Non-valvular atrial fibrillation in patients on peritoneal dialysis, prevalence, treatment and professionals involved.

Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent chronic arrhythmia in patients with chronic kidney disease. Oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists and now direct oral anticoagulants have been and are the fundamental pillars for the prevention of thromboembolic events. However, there are no randomized clinical trials on the risk-benefit profile of oral anticoagulation in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 on peritoneal dialysis and there is little evidence in the literature in this population. The objective of our study was to know the prevalence, treatment and professionals involved in the management of atrial fibrillation in peritoneal dialysis patients. For this purpose, we performed a descriptive analysis through a survey sent to different peritoneal dialysis units in Spain. A total of 1,403 patients on peritoneal dialysis were included in the study, of whom 186 (13.2%) had non-valvular atrial fibrillation. In addition, the assessment of the scores of thromboembolic and bleeding risks for the indication of oral anticoagulation was mainly carried out by the cardiologist (60% of the units), as well as its prescription (cardiologist 47% or in consensus with the nephrologist 43%). In summary, patients on peritoneal dialysis have a remarkable prevalence of non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Patients frequently receive oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists, as well as direct oral anticoagulants. The data obtained regarding the scores used for the assessment of thromboembolic and bleeding risk, treatment and involvement by Nephrology indicates that there is a need for training and involvement of the nephrologist in this pathology.

Patients on Antithrombotic Agents with Small Bowel Bleeding -Yield of Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy and Subsequent Management.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Small bowel gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is associated with multiple blood transfusions, prolonged and/or multiple hospital admissions, utilization of significant healthcare resources, and negative effects on patient quality of life. There is a well-recognized association between antithrombotic medications and small bowel GIB. We aimed to identify the diagnostic yield of small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) in patients on antithrombotic medications and the impact of SBCE on treatment course. METHODS: The electronic medical records of nineteen hundred eighty-six patients undergoing SBCE were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The diagnostic yield for detecting stigmata of recent bleeding and/or actively bleeding lesions in SBCE was higher in patients that were on antiplatelet agents (21.6%), patients on anticoagulation (22.5%), and in patients that had their SBCE performed while they were inpatient (21.8%), when compared to the patients not on antiplatelet agents (12.1%), patients not on anticoagulation (13.5%), and with patients that had their SBCE performed in the outpatient setting (12%). Of 318 patients who had stigmata of recent bleeding and/or actively bleeding lesion(s) identified on SBCE, SBCE findings prompted endoscopic evaluation (small bowel enteroscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and/or colonoscopy) in 25.2%, with endoscopic hemostasis attempted in 52.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study, the largest conducted to date, emphasizes the importance of performing SBCE as part of the evaluation for suspected small bowel bleeding, particularly in patients taking antithrombotic therapy, and especially during their inpatient hospital stay.

Fibrilación auricular no valvular en pacientes en diálisis peritoneal: prevalencia, tratamiento y profesionales implicados / Non-valvular atrial fibrillation in patients on peritoneal dialysis: prevalence, treatment and professionals involved

La fibrilación auricular (FA) es la arritmia crónica más frecuente en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC). La anticoagulación oral con antagonistas de la vitamina K (AVK) y actualmente los anticoagulantes orales de acción directa (ACOD) han sido el pilar fundamental para la prevención de eventos tromboembólicos. Sin embargo, no existen ensayos clínicos aleatorizados de su perfil riesgo-beneficio en pacientes con ERC estadio 5 en diálisis peritoneal (DP) y son pocas las evidencias en la literatura sobre esta población. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer la prevalencia, tratamiento y profesionales implicados en el manejo de la FA en DP en nuestro entorno mediante el análisis descriptivo de una encuesta enviada a diferentes unidades de DP de España. Se incluyeron en el estudio 1.403 pacientes en programa de DP, de los cuales 186 (13,2%) presentaban FA no valvular (FANV). Además, observamos que la valoración de los scores para el inicio del tratamiento anticoagulante la realizaba mayoritariamente el cardiólogo (60% de los centros), así como la prescripción de anticoagulación (cardiólogo 47% o en conjunto con el nefrólogo 43%). En conclusión, los pacientes en DP presentan una notable prevalencia de FANV. Reciben frecuentemente anticoagulación oral (ACO) con AVK, así como con ACOD. Los datos obtenidos respecto a las escalas utilizadas para la valoración de riesgo tromboembólico y de sangrado, tratamiento e implicación por parte de Nefrología indican que existe una necesidad de formación e involucramiento del nefrólogo en esta patología.(AU)

Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent chronic arrhythmia in patients with chronic kidney disease. Oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists and now direct oral anticoagulants have been and are the fundamental pillar for the prevention of thromboembolic events. However, there are no randomized clinical trials on the risk-benefit profile of oral anticoagulation in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 on peritoneal dialysis and there is little evidence in the literature in this population. The objective of our study was to know the prevalence, treatment and professionals involved in the management of atrial fibrillation in peritoneal dialysis patients. For this purpose, we performed a descriptive analysis through a survey sent to different peritoneal dialysis units in Spain. A total of 1403 patients on peritoneal dialysis were included in the study, of whom 186 (13.2%) had non-valvular atrial fibrillation. In addition, the assessment of the scores of thromboembolic and bleeding risks for the indication of oral anticoagulation was mainly carried out by the cardiologist (60% of the units), as well as its prescription (cardiologist 47% in consensus with the nephrologist 43%). In summary, patients on peritoneal dialysis have a remarkable prevalence of non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Patients frequently receive oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists, as well as direct oral anticoagulants. The data obtained regarding the scales used for the assessment of thromboembolic and bleeding risk, treatment and involvement by Nephrology indicates that there is a need for training and involvement of the nephrologist in this pathology.(AU)

Effects of thienopyridine class antiplatelets on bleeding outcomes following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

This study aimed to assess the effects of thienopyridine-class antiplatelet agents (including ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and prasugrel) on bleeding complications in patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. This cohort study used a database for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy at 23 tertiary centers nationwide between 2011 and 2022. Patients who received thienopyridines (thienopyridine group) were compared with those who received aspirin monotherapy (aspirin group). The primary outcome was the incidence of bleeding complications. High-grade complications were defined as Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher. The risks of these outcomes were evaluated using inverse probability of treatment weighted regression models. The study results demonstrated that thienopyridine therapy was associated with a higher risk of overall bleeding complications (OR: 3.62, 95%CI 1.54-8.49). The increased risks of the thienopyridine group were detected for low-grade bleeding complications (OR: 3.20, 95%CI 1.23-8.30) but not for high-grade bleeding complications (OR: 5.23, 95%CI 0.78-34.9). The increased risk of bleeding complications was not observed when thienopyridine was discontinued (OR: 2.52, 95%CI 0.83-7.70); however, it became apparent when it was continued perioperatively (OR: 4.35, 95%CI 1.14-16.61). In conclusion, thienopyridine increased the incidence of bleeding complications, particularly low-grade bleeding complications, following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. These bleeding effects emerged when thienopyridine was continued perioperatively.

Modern Treatment of Valvulopathies in Patients with Congenital Hemophilia.

Hemophiliacs can develop cardiovascular diseases, including valvulopathies of various etiologies and severities. Some require surgical treatment. Performing cardiac surgery in hemophiliacs is a challenge because they maintain an increased risk of bleeding throughout their lives. Our review shows that with a multidisciplinary team and careful planning, cardiac surgery can be safely performed in these patients. Valve repair and bioprosthetic valves should be preferred over mechanical valves to avoid life-long anticoagulation. In patients who cannot receive a bioprosthetic valve, the use of the On-X mechanical valve might be considered because it requires less intensive anticoagulation after 3 months of treatment. Antithrombotic treatment is feasible in hemophiliacs only if the coagulation factor level is kept constantly above a specific trough limit. Our review is valuable because, for the first time, the available data on the modern surgical treatment of valvular disease in hemophiliacs have been synthesized and systematized.

N, N'-disubstituted Ureas as Novel Antiplatelet Agents: Synthesis, Pharmacological Evaluation and In Silico Studies.

