Search Results (765)

In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), antiplatelet therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for secondary prevention. Although dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) consisting of aspirin and a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor is the current standard of care, being, respectively, recommended for 6 and 12 months in patients with chronic and acute coronary syndrome without a need for oral anticoagulation, the continuous improvement in PCI technology and pharmacology have significantly reduced the need for long-term DAPT. Mounting evidence supports the administration of P2Y₁₂ inhibitor monotherapy, particularly ticagrelor, after a short period of DAPT following PCI as a strategy to reduce bleeding without a trade-off in ischemic events compared to standard DAPT. In addition, there is a growing literature supporting P2Y₁₂ inhibitor monotherapy also for long-term secondary prevention of ischemic events. However, the data to this extent are not as robust as compared to the first-year post-PCI period, with aspirin monotherapy still remaining the mainstay of treatment for most patients. This review aims to summarize the rationale for long-term antiplatelet therapy, the pharmacology of current antiplatelet drugs tested for long-term administration as monotherapy, and current evidence on the available comparisons between different long-term antiplatelet monotherapies in patients with CAD. Full article

Background/Objectives: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are now the guideline-recommended alternative to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for long-term anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. However, accurately assessing their impact on ischemic stroke outcomes remains challenging, primarily due to uncertainty regarding anticoagulation status at the time of hospital admission. This preliminary study addresses this gap by using point-of-care testing (POCT) to confirm DOAC activity at bedside, allowing for a more accurate comparison of 90-day functional outcomes between anticoagulated and non-anticoagulated stroke patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 786 ischemic stroke patients admitted to the University of Pécs between February 2023 and February 2025. Active DOAC therapy was confirmed using the ClotPro^® viscoelastic testing platform, with ecarin Clotting Time (ECT) employed for thrombin inhibitors and Russell’s Viper Venom (RVV) assays for factor Xa inhibitors. Patients were categorized as non-anticoagulated (n = 767) or DOAC-treated with confirmed activity (n = 19). Mahalanobis distance-based matching was applied to account for confounding variables including age, sex, pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at admission and 72 h post-stroke. The primary outcome was the change in mRS from baseline to 90 days. Statistical analysis included ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and principal component analysis (PCA). Results: After matching, 90-day functional outcomes were comparable between groups (mean mRS-shift: 2.00 in DOAC-treated vs. 1.78 in non-anticoagulated; p = 0.745). OLS regression showed no significant association between DOAC status and recovery (p = 0.599). In contrast, NIHSS score at 72 h (p = 0.004) and age (p = 0.015) were significant predictors of outcome. PCA supported these findings, identifying stroke severity as the primary driver of outcome. Conclusions: This preliminary analysis suggests that ischemic stroke patients with confirmed active DOAC therapy at admission may achieve 90-day functional outcomes comparable to those of non-anticoagulated patients. The integration of bedside POCT enhances the reliability of anticoagulation assessment and underscores its clinical value for real-time management in acute stroke care. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and to further refine treatment strategies. Full article

Oral anticoagulants, including warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, have been used for anticoagulation therapy, but their limitations, such as drug interactions and complex dosing, have prompted the development of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) like rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, and edoxaban. This study reviews the interactions of both warfarin and DOACs, particularly those influenced by cytochrome P450 enzymes and P-glycoprotein. Warfarin is metabolized by various cytochrome P450 isoforms, making it vulnerable to interactions with medications and herbs that modulate these enzymes. In contrast, DOACs, while having fewer interactions, are still affected by strong inducers or inhibitors of cytochrome 3A4 and P-glycoprotein, depending on the specific drug. Some herbs may also interfere with these pathways. Continuous monitoring of these interactions is crucial to ensure the safe use of oral anticoagulants. The findings underscore the importance of identifying and understanding these interactions to improve patient safety and guide appropriate anticoagulant therapy. Full article

