FDA approves Afstyla for patients with haemophilia A

PharmaTimes

Afstyla, a novel recombinant factor VIII single-chain therapy, designed for long-lasting protection from bleeds with 2-3 x weekly dosing. It can also be used as on-demand treatment to control bleeds, and in perioperative management of bleeding.

Cryptogenic Stroke

New England Journal of Medicine

This feature article begins with a case highlighting a common clinical problem, cryptogenic stroke. Evidence supporting various strategies is then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines, when they exist. The article ends with the author's clinical recommendations.

Prediction of rates of thromboembolic and major bleeding outcomes with dabigatran or warfarin among patients with atrial fibrillation: new initiator cohort study

British Medical Journal

A comparison of bleeding rates seen in a cohort (n=21934) of patients with AF treated with warfarin v dabigatran with what was predicted using risk assessment models & data from RCTs showed good correlation between models & real-life but RCTs underestimate risk of major bleeding.

Reversal of the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran: idarucizumab (ESNM73)

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

This review looks at the evidence for the efficacy/safety of idarucizumab for reversing the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran etexilate. There are
currently no other licensed agents to reverse the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran etexilate (or any other NOAC).

Individualising Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Acute Coronary Syndrome or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Circulation

This review, based on 2 case vignettes, discusses dual antiplatelet therapy in the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes and those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, in the context of balancing optimal duration with the risk of adverse bleeding effects.

Use of antipsychotics and risk of myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

This review of 9 observational studies found that the odds for developing an MI were higher with antipsychotic users vs never users (OR=1.88, 95%CI=1.39-2.54). Short term users (<30 days) and those with schizophrenia had a more pronounced risk.

The impact of atrial fibrillation type on the risk of thromboembolism, mortality, and bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis

European Heart Journal

This review of 12 studies (n=99,996) found that non-paroxysmal AF was associated with higher rates of thromboembolism than parosxysmal AF (unadjusted RR=1.355, 95%CI= 1.169-1.571).

The above records have been identified by UKMi and feature in the NICE Medicines Awareness Service. Further details on this service can be found at:http://www.evidence.nhs.uk/about-evidence-services/content-and-sources/medicines-information/new-medicines-awareness-services