Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Artery Disease With Recent or Remote Events: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Ongoing debate remains regarding optimal antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary artery disease. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the following: (i) dual-pathway therapy (DPT; oral anticoagulant [OAC] plus antiplatelet) vs triple therapy (OAC and dual-antiplatelet therapy) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and (iii) OAC monotherapy vs DPT at least 1 year after PCI or ACS. Following a 2-stage process, we identified systematic reviews published between 2019 and 2022 on these 2 clinical questions, and we updated the most comprehensive search for additional RCTs published up to October 2022. Outcomes of interest were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), death, stent thrombosis, and major bleeding. We estimated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model. Results: Based on 6 RCTs (n = 10,435), DPT reduced major bleeding (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.52-0.73) and increased stent thrombosis (RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.02-2.36), vs triple therapy after PCI or medically-managed ACS, with no significant differences in MACE and death. In 2 RCTs (n = 2905), OAC monotherapy reduced major bleeding (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49-0.91) vs DPT in AF patients with remote PCI or ACS, with no significant differences in MACE or death. Conclusions: In patients with AF and coronary artery disease, using less-aggressive antithrombotic treatment (DPT after PCI or ACS, and OAC alone after remote PCI or ACS) reduced major bleeding, with an increase in stent thrombosis with recent PCI. These results support a minimalist yet personalized antithrombotic strategy for these patients.

Contexte: La question du traitement antithrombotique optimal chez les personnes présentant une fibrillation auriculaire (FA) et une coronaropathie demeure controversée. Méthodologie: Nous avons réalisé une revue systématique et une méta-analyse pour synthétiser les essais contrôlés randomisés ayant comparé i) la bithérapie (anticoagulant oral et antiplaquettaire) et la trithérapie (anticoagulant oral et bithérapie antiplaquettaire) après une intervention coronarienne percutanée (ICP) ou un syndrome coronarien aigu (SCA), et ii) un anticoagulant oral en monothérapie et la bithérapie au moins 1 an après une ICP ou un SCA. Nous avons procédé en 2 temps, d'abord en répertoriant les revues systématiques publiées entre 2019 et 2022 sur ces 2 questions cliniques, puis en effectuant la recherche la plus exhaustive possible pour trouver d'autres essais contrôlés randomisés publiés jusqu'en octobre 2022. Les paramètres qui nous intéressaient étaient les événements cardiovasculaires indésirables majeurs (ECIM), le décès, la thrombose de l'endoprothèse et l'hémorragie majeure. Nous avons estimé les rapports de risques (RR) et les intervalles de confiance (IC) à 95 % à l'aide d'un modèle à effets aléatoires. Résultats: D'après 6 essais contrôlés randomisés (n = 10 435), la bithérapie a réduit les hémorragies majeures (RR : 0,62; IC à 95 % : 0,52 à 0,73) et augmenté les thromboses de l'endoprothèse (RR : 1,55; IC à 95 % : 1,02 à 2,36), comparativement à la trithérapie après une ICP ou un SCA ayant fait l'objet d'une prise en charge médicale, tandis qu'aucune différence significative n'a été observée quant aux ECIM et aux décès. Dans 2 essais contrôlés randomisés (n = 2 905), un anticoagulant oral en monothérapie a réduit les hémorragies majeures (RR : 0,66; IC à 95 % : 0,49 à 0,91) comparativement à la bithérapie chez des patients présentant une FA après une ICP ou un SCA plus lointain, sans différence significative quant aux ECIM et aux décès. Conclusions: Chez les patients présentant une FA et une coronaropathie, l'utilisation d'un traitement antithrombotique moins agressif (bithérapie après un ICP ou un SCA, et anticoagulant oral en monothérapie après une ICP ou un SCA plus lointain) réduit les hémorragies majeures, mais s'accompagne d'une augmentation des thromboses de l'endoprothèse en cas d'ICP récente. Ces résultats plaident en faveur d'une stratégie antithrombotique minimaliste, mais personnalisée chez ces patients.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology 2023 Focused Update of the Guidelines for the Use of Antiplatelet Therapy.

