Empagliflozin to prevent post-operative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: Rationale and design of the EMPOAF trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is one of the most common types of acute AF and can complicate the treatment course of approximately one third of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are among the newest antidiabetic drugs which can be therapeutic options for preventing POAF by different mechanisms. METHODS: Empagliflozin to Prevent POAF (EMPOAF) is an interventional, investigator-initiated, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, randomized controlled trial which will be conducted in two referral teaching cardiology hospitals in Tehran. Four-hundred ninety-two adult patients who are scheduled for elective isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery will be randomly assigned to one of the groups of intervention (empagliflozin 10 mg daily) or placebo starting at least 3 days before surgery until discharge. Key exclusion criteria are a history of diabetes mellitus, AF, ketoacidosis, or recurrent urinary tract infections along with severe renal or hepatic impairment, unstable hemodynamics, and patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors for another indication. The primary outcome will be the incidence of POAF. Key secondary endpoints will be the composite rate of life-threatening arrhythmias, postoperative acute kidney injury, hospitalization length, in-hospital mortality, stroke, and systemic embolization. Key safety endpoints will be the rate of life-threatening and/or genitourinary tract infections, hypoglycemia, and ketoacidosis. CONCLUSIONS: EMPOAF will prospectively evaluate whether empagliflozin 10 mg daily can reduce the rate of POAF in patients undergoing elective CABG. Enrolment into this study has started by November 2023 and is expected to be ended before the end of 2025.

Preprocedural Colchicine in Patients With Acute ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial (PodCAST-PCI).

ABSTRACT: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the gold standard of treatment in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The no-reflow phenomenon (NRP) is a detrimental consequence of STEMI. Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory drug that may help prevent the NRP and improve patient outcomes. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 451 patients with acute STEMI who were candidates for PPCI and eligible for enrollment were randomized into the colchicine group (n = 229) and the control group (n = 222). About 321 patients were eligible to participate; 161 patients were assigned to the colchicine group, whereas 160 patients were assigned to the control group. Colchicine was administered 1 mg before PCI and 0.5 mg daily after the procedure until discharge. NRP, measured by angiographic findings including the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade and the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction myocardial perfusion grade, was reported as the primary outcome. Secondary end points included ST resolution 90 minutes after the procedure, P-selectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and troponin levels postprocedurally, predischarge ejection fraction, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 1 month and 1 year after PPCI. NRP rates did not show a significant difference between the 2 groups ( P = 0.98). Moreover, the levels of P-selectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and troponin were not significantly different. MACE and predischarge ejection fraction were also not significantly different between the groups. In patients with STEMI treated by PPCI, colchicine administered before PPCI was not associated with a significant reduction in the NRP and MACE prevention (trial registration: IRCT20120111008698N23).

Pharmacologic Prevention of Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

ABSTRACT: Establishing efficient perfusion into the myocardium is the main purpose in patients with acute coronary syndrome, but the process of reperfusion is not without risk and can damage the myocardium paradoxically. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for reperfusion injury, and efforts to find an efficient preventive approach are still ongoing. In the past 3 decades, there have been many successful animal studies on how to prevent reperfusion injury; nonetheless, translation to the clinical setting has almost always proven disappointing. In this article, we review clinical studies on the prevention of reperfusion injury in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention in a pharmacologic-based approach. We categorize all the agents that are evaluated for the prevention of myocardial reperfusion injury based on their mechanisms of action into 5 groups: drugs that can reduce oxidative stress, drugs that can affect cellular metabolism, rheological agents that target microvascular obstruction, anti-inflammatory agents, and agents with mixed mechanisms of action. Then, review all the clinical studies of these agents in the setting of primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Finally, we will discuss the possible reasons for the failure in translation of studies into practice and propose potential solutions to overcome this problem.

Cardiovascular Complications of COVID-19: Pharmacotherapy Perspective.

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is spreading rapidly the world over. The disease was declared "pandemic" by the World Health Organization. An approved therapy for patients with COVID-19 has yet to emerge; however, there are some medications used in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection globally including hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, dexamethasone, protease inhibitors, and anti-inflammatory agents. Patients with underlying cardiovascular disease are at increased risk of mortality and morbidity from COVID-19. Moreover, patients with chronic stable states and even otherwise healthy individuals might sustain acute cardiovascular problems due to COVID-19 infection. This article seeks to review the latest evidence with a view to explaining possible pharmacotherapies for the cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 including acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, myocarditis, arrhythmias, and venous thromboembolism, as well as possible interactions between these medications and those currently administered (or under evaluation) in the treatment of COVID-19.

