JAMA Oncology
Analysis of 17 RCTs suggests no differences exist in the risk of substantial intraocular bleeding between NOACs and other antithrombotic drugs (vitamin K antagonists, aspirin, low-molecular-weight heparin). However, the number of events was scarce so further studies are needed.
Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review
Journal of the American Medical Association
This review highlights that stroke prevention is central to management of AF, irrespective of a rate or rhythm control strategy. Following the initial
focus on identifying low-risk patients, all others with 1 or more stroke risk factors should be offered oral anticoagulation.
Circulation
US study of 10,213 MI patients who underwent PCI and were discharged on dual antiplatelet therapy found that high maintenance dose aspirin (325mg) was linked to similar rates of major adverse cardiovascular events but greater risk of minor bleeding vs. low-dose aspirin (81mg).
Circulation
Direct oral anticoagulants demonstrate at least equal efficacy to VKAs in managing thrombotic risks in the elderly although bleeding patterns were distinct with dabigatran linked to a particularly higher risk of GI bleeding compared to VKAs.
National Institute for Health Research
This systematic review evaluated whether or not 'aspirin resistance' defined using platelet function tests (PFTs) was linked to occurrence of adverse clinical outcomes and concluded that studies investigating this were of inconsistent quality - no firm conclusions could be made.
Journal of Clinical Oncology
In patients with advanced pancreatic cancer undergoing chemotherapy, prophylactic enoxaparin was associated with a reduced rate of symptomatic VTE (6.4% vs 15.1% with no enoxaparin) and no increase in major bleeding; there was no difference in progression-free or overall survival.
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:
