bleeding. No significant difference was found among clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor with respect to 1-year MACE outcome. Both prasugrel and ticagrelor reduced the occurrence of 1-year all-cause death compared with clopidogrel. Prasugrel reduced 1-year MI rate as compared with clopidogrel, while ticagrelor did not. At probability analyses, prasugrel ranked best in all 30-day and 1-year efficacy and safety endpoints. In conclusion, in this network meta-analysis, prasugrel showed the highest efficacy in reducing adverse outcomes in ACS patients and had the highest probability of being the best P2Y₁₂ inhibitor to reduce hard adverse events both at 30-day and 1-year follow-up.

Prasugrel in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome

Dual antiplatelet therapy is the mainstay therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The combination of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor in patients who receive a coronary stent reduces the rate of stent thrombosis and the rates of major adverse cardiovascular events. The newer P2Y12 inhibitors (prasugrel and ticagrelor) have better efficacy than clopidogrel. Prasugrel provides greater inhibition of platelet aggregation and has a rapid onset of action. Current acute coronary syndrome guidelines recommend the use of both newer P2Y12 inhibitors. However, emerging data have shown that prasugrel is more efficient than ticagrelor in reducing the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke or cardiovascular death, without increased risk of major bleeding.

Clinical impact of a structured secondary cardiovascular prevention program following acute coronary syndromes: A prospective multicenter healthcare intervention

Background

Structured secondary cardiovascular prevention programs (SSCP) following acute coronary syndromes (ACS) may reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) through better adherence to post-ACS recommendations.

Methods

Through a prospective multicenter cohort study, we compared the outcomes of two sequential post-ACS patient cohorts, the initial one receiving standard care (SC) followed by one receiving additional interventions (SSCP) aimed at improving patient education as well as healthcare provider and hospital systems. The primary endpoint was MACE at one year. Secondary endpoints included adherence to recommended therapies, attendance to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and successful achievement of cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF) targets.

Results

In total, 2498 post-ACS patients from 4 Swiss university hospitals were included: 1210 vs 1288 in the SC and SSCP groups, respectively. The SSCP group demonstrated a significant increase in attendance to CR programs (RR 1.08, 95%CI 1.02–1.14, P = 0.006), despite not achieving the primary MACE endpoint (HR 0.97, 95%CI 0.77–1.22, P = 0.79). After age-stratification, significant reductions in cardiac death, MI and stroke events (HR 0.53, 95%CI 0.30–0.93, P for interaction = 0.016) were observed for SSCP patients ≤ 65 years old. The SSCP group also scored significantly better for the LDL cholesterol target (RR 1.07, 95%CI 1.02–1.13, P = 0.012), systolic blood pressure target (RR 1.06, 95%CI 1.01–1.13, P = 0.029) and physical activity (RR 1.10, 95%CI 1.01–1.20, P = 0.021).

Conclusions

The implementation of an SSCP post ACS was associated with an improvement in the control of CVRF and attendance to CR programs, and was also associated with significant reductions in cardiac death, MI and stroke at one year for patients ≤65years old.

Gender and age differences in outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndromes referred for coronary angiography

OBJECTIVES

The number of elderly patients undergoing coronary revascularization is steadily increasing, and data on the impact of gender on outcomes are scarce. This study sought to assess gender-related differences in outcomes in elderly patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

METHODS

We investigated outcomes in elderly ACS patients referred for coronary angiography and prospectively enrolled in the Swiss ACS Cohort between December 2009 and October 2012. Adjudicated major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) included all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, clinically indicated repeat coronary revascularization, definite stent thrombosis, and transient ischemic attack/stroke.

RESULTS

Among 2,168 patients recruited, 481 (22%) patients were >75 years of age (37% women). In patients >75 years, 1-year MACCE rates were 15% and 23% in women and men (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.36-0.97, P = 0.04), respectively, and differences remained significant after adjustments for baseline variables (adjusted OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26-0.90, P = 0.02). Women >75 years had a lower cardiovascular mortality (6% versus 12%, adjusted OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12-0.81, P = 0.02). In patients ≤75 years, 1-year MACCE rates did not differ between gender (10% and 8% for women and men, adjusted OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.77-2.14, P = 0.34). Rates of TIMI major bleeding for women and men were 4% and 4% in patients >75 years (P = 0.96), and 5% and 3% in those ≤75 years (P = 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

The low rates of MACCE observed in elderly women in this patient cohort suggest that with current interventional strategies the gender gap in ACS management has been attenuated.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients taking third-generation P2Y12 inhibitors compared with clopidogrel

BACKGROUND

Ticagrelor and prasugrel are third-generation oral P2Y₁₂ receptor antagonists with rapid onset and pronounced platelet inhibition. However, higher overall bleeding rates have been reported for these agents when compared with clopidogrel.