Effect of Intermediate-Dose vs Standard-Dose Prophylactic Anticoagulation on Thrombotic Events, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Treatment, or Mortality Among Patients With COVID-19 Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: The INSPIRATION Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Thrombotic events are commonly reported in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Limited data exist to guide the intensity of antithrombotic prophylaxis. Objective: To evaluate the effects of intermediate-dose vs standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation among patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter randomized trial with a 2 × 2 factorial design performed in 10 academic centers in Iran comparing intermediate-dose vs standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation (first hypothesis) and statin therapy vs matching placebo (second hypothesis; not reported in this article) among adult patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19. Patients were recruited between July 29, 2020, and November 19, 2020. The final follow-up date for the 30-day primary outcome was December 19, 2020. Interventions: Intermediate-dose (enoxaparin, 1 mg/kg daily) (n = 276) vs standard prophylactic anticoagulation (enoxaparin, 40 mg daily) (n = 286), with modification according to body weight and creatinine clearance. The assigned treatments were planned to be continued until completion of 30-day follow-up. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of venous or arterial thrombosis, treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or mortality within 30 days, assessed in randomized patients who met the eligibility criteria and received at least 1 dose of the assigned treatment. Prespecified safety outcomes included major bleeding according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (type 3 or 5 definition), powered for noninferiority (a noninferiority margin of 1.8 based on odds ratio), and severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <20 ×103/µL). All outcomes were blindly adjudicated. Results: Among 600 randomized patients, 562 (93.7%) were included in the primary analysis (median [interquartile range] age, 62 [50-71] years; 237 [42.2%] women). The primary efficacy outcome occurred in 126 patients (45.7%) in the intermediate-dose group and 126 patients (44.1%) in the standard-dose prophylaxis group (absolute risk difference, 1.5% [95% CI, -6.6% to 9.8%]; odds ratio, 1.06 [95% CI, 0.76-1.48]; P = .70). Major bleeding occurred in 7 patients (2.5%) in the intermediate-dose group and 4 patients (1.4%) in the standard-dose prophylaxis group (risk difference, 1.1% [1-sided 97.5% CI, -∞ to 3.4%]; odds ratio, 1.83 [1-sided 97.5% CI, 0.00-5.93]), not meeting the noninferiority criteria (P for noninferiority >.99). Severe thrombocytopenia occurred only in patients assigned to the intermediate-dose group (6 vs 0 patients; risk difference, 2.2% [95% CI, 0.4%-3.8%]; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19, intermediate-dose prophylactic anticoagulation, compared with standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation, did not result in a significant difference in the primary outcome of a composite of adjudicated venous or arterial thrombosis, treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or mortality within 30 days. These results do not support the routine empirical use of intermediate-dose prophylactic anticoagulation in unselected patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04486508.

Cardiovascular Considerations in Treating Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

A novel betacoronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread rapidly across the globe since December 2019. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a significantly higher mortality rate than seasonal influenza and has disproportionately affected older adults, especially those with cardiovascular disease and related risk factors. Adverse cardiovascular sequelae, such as myocarditis, acute myocardial infarction, and heart failure, have been reported in patients with COVID-19. No established treatment is currently available; however, several therapies, including remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, and interleukin (IL)-6 inhibitors, are being used off-label and evaluated in ongoing clinical trials. Considering these therapies are not familiar to cardiovascular clinicians managing these patients, this review describes the pharmacology of these therapies in the context of their use in patients with cardiovascular-related conditions.

Optimizing antithrombotic therapy in patients with coexisting cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease.

Balancing the safety and efficacy of antithrombotic agents in patients with gastrointestinal disorders is challenging because of the potential for interference with the absorption of antithrombotic drugs and for an increased risk of bleeding. In this Review, we address considerations for enteral antithrombotic therapy in patients with cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal comorbidities. For those with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), we summarize a general scheme for risk stratification and clinical evidence on risk reduction approaches, such as limiting the use of concomitant medications that increase the risk of GIB and the potential utility of gastrointestinal protection strategies (such as proton pump inhibitors or histamine type 2 receptor antagonists). Furthermore, we summarize the best available evidence and potential gaps in our knowledge on tailoring antithrombotic therapy in patients with active or recent GIB and in those at high risk of GIB but without active or recent GIB. Finally, we review the recommendations provided by major medical societies, highlighting the crucial role of teamwork and multidisciplinary discussions to customize the antithrombotic regimen in patients with coexisting cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases.

Evaluating the role of intravenous pentoxifylline administration on primary percutaneous coronary intervention success rate in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (PENTOS-PCI).