Antiplatelet therapy (APT) is the foundation of treatment and prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Selecting the optimal APT strategies to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events, while balancing bleeding risk, requires ongoing review of clinical trials. Appended, the focused update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology guidelines for the use of APT provides recommendations on the following topics: (1) use of acetylsalicylic acid in primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; (2) dual APT (DAPT) duration after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients at high bleeding risk; (3) potent DAPT (P2Y12 inhibitor) choice in patients who present with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and possible DAPT de-escalation strategies after PCI; (4) choice and duration of DAPT in ACS patients who are medically treated without revascularization; (5) pretreatment with DAPT (P2Y12 inhibitor) before elective or nonelective coronary angiography; (6) perioperative and longer-term APT management in patients who require coronary artery bypass grafting surgery; and (7) use of APT in patients with atrial fibrillation who require oral anticoagulation after PCI or medically managed ACS. These recommendations are all on the basis of systematic reviews and meta-analyses conducted as part of the development of these guidelines, provided in the Supplementary Material.

The COVID conversations: A content analysis of Canadian pharmacy organizations' communication of pharmacists' roles and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique challenge for pharmacists as they navigated information scarcity on the frontlines while being identified as information experts. Alberta pharmacists looked to their professional organizations for direction regarding what their roles should be in a crisis. The objective of this study was to explore pharmacists' roles and services and how they were communicated by pharmacy organizations during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study used a conventional content analysis method to explore the online communication of relevant pharmacy organizations for Alberta pharmacists. Five organization websites (National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities, Canadian Pharmacists Association [CPhA], Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists [CSHP], Alberta College of Pharmacy [ACP] and the Alberta Pharmacists' Association [RxA]) were examined to identify and catalogue publicly accessible documents that communicated pharmacists' roles and services during the first year of the pandemic for Alberta pharmacists. Results: A total of 92 documents were collected from CPhA (60), CSHP (2), ACP (26) and RxA (4). While most documents communicated information about pharmacists' roles in public health, patient care and drug and personal protective equipment supply, more than one-third of the documents (32/92, 34.8%) required contextual information to interpret the communication. There was an observed shift in the communication after the first 6 months, becoming more direct in its messaging and context. Conclusion: These pharmacy organizations communicated information for pharmacists' roles and services to provide direction and guidance in the ever-changing context of the COVID-19 pandemic for Alberta pharmacists. Their communication became clearer and more direct as the pandemic progressed, requiring less inference to understand the intended message.

Effect of New Evidence on Antithrombotic Therapies in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Who Undergo Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Alberta, Canada.

Background: Trials have addressed the combined use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and antiplatelets in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). These trials may have changed prescribing patterns. Methods: This administrative audit of Albertans with AF undergoing PCI described antithrombotic therapy before vs after publication of the PIONEER AF-PCI (An Open-label, Randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Study Exploring Two Treatment Strategies of Rivaroxaban and a Dose-Adjusted Oral Vitamin K Antagonist Treatment Strategy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Who Undergo Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) trial results. Results: Cohorts were similar before (n = 597) and after (n = 708) trial publication: median age 72 years; 23% female; 63% with acute coronary syndrome; and 22% with bleeding history. Anticoagulant use increased by 7.0% (P = 0.01) after; with DOAC use increasing by 24.9% and warfarin use decreasing by 17.5% (P < 0.0001). DOAC use was associated with being in the "after" cohort (odds ratio 5.42, 95% confidence interval 3.75-7.82, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Significantly more patients were prescribed anticoagulation therapy after the publication of the results of the PIONEER AF-PCI trial than before, and the choice of agent favoured DOAC over warfarin. Almost half of patients were not on anticoagulants, a situation that requires further investigation, to ensure that AF patients are being optimally managed post-PCI.

