Meta-Analysis of Physiology-Guided Complete or Culprit Lesion-Only Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in Myocardial Infarction.

Whether physiology-guided complete revascularization of nonculprit lesions is superior to culprit lesion-only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and multivessel disease remains debated. Online databases were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing physiology-guided complete revascularization and culprit lesion-only PCI in patients with MI. The outcomes of interest were all-cause death, cardiovascular (CV) death, repeat revascularization, MI, stent thrombosis, and contrast-associated nephropathy/acute kidney injury. Pooled odds ratios, along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. A total of 4,849 patients (n = 2,288 physiology-guided complete revascularization, n = 2,561 culprit lesion-only PCI) were included. The mean age was 66 years and 76% were men. At a mean follow-up of 2.5 years, physiology-guided complete revascularization was associated with significant reductions in CV death (odds ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.97, p = 0.03) and repeat revascularizations (0.50, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.66, p <0.00001) compared with culprit lesion-only PCI. There were no differences between the 2 approaches in all-cause death (0.91, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.19, p = 0.50), MI (0.85, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.21, p = 0.36), stent thrombosis (1.24, 95% CI 0.58 to 2.69, p = 0.58), and contrast-associated nephropathy/acute kidney injury (1.07, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.31, p = 0.50). In conclusion, among patients with MI and multivessel disease, physiology-guided complete revascularization was associated with significant reductions in CV death and revascularizations compared with culprit lesion-only PCI.

New interest in fibrinogen as an ischemic risk factor.

Platelet-fibrin clot formation is a key process in acute arterial thrombosis. The relationship between thrombin-induced platelet-fibrin clot strength (P-FCS) and fibrinogen levels in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and COVID-19 has not been studied. In thhe current study, the contribution of fibrinogen to P-FCS has been explored in healthy subjects (n=157), patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (n=116), and patients with CVD (n=93) using thrombelastography (TEG 6s) with citrate cartridge. We found that thrombin-induced P-FCS, fibrin clot strength (F-CS) and fibrinogen levels (FLEV) were higher among patients with CVD and COVID-19 compared to HS (p<0,05 for all) and highest among patients with COVID-19. P-FCS, an established risk factor for post-PCI ischemic event occurrences, was associated with both F-CS and FLEV (R2=0.67, p<0.001 for both comparisons. These data indicate that fibrinogen levels strongly influence the viscoelastic strength of the platelet-fibrin clot, fibrinogen may be an important driving factor for arterial thrombosis in the presence of potent platelet inhibition and may be as equally important a risk factor as high platelet reactivity. Since P-FCS is significantly associated with fibrinogen levels, the role of fibrinogen as a risk factor for arterial ischemic event occurrences should be further studied to improve antithrombotic therapy personalization.

Can CYP2C19 genotyping improve antiplatelet therapy efficacy in real-life practice? Recent advances.

Clopidogrel remains the most widely used P2Y12 receptor inhibitor worldwide and is often used in combination with aspirin for secondary prevention in patients with arterial disease. The drug is associated with a wide response variability with one on three patients exhibiting little or no inhibition of adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation. It is a prodrug that is mainly metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19. Patients who carry a CYP2C19 loss-of-function (LoF) allele have reduced metabolism of clopidogrel that is associated with reduced platelet inhibition compared to non-carriers that is associated with increased risk for thrombotic event occurrences, particularly, stent thrombosis. The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) issued a black box warning in the clopidogrel label highlighting the importance of presence of CYP2C19 LOF allele during the insufficient metabolism of clopidogrel and availability of other potent P2Y12 inhibitor for the treatment in CYP2C19 poor metabolizers. Clinical trials have conclusively demonstrated greater anti-ischemic benefits of prasugrel/ticagrelor in the treatment of patients carrying the CYP2C19 LoF allele. However, uniform use of these more potent P2Y12 inhibitors has been associated with greater bleeding and cost, and lower adherence. The latter information provides a strong rationale for personalizing P2Y12 inhibitor therapy based on the laboratory determination of CYP2C19 genotype. However, cardiologists have been slow to take up pharmacogenetic testing possibly due to lack of provider and patient education, clear cardiology guidelines and, and lack of positive results from adequately sized randomized clinical trials. However, current evidence strongly supports genotyping of patients who are candidates for clopidogrel. Physicians should strongly consider performing genetic tests to identify LoF carriers and treat these patients with more pharmacodynamically predictable P2Y12 inhibitors than clopidogrel.