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common heart rhythm disorders encountered in clinical practice. Emerging evidence suggests a significant role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of AF, but certain questions still remain unanswered, in particular whether AF-related inflammation is a cause or a consequence of the arrhythmia, and whether inflammation reflects underlying disease or AF itself. At the current state of the art, scientific evidence on the role of oral anticoagulants (OAC) in modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines implicated in the pathogenesis of AF remains scarce. The aim of our study was to evaluate, in a population of AF patients undergoing OAC, the different roles of anticoagulant therapy [Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and direct oral anti-coagulants (DOACs)] in modulating the levels of inflammatory biomarkers in AF. Methods: The Strat-AF study is an observational, prospective, single center, hospital-based study enrolling elderly patients with AF. Results refer to 170 subjects with complete clinical and biohumoral assessment. Results: At multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusted for several covariates, VKA treatment was an independent protective predictor for having a high grade of inflammation not balanced by anti-inflammatory cytokine levels [OR = 0.26 (0.10–0.69), p = 0.007]. Conclusions: These results from the Strat-AF study are “generators of hypotheses” and provide preliminary evidence for the differential effects of VKAs and DOACs on inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) in AF patients. These findings suggest that inflammatory biomarkers could enhance stroke risk prediction models, potentially improving a tailored AF management. Full article

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by venous and arterial thrombosis and obstetric complications, driven by antiphospholipid antibodies (APLAs). This review synthesizes the latest advancements and current understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of APS. APLAs, including lupus anticoagulant (LAC), anticardiolipin (aCL), and anti-β2-glycoprotein I (aβ2-GPI), interfere with coagulation and endothelial function, as well as with placental health. APS can be primary or secondary; it is often associated with systemic autoimmune diseases like lupus. The pathogenesis of APS remains only partially understood. APLAs promote thrombosis through endothelial damage, platelet activation, and inflammatory signaling pathways. Laboratory diagnosis relies on persistent positivity for APLAs and LAC through tests like ELISA and clotting assays, following a three-step confirmation process. New integrated test systems have been introduced to improve standardization. Classification criteria have evolved, with the 2023 EULAR-ACR criteria providing a weighted, domain-based scoring system, enhancing diagnostic precision. Catastrophic APS (CAPS) is a severe, rare manifestation of APS, characterized by multi-organ failure due to rapid, widespread microthrombosis and systemic inflammation, which requires urgent anticoagulation. Seronegative APS is proposed for patients with clinical features of APS but negative standard antibody tests, possibly due to non-criteria antibodies or transient immunosuppression. Treatment primarily involves long-term anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists; direct oral anticoagulants are generally not recommended. APS diagnosis and management remain complex due to clinical heterogeneity and laboratory challenges. Continued refinement of diagnostic tools and criteria is essential for improving outcomes in this life-threatening condition. Full article

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are generally preferred over warfarin for preventing arterial and venous thromboembolism. However, the efficacy and safety of DOACs in patients with extremely low body weight (BW) are uncertain. This study investigates anti-factor Xa (anti-FXa) activity of apixaban and compares it between patients with normal BW (>50 kg) and underweight (≤50 kg). Methods: We enrolled 150 patients on branded generic apixaban (Apixan^TM) for atrial fibrillation (AF), venous thromboembolism, and intracardiac thrombus. Anti-FXa activity of apixaban was measured at peak concentration (C_peak) and trough concentration (C_trough) after at least one week of therapy. Results: Mean age was 64.0 ± 12.7 years, with 53.3% being male. Mean BW was 61.3 ± 15.3 kg. Of the 150 patients, 132 (88%) had AF, and 43 (28.7%) had low BW. Overall, 87.3% and 84.7% of patients had C_trough and C_peak within the expected range. Underweight patients had significantly higher mean C_trough and C_peak than normal BW patients. A higher proportion of low-BW patients exceeded the expected C_peak range compared to normal-BW patients (25.6% vs. 3.7%, p < 0.001). Low BW was the only independent predictor of exceeding C_peak specified range (adjusted OR 4.87, 95% CI 1.31–18.15, p = 0.018). Conclusions: Most patients maintained apixaban levels within expected ranges, but those with low BW were more likely to exceed the specified range of C_peak. Full article

Subclinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF) episodes are frequently detected in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). These asymptomatic arrhythmias are increasingly recognized as potential harbingers of clinical atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic events. However, the management of SCAF—particularly regarding the use of oral anticoagulation (OAC)—remains controversial. This literature review (Medline, Scopus, Goggle scholar, Embase) focuses on using current literature and clinical studies to guide decision-making regarding anticoagulation therapy and other treatment options that can limit complications for patients with SCAF. The decision to initiate anticoagulation in patients with atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) should be individualized, balancing stroke risk against bleeding potential. Ongoing research and post hoc analyses will further clarify which subgroups may benefit most from therapy, informing future guideline recommendations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a very common arrhythmia and the main cause of embolic events. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent thromboembolic events. Although DOACs are an important advance in AF management, optimization is required. This study aims to evaluate the newly available evidence and experts’ opinions on the clinical care of AF patients and to develop a set of practical recommendations to improve the management of patients with AF. Methods: A questionnaire was developed on the topics of AF diagnosis, stroke prevention, rate and rhythm control, and management of comorbidities, based on the scientific committee’s judgment and a rapid literature review. The level of agreement of the panelists with each statement was evaluated using the Likert 5-point scale. The results of the questionnaire were discussed in a final meeting and practical recommendations were made. Results: Thirty-five Spanish panelists, all experts in AF management, answered the questionnaire. Most of the statements (78%) reached the levels of agreement or unanimity. Discrepancy (9%) and rejection (13%) were also reported. Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of a 12-lead electrocardiogram to diagnose AF, with wearable devices serving as useful tools; catheter ablation as a superior strategy for restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm compared to pharmacotherapy; the importance of comorbidity management to reduce incidence and recurrence of AF; adherence and persistence as critical factors for the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation; and the preference for DOACs, particularly apixaban and edoxaban, for stroke prevention in patients ≥75 years old or with chronic kidney disease. Full article

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is conventionally treated with anticoagulant therapy. In contrast, the core treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD) is antiplatelet therapy. VTE and PAD share common risk factors and may occur in the same patient. Nonetheless, there is little evidence of the best antithrombotic regimen to use when the two conditions coexist, especially in terms of the extended prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), major adverse limb events (MALE), and VTE recurrences. Methods: We conducted an online survey of members of the Italian Society of Angiology and Vascular Medicine (SIAPAV) to explore current prescribing habits for extended antithrombotic therapy in patients with PAD and unprovoked VTE. The survey included four clinical scenarios with variations in age, gender, bleeding risk, index VTE event, and severity of PAD. In all cases, patients had received anticoagulation for 6 months, and the key question was how to continue treatment beyond 6 months from the index VTE event. Results: A total of 174 clinicians participated to the survey. The most common choice was combining antiplatelet therapy with a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) at a low dose. Full-dose DOAC alone or antiplatelet therapy alone were less frequently chosen. Older age and high bleeding risk increased the preference for antiplatelet therapy alone. Conclusions: This survey highlights the marked variability in antithrombotic prescribing patterns among specialists in vascular medicine for patients with unprovoked VTE and concomitant PAD, reflecting the lack of evidence on optimal management in this specific setting. More research is needed to define the safest and most effective treatment strategies for patients with concurrent PAD and VTE. Full article

