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European Journal of Clinical... Mar 2021Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recommended for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or for treatment of deep vein thrombosis, although... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recommended for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or for treatment of deep vein thrombosis, although some concerns about safety and efficacy were raised on the use of these drugs in patients with advanced liver disease (ALD). We want to investigate the association of DOACs use with the bleeding and ischaemic risk.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We performed a systematic review and metanalysis of clinical studies retrieved from PubMed (via MEDLINE) and Cochrane (CENTRAL) databases addressing the impact of DOACs therapy on bleeding events including intracranial haemorrhage (ICH), gastrointestinal and major bleeding. Secondary end points were all-cause death, ischaemic stroke/systemic embolism (IS/SE) and recurrence/progression of vein thrombosis (rDVT).
RESULTS
12 studies were included in the meta-analysis: a total of 43 532 patients with ALD or cirrhosis, of whom 27 574 (63.3%) were on treatment with DOACs and 15 958 were in warfarin/low molecular weight heparin. DOACs reduced the incidence of major bleeding by 61% (pooled Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.39, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.21-0.70), ICH by 52% (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.40-0.59), while no difference in the reduction of any and gastrointestinal bleeding were observed. DOACs reduced also rDVT by 82% (HR 0.18, 95%CI 0.06-0.57), but did not reduce death and IS/SE. No difference was shown according to oesophageal varices and Child Pugh score in the meta-regression analysis between warfarin/heparin and DOACs performed on each outcome.
CONCLUSIONS
DOACs are associated with a lower incidence of bleeding and may be an attractive therapeutic option in patients with cirrhosis.
Topics: Atrial Fibrillation; Embolism; End Stage Liver Disease; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hemorrhage; Humans; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Ischemic Stroke; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Diseases; Proportional Hazards Models; Severity of Illness Index; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 32895926
DOI: 10.1111/eci.13397 -
Internal and Emergency Medicine Mar 2023Atrial fibrillation (AF) and cancer are frequently coexisting in elderly patients. Pooled metanalytic data on the impact of cancer on clinical outcomes in AF patients... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Atrial fibrillation (AF) and cancer are frequently coexisting in elderly patients. Pooled metanalytic data on the impact of cancer on clinical outcomes in AF patients are lacking. We performed a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of clinical studies retrieved from Medline (PubMed) and Cochrane (CENTRAL) databases according to PRISMA guidelines. Bleeding endpoints included any, major, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). Cardiovascular (CV) endpoints included myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (IS/SE), CV and all-cause death. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022315678. We included 15 studies with 2,868,010 AF patients, of whom 479,571 (16.7%) had cancer. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for cancer was 1.43 (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.42-1.44) for any bleeding, 1.27 (95% CI 1.26-1.29) for major bleeding, 1.17 (95% CI 1.14-1.19) for GI bleeding, and 1.07 (95% CI 1.04-1.11) for ICH. The risk of major bleeding increased with the proportion of breast cancer. Cancer increased the risk of all-cause death (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.99-2.02) whereas no association with MI and CV death was found. Patients with AF and cancer were less likely to suffer from IS/SE (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.89-0.94). Cancer complicates the clinical history of AF patients, mainly increasing the risk of bleeding. Further analyses according to the type and stage of cancer are necessary to better stratify bleeding risk in these patients.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Atrial Fibrillation; Stroke; Hemorrhage; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Myocardial Infarction; Embolism; Thrombosis; Neoplasms; Anticoagulants
PubMed: 36480081
DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03156-w -
Circulation. Genomic and Precision... Jun 2023A polygenic risk score (PRS) is derived from a genome-wide association study and represents an aggregate of thousands of single-nucleotide polymorphisms that provide a... (Review)
Review
A polygenic risk score (PRS) is derived from a genome-wide association study and represents an aggregate of thousands of single-nucleotide polymorphisms that provide a baseline estimate of an individual's genetic risk for a specific disease or trait at birth. However, it remains unclear how PRSs can be used in clinical practice. We provide an overview of the PRSs related to cardiometabolic disease and discuss the evidence supporting their clinical applications and limitations. The Preferred Reporting Items For Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews protocol was used to conduct a scoping review of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases. Across the 4863 studies screened, 82 articles met the inclusion criteria. The most common PRS related to coronary artery disease, followed by hypertension and cerebrovascular disease. Limited ancestral diversity was observed in the study sample populations. Most studies included only individuals of European ancestry. The predictive performance of most PRSs was similar to or superior to traditional risk factors. More than half of the included studies reported an integrated risk model combining a derived PRS and clinical risk tools such as the Framingham Risk Score and Pooled Cohort Equations. The inclusion of a PRS into a clinical risk model tended to improve predictive accuracy consistently. This scoping review is the first of its kind and reports strong evidence for the clinical utility of PRSs in coronary artery disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, and atrial fibrillation. However, most PRSs are generated in cohorts of European ancestry, which likely contributes to a lack of PRS transferability across different ancestral groups. Future prospective studies should focus on further establishing the clinical utility of PRSs and ensuring diversity is incorporated into genome-wide association study cohorts.