Novel oral anticoagulant use in adults with congenital heart disease: a single-center experience report

BACKGROUND

Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are a group with an increased risk of thromboembolic complications and arrhythmias. Vitamin K antagonists are the most commonly used thromboprophylaxis therapy in this population. Studies on the efficacy and safety of novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are scare in ACHD. A retrospective study on ACHD patients on NOAC treatment registered in the National Quality Registry for Congenital Heart Disease, SWEDCON, and National Quality Registry for Atrial fibrillation and Anticoagulation, AuriculA, from Southern Sweden.

RESULTS

Thirty patients who had been taking NOAC treatment for a minimum of 3 months were included. Their median age was 55 years (SD 17 years) and 57% were male. Median follow-up was 17 months (IQR: 10-41). Eliquis was the most used NOAC (47%). Median CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was 2 (IQR: 0-3) and HAS-BLED was 1 (IQR: 0-2). Complex ACHD was prevalent in 27% of the patients. No thromboembolic events were recorded; however, one major bleeding, unspecified, was reported during the total cumulative patient follow-up time of 64 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study, although limited in size, suggest that NOAC appear safe and effective in ACHD patients. Further and larger studies on NOAC in ACHD patients are warranted.

Trends in Clinical Practice and Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery

Background

The use of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to treat unprotected left main coronary artery disease has expanded rapidly in the past decade. We aimed to describe nationwide trends in clinical practice and outcomes after PCI for left main coronary artery disease.

Methods and Results

Patients (n=4085) enrolled in the SCAAR (Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry) as undergoing PCI for left main coronary artery disease from 2005 to 2017 were included. A count regression model was used to analyze time‐related differences in procedural characteristics. The 3‐year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event rate defined as death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and repeat revascularization was calculated with the Kaplan‐Meier estimator and Cox proportional hazard model. The number of annual PCI procedures grew from 121 in 2005 to 589 in 2017 (389%). The increase was greater for men (479%) and individuals with diabetes (500%). Periprocedural complications occurred in 7.9%, decreasing from 10% to 6% during the study period. A major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event occurred in 35.7% of patients, falling from 45.6% to 23.9% (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.41–0.78; P=0.001). Radial artery access rose from 21.5% to 74.2% and intracoronary diagnostic procedures from 14.0% to 53.3%. Use of bare‐metal stents and first‐generation drug‐eluting stents fell from 19.0% and 71.9%, respectively, to 0, with use of new‐generation drug‐eluting stents increasing to 95.2%.

Conclusions

Recent changes in clinical practice relating to PCI for left main coronary artery disease are characterized by a 4‐fold rise in procedures conducted, increased use of evidence‐based adjunctive treatment strategies, intracoronary diagnostics, newer stents, and more favorable outcomes.

Safety of early hospital discharge following admission with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention: a nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

The Second Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (PAMI-II) risk score is recommended by guidelines to identify low-risk patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) for an early discharge strategy.

AIMS

We aimed to assess the safety of early discharge (≤2 days) for low-risk STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

Using nationwide data from the SWEDEHEART registry, we identified patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI during the period 2009-2017, of whom 8,092 (26.4%) were identified as low risk with the PAMI-II score. Low-risk patients were stratified according to their length of hospital stay (≤2 days vs >2 days). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, including death, reinfarction treated with PCI, stroke or heart failure hospitalisation) at one year, assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model with propensity score as well as an inverse probability weighting propensity score of average treatment effect to adjust for confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 1,449 (17.9%) patients were discharged ≤2 days from admission. After adjustment, the one-year MACE rate was not higher for patients discharged at >2 days from admission than for patients discharged ≤2 days (4.3% vs 3.2%; adjusted HR 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92-1.87, p=0.14), and no difference was observed regarding any of the individual components of the main outcome. Results were consistent across all subgroups with no difference in MACE between early and late discharge patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Nationwide observational data suggest that early discharge of low-risk patients with STEMI treated with PCI is not associated with an increase in one-year MACE.

Bivalirudin Versus Heparin Monotherapy in Elderly Patients With Myocardial Infarction: A Prespecified Subgroup Analysis of the VALIDATE-SWEDEHEART Trial

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention are at increased risk of both ischemic and bleeding complications. The optimal anticoagulation strategy in these patients is uncertain. Therefore, we compared bivalirudin to heparin monotherapy in a contemporary cohort of such patients.