AIM

To compare the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) among users of third-generation P2Y₁₂ inhibitors with clopidogrel.

METHODS

We systematically searched for published randomised controlled trials of ticagrelor or prasugrel versus clopidogrel until September 2018. The primary outcome was the risk of GIB among users of third-generation P2Y₁₂ inhibitors when compared to clopidogrel, expressed as risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The rates of non-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) major bleeding, life-threatening bleeding, fatal bleeding, and intracranial bleeding were analysed as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Forty-one studies were included in the analysis of non-CABG major bleeding, of which 12 were included in the analysis of GIB including 58 678 patients. Third-generation P2Y₁₂ inhibitors were associated with higher risk of GIB as compared with clopidogrel (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.13-1.46). The findings were consistent for upper (RR 1.32, 95% CI 1.05-1.67) and unspecified GIB (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01-1.53), but not lower GIB (RR 1.25, 95% CI 0.95-1.65). Subgroup analysis showed higher GIB risk in prasugrel studies (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.10-1.77) than in ticagrelor studies (RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.94-1.39). Third-generation P2Y₁₂ inhibitors also increased the risk of non-CABG major bleeding (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.08-1.28).

CONCLUSION

Third-generation P2Y₁₂ inhibitors were associated with increased risk of GIB and non-CABG major bleeding when compared with clopidogrel.

Prognostic Value of SYNTAX Score II in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes Referred for Invasive Management: A Subanalysis from the SPUM and COMFORTABLE AMI Cohorts

Aims

To assess the incremental prognostic value of SYNTAX score II (SxSII) as compared to anatomical SYNTAX Score (SxS) and GRACE risk score in patients with acute coronary syndromes who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods and results

SxSII and SxS were determined in 734 ACS patients. Patients were enrolled in the prospective Special Program University Medicine ACS and the COMFORTABLE AMI cohorts and later on stratified according to tertiles of SxSII (SxSII_Low ≤21.5 (n=245), SxSII_Mid 21.5–30.6 (n=245), and SxSII_High ≥30.6 (n=244). The primary endpoint of adjudicated all-cause mortality and secondary endpoints of MACE (cardiac death, repeat revascularization, and myocardial infarction) and MACCE (all-cause mortality, cerebrovascular events, MI, and repeat revascularization) were determined at 1-year follow-up. SxSII provided incremental predictive information for risk stratification when compared to SxS and GRACE risk score (AUC 0.804, 95% CI 0.77–0.84, p < 0.001 versus 0.67, 95% CI 0.63–0.72, p=0.007 versus 0.69, 95% CI 0.6–0.8, p=0.002), respectively. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, we found that unlike SxS (adjusted HR 1.013, 95% CI (0.96–1.07), p=0.654), SxSII was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HR = 1.095, 95% CI (1.06–1.11), p < 0.001). This was also true for the prediction of both secondary outcomes MACE (n=60) and MACCE (n=70) with an adjusted HR = 1.055, 95% CI (1.03–1.08), p < 0.001, and HR = 1.065, 95% CI (1.04–1.09), p < 0.001.

Conclusion

In patients with ACS who underwent PCI, SxSII is an independent predictor of mortality during 1-year follow-up. SxSII shows superiority in discriminating risk compared to conventional SxS and GRACE for all-cause mortality.

Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61): a novel soluble biomarker of acute myocardial injury improves risk stratification after acute coronary syndromes

Aims

We aimed to identify a novel biomarker involved in the early events leading to an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and evaluate its role in diagnosis and risk stratification.

Methods and results

Biomarker identification was based on gene expression profiling. In coronary thrombi of ACS patients, cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61, CCN1) gene transcripts were highly up-regulated compared with peripheral mononuclear cells. In a murine ischaemia-reperfusion model (I/R), myocardial Cyr61 expression was markedly increased compared with the controls. Cyr61 levels were determined in human serum using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cohorts of ACS (n = 2168) referred for coronary angiography, stable coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 53), and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) patients (n = 15) served to identify and evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic performance of the biomarker. Cyr61 was markedly elevated in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients compared with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction/unstable angina or stable CAD patients, irrespective of whether coronary thrombi were present. Cyr61 was rapidly released after occlusion of a septal branch in HOCM patients undergoing transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy. Cyr61 improved risk stratification for all-cause mortality when added to the reference GRACE risk score at 30 days (C-statistic 0.88 to 0.89, P = 0.001) and 1 year (C-statistic 0.77 to 0.80, P < 0.001) comparable to high-sensitivity troponin T (30 days: 0.88 to 0.89, P < 0.001; 1 year: 0.77 to 0.79, P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained for the composite endpoint of all-cause mortality or myocardial infarction. Conversely, in a population-based case-control cohort (n = 362), Cyr61 was not associated with adverse outcome.