The COVID-19 thrombus: distinguishing pathological, mechanistic, and phenotypic features and management.

A heightened risk for thrombosis is a hallmark of COVID-19. Expansive clinical experience and medical literature have characterized small (micro) and large (macro) vessel involvement of the venous and arterial circulatory systems. Most events occur in patients with serious or critical illness in the hyperacute (first 1-2 weeks) or acute phases (2-4 weeks) of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, thrombosis involving the venous, arterial, and microcirculatory systems has been reported in the subacute (4-8 weeks), convalescent (> 8-12 weeks) and chronic phases (> 12 weeks) among patients with mild-to-moderate illness. The purpose of the current focused review is to highlight the distinguishing clinical features, pathological components, and potential mechanisms of venous, arterial, and microvascular thrombosis in patients with COVID-19. The overarching objective is to better understand the proclivity for thrombosis, laying a solid foundation for screening and surveillance modalities, preventive strategies, and optimal patient management.

Milvexian: evaluating the factor XIa inhibitor for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Balancing the prevention of thrombosis with bleeding risk when combining anticoagulants and platelet antagonists remains a concern among clinicians, particularly in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who are treated with potent antiplatelet therapy. This may be because the available antiplatelet and anticoagulants are unable to uncouple physiological hemostasis and pathological thrombosis. Therefore, their use is associated with an unavoidable elevated risk of bleeding. AREAS COVERED: Evidence available from studies evaluating FXIa inhibitors and milvexian was collected from a selective literature search. In this review, the authors describe the potential role of FXI/XIa in experimental thrombosis, evidence for FXIa inhibition in the treatment of clinical thrombotic events, and highlight the current evidence supporting the role of milvexian, a novel FXIa inhibitor, in patients with ACS. EXPERT OPINION: The ongoing LIBREXIA-ACS trial is a large-scale study currently investigating milvexian in patients with ACS. This study may support the proof of concept of differentiating physiological hemostasis and pathological thrombosis and achieving maximum antithrombotic efficacy with minimum bleeding risk when used on top of dual antiplatelet therapy with potent P2Y12 receptor blockers.

Long-term prognostic implications of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objective: The long-term clinical effect of arterial stiffness in high-risk disease entities remains unclear. The prognostic implications of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were assessed using a real-world registry that included patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Arterial stiffness was measured using baPWV before discharge. The primary outcome was net adverse clinical events (NACE), defined as a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke), and major bleeding. The outcomes were assessed over a 4-year period. Results: Patients (n = 3,930) were stratified into high- and low-baPWV groups based on a baPWV cut-off of 1891 cm/s determined through time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. baPWV was linearly correlated with 4-year post-PCI clinical events. The high baPWV group had a greater cumulative incidence of NACE, MACCE, and major bleeding. According to multivariable analysis, the high baPWV groups had a significantly greater risk of 4-year NACE (adjusted hazard ratio [HRadj]: 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.85; p = 0.004), MACCE (HRadj: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.07-1.83; p = 0.015), and major bleeding (HRadj: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.15-3.25; p = 0.012). Conclusion: In PCI-treated patients, baPWV was significantly associated with long-term clinical outcomes, including ischemic and bleeding events, indicating its value for identifying high-risk phenotypes.