Ischemia reperfusion injury can lead to further myocardiocyte damage in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative with known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, vasodilator, and rheological properties which can be a promising agent in preventing reperfusion injury. PENTOS-PCI is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial which evaluated the efficacy and safety of preprocedural administration of intravenous pentoxifylline in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with acute STEMI who were eligible for PCI were randomized to receive either 100-mg intravenous infusion of pentoxifylline or placebo, prior to transferring to catheterization laboratory. Overall, 161 patients were included in our study of whom 80 patients were assigned to pentoxifylline and 81 to the control groups. Per-protocol analysis of primary endpoint indexing PCI's success rate as measured by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade 3 was not significantly different between pentoxifylline and placebo (71.3% and 66.3% respectively, P = 0.40). In addition, pentoxifylline could not improve secondary angiographic endpoints including myocardial blush grade 3 (87.5% and 85.2%, P = 0.79) and corrected TIMI frame count (22.8 [± 9.0] and 24.0 [± 5.1], P = 0.33) in the intervention and placebo groups respectively. The rates of major adverse cardiac and treatment emergent adverse effects were not significantly different between the two groups. Administration of intravenous pentoxifylline before primary PCI did not improve the success rate of the procedure in patients with STEMI. Intravenous administration of pentoxifylline was well tolerated, and there were no significant differences regarding adverse drug reactions in the two groups. Panel A, background: pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative with known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, vasodilator, and rheological properties which can be a promising agent in preventing reperfusion injury. Panel B: study design and main results of the PENTOS-PCI trial. cTFC corrected TIMI frame count, ED emergency department, IRI ischemia reperfusion injury, MBG myocardial blush grade, PCI percutaneous coronary intervention, PPCI primary PCI, PTX pentoxifylline, ROS reactive oxygen species, SD standard deviation, STEMI ST-elevation myocardial infarction, TIMI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction.

Atorvastatin versus Placebo in ICU Patients with COVID-19: Ninety-day Results of the INSPIRATION-S Trial.

BACKGROUND: In the INSPIRATION-S trial, atorvastatin versus placebo was associated with a nonsignificant 16% reduction in 30-day composite of venous/arterial thrombosis or death in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with COVID-19. Thrombo-inflammatory response in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may last beyond the first 30 days. METHODS: This article reports the effects of atorvastatin 20 mg daily versus placebo on 90-day clinical and functional outcomes from INSPIRATION-S, a double-blind multicenter randomized trial of adult ICU patients with COVID-19. The main outcome for this prespecified study was a composite of adjudicated venous/arterial thrombosis, treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), or all-cause mortality. Functional status was assessed with the Post-COVID-19 Functional Scale. RESULTS: In the primary analysis, 587 patients were included (age: 57 [Q1-Q3: 45-68] years; 44% women). By 90-day follow-up, the main outcome occurred in 96 (33.1%) patients assigned to atorvastatin and 113 (38.0%) assigned to placebo (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60-1.05, p = 0.11). Atorvastatin in patients who presented within 7 days of symptom onset was associated with reduced 90-day hazard for the main outcome (HR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42-0.86, p interaction = 0.02). Atorvastatin use was associated with improved 90-day functional status, although the upper bound CI crossed 1.0 (ORordinal: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.41-1.01, p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin 20 mg compared with placebo did not significantly reduce the 90-day composite of death, treatment with ECMO, or venous/arterial thrombosis. However, the point estimates do not exclude a potential clinically meaningful treatment effect, especially among patients who presented within 7 days of symptom onset (NCT04486508).

A stepwise approach to prescribing novel lipid-lowering medications.

Dyslipidemia is a major modifiable risk factor for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Despite increasing high intensity statin prescription and adherence to statin therapy, a considerable number of patients will not reach the guideline directed goals due to statin intolerance, lack of adherence or treatment efficacy. Several new lipid lowering medications have received approval by regulatory agencies in the past decade including proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 modulators, ATP-citrate lyase inhibitors, angiopoietin-like 3 inhibitors, lomitapide, and icosapent ethyl. Although approved by regulatory agencies, these medications are still under-prescribed worldwide which may be related to cost issues, lack of cardiovascular outcome results, or clinicians not being familiar with their use. In this review, we propose a practical stepwise approach including each class' efficacy, place in therapy, adverse effects, warnings and precautions, and monitoring parameters. This information can help the clinicians to prescribing these novel lipid lowering medications to achieve treatment goals and reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The aim is to shift the paradigm for high-intensity statins from watch and wait to initial combination therapy for high-risk patients.

