Cost-effectiveness of CYP2C19-guided antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome and percutaneous coronary intervention informed by real-world data.

Current guidelines recommend dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) consisting of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitors following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). CYP2C19 genotype can guide DAPT selection, prescribing ticagrelor or prasugrel for loss-of-function (LOF) allele carriers (genotype-guided escalation). Cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA) are traditionally grounded in clinical trial data. We conduct a CEA using real-world data using a 1-year decision-analytic model comparing primary strategies: universal empiric clopidogrel (base case), universal ticagrelor, and genotype-guided escalation. We also explore secondary strategies commonly implemented in practice, wherein all patients are prescribed ticagrelor for 30 days post PCI. After 30 days, all patients are switched to clopidogrel irrespective of genotype (nonguided de-escalation) or to clopidogrel only if patients do not harbor an LOF allele (genotype-guided de-escalation). Compared with universal clopidogrel, both universal ticagrelor and genotype-guided escalation were superior with improvement in quality-adjusted life years (QALY's). Only genotype-guided escalation was cost-effective ($42,365/QALY) and demonstrated the highest probability of being cost-effective across conventional willingness-to-pay thresholds. In the secondary analysis, compared with the nonguided de-escalation strategy, although genotype-guided de-escalation and universal ticagrelor were more effective, with ICER of $188,680/QALY and $678,215/QALY, respectively, they were not cost-effective. CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet prescribing is cost-effective compared with either universal clopidogrel or universal ticagrelor using real-world implementation data. The secondary analysis suggests genotype-guided and nonguided de-escalation may be viable strategies, needing further evaluation.

Evaluating the extent of reusability of CYP2C19 genotype data among patients genotyped for antiplatelet therapy selection.

PURPOSE: Genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy is increasingly being incorporated into clinical care. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which patients initially genotyped for CYP2C19 to guide antiplatelet therapy were prescribed additional medications affected by CYP2C19. METHODS: We assembled a cohort of patients from eight sites performingCYP2C19 genotyping to inform antiplatelet therapy. Medication orders were evaluated from time of genotyping through one year. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients prescribed two or more CYP2C19 substrates. Secondary endpoints were the proportion of patients with a drug-genotype interaction and time to receiving a CYP2C19 substrate. RESULTS: Nine thousand one hundred ninety-one genotyped patients (17% nonwhite) with a mean age of 68 ± 3 years were evaluated; 4701 (51%) of patients received two or more CYP2C19 substrates and 3835 (42%) of patients had a drug-genotype interaction. The average time between genotyping and CYP2C19 substrate other than antiplatelet therapy was 25 ± 10 days. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of patients genotyped in the setting of CYP2C19-guided antiplatelet therapy received another medication impacted by CYP2C19 in the following year. Given that genotype is stable for a patient's lifetime, this finding has implications for cost effectiveness, patient care, and treatment outcomes beyond the indication for which it was originally performed.

Correction: Evaluating the extent of reusability of CYP2C19 genotype data among patients genotyped for antiplatelet therapy selection.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Risk of Postdischarge Bleeding From Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Among US Black and White Adults.

Background Dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention reduces myocardial infarctions but increases bleeding. The risk of bleeding may be higher among Black patients for unknown reasons. Bleeding risk scores have not been validated among Black patients. We assessed the difference in bleeding risk between Black and White patients along with the performance of the Predicting Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Stent Implantation and Subsequent Dual Anti Platelet Therapy, Patterns of Nonadherence to Antiplatelet Regimens in Stented Patients, and Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk scores among both groups. Methods and Results This was a single-center prospective study of patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (2014-2019) and were followed for 1 year. The outcome was postdischarge Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 2 to 5 bleeding. Incidence rates were reported. Cox proportional hazards models measured the effect of self-reported Black race on bleeding and determined the predictors of bleeding among 19 a priori variables. The 3 risk scores were assessed among Black and White patients separately using the Harrell concordance index. Of 1529 included patients, 342 (22.4%) self-reported as being Black race. Unadjusted bleeding rates were 22.7 per 100 person-years among Black patients versus 16.3 among White patients (hazard ratio, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.00-2.00], P=0.052). Predictors of bleeding were age, glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min per 1.73 m2, prior bleeding, ticagrelor or prasugrel use, and anticoagulant use. Among Black and White patients, respectively, the C-indexes were the following: 0.644 versus 0.600 for Predicting Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Stent Implantation and Subsequent Dual Anti Platelet Therapy (P<0.001 for both), 0.620 versus 0.612 for Patterns of Nonadherence to Antiplatelet Regimens in Stented Patients (P=0.003 and P<0.001, respectively), and 0.600 versus 0.598 for Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (P=0.006 and P<0.001, respectively). Conclusions The risk of dual antiplatelet therapy-associated postdischarge Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 2 to 5 bleeding was not significantly different between self-reported Black and White patients. Bleeding risk scores performed similarly among both groups.

