Predictors of Major Bleeding Among Working-Age Adults with Atrial Fibrillation: Evaluating the Effects of Potential Drug-drug Interactions and Switching from Warfarin to Non-vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the associations between switching from warfarin to non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs), exposure to potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs), and major bleeding events in working-age adults with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the claims database of commercially insured working-age adults with AF from 2010 to 2015. Switchers were defined as patients who switched from warfarin to NOAC; non-switchers were defined as those who remained on warfarin. We developed novel methods to calculate the number and proportion of days with potential DDIs with NOAC/warfarin. Multivariate logistic regressions were utilized to evaluate the associations between switching to NOACs, exposure to potential DDIs, and major bleeding events. RESULTS: Among a total of 4126 patients with AF, we found a significantly lower number of potential DDIs and the average proportion of days with potential DDIs in switchers than non-switchers. The number of potential DDIs (AOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.27) and the HAS-BLED score (AOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.48-1.82) were significantly and positively associated with the likelihood of a major bleeding event. The proportion of days with potential DDIs was also significantly and positively associated with risk for bleeding (AOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.03, 1.96). We did not find significant associations between switching to NOACs and major bleeding events. CONCLUSIONS: The number and duration of potential DDIs and patients' comorbidity burden are important factors to consider in the management of bleeding risk in working-age AF adults who take oral anticoagulants.

Left atrial appendage morphology and risk of stroke following pulmonary vein isolation for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation in low CHA2DS2Vasc risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac CT angiography (CCTA) has become an important adjunct in the structural assessment of the pulmonary veins (PV) prior to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Published data is conflicting regarding a relationship between left atrial appendage (LAA) and the risk of ischemic stroke (CVA) following PVI. We investigated the associations of volumetric and morphologic left atrial (LA) and LAA measurements for CVA following PVI. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 332 consecutive patients with drug refractory atrial fibrillation who obtained cardiac CT angiogram (CCTA) prior to PVI. Baseline demographic data, procedural and lab details, and outcomes were obtained from abstraction of an electronic medical records system. LA, LAA, and PV volumes were measured using CCTA datasets utilizing a semi-automated 3D workstation application. LAA morphology was assigned utilizing volume rendered images as previously described. RESULTS: The study cohort was 55 ± 13 years-old, 83.7% male, low CVA risk (median CHA2DS2Vasc 1; IQR 1, 3), and 30.4% were treated with novel oral anticoagulants. Chicken wing (CW) was the most common morphology (52%), followed by windsock (WS), cauliflower (CF), and cactus (CS) at 18, 9, and 2%, respectively. CVAs occurred in 4 patients following PVI with median time to CVA of 170.5 days. All CVAs were observed in CW morphology patients. When comparing CW morphology with non-CW morphology, CVAs occurred more frequently with the CW morphology (2.1% vs 0%, p = 0.03). This difference was not significant, though, after adjusting for CHA2DS2Vasc risk factors (p = 0.14). CONCLUSION: The CW morphology was observed more commonly in patients who experienced post-PVI CVA. After adjusting for CHA2DS2Vasc risk factors, CW morphology was not an independent predictor of post-PVI CVA. These findings should be interpreted in the setting of a low CVA event rate amongst a low risk population that was highly compliant with indicated anticoagulation therapy.

PRECISE-DAPT and ARC-HBR Predict in-Hospital Outcomes in Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Bleeding events result in morbidity and mortality in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There are limited data on the predicting bleeding complications in patients who underwent stent implantation and subsequent dual antiplatelet therapy (PRECISE-DAPT) and Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) scores' ability to predict in-hospital outcomes in patients who underwent PCI. Consecutive patients who underwent PCI at tertiary centers from January 2016 to March 2018 were identified and the bleeding risk scores were calculated. The primary end point was the National Cardiovascular Data Registry-defined in-hospital bleeding stratified by low versus high predicted bleeding risk. The major and net adverse cardiovascular events were also examined. The discriminatory ability of the risk models was determined using receiver operating characteristic curves. Among 3,659 patients studied, the in-hospital major bleeding was 3.3% (n = 121). The patients characterized as high bleeding risk by either criterion had significantly higher bleeding rates than those meeting the low-risk criteria (ARC-HBR 5.4% vs 3.3%, p <0.001; PRECISE-DAPT 5.8% vs 2.4%, p <0.001), and higher major adverse cardiovascular events and net adverse clinical events. These risk estimates showed moderate and similar predictive ability (ARC-HBR high-risk area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.62, PRECISE-DAPT ≥25 AUC 0.61, p = 0.49), with no incremental benefit to adding the estimates (AUC 0.60). The subgroup analysis revealed that women had higher bleeding rates than men (5.53% vs 2.39%, p <0.001); however, the predictive ability of the criteria were similar in women and men. The patients identified as having a high bleeding risk by the PRECISE-DAPT and the ARC-HBR criteria before PCI are at high risk for in-hospital bleeding and adverse outcomes independent of gender. The 2 scores have moderate predictive ability for bleeds. Further study is needed to determine strategies to reduce risk in this population.

