Inflammation in Atrial Fibrillation Guo, Yutao, MDR; Lip, Gregory Y.H., MD; Apostolakis, Stavros, MD, PhD
Journal of the American College of Cardiology,
12/2012, Volume:
60, Issue:
22
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risk for stroke and systemic embolism. There is plausible evidence linking inflammation to the initiation and perpetuation of AF and AF-related ...thrombosis. Various inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8) have been associated with AF. Proposed mechanisms linking inflammation and the prothrombotic AF state include endothelial activation/damage, production of tissue factor from monocytes, increased platelet activation, and increased expression of fibrinogen. The present review aims to provide an update on the association of inflammation and AF, including the impact of inflammatory markers on clinical presentation and outcome of AF patients.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The Role of Monocytes in Angiogenesis and Atherosclerosis Jaipersad, Anthony S., BA, MBBS; Lip, Gregory Y.H., MD; Silverman, Stanley, MD ...
Journal of the American College of Cardiology,
2014, Volume:
63, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
New vessel formation inside the arterial wall and atherosclerotic plaques plays a critical role in pathogenesis of heart attacks and strokes. The 2 known mechanisms resulting in the formation of new ...vessels within the plaque are local ischemia and inflammation. Blood monocytes play an important role in both processes. First, they express receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor and some of them may serve as circulating ancestors of endothelial cells. Second, monocytes are associated with inflammation by synthesis of inflammatory molecules following their activation (e.g., after stimulation of Toll-like receptors). Neovascularization is a reparative response to ischemia, and includes 3 processes: angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, and vasculogenesis. Angiogenesis, the formation of new capillary vessels is known to occur in response to a hypoxic environment. The interaction between leukocytes and vascular wall via overexpression of various molecules facilitates the migration of inflammatory cells into the plaque microenvironment. Monocytes are intimately involved in tissue damage and repair and an imbalance of these processes may have detrimental consequences for plaque development and stability. Importantly, monocytes are comprised of distinct subsets with different cell surface markers and functional characteristics and this heterogeneity may be relevant to angiogenic processes in atherosclerosis. The aim of this review article is to present an overview of the available evidence supporting a role for monocytes in angiogenesis and atherosclerosis.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Cardiac arrhythmias are associated with poorer outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF), diabetes mellitus (DM), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Previous studies have shown inconsistent ...conclusions regarding the association between sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and the risk of developing arrhythmias. This study aims to investigate the association of SGLT2i treatment with arrhythmia outcomes in clinical trials of patients with HF, DM, or CKD.
MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception up to 27 August 2020. Randomized controlled trials that randomized patients with DM, CKD, or HF to SGLT2i or placebo were included. The outcomes of interest include atrial fibrillation (AF), embolic stroke, atrial flutter (AFL), AF/AFL, ventricular tachycardia (VT), and cardiac arrest. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using a random-effects model.
Out of 4,532 citations, 22 trials with altogether 52,115 patients were included (mean age 63.2 years; 33,747 64.8% of participants were men). SGLT2i were associated with a lower risk of AF (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70-0.96), embolic stroke (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.12-0.85), AF/AFL (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71-0.95), and VT (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.53-0.99), while the risk reductions in AFL (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.58-1.17) and cardiac arrest (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.61-1.14) did not reach statistical significance. The associations appeared to be consistent across different baseline conditions (DM vs CKD vs HF; atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease ASCVD vs no ASCVD) and the SGLT2i used.
SGLT2i reduced the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Our study provides further evidence for recommending the use of SGLT2i in patients with DM, CKD, and HF. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanism by which SGLT2i protect against arrhythmias.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Chronic Kidney Disease in Atrial Fibrillation
In a study of data from Danish national registries, CKD was associated with an increased risk of stroke and bleeding among patients with atrial ...fibrillation. Warfarin decreased the risk of stroke among such patients. Both warfarin and aspirin increased the risk of bleeding.
The prevalence of both atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease increases with age.
1
,
2
The prevalence of atrial fibrillation is 2.3% among persons 40 years of age or older and 5.9% among those 65 years of age or older,
2
and the prevalence of end-stage renal disease increases from approximately 3.5% among persons 45 to 64 years of age to nearly 6% among those 75 years of age or older.