Intermediate-Dose versus Standard-Dose Prophylactic Anticoagulation in Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: 90-Day Results from the INSPIRATION Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Thrombotic complications are considered among the main extrapulmonary manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The optimal type and duration of prophylactic antithrombotic therapy in these patients remain unknown. METHODS: This article reports the final (90-day) results of the Intermediate versus Standard-dose Prophylactic anticoagulation In cRitically-ill pATIents with COVID-19: An opeN label randomized controlled trial (INSPIRATION) study. Patients with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care were randomized to intermediate-dose versus standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation for 30 days, irrespective of hospital discharge status. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of adjudicated venous or arterial thrombosis, treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), or all-cause death. The main safety outcome was major bleeding. RESULTS: Of 600 randomized patients, 562 entered the modified intention-to-treat analysis (median age [Q1, Q3]: 62 [50, 71] years; 237 [42.2%] women), of whom 336 (59.8%) survived to hospital discharge. The primary outcome occurred in 132 (47.8%) of patients assigned to intermediate dose and 130 (45.4%) patients assigned to standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95-1.55, p = 0.11). Findings were similar for other efficacy outcomes, and in the landmark analysis from days 31 to 90 (HR: 1.59, 95% CI: 0.45-5.06). There were 7 (2.5%) major bleeding events in the intermediate-dose group (including 3 fatal events) and 4 (1.4%) major bleeding events in the standard-dose group (none fatal) (HR: 1.82, 95% CI: 0.53-6.24). CONCLUSION: Intermediate-dose compared with standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation did not reduce a composite of death, treatment with ECMO, or venous or arterial thrombosis at 90-day follow-up.

Use of novel antithrombotic agents for COVID-19: Systematic summary of ongoing randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with macro- and micro-thromboses, which are triggered by endothelial cell activation, coagulopathy, and uncontrolled inflammatory response. Conventional antithrombotic agents are under assessment in dozens of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with COVID-19, with preliminary results not demonstrating benefit in several studies. OBJECTIVES: Given the possibility that more novel agents with antithrombotic effects may have a potential utility for management of patients with COVID-19, we assessed ongoing RCTs including these agents with their potential mechanism of action in this population. METHODS: We searched clinicaltrials.gov and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to identify RCTs of novel antithrombotic agents in patients with COVID-19. RESULTS: Based on a systematic literature search, 27 RCTs with 10 novel antithrombotic agents (including nafamostat, dociparstat, rNAPc2, and defibrotide) were identified. The results from these trials have not been disseminated yet. The studied drugs in the ongoing or completed RCTs include agents affecting the coagulation cascade, drugs affecting endothelial activation, and mixed acting agents. Their postulated antithrombotic mechanisms of action and their potential impact on patient management are summarized. CONCLUSION: Some novel antithrombotic agents have pleiotropic anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects, which may help reduce the viral load or fibrosis, and improve oxygenation. Results from ongoing RCTs will elucidate their actual role in the management of patients with COVID-19.

Lipid-Modulating Agents for Prevention or Treatment of COVID-19 in Randomized Trials.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with systemic inflammation, endothelial activation, and multi-organ manifestations. Lipid modulating agents may be useful in treating patients with COVID-19. They may inhibit viral entry by lipid raft disruption or ameliorate the inflammatory response and endothelial activation. In addition, dyslipidemia with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher triglycerides portends worse outcome in patients with COVID-19. Upon a systematic search, 40 RCTs with lipid modulating agents were identified, including 17 statin trials, 14 omega-3 fatty acids RCTs, 3 fibrates RCTs, 5 niacin RCTs, and 1 dalcetrapib RCT for management or prevention of COVID-19. This manuscript summarizes the ongoing or completed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of lipid modulating agents in COVID-19 and the implications of these trials for patient management.

Investigating Lipid-Modulating Agents for Prevention or Treatment of COVID-19: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is associated with systemic inflammation, endothelial activation, and multiorgan manifestations. Lipid-modulating agents may be useful in treating patients with COVID-19. These agents may inhibit viral entry by lipid raft disruption or ameliorate the inflammatory response and endothelial activation. In addition, dyslipidemia with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher triglyceride levels portend worse outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Upon a systematic search, 40 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with lipid-modulating agents were identified, including 17 statin trials, 14 omega-3 fatty acids RCTs, 3 fibrate RCTs, 5 niacin RCTs, and 1 dalcetrapib RCT for the management or prevention of COVID-19. From these 40 RCTs, only 2 have reported preliminary results, and most others are ongoing. This paper summarizes the ongoing or completed RCTs of lipid-modulating agents in COVID-19 and the implications of these trials for patient management.

Recent Randomized Trials of Antithrombotic Therapy for Patients With COVID-19: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Endothelial injury and microvascular/macrovascular thrombosis are common pathophysiological features of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). However, the optimal thromboprophylactic regimens remain unknown across the spectrum of illness severity of COVID-19. A variety of antithrombotic agents, doses, and durations of therapy are being assessed in ongoing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that focus on outpatients, hospitalized patients in medical wards, and patients critically ill with COVID-19. This paper provides a perspective of the ongoing or completed RCTs related to antithrombotic strategies used in COVID-19, the opportunities and challenges for the clinical trial enterprise, and areas of existing knowledge, as well as data gaps that may motivate the design of future RCTs.