Conclusion

Cyr61 is a novel early biomarker reflecting myocardial injury that improves risk stratification in ACS patients.

Predictive value of the age, creatinine, and ejection fraction (ACEF) score in patients with acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND

This study sought to investigate the predictive value of the age, creatinine, and ejection fraction (ACEF) score in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The ACEF score (age/left ventricular ejection fraction +1 [if creatinine > 176 μmol/L]) has been established in patients evaluated for coronary artery bypass surgery. Data on its predictive value in all-comer ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention are scarce.

METHODS

A total of 1901 patients prospectively enrolled in the Swiss ACS Cohort were included in the analysis. Optimal ACEF score cut-off values were calculated by decision tree analysis, and patients divided into low-risk (≤1.45), intermediate-risk (>1.45 and ≤2.0), and high-risk groups (>2.0). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) included all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, clinically indicated repeat coronary revascularization, definite stent thrombosis, and transient ischemic attack/stroke.

RESULTS

One-year rates of all-cause death increased across ACEF score groups (1.6% versus 5.6% versus 23.0%, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the ACEF score was related with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 3.53, 95% CI 2.90-4.31, p < 0.001), MACCE (adjusted HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.88-2.65, p < 0.001), and transient ischemic attack/stroke (adjusted HR 2.58, 95% CI 1.71-3.89, p < 0.001) at 1 year. Rates of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) major and Global use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO) severe bleeding paralleled the increased ischemic risk across the groups (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The ACEF score is a simple and useful risk stratification tool in patients with ACS referred for coronary revascularization.

Prognosis of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular multimorbidity after acute coronary syndrome

Objective

To examine the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular multimorbidity after acute coronary syndrome compared to patients without prior multimorbidity.

Methods

This multicenter prospective cohort study in Switzerland included 5,635 patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome between 2009 and 2014, with a one-year follow-up period. We defined cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular multimorbidity as having at least two prior comorbidities before the index hospitalization. Multivariable adjusted Cox proportional models were built to assess the one-year risk of recurrent cardiovascular events, defined as cardiovascular mortality and non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke. The final model was adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, tobacco consumption, education, and family history of cardiovascular disease, prescription of high-dose statinsat discharge and use of cardiac rehabilitation after discharge.

Results

Overall, 3,664 patients (65%) had no multimorbidity, 1,839 (33%) had cardiovascular multimorbidity, 62 (1%) had non-cardiovascular multimorbidity, and 70 (1%) had both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular multimorbidity. The multivariate risk of recurrent cardiovascular events was increased among patients with cardiovascular multimorbidity (hazard ratio (HR) 2.05, 95% CI: 1.54–2.73, p<0.001) and patients with non-cardiovascular multimorbidity (HR 2.57, 95% CI: 1.04–6.35, p = 0.04) compared to patients without multimorbidity. Patients with cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular multimorbidity had the highest risk of recurrence with a HR of 5.19, 95% CI: 2.79–9.64, p<0.001, compared to patients without multimorbidity.

Conclusions

Multimorbidity increased by two-fold the risk of cardiovascular events over the year after an acute coronary syndrome. The magnitude of this increased risk was similar for patients with cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular multimorbidity.

Profiling and validation of circulating microRNAs for cardiovascular events in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Aims

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are important non-coding modulators controlling patterns of gene expression. However, profiling and validation of circulating miRNA levels related to adverse cardiovascular outcome has not been performed in patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods and results

In a multicentre, prospective ACS cohort, 1002 out of 2168 patients presented with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Sixty-three STEMI patients experienced an adjudicated major cardiovascular event (MACE, defined as cardiac death or recurrent myocardial infarction) within 1 year of follow-up. From a miRNA profiling in a matched derivation case-control cohort, 14 miRNAs were selected for validation. Comparing 63 cases vs. 126 controls, 3 miRNAs were significantly differentially abundant. In patients with MACE, miR-26b-5p levels (P = 0.038) were decreased, whereas miR-320a (P = 0.047) and miR-660-5p (P = 0.01) levels were increased. MiR-26b-5p has been suggested to prevent adverse cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, whereas miR-320a promotes cardiomyocyte death and apoptosis, and miR-660-5p has been related to active platelet production. This suggests that miR-26b-5p, miR-320a, and miR-660-5p may reflect alterations of different pathophysiological pathways involved in clinical outcome after ACS. Consistently, these three miRNAs reliably discriminated cases from controls [area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) in age- and sex-adjusted Cox regression for miR-26b-5p = 0.707, miR-660-5p = 0.683, and miR-320a =0.672]. Combination of the three miRNAs further increased AUC to 0.718. Importantly, addition of the three miRNAs to both, the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score and a clinical model increased AUC from 0.679 to 0.720 and 0.722 to 0.732, respectively, with a net reclassification improvement of 0.20 in both cases.