INTRODUCTION: Thrombotic disorders are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Drugs used in the prevention and treatment of atherothrombosis have pharmacokinetic limitations and adverse effects such as hemorrhagic conditions, highlighting the importance of developing more effective antiplatelet agents. ethod: In this work, we synthesized N,N'-disubstituted ureas 3a-3j and evaluated their antiplatelet profiles through in vitro, ex vivo, and in silico studies. The synthesized derivatives exhibited a selective inhibitory profile against platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (AA) in vitro, without significantly affecting other aspects of primary hemostasis and blood coagulation. The compounds that showed inhibition greater than 85% were submitted to the analysis of their potency by calculating the concentration required to inhibit 50% of platelet aggregation induced by AA (IC50). Urea derivative 3a was the most potent with IC50 of 1.45 µM. Interestingly, this derivative inhibited more than 90% of platelet aggregation induced by AA ex vivo, with a similar effect to acetylsalicylic acid. In the hemolysis assay, most of the urea derivatives presented values below 10% suggesting good hemocompatibility. Additionally, the compounds tested at 100 µM also showed no cytotoxic effects in HepG2 and Vero cells. RESULT: The in silico results suggested that compound 3a may bind to the key residue of COX-1 similar to AA and known COX-1 inhibitors, and the results are also in agreement with our SAR, which suggests that the inhibition of this enzyme is the most likely mechanism of antiplatelet activity. CONCLUSION: Therefore, these results demonstrated that N,N'-disubstituted ureas are promising candidates for the development of novel antiplatelet agents.

[Survey on blood thinning therapy in patients with age-related macular degeneration]. / Umfrage zur blutverdünnenden Therapie bei Patienten mit altersabhängiger Makuladegeneration.

BACKGROUND: Patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) often receive concomitant systemic blood thinning medications. These are known to increase the risk of severe hemorrhage also in connection with AMD, which can lead to extensive subretinal hemorrhaging. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the proportion of patients with AMD and concomitant blood thinning treatment, including the type and reason for blood thinning treatment. METHODS: This survey was prospectively conducted at the University Eye Hospital, Bonn, Germany. Volunteers were recruited during retinal consultations and the consultations for intravitreal injections (IVOM). RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 178 patients. The mean age was 81.7 years (58-100) and 101 patients (57.7%) were undergoing blood thinning treatment. The majority of patients were taking antiplatelet agents (n = 59; 58.4%), especially ASA (n = 55; 54.5%). Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) were taken by 33 patients (32.7%), including most frequently apixaban (17.8%). Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) was taken by 4 patients (4%). The most common reason for blood thinning treatment was atrial fibrillation (n = 32, 31.7%), followed by stent implantation (n = 20, 19.8%) and stroke (n = 12, 11.9%) but 13 patients (12.9%) did not know why they were undergoing blood thinning treatment. No clear indications for the use of blood thinners were found in 31 patients (30.7%). CONCLUSION: A large proportion of patients with AMD undergo blood thinning treatment; however, not every patient has a clear indication. Due to the increased risk of bleeding, the use of blood thinners should be critically evaluated in close cooperation with primary care physicians and cardiologists.

A multicenter study of DDAVP versus platelet transfusions for antiplatelet agent reversal in patients with traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet agents have been shown to worsen outcomes following traumatic injury. Research on desmopressin (DDAVP) and platelet transfusion for antiplatelet reversal is limited. We aimed to evaluate the effect of these agents on patients taking pre-injury antiplatelet medications who experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI) after blunt trauma. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of adult trauma patients from 2014 to 2021 on aspirin and/or a P2Y12 inhibitor. Patients were stratified into groups based on if they received DDAVP, platelets, both agents, or neither. RESULTS: Of 5525 included patients, 4696 (85.4%) were not reversed, 461 (8.4%) received platelets, 173 (3.1%) received DDAVP, and 172 (3.1%) received both reversals. There was no statistically significant difference in length of stay between, but patients who received platelets or both reversals were more likely to have hospital complications (p < 0.05), longer hospital length of stay (p < 0.001), and longer ICU length of stay (p < 0.001) compared to those who did not receive reversal. A subgroup analysis of patients with a head AIS of 4 or 5 confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received platelets or both reversals had a longer length of hospital stay and length of ICU stay. It is difficult to recommend one treatment over another based on our results alone. Further studies are needed to help clarify the risks and benefits of reversal agents in this patient population.

Management of Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Agents in Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Prevention of Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Managing gastrointestinal bleeding in patients using antithrombotic agents remains challenging in clinical practice. This review article provides a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to managing acute antithrombotic-related gastrointestinal bleeding, focusing on the triage of patients, appropriate resuscitation, and timely endoscopy. The latest clinical practice guidelines are highlighted to guide decisions concerning the use of reversal agents, temporary interruption, and resumption of antithrombotic drugs. Additionally, preventive measures are discussed to lower the risk of future bleeding and minimize complications among patients prescribed antithrombotic drugs.