Outcomes of Individuals With and Without Heart Failure Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and bleeding risks following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are not well defined in individuals with heart failure (HF). We followed 1,145 individuals in the Pharmacogenomic Resource to improve Medication Effectiveness Genotype Guided Antiplatelet Therapy cohort for MACE and bleeding events following PCI for ACS. We constructed Cox proportional hazards models to compare MACE and bleeding in those with versus without HF, adjusting for sociodemographics, comorbidities, and medications. We also determined predictors of MACE and bleeding events in both groups. 370 (32%) individuals did and 775 (68%) did not have HF prior to PCI. Mean age was 61.7 ± 12.2 years, 31% were female, and 24% were African American. After a median follow-up of 0.78 years, individuals with HF had higher rates of MACE compared to those without HF (48 vs. 24 events per 100 person years) which remained significant after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio [HR] 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00 to 1.72). Similarly, bleeding was higher in those with versus without HF (22 vs. 11 events per 100 person years), although this was no longer statistically significant after multivariable adjustment (HR 1.29, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.93). Diabetes and peripheral vascular disease were predictors of MACE, and end-stage renal disease was a predictor of bleeding among participants with HF. MACE risk is higher in individuals with versus without HF following PCI for ACS. However, the risk of bleeding, especially among those with end-stage renal disease , must be considered when determining post-PCI anticoagulant strategies.

Impact of the CYP2C19*17 Allele on Outcomes in Patients Receiving Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Genotyping for CYP2C19 no function alleles to guide antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improves clinical outcomes. Although results for the increased function CYP2C19*17 allele are also reported, its clinical relevance in this setting remains unclear. A collaboration across nine sites examined antiplatelet therapy prescribing and clinical outcomes in 3,342 patients after implementation of CYP2C19-guided antiplatelet therapy. Risk of major atherothrombotic and bleeding events over 12 months after PCI were compared across cytochrome P450 2C19 isozyme (CYP2C19) metabolizer phenotype and antiplatelet therapy groups by proportional hazards regression. Clopidogrel was prescribed to a similar proportion of CYP2C19 normal (84.5%), rapid (82.9%), and ultrarapid metabolizers (80.6%) (P = 0.360). Clopidogrel-treated normal metabolizers (20.4 events/100 patient-years; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.75-1.33, P = 0.993) and clopidogrel-treated rapid or ultrarapid metabolizers (19.1 events/100 patient-years; adjusted HR 0.95, 95% CI, 0.69-1.30, P = 0.734) exhibited no difference in major atherothrombotic events compared with patients treated with prasugrel or ticagrelor (17.6 events/100 patient-years). In contrast, clopidogrel-treated intermediate and poor metabolizers exhibited significantly higher atherothrombotic event risk compared with prasugrel/ticagrelor-treated patients (adjusted HR 1.56, 95% CI, 1.12-2.16, P = 0.008). When comparing clopidogrel-treated rapid or ultrarapid metabolizers to normal metabolizers, no difference in atherothrombotic (adjusted HR 0.97, 95% CI, 0.73-1.29, P = 0.808) or bleeding events (adjusted HR 1.34, 95% CI, 0.83-2.17, P = 0.224) were observed. In a real-world setting of genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy, the CYP2C19*17 allele did not significantly impact post-PCI prescribing decisions or clinical outcomes. These results suggest the CYP2C19 *1/*17 and *17/*17 genotypes have limited clinical utility to guide antiplatelet therapy after PCI.