P2Y12 Inhibitor Monotherapy After Short-Term Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Recent studies have shown similar safety and efficacy of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) followed by P2Y12 inhibitor (P2Y12i) monotherapy when compared with standard DAPT. However, the optimal DAPT duration and regimen in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention is still unclear. Online databases were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating P2Y12i monotherapy after short DAPT (≤3 months) versus standard DAPT (≥12 months) in ACS patients. The outcomes of interest were all-cause death, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, target-vessel revascularization, and major bleeding. Random-effects model was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Six randomized controlled trials with a total of 23,884 patients (n = 11,904 P2Y12i monotherapy, n = 11,980 standard DAPT) were included. Compared with standard DAPT, P2Y12i monotherapy after short DAPT was associated with similar odds of all-cause death (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.12, p = 0.26) and cardiovascular death (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.29, p = 0.29) at 1 year. Similarly, there were no significant differences in rates of myocardial infarction (OR 1.09, 0.83 to 1.43, p = 0.53), stent thrombosis (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.67, p = 0.70) and target-vessel revascularization (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.01, p = 0.07) between the P2Y12i monotherapy and standard DAPT arms. The P2Y12i monotherapy group had significantly lower major bleeding (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.64, p < 0.001) when compared with standard DAPT. In conclusion, in patients with ACS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, P2Y12i monotherapy after short DAPT significantly reduces bleeding without increasing ischemic risk when compared with standard DAPT therapy.

Platelet-fibrin clot strength and platelet reactivity predicting cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Platelet-fibrin clot strength (PFCS) is linked to major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) risk. However, the association between PFCS and platelet reactivity and their prognostic implication remains uncertain in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: In PCI-treated patients (n = 2512) from registry data from January 2010 to November 2018 in South Korea, PFCS using thromboelastography and platelet reactivity using VerifyNow were measured. High PFCS (PFCSHigh) was defined as thromboelastography maximal amplitude ≥ 68 mm, and high platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined as >208 P2Y12 reaction units. Patients were stratified into four groups according to maximal amplitude and P2Y12 reaction unit levels: (i) normal platelet reactivity (NPR)-PFCSNormal (31.8%), (ii) HPR-PFCSNormal (29.0%), (iii) NPR-PFCSHigh (18.1%), and (iv) HPR-PFCSHigh (21.1%). Major adverse cardiovascular event (all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) and major bleeding were followed up to 4 years. RESULTS: High platelet reactivity and PFCSHigh showed an additive effect for clinical outcomes (log-rank test, P < .001). Individuals with NPR-PFCSNormal, NPR-PFCSHigh, HPR-PFCSNormal, and HPR-PFCSHigh demonstrated MACE incidences of 7.5%, 12.6%, 13.4%, and 19.3%, respectively. The HPR-PFCSHigh group showed significantly higher risks of MACE compared with the NPR-PFCSNormal group [adjusted hazard ratio (HRadj) 1.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-2.91; P = .004] and the HPR-PFCSNormal group (HRadj 1.60; 95% CI 1.12-2.27; P = .009). Similar results were observed for all-cause death. Compared with HPR-PFCSNormal phenotype, NPR-PFCSNormal phenotype was associated with a higher risk of major bleeding (HRadj 3.12; 95% CI 1.30-7.69; P = .010). CONCLUSIONS: In PCI patients, PFCS and platelet reactivity demonstrated important relationships in predicting clinical prognosis. Their combined assessment may enhance post-PCI risk stratification for personalized antithrombotic therapy.

Cardiovascular Outcomes With Empagliflozin and Dapagliflozin in Patients Without Diabetes.

Although the cardiovascular (CV) benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are well known, their effects in patients without DM continue to be explored. We provide a meta-analysis of the available evidence. Online databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing SGLT2i to placebo/control in patients without DM. The end points of interest were composite CV death/hospitalization for heart failure (HF) with individual components, all-cause death, major adverse CV events, and serious adverse events. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the type of SGLT2i. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were generated through a random-effects model. A total of 6 RCTs with 12,984 patients (6,501 in the SGLT2i group and 6,483 in the placebo group) were included, followed over a mean duration of 17.7 months. Four RCTs had patients with HF, 1 with chronic kidney disease, and 1 with myocardial infarction. The mean age was 64 years, 72% of patients were men and mean hemoglobin A1C was 5.7%. As compared with a placebo, SGLT2i treatment was associated with significant reduction in composite CV death or hospitalization for HF (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.87, p <0.0001), primarily because of a decrease in hospitalization for HF (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.81, p <0.00001). No significant differences were found pertaining to CV death (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.01, p = 0.06), all-cause death (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.11, p = 0.29) and major adverse CV events (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.32, p = 0.75). Serious adverse events were lower with use of empagliflozin vs placebo. In conclusion, this study shows significant CV benefits in terms of reduction in CV death or hospitalization for HF in patients without DM treated with SGLT2i as compared with placebo. The underlying heterogeneity of patients in terms of co-morbidities (HF, chronic kidney disease, or myocardial infarction) needs to be considered while interpreting the results.