Intraluminal Thrombus of the Extracranial Cerebral Arteries in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Manifestations, Treatment Strategies, and Outcome.

Background: Intraluminal thrombus (ILT) of the cervical arteries is an uncommon finding that can lead to acute or recurrent ischemic stroke. Currently, antithrombotic therapy in the form of antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation is considered the mainstay of treatment, but evidence of which one has a better outcome is lacking. Methods: A retrospective cohort study included 28 patients diagnosed with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack with ILT of the extracranial arteries from 2013 to 2022. The primary efficacy outcome was assessed as recurrent stroke, and the primary safety outcome was assessed as hemorrhagic complications. Secondary outcomes were assessed as the resolution of thrombi by CT angiography (CTA) and clinical improvement by the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Results: Out of 28 patients, more than half (57.1%; n = 16) were males with a mean age of 57.8 ± 9.5 years and an average BMI of 26.9 ± 4.5 kg/m2. As initial treatment, twenty-four patients received anticoagulation and four received antiplatelet agents. Recurrent strokes were found in four patients (14.29%), and all were initially treated with anticoagulation. One patient in the anticoagulation group had a significant retroperitoneal hemorrhage. None of the patients in the antiplatelets group had a recurrent stroke or bleeding event. Initial treatment with antiplatelet agents significantly improved the NIHSS on day 7 (P = 0.017). A significant improvement in NIHSS on day 90 was observed in the anticoagulant group (P = 0.011). In the follow-up CTA performed on 24 patients, 18 (75%) showed complete resolution (3 out of 3 (100%) in the antiplatelet group and 15 out of 21 (71.43%) in the anticoagulant group). Conclusion: Initial treatment with anticoagulants improves neurologic outcomes in patients with ILT-induced acute ischemic stroke but carries the risk of recurrent stroke and bleeding. However, initial treatment with dual antiplatelet agents appears to have comparable efficacy without sequelae, particularly in atherosclerosis-induced ILT.

2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

AIM: The "2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 12, 2022, to November 3, 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through November 2022, during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables, where appropriate. STRUCTURE: Atrial fibrillation is the most sustained common arrhythmia, and its incidence and prevalence are increasing in the United States and globally. Recommendations from the "2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" and the "2019 AHA/ACC/HRS Focused Update of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic risk assessment, anticoagulation, left atrial appendage occlusion, atrial fibrillation catheter or surgical ablation, and risk factor modification and atrial fibrillation prevention have been developed.

Impact of renal function on adverse bleeding events associated with dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

It is believed, but not well established, that renal dysfunction increases the risk of adverse bleeding events associated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), especially in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of this study is to estimate the impact of renal function on adverse bleeding events associated with DAPT in patients with ACS. A total of 1,264 ACS patients who received DAPT, clopidogrel (n = 530) or prasugrel (n = 734) in addition to aspirin, were assessed in a multicenter observational study. The relationship between renal function and bleeding event, defined as BARC 3 or 5, was determined using a marginal effect from the logit model and Royston-Parmar model. During an average 313.1 days of the observation period, defined as the duration of DAPT after admission until the implementation of a change in the regimen, bleeding events were observed in 7.4% of patients (n = 94). The estimated curves demonstrated that the probability of bleeding was positive correlated with renal dysfunction (6.0 to 8.6), regardless of the DAPT regimen used. This probability was consistently higher in clopidogrel (7.4 to 10.5) than in prasugrel (4.8 to 0.7). This trend was also shown in maintenance hemodialysis patients (6.7 vs. 10.3). Estimated cumulative incidences among individual stages of renal function were drawn. In conclusion, bleeding events increased with worsening renal function, and prasugrel is safer than clopidogrel as a component of DAPT throughout all levels of renal function, including hemodialysis patients after ACS.

Oral Anticoagulants Beyond Warfarin.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have largely replaced vitamin K antagonists, mostly warfarin, for the main indications for oral anticoagulation, prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism, and prevention of embolic stroke in atrial fibrillation. While DOACs offer practical, fixed-dose anticoagulation in many patients, specific restrictions or contraindications may apply. DOACs are not sufficiently effective in high-thrombotic risk conditions such as antiphospholipid syndrome and mechanical heart valves. Patients with cancer-associated thrombosis may benefit from DOACs, but the bleeding risk, particularly in those with gastrointestinal or urogenital tumors, must be carefully weighed. In patients with frailty, excess body weight, and/or moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease, DOACs must be cautiously administered and may require laboratory monitoring. Reversal agents have been developed and approved for life-threatening bleeding. In addition, the clinical testing of potentially safer anticoagulants such as factor XI(a) inhibitors is important to further optimize anticoagulant therapy in an increasingly elderly and frail population worldwide.