Conclusion

This is the first study performing profiling and validation of miRNAs that are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcome in patients with STEMI. MiR-26b-5p, miR-320a, and miR-660-5p discriminated for MACE and increased risk prediction when added to the GRACE score and a clinical model. These findings suggest that the release of specific miRNAs into circulation may reflect the activation of molecular pathways that impact on clinical outcome after STEMI.

Antiplatelet Therapy in ACS Patients: Comparing Appropriate P2Y12 Inhibition by Clopidogrel to the Use of New P2Y12 Inhibitors

AIM

In percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-treated acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients on clopidogrel therapy, high on-treatment platelet adenosine diphosphate (ADP) reactivity was observed in numerous studies, with significant increases in non-fatal myocardial infarction, definite/probable stent thrombosis, or cardiovascular mortality. Compared to clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor provide more potent platelet inhibition. Whether new P2Y12 inhibitors reduce thrombotic events in a similar manner compared to the rate observed with appropriate P2Y12 inhibition by clopidogrel must still be determined. This study sought to compare long-term outcomes between clopidogrel responders (platelet reactivity index [PRI] vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein [VASP] ＜61%) and patients under prasugrel or ticagrelor therapy following PCI-treated ACS.

METHODS

730 ACS patients undergoing urgent PCI were prospectively enrolled into two groups: clopidogrel responders (n=448) and those under ticagrelor or prasugrel therapy (n=282). The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and stroke; the secondary endpoint comprised major hemorrhagic events.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 260±186 days. Clopidogrel patients were older and more likely to present non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, cardiovascular risk factors, atrial fibrillation, or prior vascular disease. After propensity score matching, the primary endpoint was met in 7.1% of the clopidogrel group and 4.1% of the prasugrel/ticagrelor group (p=0.43). Minor bleeding events were significantly reduced in the clopidogrel group (1.1% vs. 3%; p=0.03). In a multivariate analysis, the antiplatelet treatment strategy was not an independent primary endpoint predictor.

CONCLUSION

In PCI-treated ACS patients, clopidogrel therapy and PRI VASP ＜61% were not associated with increased risks of thrombotic events compared to prasugrel or ticagrelor therapy.

Efficacy and safety of potent platelet P2Y12 receptor inhibitors in elderly versus nonelderly patients with acute coronary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The use of the potent oral P2Y12 inhibitors prasugrel and ticagrelor in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has a favorable net clinical effect compared with clopidogrel and is recommended as first-line therapy. However, the impact of these agents on ischemic and bleeding events in elderly ACS patients is not well defined.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of articles comparing potent P2Y12 inhibitors to clopidogrel in elderly and nonelderly patients (defined according to each study) with ACS in terms of efficacy (composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) and safety (major bleeding) end points.

RESULTS

A total of 7,860 elderly and 37,857 nonelderly patients from 7 studies (5 randomized control trials and 2 observational studies) were included. Potent P2Y12 inhibitors significantly reduced efficacy end point in nonelderly patients (relative risk [RR] 0.85, 95% CI 0.79-0.93) and less so in elderly patients (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.86-1.05). No significant differences were found between potent P2Y12 inhibitors and clopidogrel in terms of safety end point in both elderly (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.95-1.49) and nonelderly patients (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.95-1.41). There were no significant interactions between age and treatment effect in both analyses (efficacy P_int=.16; safety P_int=.83).

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of more potent P2Y12 inhibitors compared with clopidogrel on efficacy and safety end points is consistent in elderly and younger patients. These data imply that potent P2Y12 inhibitors should not be withheld from eligible patients solely because of advanced age.

Thrombus aspiration in acute coronary syndromes: prevalence, procedural success, change in serial troponin T levels and clinical outcomes in a contemporary Swiss cohort

Background:

Randomised controlled trials have provided conflicting results regarding procedural and clinical outcomes of thrombus aspiration combined with percutaneous coronary intervention, when compared with primary percutaneous coronary intervention alone in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Methods:

Acute coronary syndrome patients referred for coronary angiography to four Swiss university hospitals between 2009 and 2012 were enrolled in the SPUM–ACS cohort. At the discretion of the interventional cardiologist, patients underwent thrombus aspiration with percutaneous coronary intervention or percutaneous coronary intervention alone. Procedural success was defined as post-procedural thrombolysis in myocardial infarction III flow in the infarct-related artery. Serial changes in high-sensitivity troponin T (ΔhsTnT) and adjudicated 30 days (1 year) clinical events defined as the composite of cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction or clinically indicated coronary revascularisation were assessed.

