Eptifibatide is indicated during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with continuation for 18-24 hours post procedure but is associated with bleeding. We examined the efficacy and safety of ...shorter post-PCI eptifibatide infusions in high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE ACS) patients.
EARLY ACS patients treated with PCI and eptifibatide were grouped by post-procedure infusion duration: <10, 10-13, 13-17, and 17-25 (per protocol) hours. Adjusted estimated event rates for 96-hour death/myocardial infarction (MI)/recurrent ischaemia requiring urgent revascularization (RIUR), 30-day death/MI, post-PCI packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion, and GUSTO (Global Utilization of Streptokinase and Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Occluded Coronary Arteries) moderate/severe bleeding were obtained using inverse-propensity weighting to account for informative censoring of infusions.
Among 3271 eptifibatide-treated PCI patients, there were 66 96-hour death/MI/RIUR events, 94 30-day death/MI events, 127 PRBC transfusions, and 115 GUSTO moderate/severe bleeds. Compared with per protocol, patients receiving post-PCI infusions <10 hours had similar adjusted estimated rates of 96-hour death/MI/RIUR (absolute difference 0.021 higher; 0.040 vs. 0.019, 95% CI -0.023 to 0.064; p=0.35) and 30-day death/MI (0.020 higher; 0.046 vs. 0.026, 95% CI -0.021 to 0.062; p=0.34). There were also no differences in ischaemic outcomes between infusions of 10-17 hours and per-protocol infusions. Adjusted estimated rates of PRBC transfusion were higher for the <10-hour infusion group compared with per protocol (0.048 higher; 0.079 vs. 0.031, 95% CI 0.005 to 0.091, p=0.03) but were similar for other groups. Adjusted GUSTO moderate/severe bleeding rates were similar to per-protocol rates for all groups.
In high-risk NSTE ACS patients, post-PCI eptifibatide infusions <18 hours were not associated with worse ischaemic outcomes. Shorter eptifibatide infusions in this population may be feasible.
The effect of intensified platelet inhibition for patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation who do not undergo revascularization has not been delineated.
In ...this double-blind, randomized trial, in a primary analysis involving 7243 patients under the age of 75 years receiving aspirin, we evaluated up to 30 months of treatment with prasugrel (10 mg daily) versus clopidogrel (75 mg daily). In a secondary analysis involving 2083 patients 75 years of age or older, we evaluated 5 mg of prasugrel versus 75 mg of clopidogrel.
At a median follow-up of 17 months, the primary end point of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke among patients under the age of 75 years occurred in 13.9% of the prasugrel group and 16.0% of the clopidogrel group (hazard ratio in the prasugrel group, 0.91; 95% confidence interval CI, 0.79 to 1.05; P=0.21). Similar results were observed in the overall population. The prespecified analysis of multiple recurrent ischemic events (all components of the primary end point) suggested a lower risk for prasugrel among patients under the age of 75 years (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.00; P=0.04). Rates of severe and intracranial bleeding were similar in the two groups in all age groups. There was no significant between-group difference in the frequency of nonhemorrhagic serious adverse events, except for a higher frequency of heart failure in the clopidogrel group.
Among patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation, prasugrel did not significantly reduce the frequency of the primary end point, as compared with clopidogrel, and similar risks of bleeding were observed. (Funded by Eli Lilly and Daiichi Sankyo; TRILOGY ACS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00699998.).
Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between ischemia detected on continuous electrocardiographic (cECG) recording and cardiovascular outcomes after acute coronary ...syndrome (ACS). Background The small size of prior studies evaluating cECG prevented full evaluation of the risk associated with ischemia across subpopulations and compared with other methods of risk stratification. Ranolazine, a new antianginal agent, reduces ischemic symptoms in patients with chronic angina and after ACS but the anti-ischemic effect, as detected by cECG, is not known. Methods In all, 6,560 patients hospitalized with non–ST-segment elevation ACS were randomly assigned to ranolazine or placebo in the MERLIN–TIMI 36 (Metabolic Efficiency With Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 36) trial. The cECG was performed for 7 days after randomization. Outcomes were followed for a median of 348 days. Clinical events that occurred during cECG recording were excluded from analysis. Results A total of 6,355 (97%) patients had cECG recordings evaluable for ischemia analysis. Patients with ≥1 episode of ischemia on cECG (n = 1,271, 20%) were at increased risk of cardiovascular death (7.7% vs. 2.7%, p < 0.001), MI (9.4% vs. 5.0%, p < 0.001), and recurrent ischemia (17.5% vs. 12.3%, p < 0.001). The relationship with cardiovascular death was independent of baseline characteristics or elevated biomarkers (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.46, p < 0.001). Ischemia on cECG was associated with significantly worse outcomes in several subgroups. Ranolazine did not reduce the rate of ischemia detected on cECG (19.9% vs. 21.0%, hazard ratio: 0.93, p = 0.21). Conclusions In more than 6,300 patients with ACS, ischemia detected on cECG occurred frequently and was strongly and independently associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes, including cardiovascular death. Continuous ECG monitoring to detect ischemia after ACS may help to identify patients at increased risk. (Metabolic Efficiency With Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes MERLIN; NCT00099788 )
When considering dyslipidaemia, the cardiologist's predominant concern is the relationship between serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and the development of atherosclerotic ...cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, ASCVD is a multifactorial condition with its roots in our physical environment, the lifestyle we choose, our exposure to tobacco smoke, the diet to which we have become accustomed from a young age, the presence of specific morbidities: hypertension, diabetes, adiposity and elevated cholesterol levels, male sex and individual genetic propensities. Frequently these risk factors are found clustering in susceptible individuals. They ultimately find their expression as ASCVD and its complications as we age. Accepting the complexity of its origins, it is unsurprising that a multifaceted approach to the prevention of ASCVD, or its containment once it has emerged, is mandatory.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. HMGCoA reductase inhibitors or "statins" reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduce the risks of ...myocardial infarction, stroke and death in the presence of dyslipidaemia. In consequence, statins are prescribed to a large number of patients requiring primary or secondary prevention. A variety of side-effects may arise during the course of statin treatment which interfere with the quality of patients' lives and reduce their compliance with therapy. Muscle symptoms constitute the most common of these side-effects and are the most frequent reason for discontinuing treatment. This review defines the muscle, tendon and joint disorders encountered by patients on statin treatment, their possible relationship to statin use, and the factors that facilitate the emergence of symptoms. The subtypes of statin myopathy are discussed and a general definition of statin myopathy is offered. Expert advice on managing statin myopathy is summarised.
In the setting of prior myocardial infarction, the oral antiplatelet ticagrelor added to aspirin reduced the risk of recurrent ischemic events, especially, in those with diabetes mellitus. Patients ...with stable coronary disease and diabetes are also at elevated risk and might benefit from dual antiplatelet therapy. The Effect of Ticagrelor on Health Outcomes in diabEtes Mellitus patients Intervention Study (THEMIS, NCT01991795) is a Phase 3b randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trial of ticagrelor vs placebo, on top of low dose aspirin. Patients ≥50 years with type 2 diabetes receiving anti‐diabetic medications for at least 6 months with stable coronary artery disease as determined by a history of previous percutaneous coronary intervention, bypass grafting, or angiographic stenosis of ≥50% of at least one coronary artery were enrolled. Patients with known prior myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke were excluded. The primary efficacy endpoint is a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. The primary safety endpoint is Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction major bleeding. A total of 19 220 patients worldwide have been randomized and at least 1385 adjudicated primary efficacy endpoint events are expected to be available for analysis, with an expected average follow‐up of 40 months (maximum 58 months). Most of the exposure is on a 60 mg twice daily dose, as the dose was lowered from 90 mg twice daily partway into the study. The results may revise the boundaries of efficacy for dual antiplatelet therapy and whether it has a role outside acute coronary syndromes, prior myocardial infarction, or percutaneous coronary intervention.
