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Landmesser U, Skurk C, Tzikas A, Falk V, Reddy VY, Windecker S. Left atrial appendage closure for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: current status and perspectives. Eur Heart J 2024:ehae398. [PMID: 39027946 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehae398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of stroke and systemic embolism, and the left atrial appendage (LAA) has been identified as a principal source of thromboembolism in these patients. While oral anticoagulation is the current standard of care, LAA closure (LAAC) emerges as an alternative or complementary treatment approach to reduce the risk of stroke or systemic embolism in patients with AF. Moderate-sized randomized clinical studies have provided data for the efficacy and safety of catheter-based LAAC, largely compared with vitamin K antagonists. LAA device iterations, advances in pre- and peri-procedural imaging, and implantation techniques continue to increase the efficacy and safety of LAAC. More data about efficacy and safety of LAAC have been collected, and several randomized clinical trials are currently underway to compare LAAC with best medical care (including non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants) in different clinical settings. Surgical LAAC in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery reduced the risk of stroke on background of anticoagulation therapy in the LAAOS III study. In this review, we describe the rapidly evolving field of LAAC and discuss recent clinical data, ongoing studies, open questions, and current limitations of LAAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Landmesser
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charite (DHZC), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Straße 2, 10178 Berlin, Germany
- Friede Springer Cardiovascular Prevention Center@Charité, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK Partner Site Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Skurk
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charite (DHZC), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK Partner Site Berlin, Germany
| | - Apostolos Tzikas
- Second Department of Cardiology, Hippocratic University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Department of Cardiology, Interbalkan Medical Center, Pylaia, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Volkmar Falk
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charite (DHZC), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Straße 2, 10178 Berlin, Germany
- Friede Springer Cardiovascular Prevention Center@Charité, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK Partner Site Berlin, Germany
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charite (DHZC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Vivek Y Reddy
- Helmsley Electrophysiology Center, Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Stephan Windecker
- Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 18, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
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2
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Kimmerle AR, Noflatscher M, Raggam RB. Optimal long-term anticoagulation after acute pulmonary embolism: current state of the art and a look into the near future. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2024:00063198-990000000-00183. [PMID: 38989794 DOI: 10.1097/mcp.0000000000001106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to summarize the current state of the art and future directions in optimal long-term anticoagulation following acute pulmonary embolism (PE). RECENT FINDINGS Actual studies and guidelines underscore the preference for direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in standard therapeutic doses for maintenance therapy post-PE, while considering patient-specific factors and dose-reduction criteria. Risk stratification should always include the assessment of concomitant trigger- or risk factors regarding their strength and persistence. The use of tools like specific scores can facilitate the identification of optimal candidates for long-term therapy, emphasizing once more personalized approaches and strategies. Special patient groups, such as cancer associated thrombosis, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension or antiphospholipid syndrome require even more tailored therapy approaches. SUMMARY Optimal long-term anticoagulation post-PE should be guided by straightforward and individual risk assessment strategies. The array of indications for DOACs has gotten wider in last years, also within special patient groups. Still, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and antiphospholipid syndrome remains domain of vitamin K agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Noflatscher
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Reinhard Bernd Raggam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Angiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz
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3
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Ali AE, Becker RC. Factor XI: structure, function and therapeutic inhibition. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2024:10.1007/s11239-024-02972-5. [PMID: 38622277 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-024-02972-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Arterial and venous thromboembolism is a major medical concern that requires therapeutic anticoagulation in various medical fields to prevent its drastic consequences. Despite significant advances in anticoagulant therapy, thrombosis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Traditional anticoagulants like heparin and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have shown efficacy in preventing and treating thrombosis but come with an inherent risk of bleeding due to their non-specific inhibition of multiple coagulation factors. Subsequent direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), targeting specific factors such as Xa or thrombin, demonstrated improved safety profiles compared to VKAs, yet bleeding remains a concern. Accordingly, research is focused on developing anticoagulants with improved safety profiles. A safer class of anticoagulants would have broad appeal. The intrinsic pathway of coagulation, involving factor XI (FXI), has attracted attention as a potential target for safer anticoagulants. Preclinical studies and epidemiological data indicate that FXI deficiency or inhibition protects against thrombosis with minimal bleeding. Current research involves evaluating various FXI-directed strategies, and phase 2 studies have shown promising results in orthopedic surgery, atrial fibrillation, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke. Several agents, such as antisense oligonucleotides, monoclonal antibodies, small synthetic molecules, natural peptides, and aptamers, have been developed to inhibit FXI at different stages, offering potentially safer alternatives to traditional anticoagulants. However, the optimal balance between preventing thrombosis and the risk of bleeding associated with FXI inhibitors requires validation through extensive phase 3 clinical trials using definite clinical endpoints. Several of such trials are currently underway or planned to define the role of FXI inhibitors in clinical practice and determine the most suitable FXI inhibitor for each specific indication. The current review highlights the rationale behind developing FXI inhibitors, presenting the most advanced agents in development, summarizing completed clinical trials, and discussing ongoing research efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E Ali
