Top in cardiology: Bleeding rates higher with rivaroxaban; oral anticoagulants for stroke
A systematic review and meta-analysis of nine trials comparing non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants with low-dose aspirin revealed a link between rivaroxaban and higher rates of major bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage vs. aspirin.
Apixaban and dabigatran, on the other hand, had similar rates of major bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage compared with aspirin.
“For patients transitioning from aspirin to a NOAC, our findings suggest that apixaban and dabigatran may offer a safer bleeding profile compared to rivaroxaban,” Michael Ke Wang, MD, clinical scholar of medicine on the faculty of health sciences at McMaster University in Canada, and investigator at the Population Health Research Institute, told Healio. “Nevertheless, individual patient factors and clinical judgment remain paramount in treatment selection.”
It was the top story in cardiology last week.
In another top story, researchers found that direct oral anticoagulants may lower stroke risk among patients with prior intracerebral hemorrhage and atrial fibrillation.
Read these and more top stories in cardiology below:
Rivaroxaban tied to higher bleeding rates vs. low-dose aspirin
In a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants vs. single antiplatelet therapy, rivaroxaban use corresponded with higher rates of major bleeding compared with low-dose aspirin, researchers reported. Read more.
DOACs lower stroke, raise hemorrhage risk in those with prior brain hemorrhage plus AF
The benefit of direct oral anticoagulants on stroke risk in patients with prior intracerebral hemorrhage and atrial fibrillation was partially offset by increased risk for future hemorrhage risk, a speaker at the International Stroke Conference reported. Read more.
GLP-1 may have potential to improve poststroke outcomes, prognosis
The GLP-1 liraglutide showed potential benefit in reducing stroke recurrence and improving functional outcomes after minor stroke or transient ischemic attack, according to study data presented at the International Stroke Conference. Read more.
Cardiology consult, poststroke monitoring less common among women
Fewer women received cardiology referrals during index hospitalization and poststroke cardiac monitoring compared with men, and women had shorter average hospital stays, a speaker at the International Stroke Conference reported. Read more.
Risky pregnancies, driven by CVD risk factors, remain common for Native women
American Indian and Alaska Native communities are some of the most underserved groups in the United States, and Indigenous women are most likely to confront the health-related consequences, particularly during pregnancy. Read more.