METHODS

A prespecified subgroup analysis of elderly patients with myocardial infarction (≥75 years) from the VALIDATE-SWEDEHEART trial (Bivalirudin Versus Heparin in ST-Segment and Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Patients on Modern Antiplatelet Therapy in the Swedish Web System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies Registry Trial) was performed. In the trial, patients were randomized to either bivalirudin or heparin monotherapy during percutaneous coronary intervention, with mandatory potent P2Y12 inhibition, routine radial artery access, and only bail-out glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition. Kaplan-Meier event rates were assessed for the primary end point, consisting of a composite of all-cause death, myocardial reinfarction, or major bleeding, within 180 days.

RESULTS

The elderly (n=1592) had more than twice the risk of all events compared with younger patients (n=4406). Baseline and periprocedural characteristics were equal between bivalirudin (n=799) and heparin (n=793) treated patients ≥75 years. No differences were found in the elderly between bivalirudin and heparin monotherapy regarding the primary end point (180-day all-cause death, myocardial reinfarction, or major bleeding), the individual components of the primary end point, definite stent thrombosis, or stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

In this prespecified subgroup analysis of the VALIDATE-SWEDEHEART trial, elderly patients with myocardial infarction had a highly increased risk of all events. However, no difference in outcomes could be observed with an anticoagulation strategy with either bivalirudin or heparin as monotherapy in this patient group.

Procoagulatory changes induced by head-up tilt test in patients with syncope: observational study

Background

Orthostatic hypercoagulability is proposed as a mechanism promoting cardiovascular and thromboembolic events after awakening and during prolonged orthostasis.

We evaluated early changes in coagulation biomarkers induced by tilt testing among patients investigated for suspected syncope, aiming to test the hypothesis that orthostatic challenge evokes procoagulatory changes to a different degree according to diagnosis.

Methods

One-hundred-and-seventy-eight consecutive patients (age, 51 ± 21 years; 46% men) were analysed. Blood samples were collected during supine rest and after 3 min of 70° head-up tilt test (HUT) for determination of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag) and activity (VWF:GP1bA), factor VIII (FVIII:C), lupus anticoagulant (LA1), functional APC-resistance, and activated prothrombin time (APTT) with and without activated protein C (C+/−). Analyses were stratified according to age, sex and diagnosis.

Results

After 3 min in the upright position, VWF:Ag (1.28 ± 0.55 vs. 1.22 ± 0.54; p < 0.001) and fibrinogen (2.84 ± 0.60 vs. 2.75 ± 0.60, p < 0.001) increased, whereas APTT/C+/− (75.1 ± 18.8 vs. 84.3 ± 19.6 s; p < 0.001, and 30.8 ± 3.7 vs. 32.1 ± 3.8 s; p < 0.001, respectively) and APC-resistance (2.42 ± 0.43 vs. 2.60 ± 0.41, p < 0.001) decreased compared with supine values. Significant changes in fibrinogen were restricted to women (p < 0.001) who also had lower LA1 during HUT (p = 0.007), indicating increased coagulability. Diagnosis vasovagal syncope was associated with less increase in VWF:Ag during HUT compared to other diagnoses (0.01 ± 0.16 vs. 0.09 ± 0.17; p = 0.004).

Conclusions

Procoagulatory changes in haemostatic plasma components are observed early during orthostasis in patients with history of syncope, irrespective of syncope aetiology. These findings may contribute to the understanding of orthostatic hypercoagulability and chronobiology of cardiovascular disease.

Upper extremity deep venous thrombosis in the population-based Malmö thrombophilia study (MATS). Epidemiology, risk factors, recurrence risk, and mortality

BACKGROUND

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is much less common in the upper than in the lower extremity. Furthermore, there is limited information on risk factors for and the prognosis of upper extremity (UE)DVT in the general population.

AIMS

To estimate incidence, risk factors, and prognosis in UEDVT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Among a total of 1203 patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) diagnosed during 1998-2006 in the prospective population-based Malmö thrombophilia study, 63 (5%, 33 men [52%, age 54+/-17years], and 30 women [48%, age 55+/-22years]) had UEDVT and were evaluated concerning risk factors, treatment, recurrent VTE, and mortality.

RESULTS

At diagnosis, 19(30%) patients had known malignancy and 6(10%) had VTE heredity. Among female UEDVT patients 4(13%) used hormone therapy, 1(3%) was pregnant, while none was in the postpartum period. Of all 63 UEDVT patients, 12(19%) were heterozygous, and 3(5%) homozygous for the Factor V Leiden (FVL)-mutation. Two (3%) patients were heterozygous for the prothrombin mutation, and 1 patient (1.6%) showed both heterozygous FVL-mutation and lupus anticoagulant antibodies. Phlebography had been used for diagnosis in 48(76%), ultrasonography in 16(25%), and computer tomography (CT) in 9(14%) patients. Twenty-two patients (35%) were treated in hospital, and the remaining 41(65%) as out-patients. Sixty-two (98%) was treated with low molecular weight heparin (LMH), 60(95%) with oral anticoagulants (OAC), 3(5%) with unfractionated heparin, and 3(5%) with thrombolysis. VTE recurrence rate during median 62 (range 31-117) month of follow-up was 8/63(13%). Fifteen (24%) UEDVT patients died during follow-up; 9(47%) of the 19 patients with known malignancy at diagnosis and 6(14%) of the other patients. Yearly incidence of UEDVT was 3.6/100.000 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3 - 4.03).