Improvement in Kidney Function After Ventricular Assist Device Implantation and Its Influence on Thromboembolism, Hemorrhage, and Mortality.

Although heart transplantation remains the gold standard for management of heart failure, ventricular assist devices (VAD) have emerged as viable alternatives. VAD implantation improves kidney function. However, whether the improvement is sustained or associated with improved outcomes is unclear. Herein we assess kidney function improvement, predictors of improvement, and associations with thromboembolism, hemorrhage, and mortality in VAD patients. Kidney function was defined using chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages: stage 1 (glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m), stage 2 (eGFR 60-90 ml/min/1.73 m), stage 3a (eGFR 45-59 ml/min/1.73 m), stage 3b (eGFR 30-44 ml/min/1.73 m), stage 4 (eGFR 15-30 ml/min/1.73 m), and stage 5 (eGFR < 15 ml/min/1.73 m). Improvement in kidney function was defined as an improvement in eGFR that resulted in a CKD stage change to one of lesser severity. Kidney function improved post implant, and was maintained over 1 year for all patients, except those with baseline stage 5 CKD. Younger age at implantation (OR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.90-0.96, P < 0.0001) was associated with sustained improvement in kidney function. Poor kidney function was associated increased mortality but not with thromboembolism or hemorrhage. Compared to patients with baseline eGFR > 45 ml/min/1.73 m; patients with eGFR < 45 ml/min/1.73 m had a higher mortality risk (HR 3.32, 95% CI: 1.10-9.98, p = 0.03 for stage 3b; HR 4.07, 95% CI: 1.27-13.1, p = 0.02 for stage 4; and HR 4.01, 95% CI: 1.17-13.7, p = 0.03 for stage 5 CKD). Kidney function was not associated with thromboembolism or hemorrhage, and sustained improvement was not associated with lower risk of death. However, poor kidney function at implantation was associated with an increased risk of mortality.

Genetic Factors Influencing Warfarin Dose in Black-African Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Warfarin is the most commonly used oral anticoagulant in sub-Saharan Africa. Dosing is challenging due to a narrow therapeutic index and high interindividual variability in dose requirements. To evaluate the genetic factors affecting warfarin dosing in black-Africans, we performed a meta-analysis of 48 studies (2,336 patients). Significant predictors for CYP2C9 and stable dose included rs1799853 (CYP2C9*2), rs1057910 (CYP2C9*3), rs28371686 (CYP2C9*5), rs9332131 (CYP2C9*6), and rs28371685 (CYP2C9*11) reducing dose by 6.8, 12.5, 13.4, 8.1, and 5.3 mg/week, respectively. VKORC1 variants rs9923231 (-1639G>A), rs9934438 (1173C>T), rs2359612 (2255C>T), rs8050894 (1542G>C), and rs2884737 (497T>G) decreased dose by 18.1, 21.6, 17.3, 11.7, and 19.6 mg/week, respectively, whereas rs7294 (3730G>A) increased dose by 6.9 mg/week. Finally, rs12777823 (CYP2C gene cluster) was associated with a dose reduction of 12.7 mg/week. Few studies were conducted in Africa, and patient numbers were small, highlighting the need for further work in black-Africans to evaluate genetic factors determining warfarin response.

Between a rock and a hard place: a high-risk patient with resistance to multiple P2Y12 antagonists.