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Coronary Artery Disease; Genome-Wide Association Study; Prospective Studies; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Risk Factors; Hypertension
PubMed: 37035923
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCGEN.122.003834 -
Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis Nov 2017Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common, potentially fatal thrombotic disease. Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia, may also lead to thromboembolic... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common, potentially fatal thrombotic disease. Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia, may also lead to thromboembolic complications. Although initially appearing as distinct entities, PE and AF may coexist. The direction and extent of this association has not been well characterized. We performed a search of PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for publications that reported coexisting AF in patients with PE, or vice versa, to provide a systematic overview of pathophysiological and epidemiological aspects of this association (last search: October 13, 2016). We screened 650 articles following the PubMed search, and 697 through Scopus. PE and AF share many common risk factors, including old age, obesity, heart failure, and inflammatory states. In addition, PE may lead to AF through right-sided pressure overload or inflammatory cytokines. AF, in turn, might lead to right atrial appendage clot formation and thereby PE. Epidemiological studies indicate that AF can be seen as a presenting sign, during the early phase, or later in the course of recovery from PE. Patients with AF are also at increased risk of developing PE, a risk that correlates with the CHADS-VASc score. For the choice of antithrombotic therapy, PE-related factors (provoked or unproved, active cancer, and prior recurrence) and AF-related factors (CHADS-VASc score), risk of bleeding, and patient preferences should be considered. In conclusion, PE and AF may coexist, with an understudied bidirectional association. Prognostication and choice of antithrombotic therapy in patients with both PE and AF might be different compared with those who present with only one of the two and warrants further investigation.
Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Atrial Fibrillation; Cytokines; Fibrinolytic Agents; Heart Failure; Humans; Inflammation; Obesity; Pulmonary Embolism; Risk Factors
PubMed: 28196379
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1598005 -
International Journal of Cardiology Jan 2023Atrial high-rate episode (AHRE) and stroke are related; however, the magnitude of the correlations between different AHRE burdens and stroke remains unknown. We analysed... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Atrial high-rate episode (AHRE) and stroke are related; however, the magnitude of the correlations between different AHRE burdens and stroke remains unknown. We analysed studies that evaluated this relationship.
METHODS
We searched for observational controlled studies that reported the associations of different AHRE burdens with stroke in populations with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). The primary endpoint was stroke or thrombosis during follow-up. We performed subgroup analyses according to the classification criteria and research design of the included studies.
RESULTS
Of the 5985 studies identified, 9 met the eligibility criteria and included 42,958 patients. Patients with low and high AHRE burdens had a 1.2-fold risk of stroke (no heterogeneity) and a 2.52-fold risk of stroke (moderate heterogeneity), respectively. After excluding studies analysing the atrial fibrillation history, no significant difference in progressive stroke risk was observed for patients with a low AHRE burden (without significant heterogeneity). An increased likelihood of stroke was observed for patients with a high AHRE burden (decreased heterogeneity). Four of the nine studies classified high and low AHRE burdens using the longest AHRE time. Five studies classified high and low AHRE burdens based on the median of the total AHRE time as the cutoff value. Low and high AHRE burdens were more closely related to stroke when classified by the total AHRE duration than when classified by the single longest AHRE duration.
CONCLUSIONS
For populations with CIEDs without an atrial fibrillation history, a high AHRE burden was significantly associated with stroke.
Topics: Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Heart Atria; Stroke; Risk Factors; Defibrillators, Implantable
PubMed: 36243183
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.09.046 -
The American Journal of Cardiology May 2024Left atrial or left atrial appendage thrombosis (LAT) is contraindicated for cardiac ablation (CA) or cardioversion (CV) of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study was... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Atrial Thrombosis Prevalence Before Cardioversion or Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Vitamin K Antagonists.