CONCLUSION

Malignancies and the FVL mutation were common among patients with UEDVT. Mortality during follow-up vas high.

Prospective analysis of risk factors and distribution of venous thromboembolism in the population-based Malmö Thrombophilia Study (MATS)

BACKGROUND

Despite venous thromboembolism (VTE) being a major cause of morbidity and mortality, there is still limited information on its prevalence and incidence in the general population.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate risk factors, distribution and epidemiology of VTE in the Malmö area with 280,000 inhabitants.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with VTE at Malmö University Hospital in 1998-2006 were invited to a prospective population-based study. Blood sampling and a questionnaire study could be performed in 70% of patients. Remaining 30% were excluded due to language problems, dementia, other severe disease, or unwillingness to participate.

RESULTS

During 1998-2006 1140 VTE patients (559 men [49%, age 62+/-16 years] and 581 women [51%, age 61+/-20 years]) were included. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occurred in 882 (77%), pulmonary embolism (PE) in 330 (29%), and both DVT and PE in 72 (6%). The most common acquired risk factors among VTE patients were hormone therapy (24% of female DVT patients and 19% of female PE patients), immobilisation (17% of DVT patients and 18% of PE patients), previous surgery (13% of DVT patients and 19% of PE patients), and concomitant malignant disease (12% of DVT patients and 11% of PE patients). A positive family history for VTE was obtained from 25% of DVT patients and 22% of PE patients. Yearly incidences of VTE, DVT and PE in Malmö were 66, 51, and 19/100.000, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Hormone therapy, immobilisation, previous surgery and concomitant malignancy were the most common acquired risk factors among VTE patients in this population-based study. The VTE-incidence was lower than in earlier epidemiological studies.

Lipid-lowering therapy is related to inflammatory markers and 3-year mortality in patients with critical limb ischemia

To evaluate relationships between lipid-lowering therapy, inflammation, and 3-year mortality in critical limb ischemia (CLI), 259 consecutive CLI patients underwent evaluation of medication, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6), neopterin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha), and endothelin-1. Mortality was assessed after 3 years. Sixty-one patients (24%) were on lipid-lowering therapy and 59 patients (97%) on statins. Patients on lipid-lowering therapy were younger and showed lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hs-CRP, and IL-6 levels than patients without therapy. Three-year survival was higher among patients on lipid-lowering therapy. In logistic regression, the effect of lipid-lowering therapy on 3-year survival was significant with inflammatory markers entered into the model one by one but disappeared when all inflammatory markers were entered into the model together. In conclusion, hs-CRP and IL-6 levels were lower and 3-year survival was higher in CLI patients on lipid-lowering therapy.

Does supervised exercise after deep venous thrombosis improve recanalization of occluded vein segments? A randomized study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate weather early supervised exercise improves recanalization of acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and reduces symptoms.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From September 2001 to March 2004, of 381 patients, 72 eligible patients were included and with a mean age 54 +/- 14 years, 39 (52%) men with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) proven with phlebography were randomized to: an exercise group (n = 36) receiving routine anticoagulation, class II compression stockings and additionally supervised exercise and a control group (n = 36) receiving the same therapy but no exercise. Patients were followed-up during six months. Phlebography was scored initially and at six-months.

RESULTS

There were at inclusion no differences between the two groups regarding age, body weight, body mass index (BMI), calf circumference of the affected leg, and overall quality of life estimated by visual analog scale (VAS)-scale. In both groups there were significant reductions regarding calf circumference in the affected leg compared to the inclusion time, both at one-month (P = 0.0012) and six month (P = 0.0002) follow-up. The degree of recanalization of the affected venous segments was high and did not differ between groups. There were no recurrent DVT or pulmonary emboli or other treatment complications in any individual during the six-month follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Early exercise did not acutely exacerbate the risk of complications in patients with DVT. No benefits of early exercise were seen regarding the degree of recanalization of the thrombi, or faster resolution of pain or swelling. Nevertheless, our study shows that early exercise/ambulation is safe in combination with anticoagulation and compression stockings for the majority of patients with DVT.