Predictors of In-Hospital De-Escalation of P2Y12 Inhibitors to Clopidogrel in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Ticagrelor or prasugrel are recommended to reduce ischemic events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, in clinical practice, patients are often switched from a potent P2Y12 inhibitor to clopidogrel prior to or at discharge ('de-escalation'). We sought to assess the incidence and predictors of de-escalation. METHODS: Consecutive patients who received either a ticagrelor or prasugrel loading dose for AMI PCI at two tertiary centers between Jan 2015-Mar 2019 who survived to discharge were included. Data were obtained from the electronic health record and institutional NCDR CathPCI data. Patients who were de-escalated to clopidogrel were compared with those who remained on potent P2Y12 inhibitors through the time of discharge. RESULTS: Of the1818 patients in the cohort, 1146 (63%) were de-escalated. Patients in the de-escalation group were older, more often Black, had lower prevalence of co-morbidities, less often had private insurance, and had less complex PCI. After adjustment, older age remained positively associated (OR 1.2, CI 1.08-1.34, p = .001) and Caucasian race (OR 0.5, CI 0.33-0.77, p = .002), prior MI (OR 0.7, CI 0.5-0.97, p = .032), bifurcation lesion (OR 0.71, CI 0.53-0.95, p = .019), and greater number of stents (OR 0.82, CI 0.75-0.91, p = .0001) were negatively associated with de-escalation. In de-escalated patients, the rationale was not documented in 75.9% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: De-escalation occurred frequently in patients with AMI and was associated with both non-clinical and clinical factors. Medical decision making was poorly documented and represent an area for improvement.

Adoption of coronary artery disease - Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS™) and observed impact on medical therapy and systolic blood pressure control.

BACKGROUND: CAD-RADS was developed to standardize communication of per-patient maximal stenosis on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and provide treatment recommendations and may impact primary prevention care and resource utilization. The authors sought to evaluate CAD-RADS adoption on preventive medical therapy and risk factor control amongst a mixed provider population. METHODS: Statins, aspirin (ASA), systolic blood pressure and, when available, lipid panel changes were abstracted for 1796 total patients undergoing CCTA in the 12 months before (non-standard reporting, NSR, cohort) and after adoption of the CAD-RADS reporting template. Only initiation of a medication in a treatment naïve patient, escalation from baseline dose, or transition to a higher potency was considered an escalation/initiation in lipid therapy. RESULTS: The CAD-RADS reporting template was utilized in 83.7% (751/897) of CCTAs after the CAD-RADS adoption period. After adjusting for any coronary artery disease (CAD) on CCTA, statin initiation/escalation was more commonly observed in the CAD-RADS cohort (aOR 1.46; 95%CI 1.12-1.90, p = 0.005), driven by higher rates of new statin initiation (aOR 1.79; 95%CI 1.23-2.58, p = 0.002). This resulted in a higher observed rates of total cholesterol improvement in the CAD-RADS cohort (58% vs 49%, p = 0.016). New ASA initiation was similar between reporting templates after adjustment for CAD on CCTA (aOR 1.40; 95%CI 0.97-2.02, p = 0.069). The ordering provider's specialty (cardiology vs non-cardiology) did not significantly impact the observed differences in initiation/escalation of statins and ASA (pinteraction = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of CAD-RADS reporting was associated with increased utilization of preventive medications, regardless of ordering provider specialty.