Contexte: Des essais se sont penchés sur l'utilisation combinée d'anticoagulants oraux directs (AOD) et d'antiplaquettaires chez les patients atteints de fibrillation auriculaire (FA) qui subissent une intervention coronarienne percutanée (ICP). Il est possible que ces essais aient donné lieu à des modifications des habitudes de prescription. Méthodologie: Cet audit interne portant sur des Albertains atteints de FA subissant une ICP fournit une description des traitements antithrombotiques prescrits avant et après la publication des résultats de l'essai PIONEER AF-PCI (An O p en-label, Randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Study Explor i ng Tw o Treatme n t Strat e gi e s of R ivaroxaban and a Dose-Adjusted Oral Vitamin K Antagonist Treatment Strategy in Patients With A trial F ibrillation Who Undergo P ercutaneous C oronary I ntervention). Résultats: Les caractéristiques des cohortes étudiées avant (n = 597) et après (n = 708) la publication étaient semblables : âge médian, 72 ans; 23 % des femmes; 63 % ayant des antécédents de syndrome coronarien aigu; 22 % ayant des antécédents de saignements. Après la publication, on a observé une augmentation de 7,0 % (p = 0,01) de l'utilisation d'anticoagulants, dont une augmentation de 24,9 % de l'utilisation d'AOD et une diminution de 17,5 % de l'utilisation de warfarine (p < 0,0001). Une corrélation a été établie entre le recours aux AOD et l'appartenance à la cohorte prise en charge « après ¼ la publication des résultats de l'essai (rapport de cotes : 5,42; intervalle de confiance à 95 % : 3,75 ­ 7,82; p < 0,0001). Conclusions: Après la publication des résultats de l'essai PIONEER AF-PCI, les prescriptions d'anticoagulants ont sensiblement augmenté, et ce, en faveur des AOD plutôt que de la warfarine. Près de la moitié des patients ne prenaient pas d'anticoagulants, une situation qui nécessite un examen plus approfondi afin de s'assurer que les patients atteints de FA sont pris en charge de manière optimale après une ICP.

The Problem With Predictions: A Cautionary Tale of Empirically Adjusting Apixaban Dosing With Carbamazepine.

Concomitant use of apixaban and carbamazepine (CBZ) is not recommended due to an anticipated reduction in apixaban concentration, although few case reports describe this interaction. We report a case of initiating apixaban 10 mg twice daily (BID), in a patient stabilized on CBZ 600 mg BID that was guided by prior experience. Apixaban concentrations were substantially elevated with initial empiric dosing; apixaban dosing of 7.5 mg BID was eventually implemented. This case highlights the fact that the degree of induction by CBZ can vary, regardless of the dose, and requires clinicians to be cautious when applying prior experiences with patients to new patients.

L'utilisation concomitante de l'apixaban et de la carbamazépine (CBZ) n'est pas recommandée puisqu'on l'attribue à la réduction anticipée des concentrations de l'apixaban, bien que peu d'observations décrivent cette interaction. Nous présentons un cas sur l'amorce de l'apixaban (10 mg deux fois par jour [BID]) chez un patient stabilisé par CBZ, 600 mg BID (en fonction d'expériences antérieures). La posologie empirique initiale a fait substantiellement augmenter les concentrations d'apixaban; la posologie de l'apixaban de 7,5 mg BID a finalement été mise en place. Ce cas illustre le fait que le degré d'induction par CBZ peut varier, indépendamment de la dose, et obliger les cli-niciens à être prudents lorsqu'ils transposent leurs expériences antérieures aux nouveaux patients.

The Role of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

Despite contemporary management, patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remain at high risk for thrombotic events. Several randomized controlled trials have evaluated the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with CAD, including in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable CAD, and in patients with concomitant atrial fibrillation. Trials of apixaban and dabigatran in patients with ACS demonstrate no benefit with an increased risk of bleeding. Conversely, rivaroxaban at a reduced dose of 2.5 mg twice daily reduced thrombotic events and all-cause mortality when added to dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with ACS. Similarly, the addition of low-dose rivaroxaban to acetylsalicylic acid reduced the risk of thrombotic events in patients with stable CAD. However, the addition of a DOAC to antiplatelet therapy increased the risk of major bleeding. In patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, dual-pathway or low-dose triple therapy regimens including dabigatran or rivaroxaban reduced bleeding risk compared to traditional warfarin-based triple therapy, although it remains unclear whether these regimens preserve antithrombotic efficacy. DOAC-based antithrombotic regimens prove useful in patients with CAD in various settings; however, careful selection of patients and regimens per trial protocols are critical to achieving net benefit.

2018 Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology Focused Update of the Guidelines for the Use of Antiplatelet Therapy.

Antiplatelet therapy (APT) has become an important tool in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerotic events, particularly those associated with coronary artery disease. A large evidence base has evolved regarding the relationship between APT prescription in various clinical contexts and risk/benefit relationships. The Guidelines Committee of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology publishes regular updates of its recommendations, taking into consideration the most recent clinical evidence. The present update to the 2011 and 2013 Canadian Cardiovascular Society APT guidelines incorporates new evidence on how to optimize APT use, particularly in situations in which few to no data were previously available. The recommendations update focuses on the following primary topics: (1) the duration of dual APT (DAPT) in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome and non-acute coronary syndrome indications; (2) management of DAPT in patients who undergo noncardiac surgery; (3) management of DAPT in patients who undergo elective and semiurgent coronary artery bypass graft surgery; (4) when and how to switch between different oral antiplatelet therapies; and (5) management of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in patients who undergo PCI. For PCI patients, we specifically analyze the particular considerations in patients with atrial fibrillation, mechanical or bioprosthetic valves (including transcatheter aortic valve replacement), venous thromboembolic disease, and established left ventricular thrombus or possible left ventricular thrombus with reduced ejection fraction after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. In addition to specific recommendations, we provide values and preferences and practical tips to aid the practicing clinician in the day to day use of these important agents.

Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Prescribing Patterns for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT), defined as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), clopidogrel, and warfarin, for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation. The choice of anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy in this population is ambiguous and complex, and prescribing patterns are not well documented. OBJECTIVE: To characterize local prescribing patterns for anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. METHODS: A chart review was conducted at a single quaternary cardiology centre. Patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were identified via medical records, and those who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention were identified using a local clinical patient registry. Adult inpatients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and a CHADS2 score (based on congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 years, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke) of 1 or higher who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention from 2011 to 2013 were included. Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, those with mechanical devices requiring anticoagulation, and those with an allergy to any component of TAT were excluded. RESULTS: Seventy patients were included. The median age was 75 years, and 52 (74%) were men. At discharge, 30 (43%) were receiving TAT and 27 (39%) were receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel and ASA). No patients received the combination of warfarin and clopidogrel. Among those who received TAT, 90% (19 of 21) who received a bare metal stent had a recommended duration of 1 month, and 75% (6 of 8) who received a drug-eluting stent had a recommended duration of 1 year. Direct-acting oral anticoagulants with 2 antiplatelet drugs were prescribed for 9% (6 of 70) of the patients, and 10% (7 of 70) received ticagrelor and ASA with or without warfarin. Overall, the combination of ASA, oral anticoagulant, and P2Y12 inhibitor was used for 54% (38/70) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer than half of the patients in this study received TAT, and almost 20% received non-evidence-based therapy with a direct-acting oral anticoagulant or ticagrelor, alone or in combination. Despite current guideline recommendations, the rate of TAT utilization was lower than rates reported in the literature.

CONTEXTE: Les lignes directrices actuelles recommandent une trithérapie antithrombotique, composée d'acide acétylsalicylique (AAS), de clopidogrel et de warfarine, pour les patients atteints de fibrillation auriculaire non valvulaire qui ont subi l'implantation d'une endoprothèse par intervention coronarienne percutanée. Le choix de traitement par anticoagulant ou antiplaquettaire pour cette population est ambigu et complexe. De plus, les habitudes de prescription ne sont pas bien documentées. OBJECTIF: Offrir un portrait des habitudes locales de prescription de traitements par anticoagulant ou antiplaquettaire suite à une intervention coronarienne percutanée chez les patients atteints de fibrillation auriculaire non valvulaire. MÉTHODES: Une analyse des dossiers médicaux a été menée dans un seul centre quaternaire de cardiologie. Les patients atteints de fibrillation auriculaire non valvulaire ont été identifiés à l'aide de leurs dossiers médicaux. Ceux qui avaient subi une intervention coronarienne percutanée ont été trouvés en consultant un registre local de patients. Les patients adultes hospitalisés qui souffraient d'une fibrillation auriculaire non valvulaire, qui présentaient un score CHADS2 de 1 ou plus (calculé en fonction de la présence d'insuffisance cardiaque congestive, d'hypertension, d'âge égal ou supérieur à 75 ans, de diabète et d'accident vasculaire cérébral antérieur) et qui avaient subi une intervention coronarienne percutanée entre 2011 et 2013 ont été admis. Les patients qui avaient subi une chirurgie cardiovasculaire ou un remplacement valvulaire aortique par cathéter, ceux dotés de prothèses mécaniques nécessitant une anticoagulothérapie et ceux allergiques à un ou plusieurs éléments de la trithérapie antithrombotique ont été exclus. RÉSULTATS: L'âge médian des 70 patients admis était de 75 ans et 52 d'entre eux étaient des hommes. Au moment du congé, 30 (43 %) recevaient une trithérapie antithrombotique et 27 (39 %) recevaient une bithérapie antiplaquettaire (AAS et clopidogrel). Aucun patient n'a reçu une association de warfarine et de clopidogrel. Parmi ceux qui ont reçu une trithérapie antithrombotique, la durée recommandée du traitement était d'un mois pour 90 % (19 sur 21) de ceux qui ont reçu une endoprothèse métallique nue et d'un an pour 75 % (6 sur 8) de ceux qui ont reçu une endoprothèse à élution de médicaments. On a prescrit pour 9 % (6 sur 70) des patients un anticoagulant oral direct accompagné de deux antiplaquettaires. De plus, 10 % (7 sur 70) des patients ont reçu du ticagrelor et de l'AAS avec ou sans warfarine. Dans l'ensemble, la combinaison d'AAS, d'un anticoagulant oral et d'un inhibiteur du P2Y12 a été employée chez 54 % (38 sur 70) des patients. CONCLUSIONS: Moins de la moitié des patients de la présente étude ont reçu une trithérapie antithrombotique et près de 20 % ont reçu un traitement non fondé sur des données probantes composé d'un anticoagulant oral direct ou de ticagrelor, employés seuls ou en association. Malgré les recommandations des lignes directrices actuelles, le taux de recours à la trithérapie antithrombotique était plus faible que les pourcentages présentés dans la littérature.