In the THEMIS trial of 19,220 patients with stable CAD and T2DM without prior MI or stroke followed for a median of 39.9 months, ticagrelor plus aspirin (ASA) lowered ischemic CV events but increased ...major bleeding events compared with placebo plus ASA, with a more favorable net clinical benefit in those with prior PCI. We now report the efficacy and safety by diabetes-related factors and background antihyperglycemic therapy. While the incidence of the primary efficacy outcome (CV death, MI, stroke; MACE) event rates (overall 8.1%) was higher with increasing diabetes duration (11.1% >20 years vs. 6.7% ≤5 years) and A1c (11.8% >10% vs. 6.4% ≤6%), the relative benefits of ticagrelor on MACE reduction (overall HR 0.90; p=0.04) did not differ across these various subgroups (p-values for interaction=0.83 and 0.16, respectively). In contrast, the primary safety outcome (TIMI major bleeding) event rate (overall 1.6%) did not vary by diabetes duration or A1c and was similarly increased by ticagrelor in all of these subgroups (overall HR=2.32 1.82,2.94; p<0.01). The impact of diabetes duration and A1c were similar in the prior PCI subgroup. Regardless of treatment assignment, patients treated with insulin vs. not had a higher risk for MACE (HR=1.65 1.49, 1.83; p<0.01) with no difference in major bleeding (HR=0.92 0.71, 1.19; p=0.52), while those treated with sulfonylurea vs. not had no difference in risk for MACE (HR=1.00 0.91,1.11; p=0.93) or major bleeding (HR=1.12 0.89,1.41; p=0.34) endpoints. The efficacy and safety of ticagrelor did not differ based on background antihyperglycemic therapy. These data suggest that, in general, the relative benefits and risks of ticagrelor added to aspirin are consistent regardless of T2DM duration, A1c, or background antihyperglycemic therapy. NCT01991795.
Disclosure
L.A. Leiter: Advisory Panel; Self; Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Eli Lilly and Company, HLS Therapeutics, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi, Servier. Research Support; Self; Amgen, AstraZeneca, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., Medicines Company. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Eli Lilly and Company, HLS Therapeutics, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Medscape, Merck & Co., Inc., Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi, Servier. D.L. Bhatt: Research Support; Self; Abbott, Afimmune, Amarin Corporation, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cardax, Chiesi USA, Inc., CSL Behring, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Fractyl Laboratories, Inc., Idorsia, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Ischemix, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Lilly Diabetes, Medtronic, Pfizer Inc., PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., PLx Pharma Inc., Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Roche Pharma, Sanofi-Aventis, Synaptic. D.K. McGuire: Consultant; Self; Afimmune, Applied Therapeutics, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Metavant. Other Relationship; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly and Company, Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Novo Nordisk A/S, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi-Aventis. K. Fox: Other Relationship; Self; AstraZeneca, Servier. T. Simon: Advisory Panel; Self; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Servier. Board Member; Self; AstraZeneca, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc. Consultant; Self; Air Liquide, Sanofi. S. Mehta: Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca. E. Lev: None. R.G. Kiss: Speaker’s Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Pfizer Inc. A.J. Dalby: None. H. Bueno: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Novartis AG. Consultant; Self; Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer Inc. Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca, Novartis AG. W. Ridderstråle: Employee; Self; AstraZeneca. A. Himmelmann: Employee; Self; AstraZeneca. J. Prats: Other Relationship; Self; AstraZeneca. Y. Liu: None. J.J. Lee: None. J. Amerena: None. M.N. Kosiborod: Consultant; Self; Amarin Corporation, Amgen, Applied Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eisai Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline plc., Glytec, Intarcia Therapeutics, Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC., Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi US, Vifor Pharma Group. Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. P.G. Steg: Consultant; Self; Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Idorsia, Mylan, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi, Servier. Research Support; Self; Amarin Corporation. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S.
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