Underrepresentation of Women, Elderly Patients, and Racial Minorities in the Randomized Trials Used for Cardiovascular Guidelines

JAMA Internal Medicine

The authors of this research letter report that women, elderly patients, and those of non-white racial backgrounds are underrepresented in the RCTs of US (ACC/AHA) guidelines for AF, HF, and ACS, raising concerns about their applicability in these populations.

Optimal Duration of Low Molecular Weight Heparin for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Deep Vein Thrombosis: The Cancer-DACUS Study

Journal of Clinical Oncology

The results of this study suggest that in patients with cancer treated with LMWH for 6 months for a first DVT, continuation for a further 6 months in those with residual vein thrombosis did not reduce the rate of recurrent VTE. Those without RVT at 6 months are a low risk group.

Sex Differences in Short-term and Long-term All-Cause Mortality Among Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated by Primary Percutaneous Intervention: A Meta-analysis

JAMA Internal Medicine

This meta-analysis of observational studies suggests that women with STEMI treated with primary PCI have a higher risk of in-hospital mortality than men; this association is likely however to be confounded by baseline CV risk factors and differences in clinical profile.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan approves edoxaban for additional indications

Biospace Inc.

The oral factor Xa inhibitor edoxaban has been approved in Japan for the prevention of ischaemic stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular AF and for treatment and secondary prevention of VTE. It is currently under regulatory review in the EU for these indications.

Drug Therapy for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Review of the Comparative Clinical Effectiveness

Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

This article reviews current evidence of comparative efficacy and safety of monotherapy or combination medical interventions for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Studies of riociguat, bosentan and sildenafil are summarised.

Non-adherence to cardiovascular medications

European Heart Journal

The authors of this review on non-adherence to cardiovascular medications, which is increasingly recognised, conclude that in the face of a rapidly expanding population at risk for CHD, effective means of ensuring patient adherence to evidence-based therapy are urgently needed.

All Wales Advice on the Role of Oral Anticoagulants

All Wales Medicines Strategy Group

This updated document covers the safe and effective use of oral anticoagulants for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in people with non-valvular AF. It considers assessment, drug choice, review, prescribing responsibility, and INR monitoring for warfarin.

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