Drug interactions between antiplatelet or novel oral anticoagulant medications and antiretroviral medications.

OBJECTIVE: To review potential drug interactions between antiretroviral (ARV) medications and antiplatelets or novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs). DATA SOURCES: A literature search of MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and Google Scholar was performed using the search terms (1) clopidogrel or ticagrelor or prasugrel, (2) dabigatran or rivaroxaban or apixaban, and (3) antiretrovirals. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Any English language study or case report describing a drug interaction between an ARV and an antiplatelet or NOAC was included. Additional information was taken from pharmacokinetic studies of individual agents alone or information from similar drug interactions. RESULTS: Two studies were identified through the literature search: one reporting an in vivo interaction between ritonavir and prasugrel and the other an in vitro interaction between efavirenz and clopidogrel. A case report describing a drug interaction between nevirapine and rivaroxaban was also located. Information from pharmacokinetic studies and from similar drug interactions allowed for a comprehensive review of potential drug interactions. CONCLUSIONS: There are potential drug interactions between ARVs, antiplatelet agents or NOACs. Management of these interactions may include selecting ARVs with a lower potential for drug interactions or choosing antiplatelet agents or NOACs least likely to interact with ARVs. With protease inhibitors or cobicistat, clopidogrel and dabigatran do not appear to have clinically significant interactions. Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors have a low potential for interactions with prasugrel and dabigatran. Clinically significant drug interactions are unlikely to occur between antiplatelet agents or NOACs and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors raltegravir, dolutegravir, or maraviroc.

Focused 2012 update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines for the use of antiplatelet therapy.

The initial 2010 Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) Guidelines for the Use of Antiplatelet Therapy in the Outpatient Setting were published in May 2011. As part of a planned re-evaluation within 2 years, we conducted an extensive literature search encompassing all topics included in the 2010 CCS Guidelines, and concluded that there were sufficient new data to merit revisiting the guidance on antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention in the first year after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), percutaneous coronary intervention, or coronary artery bypass grafting, and the interaction between clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors. In addition, new clinical trials information about the efficacy and safety of combining novel oral anticoagulants with antiplatelet therapy in ACS justified the addition of a new section of recommendations to the Guidelines. In this focused update, we provide recommendations for the use of clopidogrel, ticagrelor, and prasugrel in non-ST elevation ACS, avoidance of prasugrel in patients with previous stroke/transient ischemic attack, higher doses of clopidogrel (j) /day) for the first 6 days after ACS, and the preferential use of prasugrel or ticagrelor after percutaneous coronary intervention in ACS. For non-ACS stented patients, we recommend acetylsalicylic acid/clopidogrel for 1 year, with at least 1 month of therapy for bare-metal stent patients and 3 months for drug-eluting stent patients unable to tolerate year-long double therapy. We also consider therapy for patients with a history of stent thrombosis, the indications for longer-term treatment, discontinuation timing preoperatively, indications for changing agents, the management of antiplatelet therapy before and after bypass surgery, and use/selection of proton pump inhibitors along with antiplatelet agents.

Triple antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation.

