Risk factors and management of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with or without antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy: a multicenter real-world prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet and anticoagulation drugs complicate acute gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) patients. Limited data about the risk factors and patient management has been presented. This study explored the association between previous antiplatelet or anticoagulant drug usage and clinical outcomes in GIB patients to improve awareness further and optimize treatment. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, non-interventional, real-world prospective study in 106 hospitals in 23 provinces in China. GIB patients confirmed in the emergency department were included and were grouped according to previous drug histories. Univariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression, and multivariate stratification models were performed separately to investigate the associations. RESULTS: A total of 2299 patients (57.23 ± 17.21 years old, 68.3% male) were included, of whom 20.1% and 2.9% received antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy, respectively. The all-cause 28-day mortality rates in patients without antiplatelet or anticoagulants, patients undergoing antiplatelet treatment, and patients with anticoagulation therapy were 2.8%, 4.6%, and 10.5%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, both antiplatelet [odd ratio (OR), 2.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.48-5.76; p = 0.002] and anticoagulation therapy (OR, 8.87; 95% CI, 3.02-26.02; p < 0.001) were associated with higher 28-day mortality. In the subgroup analysis, blood transfusion, especially red blood cell transfusion, in patients undergoing antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy was associated with a decreased death risk. CONCLUSION: We confirmed an association between concurrent antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy in GIB patients and elevated 28-day mortality. Blood transfusions could improve poor outcomes in such patients.

Safety and efficacy of stent-assisted coil embolization with periprocedural dual antiplatelet therapy for the treatment of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

PURPOSE: Despite growing evidence for the effectiveness of stent-assisted coil embolization (SAC) in treating acutely ruptured aneurysms, the safety of stent placement in acute phase remains controversial because of concerns for stent-induced thromboembolism and hemorrhagic events attributable to the necessity of antiplatelet therapy. Therefore, we investigated the safety and efficacy of SAC with periprocedural dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) compared with the coiling-only technique to determine whether it is a promising treatment strategy for ruptured aneurysms. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 203 enrolled patients with acutely ruptured aneurysms, categorizing them into two groups: SAC and coiling-only groups. Comparative analyses between the two groups regarding angiographic results, clinical outcomes, and procedure-related complications were performed. A subgroup analysis of procedural complications was conducted on patients who did not receive chronic antithrombotic medications to alleviate their influence before hospitalization. RESULTS: 130 (64.0%) patients were treated using the coiling-only technique, whereas 73 (36.0%) underwent SAC. There was a trend to a higher complete obliteration rate (p = 0.061) and significantly lower recanalization rate (p = 0.030) at angiographic follow-up in the SAC group compared to the coiling-only group. Postprocedural cerebral infarction occurred less frequently in the SAC group (8.2%) than in the coiling-only group (17.7%), showing a significant difference (p = 0.044). Although the ventriculostomy-related hemorrhage rate was significantly higher in the SAC group than in the coiling-only group (26.2% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.031), the incidence of symptomatic ventriculostomy-related hemorrhage was comparable. Subgroup analysis excluding patients receiving chronic antithrombotic medications showed similar results. CONCLUSION: SAC with periprocedural DAPT could be a safe and effective treatment strategy for acutely ruptured aneurysms. Moreover, it might have a protective effect on postprocedural cerebral infarction without increasing the risk of symptomatic hemorrhagic complications.

Effect of PEAR1, PTGS1 gene polymorphisms on the recurrence of aspirin-treated patients with ischemic stroke in the Han population of China: A 4-year follow-up study.

