Oral Anticoagulation
Left atrial appendage closure safe, effective first-line option for AF ablation patients
CHICAGO — In the OPTION trial, left atrial appendage closure resulted in similar thromboembolic protection but superior bleeding outcomes compared with oral anticoagulation among patients who underwent ablation for atrial fibrillation.
STOP-CAD study informs optimal treatment strategy for cervical artery dissection
For patients with cervical artery dissection initially treated with anticoagulation, switching to antiplatelet therapy at 30 days may prevent bleeding events later, as stroke risk was lower by then, researchers reported.
Less stroke severity, mortality after LAA closure vs. DOAC prophylaxis
In adults with atrial fibrillation who developed ischemic stroke, those treated with left atrial appendage closure had better outcomes than those receiving direct oral anticoagulant prophylaxis, data from a registry analysis show.
In AF hospitalization, more than 10% of DOAC doses off-label after discharge
PHILADELPHIA — Among patients hospitalized with atrial fibrillation discharged on a direct oral anticoagulant, more than 10% received an off-label dose, researchers reported at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.
DOACs reduce risk for dementia in AF vs. warfarin, especially in Asian patients
Compared with warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants were associated with reduced risk for dementia in patients with atrial fibrillation, particularly those from Asian populations, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Longer-term anticoagulation cuts thrombotic risk for patients with cancer, isolated DVT
In the ONCO-DVT trial, patients with cancer and isolated distal deep vein thrombosis had fewer thrombotic events at 1 year with 12-month vs. 3-month edoxaban therapy, a finding that could change clinical guidance, according to a speaker.
DOACs for stroke prevention safe in most high-risk populations with AF
PHILADELPHIA — Direct oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation are safe in most high-risk populations, a speaker said during the Heart in Diabetes CME Conference.
Early anticoagulation unlikely to cause harm after stroke with atrial fibrillation
In patients with acute stroke and atrial fibrillation, oral anticoagulation therapy may be administered within 48 hours after stroke when appropriate or indicated, researchers reported.
No differences in bleeding, thromboembolic events with DOACs vs. warfarin after surgery
Patients who received apixaban or rivaroxaban after cardiac surgery were no more likely to experience major bleeding or thromboembolic events compared with patients who received warfarin after surgery, data from a single-center study show.
Vitamin K antagonists may be best treatment option in thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome
CHICAGO — In patients with thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome, vitamin K antagonists were linked to lower odds of arterial thrombotic events compared with direct oral anticoagulants, according to a meta-analysis.