Value of Coronary Artery Calcium Scanning in Association With the Net Benefit of Aspirin in Primary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

JAMA Cardiology
Study (n=2191) found higher coronary artery calcium (CAC) is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) & bleeding events. High CAC score denotes net benefit from aspirin for primary prevention, but only in setting of lower bleeding, and intermediate CVD risk.

Antithrombotic therapy for patients with chronic coronary syndromes

Heart
Review evaluates the pathophysiology and pharmacology of atherothrombosis, highlights current RCT evidence and discusses the content and application of the European Society of Cardiology 2019 chronic coronary syndromes guidelines.

Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Protect and Perfect – Optimising anticoagulation treatment

Kent Surrey Sussex Academic Health Science Network (KSS AHSN)
The tool used in this project, assisted GP practices with complete management of patients with AF; generating lists of diagnosed AF patients where clinical intervention is missing along with opportunistic prompts (aligned to AF NICE CG180 guidelines).

Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Extremity Venous Thromboembolism

Journal of the American Medical Association
This review summarises recent developments in the diagnosis and management of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, including discussion of risk factors, clinical presentation, and risks for pulmonary embolism and other complications.

Prophylactic anticoagulants for people hospitalised with COVID‐19

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Review of 7 studies (n=5929) concludes there is insufficient evidence to determine risks and benefits of prophylactic anticoagulants for people hospitalised with COVID‐19. There are 22 studies in >15,000 participants underway however, which will provide more robust evidence.

Prophylaxis of thromboembolism during therapy with asparaginase in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Review of 23 non-randomised studies (no RCTs were appropriate for inclusion) concludes it is unclear from the available evidence if thromboprophylaxis used for adults with ALL treated with asparaginase is associated with any appreciable benefits or harms.

Evaluation of the incidence of bleeding in patients prescribed rivaroxaban for the treatment and prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in UK secondary care: an observational cohort study

BMJ Open
Study (n=4,846) found a low rate of major bleeding in gastrointestinal, intracranial and urogenital sites when using rivaroxaban for treatment of deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (<1% for all). Authors report this magnitude of risk is consistent with trial data.

Rivaroxaban and Aspirin in Peripheral Artery Disease Lower Extremity Revascularization: Impact of Concomitant Clopidogrel on Efficacy and Safety

Circulation
Review of the VOYAGER PAD trial found rivaroxaban plus aspirin reduced the risk of adverse cardiovascular and limb events irrespective of clopidogrel use. Safety was also consistent regardless of clopidogrel, but with a trend for more major bleeding with clopidogrel use >30 days.

Association of Reperfusion After Thrombolysis With Clinical Outcome Across the 4.5- to 9-Hours and Wake-Up Stroke Time Window: A Meta-Analysis of the EXTEND and EPITHET Randomized Clinical Trials

JAMA Neurology
Meta-analysis (n=270) found that reperfusion was associated with significantly improved functional outcome without increased risk of symptomatic haemorrhage support when used between 4.5 to 9-hours post stroke (SPC recommends treatment within 4.5 hours of stroke).

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