Impaired response to P2Y12 receptor antagonists, such as clopidogrel and prasugrel, can have devastating consequences for patients that require prolonged or indefinite therapy with these agents, including those with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). While loss-of-function (LOF) alleles in CYP2C19 have been elucidated as contributing to high on treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) during clopidogrel therapy, genetic variations in the metabolic pathway of prasugrel have not been shown to elicit this same effect. Moreover, limited studies have assessed the effect of coexisting genetic variations in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic pathways. Herein, we report a left ventricular assist device patient exhibiting high on treatment platelet reactivity during clopidogrel and prasugrel therapy. Genotyping revealed variants in pharmacokinetic (CYP2B6), and pharmacodynamic pathways, with multiple variants in P2Y12, the target receptor.

Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Major Hemorrhage Among White and Black Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background Data on racial disparities in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major hemorrhage (HEM) after percutaneous coronary intervention are limited. Factors contributing to these disparities are unknown. Methods and Results PRiME-GGAT (Pharmacogenomic Resource to Improve Medication Effectiveness-Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy) is a prospective cohort. Patients aged ≥18 years undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled and followed for up to 1 year. Racial disparities in risk of MACE and HEM were assessed using an incident rate ratio. Sequential cumulative adjustment analyses were performed to identify factors contributing to these disparities. Data from 919 patients were included in the analysis. Compared with white patients, black patients (n=203; 22.1% of the cohort) were younger and were more likely to be female, to be a smoker, and to have higher body mass index, lower socioeconomic status, higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and moderate to severe chronic kidney disease, and presentation with acute coronary syndrome and to undergo urgent percutaneous coronary intervention. The incident rates of MACE (34.1% versus 18.2% per 100 person-years, P<0.001) and HEM (17.7% versus 10.3% per 100 person-years, P=0.02) were higher in black patients. The incident rate ratio was 1.9 (95% CI, 1.3-2.6; P<0.001) for MACE and 1.7 (95% CI, 1.1-2. 7; P=0.02) for HEM. After adjustment for nonclinical and clinical factors, black race was not significantly associated with outcomes. Rather, differences in socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and coronary heart disease severity were attributed to racial disparities in outcomes. Conclusions Despite receiving similar treatment, racial disparities in MACE and HEM still exist. Opportunities exist to narrow these disparities by mitigating the identified contributors.

Pharmacogenetics of warfarin dosing in patients of African and European ancestry.

Despite the introduction of direct acting oral anticoagulants, warfarin remains the most commonly prescribed oral anticoagulant. However, warfarin therapy is plagued by the large inter- and intrapatient variability. The variability in dosing fueled research to identify clinical and genetic predictors and develop more accurate dosing algorithms. Observational studies have demonstrated the significant impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms in CYP2C9 and VKORC1 on warfarin dose in patients of European ancestry and African-Americans. This evidence supported the design and conduct of clinical trials to assess whether genotype-guided dosing results in improved anticoagulation control and outcomes. The trial results have shown discordance by race, with pharmacogenetic algorithms improving dose and anticoagulation control among European ancestry patients compared with African-American patients. Herein, we review the evidence from observational and interventional studies, highlight the need for inclusion of minority race groups and propose the need to develop race specific dosing algorithms.

Influence of Age on Warfarin Dose, Anticoagulation Control, and Risk of Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the influence of age on warfarin dose, percentage time in target range (PTTR), and risk of major hemorrhage. DESIGN: Warfarin users recruited into a large prospective inception cohort study were categorized into three age groups: young (younger than 50 yrs), middle aged (50-70 yrs), and elderly (older than 70 yrs). The influence of age on warfarin dose and PTTR was assessed using regression analysis; risk of major hemorrhage was assessed using proportional hazards analysis. Models were adjusted for demographic, clinical, and genetic factors. SETTING: Two outpatient anticoagulation clinics. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1498 anticoagulated patients. OUTCOMES: Warfarin dose (mg/day), PTTR, major hemorrhage. RESULTS: Of the 1498 patients, 22.8% were young, 44.1% were middle aged, and 33.1% were elderly. After accounting for clinical and genetic factors, compared with young warfarin users, warfarin dose requirements were 10.6% lower among the middle aged and an additional 10.6% lower for the elderly. Compared with young patients, middle-aged and elderly patients spent more time in target international normalized ratio (INR) range (p<0.0001), despite having fewer INR assessments (p<0.0001). Compared with young warfarin users, absolute risk of hemorrhage was marginally higher among the middle aged (p=0.08) and significantly higher among the elderly (p=0.016). Compared with young warfarin users, after adjustment, the relative risk of hemorrhage increased by 31% for each age category (p=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: In a real-world setting, despite achieving better anticoagulation control, elderly patients had a higher risk of major hemorrhagic events. As the population ages and the candidacy for oral anticoagulation increases, strategies that mitigate the elevated risk of hemorrhage need to be identified.