Adoption of the Coronary Artery Disease-reporting and Data System: Reduced Downstream Testing and Cardiology Referral Rates in Patients with Non-obstructive Coronary Artery Disease.

Introduction The coronary artery disease-reporting and data system (CAD-RADS) was developed to standardize communication of per-patient maximal stenosis and provide treatment recommendations that may affect downstream testing. Methods Downstream testing, cardiology referral, and cost were abstracted for 1,796 consecutive patients undergoing coronary CT angiography (CCTA) before and after the adoption of the CAD-RADS reporting template at a single-center closed referral hospital system. Cost analysis was based on direct invasive and non-invasive testing utilizing the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) final rule for 2018. Results Baseline cardiovascular risk factors were balanced between the groups. Overall, referrals for downstream testing were similar between cohorts (10.7% vs 10.8%; p = 0.939). Referral for downstream testing was reduced in the CAD-RADS 1 & 2 cohort compared to non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) by non-standardized reporting (NSR; 5.1% vs 14.4%, p < 0.001). This was offset by more non-diagnostic scans in the CAD-RADS cohort (9.7% vs 4.2%, p < 0.001), resulting in increased downstream testing (28.8% vs 11.4%, p = 0.038). Overall, cardiology referral rates by primary care providers (PCPs) were similar between the groups (12.2% vs 15.8%, p = 0.197). Cardiology referral rates were increased among patients with non-obstructive CAD in the NSR cohort compared with CAD-RADS 1 & 2 patients (20.5% vs 8.6%, p = 0.021). Referrals for invasive coronary angiography were low in both groups overall (3.5% vs 3.2%, p = 0.726). Median downstream testing costs were similar between the groups (p = 0.554). Conclusions Adoption of the CAD-RADS reporting template was associated with a reduction in downstream testing and cardiology referral rates among non-obstructive CAD (CAD-RADS 1 & 2) patients. Thus, CAD-RADS may impact downstream testing in patients in whom further testing can typically be deferred.

Disseminated Tuberculosis Presenting as Chronic Orchiepididymitis in a Military Trainee: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Orchiepididymitis is a clinical diagnosis. The acute form secondary to sexually transmitted or enteric pathogens is well known to primary care providers. However, chronic orchiepididymitis may be secondary to genitourinary tuberculosis (TB), and physicians in countries with a low prevalence of TB might not consider it in their differential diagnosis. Indeed, cognitive errors, such as anchoring or availability bias, may contribute to a delayed diagnosis of genitourinary TB. We present a case of chronic orchiepididymitis as a result of disseminated TB in a Cameroonian male who was visiting the United States for military training. He experienced diagnostic delay and was ultimately diagnosed by orchiectomy. Early consideration of a diagnosis of TB for chronic or recurrent orchiepididymitis in a patient with epidemiologic risk factors is of utmost importance because delayed diagnosis could lead to organ loss.

Public awareness of human papillomavirus as a causative factor for oropharyngeal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the public's awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) as a causative factor for oropharyngeal cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-three-item survey. SETTING: Local shopping malls and Maxwell Air Force Base in 2012. METHODS: Respondents were randomly chosen to participate in 23-item survey at various local shopping malls and at Maxwell Air Force Base in 2012. The χ(2) test was used in statistical analysis. RESULTS: The majority of respondents (n = 319) were civilians; 158 were military officer trainees (MOTs). All MOTs had a bachelor's degree or higher, while 37% of civilian respondents had a bachelor's degree or higher. Most MOTs (82%) were aware of oropharyngeal cancer, and 53% of civilians had not heard of oropharyngeal cancer (P < .0001). Most respondents (73% civilian and 91% military) were aware of the association between HPV and cervical cancer. Conversely, 75% of civilian population and 49% of MOTs were not aware of the association between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer (P < .0001). The majority of respondents (61% military and 81% civilian) did not know that both sexes were eligible for HPV vaccine (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents were aware that HPV is a causative agent of cervical cancer. However, the majority were not aware of the association between oropharyngeal cancer and HPV. Furthermore, many respondents were not aware that HPV equally affects males and females and that the vaccine is available for both sexes. This underscores the need to educate the public on the availability of HPV vaccine and the association between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer.