New product: Exembol (argatroban) 1 mg/mL Solution for Infusion - Ready to Use

electronic Medicines compendium

This is a new additional presentation of argatroban (other formulation is multidose 100 mg/ml concentrate that needs to be diluted), which is licensed for anticoagulation in adult patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II who require parenteral antithrombotic therapy.

Pharmacogenomic Approach to Selecting Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes: The PHARMCLO Trial

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Study (n=888) which was prematurely stopped, suggests personalised approach to selecting antiplatelet may reduce ischaemic and bleeding events [primary endpoint occurred in 71 (15.9%) in pharmacogenomic and 114 (25.9%) in standard-of-care arm; HR 0.58;95% CI; 0.43-0.78;p <0.001].

Cerebral microbleeds and intracranial haemorrhage risk in patients anticoagulated for atrial fibrillation after acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (CROMIS-2): a multicentre observational cohort study

The Lancet Neurology

Study (n=1447) found that in patients with AF anticoagulated after recent ischaemic stroke /TIA, cerebral microbleed presence is linked to symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage risk (HR 3.67,95% CI 1.27–10.60 vs.absence microbleeds) and could help inform anticoagulation decisions.

Prevention of cardiovascular events in Asian patients with ischaemic stroke at high risk of cerebral haemorrhage (PICASSO): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial

The Lancet Neurology

RCT (n=1534 from 3 Asian countries) reported cilostazol was non-inferior to aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular events (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.57–1.11; non-inferiority p=0.0077); but did not reduce the risk of haemorrhagic stroke(HR 0.51, 97.5% CI 0.20–1.27).

Clopidogrel and Aspirin in Acute Ischemic Stroke and High-Risk TIA

New England Journal of Medicine

RCT (n=4,881) found that clopidogrel plus aspirin was associated with a lower risk of major ischaemic events vs aspirin alone at 90 days (5% vs 6.5%, HR 0.75, p=0.02) but an increased risk of major haemorrhage (0.9% vs 0.4%, 2.32, p=0.02).

MRI-Guided Thrombolysis for Stroke with Unknown Time of Onset

New England Journal of Medicine

RCT was stopped early owing to cessation of funding (n=503 from 800 anticipated). Favourable outcome (score of 0 or 1 on the modified Rankin scale of neurologic disability) was reported in 53.3% given altepase vs 41.8% for placebo (adjusted OR 1.61, p=0.02).

Rivaroxaban for Stroke Prevention after Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source

New England Journal of Medicine

RCT (n=7,213) was terminated early due to lack of benefit in stroke risk and worse bleeding outcomes for rivaroxaban vs aspirin (annualised major bleeding with rivaroxaban was 1.8% vs 0.7% for aspirin, HR 2.72, p<0.001).

Tranexamic acid for hyperacute primary IntraCerebral Haemorrhage (TICH-2): an international randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 superiority trial

The Lancet

RCT (n=2.325) found no difference in functional status at day 90 (primary outcome) for tranexamic acid vs placebo (adjusted OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.03), although there were fewer deaths by day 7 with tranexamic acid (9% vs 11% 0.73, 0.53 to 0.99).

Management of Bleeding in Patients Taking Oral Anticoagulants

Journal of the American Medical Association

This US decision pathway from the American College of Cardiology details management of patients who experience either life-threatening bleeding or major bleeding at a critical site. Ceasing the anticoagulant, supportive measures and reversal agents are the major strategies.

The above records have been identified by UKMi and feature in the NICE Medicines Awareness Service. Further details on this service can be found at:

http://www.evidence.nhs.uk/about-evidence-services/content-and-sources/medicines-information/new-medicines-awareness-services