Project description:Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), such as rivaroxaban, reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). However, it is still unclear whether the stroke reduction benefit outweighs the bleeding risk in elderly Japanese patients with NVAF. The Xarelto Post-Authorization Safety and Effectiveness Study in Japanese Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (XAPASS) was a real-world, prospective observational, post-marketing surveillance study on the safety and effectiveness of rivaroxaban in Japanese clinical practice. This sub-analysis evaluated the clinical outcomes of elderly patients aged ≥ 75 years. At the 1-year follow-up, there were 4,685 (48.91%) and 4,893 (51.09%) patients aged ≥ 75 and < 75 years, respectively. Safety and effectiveness outcomes were compared between patients aged ≥ 75 years and those aged < 75 years, and among 3 elderly sub-populations (age ranges: 75-79, 80-84, and ≥ 85 years). Patients aged ≥ 75 years had higher rates of major bleeding [2.22 vs. 1.35 events per 100 patient-years, hazard ratio (HR) 1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-2.28] and composite of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic)/non-central nervous system (non-CNS) systemic embolism (SE)/myocardial infarction (MI) (2.41 vs. 1.21 events per 100 patient-years, HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.40-2.77) compared to patients aged < 75 years. Intracranial hemorrhage rates were < 1 event per 100 patient-years in both groups (0.85 vs. 0.59 events per 100 patient-years, HR 1.43, 95% CI 0.85-2.40). Kaplan-Meier curves of major bleeding and stroke/non-CNS SE/MI showed that no significant differences of cumulative event rates were identified among the 3 elderly sub-populations. Stepwise Cox regression analyses revealed that creatinine clearance (CrCl) (<50 mL/min), hepatic impairment, and hypertension were specific predictors for major bleeding and no specific predictors were found for stroke/non-CNS SE/MI in patients aged ≥ 75 years. In conclusion, safety and effectiveness event rates were higher in patients aged ≥ 75 years compared with those aged < 75 years, yet, no distinct differences were observed among the 3 elderly sub-populations.
Project description:BackgroundPatients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) have a high risk of thromboembolism and other outcomes and anticoagulation is recommended.HypothesisThis study was aimed to explore the risk factors associated with HF worsening in patients with AF and HF taking rivaroxaban in Spain.MethodsMulticenter, prospective, observational study that included adults with AF and chronic HF, receiving rivaroxaban ≥4 months before entering. HF worsening was defined as first hospitalization or emergency visit because of HF exacerbation.ResultsA total of 672 patients from 71 Spanish centers were recruited, of whom 658 (97.9%) were included in the safety analysis and 552 (82.1%) in the per protocol analysis. At baseline, mean age was 73.7 ± 10.9 years, 64.9% were male, CHA2 DS2 -VASc was 4.1 ± 1.5, HAS-BLED was 1.6 ± 0.9% and 51.3% had HF with preserved ejection fraction. After 24 months of follow-up, 24.9% of patients developed HF worsening, 11.6% died, 2.9% had a thromboembolic event, 3.1% a major bleeding, 0.5% an intracranial bleeding and no patient had a fatal hemorrhage. Older age, the history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the previous use of vitamin K antagonists, and restrictive or infiltrative cardiomyopathies, were independently associated with HF worsening. Only 6.9% of patients permanently discontinued rivaroxaban treatment.ConclusionsApproximately one out of four patients with HF and AF treated with rivaroxaban developed a HF worsening episode after 2 years of follow-up. The identification of those factors that increase the risk of HF worsening could be helpful in the comprehensive management of this population.