Multisite Investigation of Outcomes With Implementation of CYP2C19 Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

OBJECTIVES: This multicenter pragmatic investigation assessed outcomes following clinical implementation of CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles impair clopidogrel effectiveness after PCI. METHODS: After clinical genotyping, each institution recommended alternative antiplatelet therapy (prasugrel, ticagrelor) in PCI patients with a loss-of-function allele. Major adverse cardiovascular events (defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, or death) within 12 months of PCI were compared between patients with a loss-of-function allele prescribed clopidogrel versus alternative therapy. Risk was also compared between patients without a loss-of-function allele and loss-of-function allele carriers prescribed alternative therapy. Cox regression was performed, adjusting for group differences with inverse probability of treatment weights. RESULTS: Among 1,815 patients, 572 (31.5%) had a loss-of-function allele. The risk for major adverse cardiovascular events was significantly higher in patients with a loss-of-function allele prescribed clopidogrel versus alternative therapy (23.4 vs. 8.7 per 100 patient-years; adjusted hazard ratio: 2.26; 95% confidence interval: 1.18 to 4.32; p = 0.013). Similar results were observed among 1,210 patients with acute coronary syndromes at the time of PCI (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.87; 95% confidence interval: 1.35 to 6.09; p = 0.013). There was no difference in major adverse cardiovascular events between patients without a loss-of-function allele and loss-of-function allele carriers prescribed alternative therapy (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.14; 95% confidence interval: 0.69 to 1.88; p = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: These data from real-world observations demonstrate a higher risk for cardiovascular events in patients with a CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele if clopidogrel versus alternative therapy is prescribed. A future randomized study of genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy may be of value.

Anticoagulation Control in Patients With Ventricular Assist Devices.

Anticoagulation control has been associated with risk of thromboembolism and hemorrhage. Herein, we explore the relationship between anticoagulation control achieved in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients and evaluate the association with risk of thromboembolism and hemorrhage. Patients (19 years old or older) with a continuous flow LVAD placed from 2006 to 2012. Percent time spent in target range (PTTR) for international normalized ratio (INR) was estimated with target range of 2.0-3.0. Proportion of time spent in target range was categorized into PTTR > 60%, PTTR ≥ 50 < 60%, and PTTR < 50%. The relationship between PTTR and thromboembolism and hemorrhage was assessed. One hundred fifteen participants contributed 624.5 months of follow-up time. Only 20% of patients achieved anticoagulation control (PTTR > 60% for INR range of 2-3). After adjusting for chronic kidney disease, history of diabetes, history of atrial fibrillation, and age at implant, compared with patients with PTTR < 50%, the relative risk of thromboembolism in patients with PTTR ≥ 60% (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14-0.96; p = 0.042) was significantly lower, but not for patients with a PTTR of ≥ 50 < 60% (HR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.02-1.82; p = 0.16). The relative risk for hemorrhage was also significantly lower among patients with a PTTR ≥ 60% (HR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.21-0.98; p = 0.045), but not among those with PTTR of ≥ 50 < 60% (HR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.14-1.56; p = 0.22). This current study demonstrates that LVAD patients remain in the INR target range an average of 42.9% of the time. To our knowledge, this is the first report with regard to anticoagulation control as assessed by PTTR and its association with thromboembolism, hemorrhage, or death among patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs).