Development of a routine bedside CYP2C19 genotype assessment program for antiplatelet therapy guidance in a community hospital catheterization laboratory.

Genotype based personalized antiplatelet therapy in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been studied in clinical trials. Despite the demonstrated risk associated with CYP2C19 loss-of-function (LoF) carriage in clopidogrel-treated PCI patients, real-world implementation of genotyping for PCI has been low. The goal of the current study was to provide CYP2C19 genotype information to the interventionalist prior to the completion of the catheterization to facilitate immediate personalized antiplatelet therapy. Routine personalization of P2Y12 inhibitor therapy for PCI in a community hospital cardiac catheterization laboratory by POC genotyping with the SpartanRx system was first offered in February 2017. A best practice advisory (BPA) based on the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium Guideline for CYP2C19 genotype and clopidogrel therapy was placed in the electronic health record prescription medication ordering system. By December 2019, 1,052 patients had CYP2C19 genotype testing, 429 patients underwent PCI with genotype guided antiplatelet therapy, and 250 patients underwent PCI without genotype testing and received antiplatelet therapy at the discretion of the treating physician. BPA compliance was 93. 87% of LoF allele carriers were prescribed ticagrelor or prasugrel whereas 96% of non-LoF allele carriers were prescribed clopidogrel. The genotyping results were available within 1 h and made immediately available for decision making by the interventional cardiologist. POC CYP2C19 genotyping is feasible in a community hospital catheterization laboratory and is associated with high rate of best practice compliance.Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03040622.

Safety and efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on cardiovascular events in overweight or obese non-diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown variable cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in overweight or obese patients without diabetes mellitus (DM) who are treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) vs. placebo. We conducted a meta-analysis of the available studies. METHODS: Online databases were searched for RCTs comparing GLP-1 RA to placebo in overweight or obese non-diabetic patients. The clinical endpoints of interest were major adverse CV events (MACE), CV death, all cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, revascularization, total adverse events and their subtypes. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 10 RCTs with 29,325 patients (n = 16,900 GLP-1 RA, n = 12,425 placebo) were included. The mean age was 48 years and 34 % of patients were men. As compared with placebo, the GLP-1 RA group was associated with significant reduction of MACE (OR 0.79, 95 % CI 0.71-0.89, p < 0.0001), all cause death (OR 0.80, 95 % CI 0.70-0.92, p = 0.002), MI (OR 0.72, 95 % CI 0.61-0.85, p = 0.0001) and revascularization (OR 0.76, 95 % CI 0.67-0.86, p < 0.0001), without any differences in CV death or stroke. Total adverse events, gastrointestinal and gallbladder-related disorders were higher in the GLP-1 RA group, with a similar rate of renal adverse events, malignant neoplasms and acute pancreatitis to placebo. CONCLUSION: In overweight or obese patients without DM, patients treated with GLP-1 RAs had significantly reduced MACE, all cause death, MI and revascularization when compared with placebo.

Utility of VerifyNow to assess the immediate pharmacodynamic response of chewed and swallowed aspirin: comparison with aggregometry.

VerifyNow (VN) test is a less laborious method to assess pharmacodynamics (PD) compared to light transmittance aggregometry (LTA). VN assay has not been used to study the immediate PD effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Ten healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to a single 162 or 650 mg dose of chewed and swallowed ASA. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic measurements were performed at baseline and serially up to 60 min after ASA administration. Onset by VN was 20 ± 7 min with 162 mg and 13 ± 7 min with 650 mg ASA (p = .07). Onset by 1 mM AA-induced PA was 13 ± 12 min with 162 mg and 7 ± 3 min with 650 mg ASA (p=NS). VN correlated with AA-induced PA (r = 0.80, p < .001) and serum TxB2 levels (r = 0.76, p < .001). 95% inhibition of serum TxB2 was achieved at 38 ± 22 min and 22 ± 8 min with the 162 and 650 mg ASA, respectively (p = .08). The onset and extent of the antiplatelet effect of 650 mg ASA is numerically faster and greater than the 162 mg dose. VN identifies the onset, extent, and dose response to ASA therapy. The ease of using VN should facilitate multicenter PD investigations of ASA.