Platelet endothelial aggregation receptor 1 (PEAR1) and prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 1 (PTGS1) polymorphisms can affect laboratory aspirin resistance. However, the impact of genetic polymorphisms on the recurrence of ischemic stroke (IS) patients treated with aspirin is not fully understood. This study aimed to examine the relationship between gene polymorphisms of PEAR1 and PTGS1 and IS recurrence in patients treated with aspirin. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 174 patients with nonrecurrent IS and 34 with recurrent IS after aspirin treatment. Follow-up was performed on all patients. PEAR1 rs12041331 and PTGS1 rs10306114 polymorphisms were determined using the PCR fluorescence probe method. And the correlations of them with the clinical characteristics were examined by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The distribution frequencies of PEAR1 rs12041331 and PTGS1 rs10306114 genotypes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and there was no significant difference in the distribution of PEAR1 rs12041331 polymorphism. Compared to the nonrecurrent group, the AA genotype of the PTGS1 polymorphism was more frequent in the recurrent group (59.77% vs 35.29%, P = .003), and the A allele also showed a higher frequency than the G allele in the recurrent group (P = .001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that smoking (OR = 5.228, 95% CI: 1.938-14.102, P = .001), coronary heart disease (OR = 4.754, 95% CI: 1.498-15.089, P = .008), and the polymorphism at PTGS1(A>G) AA/AG + GG (OR = 2.955, 95% CI: 1.320-6.616, P = .008) were independently associated with IS recurrence in Chinese patients. Our findings suggested that PTGS rs10306114 polymorphisms should receive more attention in the use of aspirin in patients with IS.

Acute ischemic stroke with a diagnosis of Marfan syndrome: A report of 3 cases in multifaceted settings.

RATIONALE: Marfan syndrome (MFS), which is a dominantly inherited connective tissue disease resulting from a mutation in the FBN1 gene, exhibits variable manifestations affecting the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, ophthalmologic, and pulmonary systems. Notably, neurologic deficiency, which involves ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, is a rare but severe manifestation. The safety of rt-PA treatment for ischemic stroke caused by MFS is still under discussion. PATIENT CONCERNS: In the current report, we discuss 3 atypical MFS cases presented as acute ischemic stroke, compared to those exhibiting cardiovascular and musculoskeletal abnormalities. DIAGNOSES: Three patients were diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke accompanied by MFS based on clinical manifestations, imaging examinations, and genetic testings. INTERVENTIONS: The first case underwent intravenous thrombolytic therapy with rt-PA, the second case received antiplatelet therapy, and the third case received anticoagulant therapy and perfusion therapy. OUTCOMES: The neurologic deficiency of all three patients showed improvement upon discharge, and there were no symptoms of recurrence observed during the follow-up period. LESSONS SUBSECTIONS: MFS is a rare etiology in young people with embolic stroke of undetermined source. Physicians should take MFS into consideration when they observe the characteristic symptoms during a consultation. The potential pathogenesis of ischemic stroke secondary to MFS may include cardio-embolism, arterial dissection, and hypoperfusion. Although intravenous thrombolysis is a promising therapy to treat acute ischemic stroke, further examinations should be conducted to rule out contraindications in patients with a suspicion of MFS.

Temporal trends in use of antisecretory agents among patients administered clopidogrel-based dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Antisecretory drugs are commonly prescribed with clopidogrel-based dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) to prevent gastrointestinal bleeding in high-risk patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, omeprazole and esomeprazole (inhibiting proton pump inhibitors [PPIs]) may increase cardiovascular event rates on co-administration with clopidogrel. This study aimed to examine trends in the use of antisecretory agents in patients administered clopidogrel-based DAPT and the concomitant use of clopidogrel and inhibiting PPIs. METHODS: We used National Inpatient Sample data compiled by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from 2009 to 2020. Further, we identified patients who were prescribed clopidogrel-based DAPT after PCI and investigated the concomitant use of antisecretory agents with clopidogrel. To verify the annual trend of drug utilization, we used the Cochran-Armitage trend test. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2020, the percentage of H2 receptor antagonist users decreased steadily (from 82.5% in 2009 to 25.3% in 2020); instead, the percentage of PPI users increased (from 23.7% in 2009 to 82.0% in 2020). The use of inhibiting PPI also increased (from 4.2% in 2009 to 30.7% in 2020). Potassium competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) were rarely used before 2019; however, in 2020, it accounted for 7.8% of the antisecretory users. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that the use of inhibiting PPIs increased steadily in patients administered clopidogrel-based DAPT therapy. This is a major concern since the concomitant use of inhibiting PPIs with clopidogrel could increase the risk of cardiovascular events.

Use of coronary artery calcium score and coronary CT angiography to guide cardiovascular prevention and treatment.