2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

AIM: The "2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 12, 2022, to November 3, 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through November 2022, during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables, where appropriate. STRUCTURE: Atrial fibrillation is the most sustained common arrhythmia, and its incidence and prevalence are increasing in the United States and globally. Recommendations from the "2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" and the "2019 AHA/ACC/HRS Focused Update of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic risk assessment, anticoagulation, left atrial appendage occlusion, atrial fibrillation catheter or surgical ablation, and risk factor modification and atrial fibrillation prevention have been developed.

Effects of preceding antiplatelet agents on severity of ischemic stroke in patients with a history of stroke.

INTRODUCTION: Antiplatelet agents are effective for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke and can reduce the severity of first-ever ischemic stroke. However, it is uncertain if prophylactic antiplatelet therapy reduces the severity of recurrent ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of preceding antiplatelet treatment on the severity of thrombotic stroke (TS) in patients with a prior history of stroke. METHODS: From a prospective hospital registry of 1338 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke, we identified patients with a prior history of stroke who were admitted for cardioembolic stroke (CE); TS including large-artery atherosclerosis, small vessel occlusion, and branch atheromatous disease; or other cause or cryptogenic stroke (OCS). Cases in each subtype were categorized based on preceding medication: antiplatelet agents (AP) and none (N). Severity of stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale: NIHSS) on admission was compared between AP and N cases. RESULTS: The total cohort of 252 patients included 83 with CE, 102 with TS, and 67 with OCS. After excluding those with prior anticoagulants, the median NIHSS on admission was lower in AP cases than in N cases (3 vs. 5, p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, preceding AP treatment was independently associated with minor stroke (NIHSS ≤4) on admission in CE group (OR 8.48, 95% CI 1.71-62.9, p = 0.008) and TS group (OR 4.24, 95% CI 1.44-13.4, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Preceding antiplatelet treatment in patients with a prior history of stroke may reduce the severity of subsequent thrombotic and cardiogenic stroke.

[Drug interactions in neurosurgical patients]. / Mezhlekarstvennye vzaimodeistviya u patsientov neirokhirurgicheskogo profilya.

We analyzed literature data on the most common drug interactions in neurosurgical patients. Drug interactions are a potential cause of adverse and dangerous clinical events and outcomes. Awareness of nature of drug interactions is valuable to avoid negative consequences when using combination of several drugs. Polypharmacy in neurosurgical patients is caused by treatment of intracranial lesions (hormonal therapy, antiepileptic drugs, etc.) and concomitant somatic diseases that increases the risk of drug interactions.

Advances and Perspectives in methods for identifying high platelet reactivity.

Antiplatelet therapy is the foundational treatment for the prevention and treatment of coronary and cerebrovascular ischemic events in patients with coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, and transient ischemic attack (TIA). However, with more and more studies reporting an increased risk of thrombosis in some patients due to poor response to therapeutic agents, the selection of appropriate P2Y12 inhibitors has become a major challenge that needs to be addressed urgently. Currently, commonly used oral P2Y12 inhibitors include clopidogrel, ticagrelor, and prasugrel. Assessing patients' risk factors before the development of treatment regimens by effectively predicting the risk of high platelet reactivity with specific P2Y12 inhibitors in advance to avert the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) is the key point to the problem. Up to now, methods available for predicting platelet reactivity include genetic testing, platelet function testing, and risk scores. This review provides a summarization of the existent available identification methods and analyzes the advantages and drawbacks of different methods in specific clinical settings, intending to guide the rational clinical application of P2Y12 receptor inhibitors.

[Modern strategies for the management of patients who have suffered ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack]. / Sovremennye strategii vedeniya bol'nykh, perenesshikh ishemicheskii insul't ili tranzitornuyu ishemicheskuyu ataku.