Left atrial or left atrial appendage thrombosis (LAT) is contraindicated for cardiac ablation (CA) or cardioversion (CV) of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study was aimed to compare the frequency of LAT detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before CA or CV in patients with AF treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochran Library databases from inception through July 13, 2023 to select studies reporting data on LAT identification before CA or CV using TEE in patients with AF treated with DOACs or VKAs. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval were calculated with a random-effects model. Studies retrieved were 50 (38 observational), 29 on CA, 15 on CV, and 6 on both procedures (17,096 patients on DOACs and 13,666 on VKAs). The overall prevalence of LAT was smaller in DOACs than in VKAs, with an OR of 0.66 (0.52 to 0.84), confirmed at sensitivity analysis and in most subgroups. This finding was consistent for the 3 most reported DOACs: the pooled OR for LAT was 0.68 (0.50 to 0.90) in apixaban, 0.67 (0.51 to 0.88) in dabigatran, 0.61 (0.43 to 0.89) in rivaroxaban, and 1.10 (0.74 to 1.64) in edoxaban (not significant). In conclusion, in this large meta-analysis in patients with AF, the prevalence of LAT by TEE evaluation performed before CV or CA appears lower in those treated with DOACs than in those on VKAs. Additional research may help in better understanding differences between these classes of anticoagulant drugs in the setting of protection against AF-related left atrial thrombotic formation.
Topics: Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Electric Countershock; Prevalence; Anticoagulants; Thrombosis; Heart Diseases; Catheter Ablation; Vitamin K; Administration, Oral; Stroke
PubMed: 38458580
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2024.02.042 -
Chest Sep 2017Femoral venous access for catheter introduction represents the cornerstone of electrophysiology (EP) procedures. Limited data are available regarding postprocedure VTE.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Femoral venous access for catheter introduction represents the cornerstone of electrophysiology (EP) procedures. Limited data are available regarding postprocedure VTE. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the incidence of DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE) associated with femoral vein catheterization during EP procedures.
METHODS
An electronic search was conducted for studies documenting the incidence of DVT and PE after EP procedures. Studies were classified as atrial fibrillation (AF) or non-AF ablation procedures.
RESULTS
Two thousand eight-hundred sixty-four studies were evaluated, 16 of which were included in the analysis. The incidence of DVT after AF and non-AF ablations reached as high as 0.33% and 2.38%, respectively, with a pooled incidence of 0% (95% CI, 0%-0.0003%) and 0.24% (95% CI, 0.08%-0.39%), respectively. The incidence of PE was 0.29% after AF ablation and ranged from 0% to 1.67% for non-AF procedures; the pooled incidence after non-AF ablations was 0.12% (95% CI, 0%-0.25%). Asymptomatic DVT was documented in up to 21.2% of patients. Hematomas occurred in 1.05% of AF ablations (95% CI, 0.30%-1.8%) and 0.3% of non-AF ablations (95% CI, 0.09%-0.51%).
CONCLUSIONS
A lower incidence of symptomatic DVT and PE was observed after AF ablations as opposed to non-AF ablations, likely due to the use of routine periprocedural anticoagulation. Asymptomatic DVTs appear to be common, although their significance is unclear. Future studies are required to weigh the risk of hematoma against the risk of VTE associated with the use of prophylactic anticoagulation after non-AF ablation procedures.
Topics: Atrial Fibrillation; Catheter Ablation; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; Femoral Vein; Humans; Incidence; Postoperative Complications; Pulmonary Embolism; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 28642107
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2017.05.040 -
PloS One 2017Plasma fibrin d-dimer has been taken as a marker for thrombus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between d-dimer (DD) levels and left atrial... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Plasma fibrin d-dimer has been taken as a marker for thrombus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between d-dimer (DD) levels and left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (SEC)/left atrial thrombus (LAT).
METHODS
We identified clinical studies by systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases up to Feb 2016. All observational studies that considered DD as a study factor and trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) identified SEC/LAT as an outcome were included. Two reviewers independently selected the studies and extracted the data.
RESULTS
Of the 21 included studies, 16 studies (2652 patients) have compared the mean DD differences between patients with and without an evidence of the presence of SEC/LAT, 9 studies (1667 patients) have estimated the diagnostic value of DD in the presence of LAT, and 11 studies (1856 patients) have available information to calculate a ratio of the presence of LAT among individuals in the top and the bottom third of DD levels. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) of DD between patients with and without left atrial SEC and/or LAT was 1.29 [95%CI: 0.51, 2.08], with SMDs of 0.42 [95% CI: 0.08, 0.77] and 2.34 [95% CI: 1.01, 3.68] in SEC/LAT and LAT subgroups, respectively. The combined risk ratio of the presence of LAT among individuals between the top of the distribution of DD levels and that in the bottom third was 3.84 [95% CI: 2.35, 6.28], associating with a mean difference of 0.78 ug/ml (1.10 vs 0.32 ug/ml). The pooled sensitivity, specificity and positive likelihood ratio of DD for LAT were 0.75 [95% CI: 0.65, 0.83], 0.81 [95% CI: 0.59, 0.93] and 4.0 [95% CI: 1.7, 9.9], respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
High plasma fibrin DD was associated with left atrial SEC/LAT, particularly among patients with LAT. DD levels have moderate sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing LAT.