Background/objectives: In some cases of concomitant use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) and certain anticancer medications, pharmacokinetic interactions are expected; however, clinical data is scarce. This report reviews the recommendations on the use of DOAC concurrently with anticancer drugs according to different clinical decision support systems and sources, with a focus on discrepancies. Methods: We reviewed the recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA), European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), summary of product characteristics (SPC) in FASS (Swedish medicine information portal), the Swedish clinical decision support system Janusmed, and information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the concomitant use of apixaban, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban (activated factor X (FXa) inhibitors) and 80 anticancer drugs from 11 categories (240 drug pairs). Results: No warnings of expected pharmacokinetic drug interactions between FXa inhibitors and anticancer drugs were found for 155 drug pairs (65%) across all sources. The remaining 35% of drug pairs were flagged as having possible interactions with FXa inhibitors according to at least one source. Discrepancies in the recommendations from the different sources were reported. The reported discrepancies were, for the most part, associated with different assessments of the mechanism and the extent of pharmacokinetic interactions of each anticancer medication. Also, knowledge sources have different approaches to reporting potential interactions, in some cases reporting clinically relevant strictly pharmacokinetic interactions, whereas others include even patient-specific factors. Conclusions: The lack of clinical data and different recommendations can make clinical decisions on the concomitant use of DOAC and anticancer drugs difficult. Our compilation is meant to assist clinicians in making decisions based on the available evidence, even if it is scarce. Full article

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) can complicate the clinical course of patients with acute pulmonary embolism, with a variable prevalence of 0.5–4%. Beyond specific therapeutic strategies, including pulmonary endarterectomy, balloon pulmonary angioplasty and pulmonary vasodilators, lifelong anticoagulation still represents the mainstay of treatment for this condition. The main historical experience supports the use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in CTEPH patients; conversely, the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in this setting are unclear. Growing experience, mainly from small studies and registries, is improving our knowledge, showing that DOACs may represent a valid and promising alternative to warfarin in CTEPH patients. Therefore, in the management of cases with a newly diagnosed CTEPH, clinicians are very often in the difficult position of (a) having to choose which anticoagulant to initiate in anticoagulant-naïve patients or (b) having to evaluate whether it is necessary to switch to a VKA in patients already on DOACs. This article aims to critically summarize the current evidence comparing DOACs and VKAs in CTEPH, discussing their efficacy and safety profiles and exploring their clinical applicability. Full article

Assessment for the presence or absence of lupus anticoagulant (LA) represents a common investigation in hemostasis laboratories. In particular, LA represents one of the laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of definite antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The other laboratory criteria are the solid phase assays (anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-β2Glycoprotein I (aβ2GPI) antibodies of IgG and IgM isotypes). Current International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) guidance recommends testing LA by at least two tests based on different principles, with the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and dilute Russell viper venom time (dRVVT) being preferred. Additional assays may be used in addition, or instead of these assays in particular situations. For example, aPTT and dRVVT assays are very sensitive to the presence of various anticoagulants, and this may lead to false-positive identification of LA. This is particularly problematic in the age of the DOACs (direct oral anticoagulants), which are now the leading anticoagulants in use worldwide. We review recent literature on LA testing as well as our local practice to provide an update on this common test procedure. Our experience should be useful for laboratories struggling with LA interpretation for diagnosis or exclusion of APS. Full article

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects over 200 million individuals globally, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. For patients with complex lesions of the superficial femoral artery requiring revascularization, autologous vein bypass surgery remains a viable treatment option. Postoperative anticoagulation is critical for maintaining graft patency, but the optimal choice between direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and warfarin remains uncertain. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the patency of below-the-knee autologous vein bypasses in PAD patients receiving either DOACs or warfarin over a two-year period. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Berlin, Germany, including patients who underwent femoropopliteal or femorocrural bypass surgery between 2017 and 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on postoperative anticoagulation therapy: DOACs or warfarin. The primary outcome was graft patency at 24 months. Results: Out of 192 patients, after applying exclusion criteria, 36 were analyzed. The mean bypass patency was longer in the warfarin group (18.3 months) compared to the DOAC group (14.3 months). However, the log-rank test p-value (0.524) suggests that this difference is not statistically significant. Given the log-rank test’s limitations in accounting for confounders, a multivariable Cox regression was performed, including age, sex, comorbidities, bypass type and antiplatelet use. The model (Omnibus p = 0.93) showed no statistically significant effect for any variable. Conclusions: DOACs appear to be a viable alternative to warfarin in maintaining graft patency in below-the-knee autologous vein bypasses for PAD patients. The lack of a need for regular INR monitoring with DOACs may offer a practical advantage in clinical settings. Full article

Background: The optimal antithrombotic therapy after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains uncertain. Limited data exist comparing novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) with standard antiplatelet therapy in this population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 171 patients who underwent TAVR between January 2018 and August 2024. Patients were categorized according to the discharge antithrombotic regimen as follows: NOACs (n = 27, 16%), vitamin K antagonists (VKAs; n = 8, 5%), and antiplatelet therapy only (APT-only; aspirin and/or clopidogrel without oral anticoagulation; n = 136, 79%). Due to the small VKA sample size, the primary analysis compared NOACs with APT-only. VKA outcomes were reported descriptively without statistical comparisons. Results: Compared with APT-only, NOAC users had significantly higher 30-day mortality (33% vs. 12%, p = 0.017) and 1-year mortality (41% vs. 20%, p = 0.048). NOACs were associated with higher rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACCE) at 30 days (22% vs. 8%, p = 0.051) and 1 year (34% vs. 17%, p < 0.001). After inverse probability treatment weighting, NOACs showed increased odds of 30-day MACCE (OR 5.59, 95% CI 2.56–12.18, p < 0.001) and increased hazard of 1-year mortality (HR 2.22, 95% CI 1.22–4.03, p = 0.009). Conclusions: NOAC use was associated with inferior outcomes compared to antiplatelet therapy in post-TAVR patients, although residual confounding cannot be excluded. Given the limited sample size and retrospective design, these hypothesis-generating findings require validation in larger prospective studies before they can influence clinical practice. Full article

Background: Administering intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) remains a clinical challenge. Current guidelines restrict IVT within 48 h of DOAC intake unless anticoagulant activity can be confidently excluded. However, reliable medication histories are often unavailable, and conventional coagulation tests inadequately detect DOAC activity. This study evaluated whether viscoelastic point-of-care testing (ClotPro^®) could identify the absence of anticoagulant effect in AIS patients on DOACs, thus enabling IVT administration and potentially improving clinical outcomes. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of 40 AIS patients with documented DOAC use, admitted between February 2023 and May 2025. ClotPro^® was performed at admission using the Russell’s viper venom (RVV) assay for factor Xa inhibitors and the ecarin clotting time (ECT) assay for dabigatran. Subtherapeutic anticoagulation was defined as a clotting time (CT) of <100 s for RVV and <180 s for ECT, respectively. Patients identified as being subtherapeutic were assessed for IVT eligibility. To evaluate IVT effects, we performed propensity score-matched bootstrap resampling (1000 iterations), matching patients by age, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Primary endpoints were NIHSS-shift (change from admission to 72 h) and mRS-shift (change from pre-stroke mRS to 90-day mRS). Predictors of outcomes were analyzed using multivariate regression models. Results: ClotPro^® identified 15/40 patients (37.5%) as subtherapeutic, all on factor Xa inhibitors. Of these, seven received IVT. In matched analyses, IVT-treated patients showed a numerically greater neurological improvement than untreated patients (mean NIHSS-shift: −2.83 vs. 3.94; mean difference: −6.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −24.00 to 7.55; p = 0.495). Functional outcome by mRS-shift showed only minor differences between groups (2.74 vs. 2.10 mean difference: 0.64; 95% CI: −2.00 to 2.50; p = 0.510). IVT showed a favorable trend for early neurological recovery (p = 0.081) but was not independently associated with functional outcome (p = 0.380). Conclusions: ClotPro^® identified a substantial subset of AIS patients on DOAC therapy without measurable anticoagulant activity, enabling IVT in cases that would otherwise have been excluded based on medication history. These findings support the feasibility of ClotPro^®-guided decision-making in acute stroke care and highlight its potential to improve IVT selection by enabling real-time assessment of coagulation status at the bedside. Full article