Modern strategies for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke (IS) are based on long-term use of drugs from three main pharmaceutical groups (antihypertensive, lipid-lowering and antithrombotic drugs). In practical terms, the most difficult thing for a practitioner is the choice of antithrombotic therapy with anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents. Antithrombotic therapy for patients with acute cerebrovascular accidents has changed significantly in recent years. Clinical guidelines mention traditional and new oral anticoagulants, and the family of antiplatelet agents that can be used in clinical practice has expanded. The possibilities of differentiated antithrombotic therapy depending on the pathogenetic subtype of IS have expanded. The concept of early secondary prevention, new in angioneurology, suggests the possibility of more aggressive management of patients using a combination of antithrombotic drugs. In connection with the increase in life expectancy of patients who have suffered a IS, the issues of choosing drugs with good efficacy and a better safety profile have become relevant. The article discusses the practical aspects of managing patients in the acute period of the disease, during the period of early secondary prevention (90 days), if long-term use of basic treatment strategies is necessary (years).

Thrombocyte transfusion and rebleeding rate in patients using antiplatelet agents before aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: The reason for a rebleed after an initial hemorrhage in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is considered multifactorial. Antiplatelet use is one of the factors that has been related to early rebleed and worse outcome after aSAH. Thrombocyte transfusion overcomes the inhibitory effects of antiplatelet agents by increasing the number of functional thrombocytes, but its impact on the rebleed rate and clinical outcome remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of thrombocyte transfusion on rebleeding and clinical outcome in patients with aSAH and prehemorrhage antiplatelet use, considering confounding factors. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected at a single tertiary reference center for aSAH in Zurich, Switzerland. Patients with aSAH and prehemorrhage antiplatelet use were divided into "thrombocyte transfusion" and "nontransfusion" groups based on whether they did or did not receive any thrombocyte transfusion in the acute stage of aSAH after hospital admission and before the exclusion of the bleeding source. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, the impact of thrombocyte transfusion on the rebleed rate and on clinical outcome (defined as Glasgow Outcome Scale score 1-3) was calculated. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-seven patients were included, 87 (55.4%) of whom received thrombocyte transfusion. Eighteen (11.5%) of 157 patients had a rebleed during the hospital stay. The rebleed risk was 6.9% in the thrombocyte transfusion group and 17.1% in the nontransfusion group. After adjusting for confounders, thrombocyte transfusion showed evidence for a reduction in the rebleed rate (adjusted OR [aOR] 0.29, 95% CI 0.10-0.87). Fifty-seven patients (36.3%) achieved a poor outcome at 6 months' follow-up. Among those 57 patients, 31 (54.4%) underwent at least one thrombocyte transfusion. Thrombocyte transfusion was not associated with poor clinical outcome at 6 months' follow-up (aOR 0.91, 95% CI 0.39-2.15). CONCLUSIONS: Thrombocyte transfusion in patients with aSAH and prehemorrhage antiplatelet use is independently associated with a reduction in rebleeds but shows no impact on clinical outcome at 6 months' follow-up. Larger and randomized studies are needed to investigate the impact of thrombocyte transfusion on rebleed and outcome.

Prognostic Comparison of Octogenarian vs. Non-Octogenarian With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure　- AURORA Study.

BACKGROUND: Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is the main cause of hospitalization and death of octogenarians, but no data on the 1-year post-discharge mortality rate. We evaluated the clinical status and predictors of 1-year mortality in octogenarians with ADHF.Methods and Results: From the AURORA (Acute Heart Failure Registry in Osaka Rosai Hospital) study, we examined 1,246 hospitalized ADHF patients. We compared the in-hospital mortality rate and the proportion of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) between octogenarians and non-octogenarians. After discharge we compared the 1-year mortality rate between these groups, and we also evaluated the predictors of death in both groups. The proportion of HFpEF among the in-hospital deaths of octogenarians was significantly higher than in non-octogenarians (46.2% vs. 15.0%, P=0.031). The 1-year mortality rate after discharge was significantly higher in the octogenarians than non-octogenarians (P=0.014). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that albumin ≤3.0 g/dL and antiplatelet agents were useful predictors of 1-year death after discharge of octogenarians whereas chronic kidney disease was a predictor in the non-octogenarians. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of HFpEF among in-hospital deaths of octogenarians with ADHF was high as compared with non-octogenarians. When octogenarians with ADHF have severe hypoalbuminemia and antiplatelet agents, early nutritional and medical interventions after discharge may be important to improve the 1-year prognosis.