1
Many patients have both disorders,
3
–
6
and the number of such patients is increasing, owing in part to the aging population and the improved survival in both diseases.
Atrial fibrillation increases . . .
Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation is associated with substantial mortality and morbidity from stroke and thromboembolism. Despite an efficacious oral anticoagulation therapy (warfarin), atrial ...fibrillation patients at high risk for stroke are often under-treated. This systematic review compares current treatment practices for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation with published guidelines. Methods Literature searches (1997-2008) identified 98 studies concerning current treatment practices for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. The percentage of patients eligible for oral anticoagulation due to elevated stroke risk was compared with the percentage treated. Under-treatment was defined as treatment of <70% of high-risk patients. Results Of 54 studies that reported stroke risk levels and the percentage of patients treated, most showed underuse of oral anticoagulants for high-risk patients. From 29 studies of patients with prior stroke/transient ischemic attack who should all receive oral anticoagulation according to published guidelines, 25 studies reported under-treatment, with 21 of 29 studies reporting oral anticoagulation treatment levels below 60% (range 19%-81.3%). Subjects with a CHADS2 ( c ongestive heart failure, h ypertension, a ge >75 years, d iabetes mellitus, and prior s troke or transient ischemic attack) score ≥2 also were suboptimally treated, with 7 of 9 studies reporting treatment levels below 70% (range 39%-92.3%). Studies (21 of 54) using other stroke risk stratification schemes differ in the criteria they use to designate patients as “high risk,” such that direct comparison is not possible. Conclusions This systematic review demonstrates the underuse of oral anticoagulation therapy for real-world atrial fibrillation patients with an elevated risk of stroke, highlighting the need for improved therapies for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
At the beginning of June 2020, there were nearly 7 million reported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide and over 400,000 deaths in people with COVID-19. The objective of this study ...was to determine associations between comorbidities listed in the Charlson comorbidity index and mortality among patients in the United States with COVID-19.
A retrospective cohort study of adults with COVID-19 from 24 healthcare organizations in the US was conducted. The study included adults aged 18-90 years with COVID-19 coded in their electronic medical records between January 20, 2020, and May 26, 2020. Results were also stratified by age groups (<50 years, 50-69 years, or 70-90 years). A total of 31,461 patients were included. Median age was 50 years (interquartile range IQR, 35-63) and 54.5% (n = 17,155) were female. The most common comorbidities listed in the Charlson comorbidity index were chronic pulmonary disease (17.5%, n = 5,513) and diabetes mellitus (15.0%, n = 4,710). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed older age (odds ratio OR per year 1.06; 95% confidence interval CI 1.06-1.07; p < 0.001), male sex (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.55-1.98; p < 0.001), being black or African American compared to white (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.31-1.71; p < 0.001), myocardial infarction (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.64-2.35; p < 0.001), congestive heart failure (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.21-1.67; p < 0.001), dementia (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.07-1.56; p = 0.008), chronic pulmonary disease (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.08-1.43; p = 0.003), mild liver disease (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.00-1.59; p = 0.046), moderate/severe liver disease (OR 2.62; 95% CI 1.53-4.47; p < 0.001), renal disease (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.84-2.46; p < 0.001), and metastatic solid tumor (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.19-2.43; p = 0.004) were associated with higher odds of mortality with COVID-19. Older age, male sex, and being black or African American (compared to being white) remained significantly associated with higher odds of death in age-stratified analyses. There were differences in which comorbidities were significantly associated with mortality between age groups. Limitations include that the data were collected from the healthcare organization electronic medical record databases and some comorbidities may be underreported and ethnicity was unknown for 24% of participants. Deaths during an inpatient or outpatient visit at the participating healthcare organizations were recorded; however, deaths occurring outside of the hospital setting are not well captured.