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and the hazards of under-treatment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Oral anticoagulants are highly efficacious for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation, and are the preferred treatment by current guidelines. The purpose of our study was to assess the utilization of antithrombotic drugs in atrial fibrillation patients at the time of ischemic stroke and the factors associated with their use. METHODS: We enrolled 759 consecutive patients admitted with ischemic stroke at Boston Medical Center, Geisinger Health System, and the University of Alabama. To be eligible, patients had to have electrocardiographically-confirmed atrial fibrillation at the time of admission or within 6 months of the index stroke. All stroke events and electrocardiograms were validated by study physicians. Patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation were not eligible. RESULTS: The mean age was 78 years, 43% were male, 19% black, and the mean CHADS2 score is 3.0. Atrial fibrillation was paroxysmal in 31%. At presentation, 181 (24%) patients were taking warfarin only, 96 (13%) both warfarin and aspirin, 294 (39%) aspirin alone, and 189 (25%) no antithrombotic therapy. The mean international normalized ratio was 1.6. Among patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, one in five was taking warfarin. Although increasing stroke risk was associated with a greater likelihood of warfarin use, only 39% of highest risk CHADS2 3-6 were taking warfarin at the time of stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Among high-risk individuals with atrial fibrillation, only 37% were taking warfarin at the time of stroke. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was associated with the highest risk of not receiving warfarin.

Validity of international classification of disease codes to identify ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage among individuals with associated diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Because of its association with death and disability, stroke is a focus of outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF) research. International Classification of Disease-Ninth Revision (ICD-9) edition codes are commonly used to identify stroke in research, particularly in large administrative data. We sought to assess the validity of ICD-9 codes in stroke case ascertainment and for AF across 3 institutions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Participating centers included Boston Medical Center (safety net hospital), Geisinger Health System (rural Pennsylvania), and the University of Alabama (academic center in the southeastern stroke belt). ICD-9 codes for ischemic stroke (433-434, 436) and intracranial hemorrhage (430-432) identified 1812 stroke cases with an associated code for AF (427.31) from 2006 to 2010. Cases were vetted through chart review with final adjudication by a stroke neurologist. Review considered 94.2% of ICD-9 identified stroke cases valid with decreased accuracy for concurrent AF diagnosis (82.28%) and stroke attributable to AF (72.8%). Among events with "without infarction" modifiers, 7.2% were valid strokes. ICD-9 stroke code accuracy did not differ by stroke type or site. Stroke code 434 displayed higher accuracy than 433 (94.4% versus 85.2%; P<0.01), and primary stroke codes were more accurate than nonprimary codes (97.2% versus 83.7%; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Using ICD-9 stroke and AF codes to identify patients with stroke plus AF resulted in inaccuracies. Given the expanded financial and policy implications of patient-oriented research, conclusions derived solely from administrative data without validation of outcome events should be interpreted with caution.

Predictors of Thromboembolic Events in Patients with Ventricular Assist Device.

Ventricular assist device patients (VAD) are at increased risk for thromboembolism. Biomarkers of hemolysis, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and poorly controlled international normalized ratio (INR) has been identified as predictors of thromboembolism. Patients aged 19 years and older who had a continuous flow VAD placed from 2006 to 2012 were included in this study (N = 115). We assessed the relationship of LDH elevation (≥600 IU/L) at different time points and thromboembolism. Over the 51.3 person-years of follow-up, a total of 23 first thromboembolic events occurred. Patients with elevated LDH on the day of VAD implantation had an increased risk for thromboembolism (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-15.4; p = 0.01). There was an increased risk of thromboembolism with early LDH elevation within the first month post-VAD (HR: 4.95, 95% CI: 1.69-14.4; p = 0.003) and estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 before VAD implantation (HR: 4.74, 95% CI: 1.12-20.1; p = 0.0346), whereas there was a decreased risk with good anticoagulation control (HR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.10-0.86; p = 0.0247). Our study is the first to highlight the association between LDH elevation on the day of implantation and post-VAD thromboembolism. This study details the increased risk of thromboembolism with early LDH elevation and the importance of maintaining time in therapeutic INR range.