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is an important drug widely used to prevent adverse ischemic events in patients with cardiovascular disease. Platelet aggregation and thromboxane B₂ levels in blood samples by complex laboratory methods are used to assess platelet response to aspirin. VerifyNow assay is a simple laboratory test that has not been used to assess the immediate effect of aspirin. In this study, conducted in 10 healthy volunteers, we compared the immediate platelet response to aspirin by serially assessing platelet aggregation by aggregometry and VerifyNow assay, and thromboxane B₂ levels. We also measured plasma levels of acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid. Our study demonstrated that the VerifyNow Aspirin test identifies the onset, extent, and dose-response to aspirin therapy. The ease of using the VerifyNow test should facilitate multicenter pharmacodynamic investigations of aspirin.

Meta-analysis of immediate complete vs staged complete revascularization in patients with acute coronary syndrome and multivessel disease.

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown varying results between immediate and staged complete percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and multivessel disease (MVD). We conducted a meta-analysis to reconcile the findings. METHODS: Online databases were searched for RCTs comparing immediate vs staged complete PCI in patients presenting with ACS. The outcomes of interest were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), cardiovascular death, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization (TVR), cerebrovascular events, bleeding and acute kidney injury (AKI)/contrast induced nephropathy (CIN). Risk ratios (RR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Nine RCTs with a total of 3637 patients - 1821 in the immediate PCI group and 1816 in the staged PCI group, were included. The mean age was 64 years, 78 % of patients were men and the mean duration of follow up was 1 year. As compared with staged complete PCI, the immediate PCI group was associated with significant reduction of MI (RR 0.53, 95 % CI 0.36-0.77) and TVR (RR 0.69, 95 % CI 0.53-0.90). The risks of all-cause death, cardiovascular death, MACE, cerebrovascular events, stent thrombosis, bleeding and AKI/CIN were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In ACS patients selected for complete revascularization strategy, multivessel PCI during the index procedure may be associated with significant reduction in the risk of MI and TVR without harm when compared with a staged PCI strategy.

Early assessment of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects following acetylsalicylic acid loading: toward a definition for acute therapeutic response.

Despite decades of investigations, the optimal assessment of the "therapeutic response" to early after loading dose of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) remains unclear. Limited information is available on the relation between pharmacodynamic (PD) and pharmacokinetic (PK) measurements assessed immediately after ASA administration. Serial PD and PK analyses were performed immediately after a single 162 or 650 mg dose of chewed and swallowed ASA in ten healthy adults. ASA response was defined as > 95% inhibition of serum thromboxane (Tx)B2, < 550 aspirin reaction units (ARU) by VerifyNow Aspirin (VN) test, and ≤ 20% arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation (PA). Correlation analyses between PK and PD measurements and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed. ASA response measured by VN test and AA-induced PA was achieved within 30 min of ASA administration. A correlation was observed between ARU and AA-induced maximum PA (r = 0.69, p < 0.001), serum TxB2 (r = 0.74 and p < 0.001), and serum TxB2 inhibition (r = 0.79, p < 0.001). In ROC curve analyses, ≤ 558 ARU and ≤ 7% AA-induced PA were associated with > 95% inhibition of TxB2. 686 ng/ml plasma ASA cut-off point was associated with > 95% inhibition of serum TxB2, ≤ 7% 1 mM AA-induced PA, and ≤ 585 ARU. A modest ~ 50% inhibition of TxB2 inhibition was associated with marked inhibition of 1 mM AA-induced platelet aggregation by LTA. Our analyses demonstrated important relationships between pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic parameters measured immediately following oral ASA and cutoff values for ARU and AA-induced PA that is associated with > 95% inhibition of serum TxB2.

An overview of the utility of prasugrel hydrochloride as a treatment option for ischemic stroke.

