Extended Anticoagulation for VTE: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Chest
Review of 16 studies (n=12,458) found DOACs linked to decrease in overall (risk ratio 0.48;95% CI;0.27-0.86;p=0.01) and VTE-related (0.36;0.15-0.89;p=0.03) mortality whereas VKAs were not. Both similarly prevented recurrent VTE but only VKAs linked to increased major bleeding risk.
Circulation
Secondary analysis of POINT (n=4,881) noted benefit of clopidogrel+aspirin occurs predominantly within first 21 days and outweighs low, but ongoing risk of major haemorrhage suggesting limiting use to 21 days may maximize benefit/reduce risk after TIA/minor ischaemic stroke.
American Society for Nutrition
RCT (n=49) found increasing dietary vitamin K intakes resulted in greater proportion patients with %TTR ˃70% over assessment period. (50 % who increased intake by ≥150 µd/day through specific food choices met criteria vs. 19% control [general dietary information] group; p=0.026.
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
Review of 21 studies reports patients appear to prefer treatment with DOACs vs warfarin, as shown by the higher quality of life, satisfaction and adherence described in the studies. However, heterogeneity in the analysed studies does not allow firm conclusions.
European Heart Journal
In this post hoc analysis (n=5022), rivaroxaban significantly reduced the primary neurological endpoint of all-cause stroke or TIA compared with placebo by 32% (2.4% vs. 3.5%; 1.29 events vs. 1.90 events per 100 patient-years; HR 0.68; P = 0.02).
Journal of the American Medical Association
This RCT (n=2974) reports 1-month DAPT was both noninferior and superior to 12-month DAPT for the primary end point, occurring in 2.36% with 1-month DAPT v 3.70% with 12-month DAPT (difference −1.34%; HR 0.64, meeting criteria for noninferiority (P<0.001) and superiority (P=0.04).
Journal of the American Medical Association
In this RCT (n=2912) P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after 3-month duration of DAPT resulted in a noninferior rate of major cardiovascular events (all-cause death, MI, and stroke) vs prolonged DAPT at 12 months (2.9% vs 2.5%; difference 0.4%; P=0.007 for non-inferiority).
Revised SPC: Xarelto (rivaroxaban) film-coated tablets
electronic Medicines compendium
The SPC has been updated in line with PRAC recommendations to advise DOACs, including rivaroxaban, are not recommended for patients with a history of thrombosis who are diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome, in particular for patients that are triple positive.
Coagulation Testing in Patients Taking Direct Oral Anticoagulants: A Teachable Moment
JAMA Internal Medicine
This Teachable Moment examines the case of a man taking a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) who received a high INR test result during a visit to the emergency department, and highlights that INR is an unreliable measure of therapeutic anticoagulation in patients taking DOACs.
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