Topics: Atrial Fibrillation; Biomarkers; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Humans; Risk Factors; Thrombosis
PubMed: 28207839
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172272 -
JAMA May 2015Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increase in mortality and morbidity, with a substantial increase in stroke and systemic thromboembolism. Strokes related... (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increase in mortality and morbidity, with a substantial increase in stroke and systemic thromboembolism. Strokes related to AF are associated with higher mortality, greater disability, longer hospital stays, and lower chance of being discharged home than strokes unrelated to AF.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of current concepts and recent developments in stroke prevention in AF, with suggestions for practical management.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
A comprehensive structured literature search was performed using MEDLINE for studies published through March 11, 2015, that reported on AF and stroke, bleeding risk factors, and stroke prevention.
FINDINGS
The risk of stroke in AF is reduced by anticoagulant therapy. Thromboprophylaxis can be obtained with vitamin K antagonists (VKA, eg, warfarin) or a non-VKA oral anticoagulant (NOAC). Major guidelines emphasize the important role of oral anticoagulation (OAC) for effective stroke prevention in AF. Initially, clinicians should identify low-risk AF patients who do not require antithrombotic therapy (ie, CHA2DS2-VASc score, 0 for men; 1 for women). Subsequently, patients with at least 1 stroke risk factor (except when the only risk is being a woman) should be offered OAC. A patient's individual risk of bleeding from antithrombotic therapy should be assessed, and modifiable risk factors for bleeding should be addressed (blood pressure control, discontinuing unnecessary medications such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The international normalized ratio should be tightly controlled for patients receiving VKAs.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Stroke prevention is central to the management of AF, irrespective of a rate or rhythm control strategy. Following the initial focus on identifying low-risk patients, all others with 1 or more stroke risk factors should be offered OAC.
Topics: Acute Coronary Syndrome; Administration, Oral; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Female; Humans; Male; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Risk Factors; Stroke; Warfarin
PubMed: 25988464
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2015.4369 -
Thrombosis Research Jan 2024Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) provides an alternative for poor candidates of long-term oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy; however, anticoagulant therapy after... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) provides an alternative for poor candidates of long-term oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy; however, anticoagulant therapy after surgical procedures has limited use due to associated uncertainties. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the short-term use of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) and warfarin after LAAO.
METHOD
Electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to November 11, 2022. Our study compared DOAC therapy and warfarin in patients after LAAO. A meta-analysis was conducted with the Review Manager software (version 5.4).
RESULTS
The meta-analysis included 13 cohort studies with a total of 32,607 patients. Our findings indicated that the incidence of stroke/TIA/SE, peri-device leaks>5 mm, device-related thrombosis, and all-cause mortality were not significantly different between the two groups after LAAO (P > 0.05). The DOAC group had a significantly lower incidence of major bleeding (OR = 0.83, 95 % CI: 0.74-0.94, P = 0.003), any bleeding (OR = 0.34, 95 % CI: 0.23-0.51, P < 0.001), stroke/TIA/SE and major bleeding (OR = 0.57, 95 % CI: 0.34-0.95, P = 0.03), and any major adverse event (OR = 0.89, 95 % CI:0.82-0.97, P = 0.010) than the warfarin group. The subgroup analysis revealed that the rate of stroke/TIA/SE was similar in the two groups in terms of the different regions, follow-up time, study type, anticoagulant strategy, and bleeding risk. The incidence of major bleeding in the DOAC group was significantly lower than that in the warfarin group in North America, as well as at follow-up period ≤6 months, retrospective cohort, HAS-BLED average score ≥ 3. In addition, the risk of major bleeding was higher with the combination of OAC and single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) than with OAC alone. Finally, in the North American region, retrospective cohort, and HAS-BLED average score ≥ 3, the incidence of any serious adverse event in the DOAC group was still significantly lower than that in the warfarin group.
CONCLUSION
Compared to warfarin, DOAC reduced the risk of major bleeding and any serious adverse event in patients after LAAO. This advantage was particularly notable in North America and high-risk populations for bleeding. In addition, the incidence of device-related thrombosis, peri-device leaks, stroke/TIA/SE and all-cause mortality were similar in both groups. The risk of major bleeding was lower in patients taking OAC alone compared with those taking OAC plus SAPT, without increasing the risk of thrombosis.
Topics: Humans; Anticoagulants; Warfarin; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Atrial Appendage; Retrospective Studies; Atrial Fibrillation; Treatment Outcome; Stroke; Hemorrhage; Thrombosis
PubMed: 38035647
DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2023.10.021