Currently, cardiovascular risk stratification to guide preventive therapy relies on clinical scores based on cardiovascular risk factors. However, the discriminative power of these scores is relatively modest. The use of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has surfaced as methods for enhancing the estimation of risk and potentially providing insights for personalized treatment in individual patients. CACS improves overall cardiovascular risk prediction and may be used to improve the yield of statin therapy in primary prevention, and possibly identify patients with a favorable risk/benefit relationship for antiplatelet therapies. CCTA holds promise to guide anti-atherosclerotic therapies and to monitor individual response to these treatments by assessing individual plaque features, quantifying total plaque volume and composition, and assessing peri-coronary adipose tissue. In this review, we aim to summarize current evidence regarding the use of CACS and CCTA for guiding lipid-lowering and antiplatelet therapy and discuss the possibility of using plaque burden and plaque phenotyping to monitor response to anti-atherosclerotic therapies.

The effect of current antithrombotic therapy on mortality in nursing home residents with COVID-19: a multicentre retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The first wave of COVID led to an alarmingly high mortality rate among nursing home residents (NHRs). In hospitalised patients, the use of anticoagulants may be associated with a favourable prognosis. However, it is unknown whether the use of antithrombotic medication also protected NHRs from COVID-19-related mortality. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of current antithrombotic therapy in NHRs with COVID-19 on 30-day all-cause mortality during the first COVID-19 wave. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study linking electronic health records and pharmacy data in NHRs with COVID-19. A propensity score was used to match NHRs with current use of therapeutic dose anticoagulants to NHRs not using anticoagulant medication. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality, which was evaluated using a logistic regression model. In a secondary analysis, multivariable logistic regression was performed in the complete study group to compare NHRs with current use of therapeutic dose anticoagulants and those with current use of antiplatelet therapy to those without such medication. RESULTS: We included 3521 NHRs with COVID-19 based on a positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 or with a well-defined clinical suspicion of COVID-19. In the matched propensity score analysis, NHRs with current use of therapeutic dose anticoagulants had a significantly lower all-cause mortality (OR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.58-0.92) compared to NHRs who did not use therapeutic anticoagulants. In the secondary analysis, current use of therapeutic dose anticoagulants (OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.48-0.82) and current use of antiplatelet therapy (OR 0.80; 95% CI: 0.64-0.99) were both associated with decreased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: During the first COVID-19 wave, therapeutic anticoagulation and antiplatelet use were associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality in NHRs. Whether these potentially protective effects are maintained in vaccinated patients or patients with other COVID-19 variants, remains unknown.

Comparison of Dual Antiplatelet Therapies for Minor, Nondisabling, Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) appears to be an effective treatment option for minor (nondisabling) acute ischemic stroke. This conclusion is based on trials that include both transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke; however, these 2 conditions may differ. Objective: To compare DAPT regimens specifically for minor stroke. Data Sources: PubMed was searched for randomized clinical trials published up to November 4, 2023. Search terms strategy included TIA, transient ischemic attack, minor stroke, or moderate stroke, with the filter randomized controlled trial. Unpublished data on minor stroke were sourced from authors and/or institutions. Study Selection: Trials testing DAPT within the first 24 hours of a minor stroke (defined as a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤5) were included by consensus. Of 1508 studies screened, 6 (0.3%) initially met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Data Extraction and Synthesis: The study was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines by multiple observers. Bayesian fixed-effect network meta-analysis was conducted. Secondary analysis performed for high-risk TIA alone. Main Outcomes and Measures: Treatments were ranked using a probability measure called surface under the cumulative rank curve (SUCRA). The primary outcome was subsequent ischemic stroke at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included major hemorrhage, mortality, and hemorrhagic stroke. The number needed to treat (NNT) and number needed to harm (NNH) were obtained. Results: Five trials were included that described 28 148 patients, of whom 22 203 (78.9%) had a minor stroke. Of these, 13 995 (63.0%) were in DAPT groups and 8208 (37.0%) in aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) groups. Aspirin and ticagrelor had a 94% probability of being the superior treatment for minor stroke (SUCRA, 0.94) for the primary outcome. Both aspirin and ticagrelor (NNT, 40; 95% CI, 31-64) and aspirin and clopidogrel (NNT, 58; 95% CI, 39-136) were superior to aspirin alone in the prevention of recurrent ischemic stroke at 90 days. Both treatments had higher rates of major hemorrhage than aspirin alone (NNH for aspirin and ticagrelor, 284; 95% CI, 108-1715 vs NNH for aspirin and clopidogrel, 330; 95% CI, 118-3430), but neither had increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke or death. For high-risk TIA, ticagrelor and aspirin had a 60% probability (SUCRA, 0.60) and clopidogrel and aspirin had a 40% probability (SUCRA 0.40) of being a superior treatment; neither was optimum, but both were superior to aspirin alone for the primary outcome. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that DAPT with aspirin and ticagrelor has higher probability of being the superior treatment among patients with minor stroke when presence of CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles has not been excluded. For patients with TIA, the superiority of aspirin and ticagrelor vs aspirin and clopidogrel was not demonstrated.