Results:

Among 1641 patients, 777 (47.4%) had angiographic evidence of coronary thrombus. Patients were categorised into thrombus aspiration with percutaneous coronary intervention ( n=663) or percutaneous coronary intervention alone ( n=114). ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients more often received thrombus aspiration with percutaneous coronary intervention (87.8%) than non-STEMI patients (73.5%), P<0.001. Procedural success was not different in thrombus aspiration with percutaneous coronary intervention compared with percutaneous coronary intervention alone (93.8% vs. 90.7%, P=0.243). ΔhsTnT was similar in STEMI patients (3.09±4.52 vs. 2.19±4.92 µg/l, P=0.086) as was clinical outcome in the entire cohort at 30 days (2.9% vs. 3.6%, P=0.76) and 1 year (7.2% vs. 5.3%, P=0.55) regardless of whether thrombus aspiration was used during primary percutaneous coronary intervention or not.

Conclusions:

In this real-world acute coronary syndrome cohort, patients treated by thrombus aspiration with percutaneous coronary intervention showed no difference in the restoration of coronary blood flow compared with percutaneous coronary intervention alone immediately after the procedure. Furthermore, ΔhsTnT and clinical outcomes at either 30 days or 1 year were similar between thrombus aspiration with percutaneous coronary intervention or percutaneous coronary intervention alone.

Clinical Trials Registration:

SPUM–ACS cohort NCT01000701

Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in real-world patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction: 1-year results by propensity score analysis

Background

European guidelines recommend the use of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This recommendation is based on inconclusive results and subanalyses from clinical trials. Few data are available on the effects of ticagrelor in a real-world population.

Methods

To compare the effects of ticagrelor and clopidogrel in a real-world STEMI population, we conducted a pre-post case-control study examining all patients with STEMI included in the Cardio-STEMI Sanremo registry between February 2011 and June 2013. Cases and controls were defined according to P2Y₁₂ inhibitors, correcting the bias due to lack of randomization by propensity score analysis. Ticagrelor was introduced in 2012 in both in-hospital and pre-hospital settings independently of this study.

Results

Of the 416 patients enrolled in the Cardio-STEMI registry, 401 with a definite diagnosis of STEMI were included in this study. One hundred forty-two patients received ticagrelor and 259 received clopidogrel. Regarding clinical presentation and procedural data, those in the ticagrelor group had lower CRUSADE scores (23 [14–36] vs 27 [18–38]; p = 0.015] but a higher proportion of radial access (33% vs 14%; p < 0.001), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; 92% vs 81 %; p = 0.002) and primary PCI ≤ 12 h (82% vs 66%; p = 0.001). The patients in the ticagrelor group had a higher procedural success rate (100% vs. 96%; p = 0.044). There was no difference in Bleeding Academic Research Consortium bleeding and in unadjusted incidence of hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) but there was a significant reduction in unadjusted cardiac hospital death in the ticagrelor group (0.7% vs 5.4%; p = 0.024). After correcting for propensity score, hospital death (p = 0.22) and hospital MACE (p = 0.96) did not differ in both groups. The unadjusted survival at 1 year after STEMI was higher in the ticagrelor group (97.8% vs 87.8%; p = 0.024), and this result was confirmed by propensity score analysis (hazard ratio = 0.29 [0.08–0.99]; p = 0.048).

Conclusions

In this real-word propensity score analysis, ticagrelor did not affect the risk of MACE during the hospital phase, or the incidence of hospital bleeding in patients with STEMI. However, in this mono-centric experience, ticagrelor resulted in improved 1-year survival, even after correction by propensity score.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12872-017-0524-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Risk of bleeding and repeated bleeding events in prasugrel-treated patients: a review of data from the Japanese PRASFIT studies

Prasugrel is a third-generation thienopyridine that achieves potent platelet inhibition with less pharmacological variability than other thienopyridines. However, clinical experience suggests that prasugrel may be associated with a higher risk of de novo and recurrent bleeding events compared with clopidogrel in Japanese patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this review, we evaluate the risk of bleeding in Japanese patients treated with prasugrel at the doses (loading/maintenance doses: 20/3.75 mg) adjusted for Japanese patients, evaluate the risk factors for bleeding in Japanese patients, and examine whether patients with a bleeding event are at increased risk of recurrent bleeding. This review covers published data and new analyses of the PRASFIT (PRASugrel compared with clopidogrel For Japanese patIenTs) trials of patients undergoing PCI for acute coronary syndrome or elective reasons. The bleeding risk with prasugrel was similar to that observed with the standard dose of clopidogrel (300/75 mg), including when bleeding events were re-classified using the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria. The pharmacodynamics of prasugrel was not associated with the risk of bleeding events. The main risk factors for bleeding events were female sex, low body weight, advanced age, and presence of diabetes mellitus. Use of a radial puncture site was associated with a lower risk of bleeding during PCI than a femoral puncture site. Finally, the frequency and severity of recurrent bleeding events during continued treatment were similar between prasugrel and clopidogrel. In summary, this review provides important insights into the risk and types of bleeding events in prasugrel-treated patients.Trial registration numbers: JapicCTI-101339 and JapicCTI-111550.