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Richard C Becker
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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4
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Costamagna G, Navi BB, Beyeler M, Hottinger AF, Alberio L, Michel P. Ischemic Stroke in Cancer: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Implications for Treatment. Semin Thromb Hemost 2024; 50:342-359. [PMID: 37506734 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. The underlying mechanisms linking cancer and stroke are not completely understood. Long-standing and more recent evidence suggests that cancer-associated prothrombotic states, along with treatment-related vascular toxicity, such as with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, contribute to an increased risk of ischemic stroke in cancer patients. Novel biomarkers, including coagulation, platelet and endothelial markers, cell-free DNA, and extracellular vesicles are being investigated for their potential to improve risk stratification and patient selection for clinical trials and to help guide personalized antithrombotic strategies. Treatment of cancer-related stroke poses unique challenges, including the need to balance the risk of recurrent stroke and other thromboembolic events with that of bleeding associated with antithrombotic therapy. In addition, how and when to restart cancer treatment after stroke remains unclear. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying ischemic stroke in cancer, propose an etiological classification system unique to cancer-related stroke to help guide patient characterization, provide an overview of promising biomarkers and their clinical utility, and discuss the current state of evidence-based management strategies for cancer-related stroke. Ultimately, a personalized approach to stroke prevention and treatment is required in cancer patients, considering both the underlying cancer biology and the individual patient's risk profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Costamagna
- Stroke Unit, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Babak B Navi
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Morin Beyeler
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andreas F Hottinger
- Services of Neurology and Oncology, Lundin Family Brain Tumor Research Center, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lorenzo Alberio
- Division of Hematology and Hematology Central Laboratory, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patrik Michel
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Stroke Center, Neurology Service, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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5
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Birchansky J, Frishman WH. Milvexian: A Focus on a New Oral Anticoagulant that Targets Factor XIa for Thromboembolism Prophylaxis. Cardiol Rev 2024:00045415-990000000-00162. [PMID: 38305253 DOI: 10.1097/crd.0000000000000588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Drugs that target factor XI and/or XIa have been evaluated as alternatives to existing anticoagulants, in light of studies that indicate that a decrease in Factor XI/XIa levels or activity may result in a lower risk of thrombosis without a significant increase in bleeding risk. Milvexian is an investigational small-molecule factor XIa inhibitor that has recently completed phase 2 clinical trials. Preclinical studies were suggestive of its potential to prevent arterial and venous thrombosis. It was well-tolerated in healthy participants, as well as in participants with mild or moderate hepatic impairment and moderate or severe renal impairment. Notably, patients who received milvexian after knee arthroplasty had a dose-proportional lower incidence of venous thromboembolism compared to patients who received postoperative enoxaparin, and they had a lower incidence of clinically relevant bleeding. A separate phase 2 trial was conducted that assessed the use of milvexian for secondary stroke prevention in patients who had ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. It failed its primary objective of establishing a dose-response relationship between milvexian and a composite endpoint of symptomatic ischemic stroke or covert brain infarction. The trial did, however, show a reduction in the relative risk of symptomatic ischemic stroke across most of the treatment groups receiving various dosages of milvexian compared to placebo. The efficacy of milvexian in secondary stroke prevention will be further assessed in an upcoming phase 3 trial. Additional upcoming phase 3 trials will also assess its efficacy in stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation as well as in event reduction in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William H Frishman
- Departments of Medicine and Cardiology, New York Medical College, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY
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6
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Liang Y, Yang Q, Zhu J, Eikelboom J. Bleeding Risk in Asian Patients: Potential for Thrombin Amplification Pathway Blockade Using Factor XI Inhibitors. JACC. ASIA 2024; 4:163-165. [PMID: 38371291 PMCID: PMC10866725 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacasi.2023.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liang
- Intensive Care Unit, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Intensive Care Unit, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhu
- Emergency Center, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - John Eikelboom
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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7
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Bejjani A, Khairani CD, Assi A, Piazza G, Sadeghipour P, Talasaz AH, Fanikos J, Connors JM, Siegal DM, Barnes GD, Martin KA, Angiolillo DJ, Kleindorfer D, Monreal M, Jimenez D, Middeldorp S, Elkind MSV, Ruff CT, Goldhaber SZ, Krumholz HM, Mehran R, Cushman M, Eikelboom JW, Lip GYH, Weitz JI, Lopes RD, Bikdeli B. When Direct Oral Anticoagulants Should Not Be Standard Treatment: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Coll Cardiol 2024; 83:444-465. [PMID: 38233019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.10.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
For most patients, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are preferred over vitamin K antagonists for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and for venous thromboembolism treatment. However, randomized controlled trials suggest that DOACs may not be as efficacious or as safe as the current standard of care in conditions such as mechanical heart valves, thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome, and atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic heart disease. DOACs do not provide a net benefit in conditions such as embolic stroke of undetermined source. Their efficacy is uncertain for conditions such as left ventricular thrombus, catheter-associated deep vein thrombosis, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and for patients with atrial fibrillation or venous thrombosis who have end-stage renal disease. This paper provides an evidence-based review of randomized controlled trials on DOACs, detailing when they have demonstrated efficacy and safety, when DOACs should not be the standard of care, where their safety and efficacy are uncertain, and areas requiring further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Bejjani