In mild ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA, DAPT started ≤72 h after onset reduced new stroke and increased bleeding at 90 d.

SOURCE CITATION: Gao Y, Chen W, Pan Y, et al; INSPIRES Investigators. Dual antiplatelet treatment up to 72 hours after ischemic stroke. N Engl J Med. 2023;389:2413-2424. 38157499.

Antithrombotic Treatment and Clinical Outcomes After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Cohort Study from the Swedish Stroke Register.

BACKGROUND: A rapid shift has occurred from vitamin K antagonists toward direct oral anticoagulants, which have a lower risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, effects on clinical outcomes after ICH are understudied. We aimed to describe the prevalence of antithrombotic drugs and to study the prognosis among prestroke functionally independent Swedish patients with ICH. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified all patients diagnosed with nontraumatic ICH in 2017 to 2021 from the Swedish Stroke Register (n=13 155) and assessed death and functional outcome at 3 months after ICH in prestroke functionally independent patients (n=10 014). Functional outcome was estimated among 3-month survivors on the basis of self-reported activities of daily living scores. Risks of outcomes were estimated using Poisson regression. In 13 155 patients, 14.5% used direct oral anticoagulant, 10.1% vitamin K antagonists, and 21.6% antiplatelets at ICH onset. Among 10 014 pre-stroke activities of daily living-independent patients, oral anticoagulants and antiplatelets were associated with increased mortality risk (adjusted risk ratio, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.13-1.43]; P<0.001; and adjusted risk ratio, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.13-1.34]; P<0.001 respectively). Mortality risk did not statistically differ between antiplatelets and oral anticoagulants nor between direct oral anticoagulant and vitamin K antagonists. Among 5126 patients with nonmissing functional outcome (69.1% of survivors), antiplatelets (adjusted risk ratio, 1.06 [95% CI, 0.99-1.13]; P=0.100) and oral anticoagulants (adjusted risk ratio, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.92-1.12]; P=0.768) were not statistically significantly associated with functional dependence. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant difference in mortality risk between direct oral anticoagulant and vitamin K antagonists in prestroke functionally independent patients (unadjusted for oral anticoagulant class indication). Furthermore, mortality risk in antiplatelet and oral anticoagulant users might differ less than previously suggested.

Prognostic Impact of CYP2C19 Genotypes on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Older Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Carriers of CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles have increased adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention, but limited data are available for older patients. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of CYP2C19 genotypes on clinical outcomes in older patients after percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 1201 older patients (aged ≥75 years) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and received clopidogrel-based dual antiplatelet therapy in South Korea. Patients were grouped on the basis of CYP2C19 genotypes. The primary outcome was 3-year major adverse cardiac events, defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis. Older patients were grouped into 3 groups: normal metabolizer (36.6%), intermediate metabolizer (48.1%), and poor metabolizer (15.2%). The occurrence of the primary outcome was significantly different among the groups (3.1, 7.0, and 6.2% in the normal metabolizer, intermediate metabolizer, and poor metabolizer groups, respectively; P=0.02). The incidence rate of all-cause death at 3 years was greater in the intermediate metabolizer and poor metabolizer groups (8.1% and 9.2%, respectively) compared with that in the normal metabolizer group (3.5%, P=0.03) without significant differences in major bleeding. In the multivariable analysis, the intermediate metabolizer and poor metabolizer groups were independent predictors of 3-year clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In older patients, the presence of any CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele was found to be predictive of a higher incidence of major adverse cardiac events within 3 years following percutaneous coronary intervention. This finding suggests a need for further investigation into an optimal antiplatelet strategy for older patients. REGISTRATION: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT04734028.