Improved risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes using a combination of hsTnT, NT-proBNP and hsCRP with the GRACE score

Background:

Clinical scores and biomarkers improve risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes. However, little is known about their value in patients referred for coronary angiography.

Methods:

Consecutive patients admitted at four Swiss university hospitals with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome were enrolled into the SPUM-ACS Biomarker Cohort between 2009 and 2012. Patients were followed at 30 days and 1 year with assessment of adjudicated events including all-cause mortality and the composite of all-cause mortality or non-fatal recurrent myocardial infarction.

Results:

Events and biomarkers were analysed in 1892 patients (52.4% with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, 43.3% with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and 4.3% with unstable angina). Death at 30 days occurred in 35 patients (1.9%) and at 1 year in 80 patients (4.3%). The choice of troponin assay (conventional versus high sensitivity) to calculate the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score did not affect risk prediction. The prognostic accuracy of the GRACE score was improved when combined with three individual biomarkers including high sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT), N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) to yield a 9% increment (C-statistic 0.73–>0.82) for the discrimination of short-term risk for all-cause mortality. In contrast, the novel biomarkers placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and the ratio sFlt-1/PlGF did not improve risk stratification.

Conclusions:

In patients with acute coronary syndrome referred for coronary angiography, combinations of biomarkers including hsTnT, NT-proBNP and hsCRP with the GRACE score enhanced risk discrimination.

Clinical Trials Registration:

NCT01000701

Baseline characteristics, adenosine diphosphate receptor inhibitor treatment patterns, and in-hospital outcomes of myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in the prospective Canadian Observational AntiPlatelet sTudy (COAPT)

BACKGROUND

Contemporary use of dual antiplatelet therapy and consistency with guideline recommendations in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have not been well characterized.

METHODS

The COAPT was a prospective, observational, multicenter, longitudinal study of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) undergoing PCI. Baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, processes of care, factors associated with switching to and from novel adenosine diphosphate receptor inhibitors (ADPris), and in-hospital outcomes are described.

RESULTS

Among 2,179 MI patients undergoing PCI during their index hospitalization, 1,328 (60.9%) had ST elevation. Initial ADPri use included clopidogrel in 1,812 (83.2%), prasugrel in 125 (5.7%), and ticagrelor in 242 (11.1%). At discharge, 1,597 patients (73.4%) were prescribed clopidogrel, 220 (10.1%) prasugrel, and 358 (16.5%) ticagrelor. Switching between ADPri therapies during the index hospitalization occurred in 15.3%, 22.4%, and 25.2% of patients initially started on clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor, respectively. Most switches over the 15-month study period occurred during the index admission (16.8% of patients vs 4.4% switches postdischarge). Major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 7.5% of patients during the index hospitalization. In-hospital bleeding events occurred in 6.0% of patients and most were mild.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite randomized trial evidence and guideline recommendations, only a minority of Canadian MI patients undergoing PCI initially received or were discharged on one of the newer ADPri agents. These findings suggest an opportunity to improve upon the appropriate selection of the ADPris at index hospitalization and discharge in Canadian MI patients undergoing PCI.

A comparison of cangrelor, prasugrel, ticagrelor, and clopidogrel in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Newer P2Y12 inhibitors have more rapid onset of platelet inhibition compared with clopidogrel, especially the intravenous P2Y12 inhibitor cangrelor. Direct comparisons between cangrelor and oral P2Y12 inhibitors ticagrelor and prasugrel do not exist. Thus, we performed a network meta-analysis to directly and indirectly compare different P2Y12 inhibitors in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

MEDLINE/PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared at least two P2Y12 inhibitors including cangrelor, clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor. Network meta-analysis with a Bayesian approach was performed to directly and indirectly compare the effects of the aforementioned P2Y12 inhibitors on clinical outcomes. Odds ratios with credible intervals (OR [CrIs]) were generated with random-effects models to compare outcomes.

RESULTS

This analysis included 15 RCTs with 54,025 patients randomized to cangrelor (n=12,475), clopidogrel (n=26,903), prasugrel (n=7455), or ticagrelor (n=7192) at time of PCI. Patients had a mean age of 63±10, 74% were male, and 82% underwent PCI for acute coronary syndrome. No significant differences between cangrelor and clopidogrel were found with respect to cardiovascular death (OR 1.01 [CrI 0.23-4.39]), myocardial infarction (OR 0.94 [CrI 0.69-1.25]), major adverse cardiac events (OR 0.91 [CrI 0.69-1.18]), stent thrombosis (OR 0.66 [CrI 0.37-1.19]), or major bleeding (OR 1.52 [CrI 0.79-2.98]). Rank probability data suggested that ticagrelor and prasugrel were better than cangrelor for reducing ischemic events, though these differences were not significant.

CONCLUSION

Despite rapid platelet inhibition provided by cangrelor, newer oral P2Y12 inhibitors such as ticagrelor and prasugrel have comparable clinical outcomes.

Prasugrel Versus Ticagrelor in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Multicenter Randomized PRAGUE-18 Study

BACKGROUND

No randomized head-to-head comparison of the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor and prasugrel has been published in the 7 years since the higher efficacy of these newer P2Y₁₂ inhibitors were first demonstrated relative to clopidogrel.

METHODS

This academic study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of prasugrel and ticagrelor in acute myocardial infarction treated with primary or immediate percutaneous coronary intervention. A total of 1230 patients were randomly assigned across 14 sites to either prasugrel or ticagrelor, which was initiated before percutaneous coronary intervention. Nearly 4% were in cardiogenic shock, and 5.2% were on mechanical ventilation. The primary end point was defined as death, reinfarction, urgent target vessel revascularization, stroke, or serious bleeding requiring transfusion or prolonging hospitalization at 7 days (to reflect primarily the in-hospital phase). This analysis presents data from the first 30 days (key secondary end point). The total follow-up will be 1 year for all patients and will be completed in 2017.

RESULTS

The study was prematurely terminated for futility. The occurrence of the primary end point did not differ between groups receiving prasugrel and ticagrelor (4.0% and 4.1%, respectively; odds ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-1.73; P=0.939). No significant difference was found in any of the components of the primary end point. The occurrence of key secondary end point within 30 days, composed of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or stroke, did not show any significant difference between prasugrel and ticagrelor (2.7% and 2.5%, respectively; odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.53-2.15; P=0.864).

CONCLUSIONS

This head-to-head comparison of prasugrel and ticagrelor does not support the hypothesis that one is more effective or safer than the other in preventing ischemic and bleeding events in the acute phase of myocardial infarction treated with a primary percutaneous coronary intervention strategy. The observed rates of major outcomes were similar but with broad confidence intervals around the estimates. These interesting observations need to be confirmed in a larger trial.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02808767.

Prognosis of Patients With Familial Hypercholesterolemia After Acute Coronary Syndromes

BACKGROUND

Patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and coronary heart disease have high mortality rates. However, in an era of high-dose statin prescription after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the risk of recurrent coronary and cardiovascular events associated with FH might be mitigated. We compared coronary event rates between patients with and without FH after ACS.

METHODS

We studied 4534 patients with ACS enrolled in a multicenter, prospective cohort study in Switzerland between 2009 and 2013 who were individually screened for FH on the basis of clinical criteria according to 3 definitions: the American Heart Association definition, the Simon Broome definition, and the Dutch Lipid Clinic definition. We used Cox proportional models to assess the 1-year risk of first recurrent coronary events defined as coronary death or myocardial infarction and adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, existing cardiovascular disease, high-dose statin at discharge, attendance at cardiac rehabilitation, and the GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) risk score for severity of ACS.

RESULTS

At the 1-year follow-up, 153 patients (3.4%) had died, including 104 (2.3%) of fatal myocardial infarction. A further 113 patients (2.5%) experienced nonfatal myocardial infarction. The prevalence of FH was 2.5% with the American Heart Association definition, 5.5% with the Simon Broome definition, and 1.6% with the Dutch Lipid Clinic definition. Compared with patients without FH, the risk of coronary event recurrence after ACS was similar in patients with FH in unadjusted analyses, although patients with FH were >10 years younger. However, after multivariable adjustment including age, the risk was greater in patients with FH than without, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.46 (95% confidence interval, 1.07-5.65; P=0.034) for the American Heart Association definition, 2.73 (95% confidence interval, 1.46-5.11; P=0.002) for the Simon Broome definition, and 3.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.26-9.94; P=0.017) for the Dutch Lipid Clinic definition. Depending on which clinical definition of FH was used, between 94.5% and 99.1% of patients with FH were discharged on statins and between 74.0% and 82.3% on high-dose statins.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with FH and ACS have a >2-fold adjusted risk of coronary event recurrence within the first year after discharge than patients without FH despite the widespread use of high-intensity statins.