- Thrombosis Research Group, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Candrika D Khairani
- Thrombosis Research Group, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ali Assi
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gregory Piazza
- Thrombosis Research Group, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Parham Sadeghipour
- Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical, and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Clinical Trial Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical, and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azita H Talasaz
- Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - John Fanikos
- Department of Pharmacy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jean M Connors
- Hematology Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Deborah M Siegal
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Geoffrey D Barnes
- Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Karlyn A Martin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Dominick J Angiolillo
- Division of Cardiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Manuel Monreal
- Cátedra de Enfermedad Tromboembólica, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Spain
| | - David Jimenez
- Respiratory Department, Hospital Ramón y Cajal and Medicine Department, Universidad de Alcalá (Instituto de Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Saskia Middeldorp
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mitchell S V Elkind
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christian T Ruff
- Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samuel Z Goldhaber
- Thrombosis Research Group, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Harlan M Krumholz
- Yale New Haven Hospital/Yale Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Roxana Mehran
- Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mary Cushman
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - John W Eikelboom
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Danish Center for Clinical Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jeffrey I Weitz
- McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Renato D Lopes
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Brazilian Clinical Research Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Behnood Bikdeli
- Thrombosis Research Group, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Cardiovascular Research Foundation, New York, New York, USA.
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Abstract
For more than 60 years, anticoagulation drugs have served as a mainstay in preserving and improving the cardiovascular health of patients across the globe. Functioning to reduce a patient's ability to produce blood clots, prescription rates for anticoagulants have been steadily rising year-over-year both in the United States and abroad. Despite decades of clinical usage, modern-day anticoagulants have been shown to predispose an individual to pathological bleeding. Even in seemingly benign instances of bleeding, patients on anticoagulation therapy might require intensive and expensive medical procedures or monitoring. Understanding the clinical implications of pathological bleeding, research and development of future anticoagulants seeking to minimize these effects. One emerging category of anticoagulant drugs are Factor XI/XIa (FXI) inhibitors. Targeting the coagulation cascade, clinical trials of Factor XIa inhibitors have shown promising results in preventing blood clot formation without increasing the instances of spontaneous and/or pathological bleeding events. While still in phase II and III clinical trials, and potentially years away from being implemented as standard of care, these novel drugs might have the potential to improve the safety and quality of life of patients taking anticoagulants. In this review, we discuss a brief history of anticoagulation therapy, followed by an analysis of the potential risks, benefits, and implications of Factor XI/XIa inhibitors across elements of patient care.
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Omari M, Alkhalil M. Advances in Cardiovascular Pharmacology in Atherosclerotic-Related Therapeutic Areas: Addressing Patients' Clinical Needs. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12113665. [PMID: 37297860 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12113665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last three decades, a significant improvement has been achieved in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Muntaser Omari
- Cardiothoracic Centre, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE7 7DN, UK
| | - Mohammad Alkhalil
- Cardiothoracic Centre, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE7 7DN, UK
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
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10
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Santostasi G, Denas G, Pengo V. New pharmacotherapeutic options for oral anticoagulant treatment in atrial fibrillation patients aged 65 and older: factor XIa inhibitors and beyond. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2023; 24:1335-1347. [PMID: 37243619 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2023.2219391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although much progress has been made using anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, bleeding is still a major concern. AREAS COVERED This article reviews current pharmacotherapeutic options in this setting. Particular emphasis is placed on the ability of the new molecules to minimize the bleeding risk in elderly patients. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to March 2023 was carried out. EXPERT OPINION Contact phase of coagulation is a possible new target for anticoagulant therapy. Indeed, congenital or acquired deficiency of contact phase factors is associated with reduced thrombotic burden and limited risk of spontaneous bleeding. These new drugs seem particularly suitable for stroke prevention in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in whom the hemorrhagic risk is high. Most of anti Factor XI (FXI) drugs are for parenteral use only. A group of small molecules are for oral use and therefore are candidates to substitute direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for stroke prevention in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation. Doubts remain on the possibility of impaired hemostasis. Indeed, a fine calibration of inhibition of contact phase factors is crucial for an effective and safe treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gentian Denas
- Cardiology Clinic, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Vittorio Pengo
- Cardiology Clinic, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
- Arianna Foundation on Anticoagulation, Bologna, Italy
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