Varfarina ou Aspirina na prevenção de fenômenos embólicos na valvopatia mitral com fibrilação atrial

Are the correct outcomes being measured in studies of oral anticoagulants? A systematic survey

INTRODUCTION

Oral anticoagulant (OAC) intervention trials have typically included clinical event outcomes. However, there is no standard list of outcomes to be used in OAC research. This study aimed to describe and classify the outcomes used in recent prospective clinical studies involving OACs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases from January 2009 to July 2019 for prospective studies with an intervention or control group that included one or more oral anticoagulants. We abstracted details about each included study and the outcomes used from the study report and its accompanying protocol. Using the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) Initiative recommendations, we categorised each outcome into one of five domains (mortality/survival, physiological/clinical, life impact, resource use, and adverse events). Our primary outcome was the prevalence of use of an outcome domain across studies.

RESULTS

We included 70 prospective studies, including 52 randomized controlled trials and 18 prospective cohort studies. A total of 121 different outcomes were reported. The COMET domains were represented in the 70 studies as follows: mortality (63/70, 90.0%); physiological/clinical domain (70/70, 100%), life impact domain (43/70, 61.4%), resource use domain (26/70, 37.1%), and adverse events domain (55/70, 78.6%).

CONCLUSION

Outcome reporting in prospective studies of OACs more frequently concentrates on mortality, physiological/clinical domains, and adverse events compared to life impact and resource utilization domains, the latter uncommonly used. A priority for future research includes developing a core outcome set (COS) for OAC research that represents all domains.

Comparative efficacy and safety of warfarin care bundles and novel oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Warfarin care bundles (e.g. genotype-guided warfarin dosing, patient’s self-testing [PST] or patient’s self-management [PSM] and left atrial appendage closure) are based on the concept of combining several interventions to improve anticoagulation care. NOACs are also introduced for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (SPAF). However, these interventions have not been compared in head-to-head trials yet. We did a network meta-analysis based on a systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing anticoagulant interventions for SPAF. Studies comparing these interventions in adults, whether administered alone or as care bundles were included in the analyses. The primary efficacy outcome was stroke and the primary safety outcome was major bleeding. Thirty-seven studies, involving 100,142 patients were assessed. Compared to usual care, PSM significantly reduced the risk of stroke (risk ratio [RR] 0.24, 95% CI 0.08–0.68). For major bleeding, edoxaban 60 mg (0.80, 0.71–0.90), edoxaban 30 mg (0.48, 0.42–0.56), and dabigatran 110 mg (0.81, 0.71–0.94) significantly reduced the risk of major bleeding compared with usual warfarin care. Cluster rank plot incorporating stroke and major bleeding outcomes indicates that some warfarin care bundles perform as well as NOACs. Both interventions are therefore viable options to be considered for SPAF. Additional studies including head-to-head trials and cost-effectiveness evaluation are still warranted.

Efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulants versus aspirin for patients with atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulation to antiplatelet therapy for the prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies published through May 31, 2014. Randomized controlled trials comparing anticoagulants (warfarin) and antiplatelet therapy in patients with AF were included. The primary outcomes were the rates of stroke and systemic embolism. Secondary outcomes included the rates of hemorrhage/major bleeding and death. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Nine reports of 8 trials that enrolled 4363 patients (2169 patients received anticoagulation and 2194 antiplatelet therapy) were included. All of the studies compared adjusted-dose warfarin or with aspirin, and the majority of the patients were >70 years of age. Anticoagulants were titrated to an international normalized ratio (INR) of 2.0 to 4.5, and aspirin was administered at a dosage of 75 to 325 mg/d. Death occurred in 206 participants treated with an anticoagulant and 229 participants treated with antiplatelet therapy. There was no significant difference in the overall stroke rate between the groups (OR = 0.667, 95% CI 0.426-1.045, P = 0.08); however, patients with nonrheumatic AF (NRAF) treated with an anticoagulant had a lower risk of stroke (OR = 0.557, 95% CI 0.411-0.753, P < 0.001). Anticoagulants were associated with a lower risk of embolism (OR = 0.616, 95% CI = 0.392-0.966, P = 0.04), and this finding persisted in patients with NRAF (OR = 0.581, 95% CI 0.359-0.941, P = 0.03). No significant difference in the rate of hemorrhage/major bleeding was noted (OR = 1.497, 95% CI 0.730-3.070, P = 0.27), and this finding persisted on subgroup analysis. Anticoagulants appear to be more effective than aspirin in preventing embolisms in patients with AF, as the risk of bleeding is not increased.

Comparison of the occurrence of thromboembolic and bleeding complications in patients with mechanical heart valve prosthesis with one and two leaflets in the mitral position

INTRODUCTION

Patients with mechanical heart valve prostheses must continuously be treated with oral anticoagulants to prevent thromboembolic events related to prosthetesis. These patients should be continually evaluated for the control of oral anticoagulation.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the occurrence of thromboembolic and hemorragic complications in patients with mechanical heart valve prosthesis with one (mono) and two (bi) leaflets in the mitral position in anticoagulant therapy.

METHODS

We studied the 10-year interval, 117 patients with prosthesis in the mitral position, 48 with prosthetic single leaflet and 69 with two leaflets. We evaluated the occurrence of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic major and minor degree under gravity. The results are presented in an actuarial study and the frequency of occurrence of linear events.

RESULTS

The actuarial survival curves showed that over time, patients with prosthetic heart valve with one leaflet were less free of thromboembolic complications than patients with two leaflet prosthetic valve, while the latter (two leaflet) were less free of hemorrhagic accidents. The linearized frequency of occurrence of thromboembolism were higher in patients with mono leaflet prosthesis. Bleeding rates were higher for patients with bi leaflet prosthetic valve.

CONCLUSION

Patients with mono leaflet prosthetic heart valve showed that they are more prone to the occurrence of serious thromboembolic events compared to those with bi leaflet prosthetic valve. Patients with bi leaflet prosthetic valve had more bleeding than patients with mono leaflet prosthetic valve, however this difference was restricted to the bleeding of minor nature.

A survey of recently published cardiovascular, hematological and pneumological original articles in the Brazilian scientific press

Recent original scientific contributions published in selected Brazilian periodicals and classifiable under cardiovascular and pulmonary subject categories cover a wide range of sub specialties, both clinical and experimental. Because they appear in journals with only recently enhanced visibility, we have decided to highlight a number of specific items appeared in four Brazilian journals, because we understand that this is an important subsidy to keep our readership adequately informed. These papers cover extensive sub-areas in both fields.