Prasugrel Use in Real Life: A Report From the Outpatient Setting in France

The objective of this study was to provide descriptive statistics on patterns of prasugrel usage in the outpatient setting in France. This retrospective study was conducted to describe treatment patterns for prasugrel in the outpatient setting in France using the Intercontinental Marketing Services (IMS) Disease Analyzer database, which collates electronic medical records updated by a nationally representative database of 1200 French general practitioners (GPs). Anonymous data were collected prospectively at each follow-up visit. The study population consisted of patients with ≥1 prescription for prasugrel in the outpatient setting from its launch date to 3 years post-launch. Patients were followed up from the date of the first prescription for prasugrel recorded in the database until they died, changed GP, or reached the end of the study, whichever came first. In France, the IMS Disease Analyzer included 1052 patients receiving ≥1 prescription of prasugrel from January 2010 until October 2012. Eighty-five percent of the population was male. The mean age was 58 years; 94.3% were age <75 years, and 95.0% weighed ≥60 kg. Of the total, 99.8% of patients were prescribed a daily maintenance dose of 10 mg, and 0.2% had a history of transient ischemic attack/stroke. Concomitant medications were antiplatelet agents (100%; aspirin, 93.7%), lipid-lowering agents (90.1%), β-blockers (83.7%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (62.2%), and anti-ulcer medications (55.1%). The results reflect good usage of prasugrel by French GPs in the outpatient setting, with excellent implementation of the Prasugrel European Summary Product Characteristics.

Contemporary antiplatelet treatment in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: 1-year outcomes from the GReek AntiPlatElet (GRAPE) Registry

Essentials The comparative efficacy and safety of antiplatelet agents in 'real life' is not clear. We recruited acute coronary syndrome patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention. At 1-year follow-up, prasugrel offers better anti-ischemic protection than clopidogrel. Prasugrel and ticagrelor are accompanied by more frequent bleeding events.

SUMMARY

Background The comparative efficacy and safety of antiplatelet treatment outside randomized trials is not clear. Objectives To investigate long-term efficacy and safety in 'real-life' acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with contemporary use of clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor. Methods In a prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study, 2047 patients were recruited into the GReek AntiPlatElet (GRAPE) Registry and were followed-up for 1 year for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, a composite of death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, urgent revascularization and stroke) and bleeding events (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] classification). Results Exposure to clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor by PCI occurred in 959, 363 and 717 patients, respectively. After adjustment, the rate of MACE (primary outcome endpoint) was lower in prasugrel-treated patients (4.4%) than in clopidogrel-treated patients (10.1%) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.91), although not significantly different between ticagrelor (6.8%) and clopidogrel groups (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.54-1.12). Any type of BARC-classified bleeding (secondary outcome endpoint) was more frequent in prasugrel-treated patients (51.2%) than in clopidogrel-treated patients (37.6%) (HR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.33-1.95) and more frequent in ticagrelor-treated patients (56.9%) than in clopidogrel-treated patients (HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.55-2.10). An adjusted comparison between prasugrel and ticagrelor-treated groups did not reveal differences in any outcome measure. After adjustment, the death rate was more reduced by novel agents in comparison with clopidogrel (2.9% vs. 6.2%). Conclusions In ACS/PCI patients, prasugrel offered better anti-ischemic protection than clopidogrel, whereas use of both novel agents is accompanied by more frequent bleeding events.

Mortality in primary angioplasty patients starting antiplatelet therapy with prehospital prasugrel or clopidogrel: a 1-year follow-up from the European MULTIPRAC Registry

Aim

MULTIPRAC was designed to provide insights into the use and outcomes associated with prehospital initiation of antiplatelet therapy with either prasugrel or clopidogrel in the context of primary percutaneous coronary intervention. After a previous report on efficacy and safety outcomes during hospitalization, we report here the 1-year follow-up data, including cardiovascular (CV) mortality.

Methods and results

MULTIPRAC is a multinational, prospective registry of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) from 25 hospitals in nine countries, all of which had an established practice of prehospital start of dual antiplatelet therapy in place. The key outcome was CV death at 1 year. Among 2,036 patients followed-up through 1 year, 49 died (2.4%), 10 during the initial hospitalization and 39 within 1 year after hospital discharge. The primary analysis was based on the P2Y₁₂-inhibitor, used from prehospital loading dose through hospital discharge. Prasugrel (n=824) was more commonly used than clopidogrel (n=425). The observed 1-year rates for CV death were 0.5% with prasugrel and 2.6% with clopidogrel. After adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics, treatment with prasugrel was associated with a significantly lower risk of CV death than treatment with clopidogrel (odds ratio 0.248; 95% confidence interval 0.06–0.89).

Conclusion

In STEMI patients from routine practice undergoing primary angioplasty, who were able to start oral antiplatelet therapy prehospital, treatment with prasugrel as compared to clopidogrel was associated with a lower risk of CV death at 1-year follow-up.