Warfarin use and long-term outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation.

Warfarin use in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and atrial fibrillation (AF) remains challenging. We describe use of warfarin up to 1 year after hospitalization among patients with AMI and AF according to stroke and bleeding risk, and identify factors associated with long-term mortality in this population. Patients with AMI and AF who underwent cardiac catheterization during their AMI hospitalization in 1995-2007 were identified from the Duke Databank for Cardiovascular Disease. Warfarin use at discharge, 6 months, and 1 year as well as long-term vital status were assessed by surveys. Rates of warfarin use were presented according to CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc stroke and ATRIA bleeding risk scores. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to determine whether warfarin use at discharge was independently associated with 1-year mortality. A total of 879 patients hospitalized with AMI with AF were identified. Median age was 72 (25th, 75th percentiles: 64, 79), and median follow-up was 4.1 years (1.3, 7.4). The rate of warfarin use at discharge was 24 % and did not differ by CHADS2, CHA2DS2VASc, or ATRIA risk scores. Warfarin use remained similar at 6 months (26 %) and 1 year (27 %). Long-term mortality was high and did not differ by whether warfarin was or was not prescribed at discharge (72 and 71 %, respectively). Factors associated with 1-year mortality were history of heart failure (HR 1.58, 95 % CI 1.32-1.90), higher Charlson comorbidity index (HR 1.19, 95 % CI 1.11-1.28), and older age (HR 1.03 per 1-year increase, 95 % CI 1.02-1.05). Warfarin use at discharge among patients hospitalized for AMI who had comorbid AF was low and remained low at 1 year. Warfarin use at hospital discharge was not associated with either 1-year mortality or long-term mortality.

Safety profile and bleeding risk of ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel.

INTRODUCTION: Ticagrelor is a novel, non-thienopyridine ADP inhibitor that reversibly blocks the P2Y(12) receptor, preventing platelet activation and aggregation. It is the first ADP inhibitor to show a mortality benefit in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Its major safety concern, as with the other ADP blockers, is bleeding. Other common adverse effects of ticagrelor such as dyspnea and ventricular pauses appear to be mild and self-limited. AREAS COVERED: The pharmacological properties of ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel are explored in this article. In addition, the relevant clinical trials in which ticagrelor was investigated are described, with an emphasis on efficacy and safety end points. EXPERT OPINION: Although some patients suffer from dyspnea when administered with ticagrelor, there is no evidence of any untoward effects on the cardiovascular or pulmonary systems. Given that the majority of these episodes are mild to moderate and self-limiting, patients should be encouraged to continue the medication, as symptoms may resolve. Furthermore, patients with underlying heart failure or lung disease do not appear to be at an increased risk of developing ticagrelor-induced dyspnea. Its overall mortality benefit among patients with ACS, along with its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation more rapidly and consistently, makes it the preferred agent over clopidogrel.