Anticoagulant

Abnormalities in blood clotting have been linked to increased mortality risk among patients with COVID-19.

Between 1985 and 2016, intracerebral hemorrhage increased in prevalence among patients aged at least 75 years, a trend that coincided with a threefold increase in use of anticoagulants.

Among patients with atrial fibrillation at high risk for stroke, left atrial appendage closure was noninferior compared with direct oral anticoagulants, researchers reported in the randomized PRAGUE-17 trial.

Among older patients on a direct oral anticoagulant, those who took clarithromycin had a small, statistically significant increased risk for major hemorrhage at 30 days vs. those taking azithromycin, researchers found.

For patients with kidney failure and nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, treatment with apixaban did not lead to a reduced incidence of stroke. The drug was, however, associated with a higher incidence of fatal or intracranial bleeding.

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who received systemic anticoagulation had improved mortality rates compared with those who did not receive the treatment, according to a research letter published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

In well-treated patients with atrial fibrillation, most of whom were on oral anticoagulation, more than 5% had a new brain infarct at 2 years, according to data presented at the virtual Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions.

An analysis of the ongoing SAGE-AF trial revealed that approximately 23% of geriatric patients with atrial fibrillation and prescribed a direct oral anticoagulant received inappropriate dosing.

Several algorithms identified oral anticoagulation prescriptions given in the ED for patients with atrial fibrillation, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.

The American College of Cardiology has announced the lineup of late-breaking clinical trials scheduled for presentation at the 2020 Scientific Session.