INTRODUCTION: Prasugrel, a potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, is not currently recommended in patients with stroke due to a higher rate of recurrent stroke. Prasugrel was associated with comparable efficacy to clopidogrel in reducing the risk of ischemic stroke in a recent phase III study. AREAS COVERED: The authors provide an overview of the potential role of prasugrel in the management of ischemic stroke. The authors searched PUBMED, MEDLINE, and clinicaltrials.org and recently presented trials at the conferences for clinical trials of prasugrel therapy in patients with stroke and TIA, and important original investigations are reviewed. EXPERT OPINION: The recent PRASTRO-trials demonstrated comparable outcomes of lower maintenance dose (3.5 mg daily dose) with clopidogrel in East Asian stroke patients, thus can be a credible option as a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor. It can also be considered as a credible option in other races and ethnicities and in other clinical situations that may require DAPT, such as intracranial or carotid stenting. Since prasugrel is associated with a superior antiplatelet effect and is not influenced by genetic polymorphisms, there is no need for platelet function or genetic testing. More work is needed to establish the safety and efficacy of low-dose prasugrel plus aspirin in comparison with currently used clopidogrel plus aspirin in non-East Asian populations.

Meta-Analysis of the Performance of AI-Driven ECG Interpretation in the Diagnosis of Valvular Heart Diseases.

Valvular heart diseases (VHDs) significantly impact morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Early diagnosis improves patient outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) applied to electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation presents a promising approach for early VHD detection. We conducted a meta-analysis on the efficacy of AI models in this context. We reviewed databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane until August 20, 2023, focusing on AI for ECG-based VHD detection. The outcomes included pooled accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value. The pooled proportions were derived using a random-effects model with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Study heterogeneity was evaluated with the I-squared statistic. Our analysis included 10 studies, involving ECG data from 713,537 patients. The AI algorithms mainly screened for aortic stenosis (n = 6), mitral regurgitation (n = 4), aortic regurgitation (n = 3), mitral stenosis (n = 1), mitral valve prolapse (n = 2), and tricuspid regurgitation (n = 1). A total of 9 studies used convolution neural network models, whereas 1 study combined the strengths of support vector machine logistic regression and multilayer perceptron for ECG interpretation. The collective AI models demonstrated a pooled accuracy of 81% (95% CI 73 to 89, I² = 92%), sensitivity was 83% (95% CI 77 to 88, I² = 86%), specificity was 72% (95% CI 68 to 75, I² = 52%), PPV was 13% (95% CI 7 to 19, I² = 90%), and negative predictive value was 99% (95% CI 97 to 99, I² = 50%). The subgroup analyses for aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation detection yielded analogous outcomes. In conclusion, AI-driven ECG offers high accuracy in VHD screening. However, its low PPV indicates the need for a combined approach with clinical judgment, especially in primary care settings.

Low-Dose Aspirin for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events Comparing East Asians With Westerners: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: East Asians have shown different risk profiles for both thrombophilia and bleeding than Western counterparts. Objectives: The authors sought to evaluate the effect of low-dose aspirin for primary prevention between these populations. Methods: We searched randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for intervention with low-dose aspirin (≤100 mg once daily) in participants without symptomatic cardiovascular disease until December 31, 2021. The number of events between the arms was extracted for analysis. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and risk differences (RDs) were analyzed in each population. Outcomes included a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and major bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage and major gastrointestinal bleeding). Results: Two RCTs included 17,003 East Asians, and 9 RCTs had 117,467 Western participants. Aspirin treatment showed a similar effect in reducing the MACE rate (RR of East Asians: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.71-1.05; RR of Westerners: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.85-0.95) (Pinteraction = 0.721). In contrast, the risk of major bleeding during aspirin vs control was greater in the East Asian population (RR: 2.48; 95% CI: 1.86-3.30) compared with the Western population (RR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.26-1.66) (Pinteraction = 0.001), which was driven by more frequent gastrointestinal bleeding (RR of East Asians: 3.29; 95% CI: 2.26-4.80 vs RR of Westerners: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.29-1.88) (Pinteraction < 0.001). The net RDs (RD of MACE plus RD of major bleeding) were 8.04 and 0.72 per 1,000 persons in East Asian and Western participants, indicating 124 and 1,389 of the net number needed to harm, respectively. Conclusions: Low-dose aspirin for primary prevention in East Asians must be cautiously prescribed because of the increased risk of major bleeding relative to Western counterparts.