Identifying patient characteristics and conditions associated with mortality with COVID-19 is important for hypothesis generating for clinical trials and to develop targeted intervention strategies.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Objectives This study sought to perform an indirect comparison analysis of dabigatran etexilate (2 doses), rivaroxaban, and apixaban for their relative efficacy and safety against each other. ...Background Data for warfarin compared against the new oral anticoagulants (OACs) in large phase III clinical trials of stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) are now available for the oral direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran etexilate, in 2 doses (150 mg twice daily BID, 110 mg BID), and the oral Factor Xa inhibitors, rivaroxaban and apixaban. A “head-to-head” direct comparison of drugs is the standard method for comparing different treatments, but in the absence of such head-to-head direct comparisons, another alternative to assess the relative effect of different treatment interventions would be to perform indirect comparisons, using a common comparator. Nonetheless, any inter-trial comparison is always fraught with major difficulties, and an indirect comparison analysis has many limitations, especially with the inter-trial population differences and thus, should not be overinterpreted. Methods Indirect comparison analysis was performed using data from the published trials. Results There was a significantly lower risk of stroke and systemic embolism (by 26%) for dabigatran (150 mg BID) compared with rivaroxaban, as well as hemorrhagic stroke and nondisabling stroke. There were no significant differences for apixaban versus dabigatran (both doses) or rivaroxaban; or rivaroxaban versus dabigatran 110 mg BID in preventing stroke and systemic embolism. For ischemic stroke, there were no significant differences between the new OACs. Major bleeding was significantly lower with apixaban compared with dabigatran 150 mg BID (by 26%) and rivaroxaban (by 34%), but not significantly different from dabigatran 110 mg BID. There were no significant differences between apixaban and dabigatran 110 mg BID in safety endpoints. Apixaban also had lower major or clinically relevant bleeding (by 34%) compared with rivaroxaban. When compared with rivaroxaban, dabigatran 110 mg BID was associated with less major bleeding (by 23%) and intracranial bleeding (by 54%). There were no significant differences in myocardial infarction events between the dabigatran (both doses) and apixaban. Conclusions Notwithstanding the limitations of an indirect comparison study, we found no profound significant differences in efficacy between apixaban and dabigatran etexilate (both doses) or rivaroxaban. Dabigatran 150 mg BID was superior to rivaroxaban for some efficacy endpoints, whereas major bleeding was significantly lower with dabigatran 110 mg BID or apixaban. Only a head-to-head direct comparison of the different new OACs would fully answer the question of efficacy/safety differences between the new drugs for stroke prevention in AF.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In this trial, dabigatran plus a P2Y
12
inhibitor was compared with warfarin plus a P2Y
12
inhibitor and aspirin after PCI in patients with atrial fibrillation. The risk of bleeding was lower with ...dabigatran therapy; prevention of thromboembolic events was similar with the two strategies.
The use of risk markers has transformed cardiovascular medicine, exemplified by the routine assessment of troponin, for both diagnosis and assessment of prognosis in patients with chest pain. ...Clinical risk factors form the basis for risk assessment of cardiovascular disease and the addition of biochemical, cellular, and imaging parameters offers further refinement. Identifying novel risk factors may allow greater risk stratification and a steady, but gradual progression toward precision medicine. Indeed, the generation of data in this area of research is explosive and when combined with new technologies and techniques provides the potential for more refined, targeted approaches to cardiovascular medicine. Although discussing the most recent developments in this field, this review article aims to strike a balance between novelty and validity by focusing on recent large sample-size studies that have been validated in a separate cohort in most cases. Risk markers related to atherosclerosis, thrombosis, inflammation, cardiac injury, and fibrosis are introduced in the context of their pathophysiology. Rapidly developing new areas, such as assessment of micro-RNA, are also explored. Subsequently the prognostic ability of these risk markers in coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation is discussed in detail.
This trial compared standard therapy (dual antiplatelet therapy plus a vitamin K antagonist) with two regimens containing rivaroxaban plus antiplatelet therapy. The rivaroxaban groups had reduced ...rates of bleeding and similar efficacy in preventing cardiovascular events.
Approximately 5 to 8% of patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have atrial fibrillation.
1
–
3
Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with a P2Y
12
inhibitor and aspirin is superior to oral anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist in reducing the risk of thrombosis in patients undergoing placement of a first-generation stent,
4
but oral anticoagulation is superior to DAPT in reducing the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.
5
The treatment strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation who have received stents must balance the risk of stent thrombosis and ischemic stroke with the risk of bleeding. A common guideline-supported . . .
PDF