Trends in Dual Antiplatelet Therapy of Aspirin and Clopidogrel and Outcomes in Ischemic Stroke Patients Noneligible for POINT/CHANCE Trial Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Recent clinical trials established the benefit of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel (DAPT-AC) in early-presenting patients with minor ischemic stroke. However, the impact of these trials over time on the use and outcomes of DAPT-AC among the patients with nonminor or late-presenting stroke who do not meet the eligibility criteria of these trials has not been delineated. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a multicenter stroke registry, this study examined yearly changes from April 2008 to August 2022 in DAPT-AC use for stroke patients ineligible for CHANCE/POINT (Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients with Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events/Platelet-Oriented Inhibition in New TIA and Minor Ischemic Stroke) clinical trials due to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale >4 or late arrival beyond 24 hours of onset. A total of 32 118 patients (age, 68.1±13.1 years; male, 58.5%) with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of 4 (interquartile range, 1-7) were analyzed. In 2008, DAPT-AC was used in 33.0%, other antiplatelets in 62.7%, and no antiplatelet in 4.3%. The frequency of DAPT-AC was relatively unchanged through 2013, when the CHANCE trial was published, and then increased steadily, reaching 78% in 2022, while other antiplatelets decreased to 17.8% in 2022 (Ptrend<0.001). From 2011 to 2022, clinical outcomes nonsignificantly improved, with an average relative risk reduction of 2%/y for the composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality, both among patients treated with DAPT-AC and patients treated with other antiplatelets. CONCLUSIONS: Use of DAPT-AC in stroke patients with stroke ineligible for recent DAPT clinical trials increased markedly and steadily after CHANCE publication in 2013, reaching deployment in nearly 4 of every 5 patients by 2022. The secondary prevention in patients with ischemic stroke seems to be gradually improving, possibly due to the enhancement of risk factor control.

Impact of Society Guidelines on Trends in Use of Newer P2Y12 Inhibitors for Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, major society guidelines have recommended the use of newer P2Y12 inhibitors over clopidogrel for those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome. It is unclear what impact these recommendations had on clinical practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: All percutaneous coronary intervention procedures (n=534 210) for acute coronary syndrome in England and Wales (April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2022) were retrospectively analyzed, stratified by choice of preprocedural P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel, ticagrelor, and prasugrel). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine odds ratios of receipt of ticagrelor and prasugrel (versus clopidogrel) over time, and predictors of their receipt. Overall, there was a significant increase in receipt of newer P2Y12 inhibitors from 2010 to 2020 (2022 versus 2010: ticagrelor odds ratio, 8.12 [95% CI, 7.67-8.60]; prasugrel odds ratio, 6.14 [95% CI, 5.53-6.81]), more so in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction than non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome indication. The most significant increase in odds of receipt of prasugrel was observed between 2020 and 2022 (P<0.001), following a decline/plateau in its use in earlier years (2011-2019). In contrast, the odds of receipt of ticagrelor significantly increased in earlier years (2012-2017, Ptrend<0.001), after which the trend was stable (Ptrend=0.093). CONCLUSIONS: Over a 13-year-period, there has been a significant increase in use of newer P2Y12 inhibitors, although uptake of prasugrel use remained significantly lower than ticagrelor. Earlier society guidelines (pre-2017) were associated with the highest rates of ticagrelor use for non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome and ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction cases while the ISAR-REACT 5 (Prospective, Randomized Trial of Ticagrelor Versus Prasugrel in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome) trial and later society guidelines were associated with higher prasugrel use, mainly for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction indication.

Comparison of apixaban versus aspirin for the prevention of latent bioprosthetic aortic valve thrombosis: study protocol for a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The optimal antithrombotic strategy early after aortic valve replacement surgery with a biological valve remains controversial due to lack of high-quality evidence. Either oral anticoagulants or acetylsalicylic acid should be considered for the first 3 months. Hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening on cardiac computed tomography has been associated with latent bioprosthetic valve thrombosis and may be prevented with anticoagulation. We hypothesize that anticoagulation with apixaban is superior to single antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid in reducing hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening of bioprosthetic aortic valve prostheses. METHODS: In this prospective, open-label, randomized trial, patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement surgery with rapid deployment bioprosthetic valves will be randomized. The treatment group will receive 5 mg of apixaban twice a day for the first 3 months and 100 mg of acetylsalicylic acid thereafter. The control group will be administered 100 mg of acetylsalicylic acid once a day, indefinitely. After the 3-month treatment period, a contrast-enhanced electrocardiogram-gated cardiac computed tomography will be performed to identify hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening of the bioprosthetic valve. The primary objective of the study is to assess the impact of apixaban on the prevention of hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening at 3 months. The secondary and exploratory endpoints will be clinical outcomes and safety profiles of the two strategies. DISCUSSION: Antithrombotic therapy after aortic valve replacement is used to prevent valve thrombosis and systemic thromboembolism. Latent bioprosthetic valve thrombosis is a precursor of clinically significant prosthetic valve dysfunction or thromboembolic events. The hallmark feature of latent bioprosthetic valve thrombosis is hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening on cardiac computed tomography. Subclinical leaflet thrombosis occurs frequently in bioprosthetic aortic valves, more commonly in transcatheter than in surgical valves. There is no evidence on the effect of direct oral anticoagulants on the incidence of hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening after surgical aortic valve replacement with rapid deployment bioprostheses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06184113. Registered on December 28, 2023.

Guideline versus clinician recommended duration of dual antiplatelet therapy following acute coronary syndrome (ANZACS-QI 78).

AIM: The recommended duration of dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) for patients without atrial fibrillation varies from 1 month to 1 year depending on the balance of risks of ischaemia and major bleeding. Patients on DAPT with a high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding are also recommended to receive a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Our aim was to audit current practice against the 2020 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guideline recommendations. METHODS: One hundred consecutive ACS patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention discharged from Middlemore Hospital and without atrial fibrillation in the first quarter of 2023 were studied. ANZACS-QI ischaemic (I) and bleeding (B) risk scores were calculated, with patients categorised in four groups based on ESC recommendations-low I/low B risk, low I/high B, high I/low B and high I/high B. Guideline and clinician recommended duration of DAPT and prescription of PPI were compared. RESULTS: All patients were planned for DAPT at discharge and 91% a PPI. Up to four out of five ACS patients could have been planned for shorter DAPT durations based on the ESC guideline recommendations. Over half of included patients (53%) had a high bleeding risk, yet 85% of these patients received 12 months of DAPT despite ESC recommendations of 1-3 months. CONCLUSIONS: There was a divergence between clinical practice and the recommendations of the 2020 ESC guidelines. We discuss these results in relation to the updated August 2023 ESC guidelines, which have reaffirmed a 12-month duration of DAPT as the default position.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) caused by spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) in a patient with von Willebrand disease.

A postpartum woman in her early 40s, with a history of pre-eclampsia and von Willebrand disease (VWD), presented to the emergency room with chest pain suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome. Initial workup revealed an evolving anterior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction on ECG and elevated cardiac biomarkers, confirming myocardial damage. Point-of-care ultrasound showed apical hypokinesis and coronary angiography revealed a distal dissection of the left anterior descending coronary artery. There was TIMI 3 flow and no evidence of plaque rupture. No percutaneous coronary intervention was performed and the patient was managed conservatively.Fibromuscular dysplasia was ruled out on screening CT angiography. Dual antiplatelet therapy was initiated for an amended course of 3 months given the history of VWD. Our patient had an uncomplicated course in the hospital with a downward trend in their cardiac biomarkers, resolving anterior ST elevation on serial ECGs, and no bleeding complications.