PURPOSE: The efficacy and safety of triple antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation are reviewed. SUMMARY: A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts identified a total of 10 cohort studies and one meta-analysis investigating triple antithrombotic therapy in this patient population. With respect to efficacy, evidence from nonrandomized studies supports the superiority of triple antithrombotic therapy over dual antiplatelet therapy at preventing major adverse cardiac events and all-cause mortality. With respect to safety, the heterogeneous methodology and definitions for bleeding in the studies do not allow for easy interpretation and quantification of bleeding risk. There appears to be qualitative consistency that the rate of bleeding is higher with triple antithrombotic therapy compared with dual antiplatelet therapy. The meta-analysis, as well as a recent large registry data cohort study, demonstrated a twofold increase in the risk of major bleeding with triple antithrombotic therapy. CONCLUSION: The heterogeneous methodology of the available studies does not allow for conclusive interpretation and quantification of the efficacy and safety of triple antithrombotic therapy in patients with AF undergoing PCI with stent implantation compared with dual antiplatelet therapy. Evidence from small cohort studies support the benefit of triple antithrombotic therapy at reducing major adverse cardiac events and all-cause mortality with higher rates of bleeding.

The prevalence of natural health product use in patients with acute cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Natural health products (NHP) use may have implications with respect to adverse effects, drug interactions and adherence yet the prevalence of NHP use by patients with acute cardiovascular disease and the best method to ascertain this information is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To identify the best method to ascertain information on NHP, and the prevalence of use in a population with acute cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of consecutive patients admitted with acute cardiovascular disease to the University of Alberta Hospital during January 2009. NHP use was explored using structured and open-ended questions based on Health Canada's definition of NHP. The medical record was reviewed, and documentation of NHP use by physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, compared against the gold-standard structured interview. RESULTS: 88 patients were interviewed (mean age 62 years, standard deviation [SD 14]; 80% male; 41% admitted for acute coronary syndromes). Common co-morbidities included hypertension (59%), diabetes (26%) and renal impairment (19%). NHP use was common (78% of patients) and 75% of NHP users reported daily use. The category of NHP most commonly used was vitamins and minerals (73%) followed by herbal products (20%), traditional medicines including Chinese medicines (9%), homeopathic preparations (1%) and other products including amino acids, essential fatty acids and probiotics (35%). In a multivariable model, only older age was associated with increased NHP use (OR 1.5 per age decile [95%CI 1.03 to 2.2]). When compared to the interview, the highest rate of NHP documentation was the pharmacist history (41%). NHP were documented in 22% of patients by the physician and 19% by the nurse. CONCLUSIONS: NHP use is common in patients admitted with acute cardiovascular disease. However, health professionals do not commonly identify NHP as part of the medication profile despite its potential importance. Structured interview appears to be the best method to accurately identify patient use of NHP.

Developing Preceptors through Virtual Communities and Networks: Experiences from a Pilot Project.

BACKGROUND: Supporting preceptors is critical to the expansion of experiential learning opportunities for the pharmacy profession. Informal learning opportunities within communities of practitioners are important for hospital preceptors. However, such communities may be limited by geographic separation of preceptors from peers, faculty members, and supports within the pharmacy services department. OBJECTIVE: To use computer-mediated conferencing to create a sense of community among preceptors, specifically by using this medium to provide initial development of and continuing support for preceptors, and to examine preceptors' satisfaction with this approach. METHODS: Thirty-nine preceptors who had completed a day-long face-to-face preceptor development workshop and who were supervising students in 1 of 2 specific rotation blocks were invited to participate in the study. The pharmacists used computer-mediated conferencing to meet for virtual networking about specific topics. They met once before the student rotation to receive instructions about the technology and to discuss student orientation and scheduling, and 3 times during the student rotation for open discussion of specific topics. Evaluation and feedback were solicited by means of an electronic survey and virtual (i.e., computer-based) feedback sessions with an independent facilitator. RESULTS: The response rate was 66% (26/39) for the electronic survey, but only 15% (6/39) for the virtual feedback sessions. All of the respondents were experienced preceptors, but for 92% (22/24), this was their first experience with computer-mediated conferencing. Overall, the sessions had a positive reception, and participants found it useful to share information and experiences with other preceptors. The main challenges were related to the technology, perceived lack of support for their participation in the sessions, and inconvenience related to the timing of sessions. CONCLUSION: Computer-mediated conferencing allowed preceptors to learn from and to support each other despite geographic distance. The participants felt that these sessions encouraged them to serve as preceptors regularly. Such encouragement could contribute to the retention of preceptors, which is important to the expansion of experiential learning.