Project description:Discontinuation of oral anticoagulants may expose non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients to an increased risk of stroke. This study describes the real-world discontinuation rates and compared the risk of drug discontinuation among NVAF patients initiating apixaban, warfarin, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban. This retrospective cohort study evaluated newly-anticoagulated NVAF patients in the MarketScan® data population from 01/01/2012 through 12/31/2014. Discontinuation was defined as a lack of subsequent prescription of the index drug within 30 days after the last supply day of the last prescription. A Cox model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of discontinuation, adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities. Among 45,361 eligible NVAF patients, 15,461 (34.1%) initiated warfarin; 7,438 (16.4%) apixaban; 4,661 (10.3%) dabigatran; and 17,801 (39.2%) initiated rivaroxaban treatment. Compared to warfarin, patients who initiated dabigatran (adjusted HR [aHR]: 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-0.87, P<0.001), rivaroxaban (aHR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.68-0.73, P<0.001), or apixaban (aHR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.55-0.60, P<0.001) were 16%, 30%, and 43% less likely to discontinue treatment, respectively. When compared to apixaban, patients who initiated dabigatran (aHR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.38-1.54, P<0.001) or rivaroxaban (aHR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.17-1.28, P<0.001) were more likely to discontinue treatment. Among newly-anticoagulated NVAF patients in the real-world setting, initiation on rivaroxaban, dabigatran, or apixaban was associated with a significantly lower risk of discontinuation compared to warfarin. When compared to apixaban, patients who initiated treatment with warfarin, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban were more likely to discontinue treatment.
Project description:Background Reducing major bleeding events is a challenge when managing anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation. This study evaluated the impact of modifiable and nonmodifiable bleeding risk factors in patients with atrial fibrillation receiving rivaroxaban and estimated the impact of risk factor modification on major bleeding events. Methods and Results Modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors associated with major bleeding events were identified from the XANTUS (Xarelto for Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation) prospective registry data set (6784 rivaroxaban-treated patients). Parameters showing univariate association with bleeding were used to construct a multivariable model identifying independent risk factors. Modeling was used to estimate attributed weights to risk factors. Heavy alcohol use (hazard ratio [HR]=2.37; 95% CI 1.24-4.53); uncontrolled hypertension (HR after parameter-wise shrinkage=1.79; 95% CI 1.05-3.05); and concomitant treatment with antiplatelets, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or paracetamol (HR=1.80; 95% CI 1.24-2.61) were identified as modifiable, independent bleeding risk factors. Increasing age (HR=1.25 [per 5-year increment]; 95% CI 1.12-1.38); heart failure (HR=1.97; 95% CI 1.36-2.86); and vascular disease (HR=1.91; 95% CI 1.32-2.77) were identified as nonmodifiable bleeding risk factors. Overall, 128 (1.9%) patients experienced major bleeding events; of these, 11% had no identified bleeding risk factors, 50% had nonmodifiable bleeding risk factors only, and 39% had modifiable bleeding risk factors (with or without nonmodifiable risk factors). The presence of 1 modifiable bleeding risk factor doubled the risk of major bleeding. Conclusions Elimination of modifiable bleeding risk factors is a potentially effective strategy to reduce bleeding risk in atrial fibrillation patients receiving rivaroxaban. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01606995.
Project description:Background: The ELDERCARE-AF trial demonstrated that low-dose edoxaban prevented stroke or systemic embolism (SE) in very elderly Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in whom standard oral anticoagulant therapy was inappropriate because of high bleeding risk. The aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristics and outcomes of such patients in routine clinical practice. Methods and Results: Data were extracted from the Fushimi AF Registry for ELDERCARE-eligible NVAF patients aged ≥80 years, with a CHADS2 score ≥2 and ≥1 bleeding risk factors, as shown in the ELDERCARE-AF trial. ELDERCARE-eligible patients (n=549; 12.8% of the entire cohort, 52.9% of those aged ≥80 years and with CHADS2 score ≥2) were less often male, were older, had more comorbidity and higher risk scores than non-eligible patients from the entire cohort (n=3,734). The crude incidence (% per patient-year) of adverse events was significantly higher in ELDERCARE-eligible than non-eligible patients (stroke/SE, 4.8% vs. 2.0%; major bleeding, 3.6% vs. 1.9%; all-cause mortality, 15.5% vs. 3.9%; cardiovascular death, 2.7% vs. 0.6%; all log-rank P<0.001). Compared with non-eligible patients aged ≥80 years and with a CHADS2 score ≥2 (n=488), the incidence of stroke/SE, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular death remained significantly higher in ELDERCARE-eligible patients. Conclusions: Patients with NVAF who met the inclusion criteria of the ELDERCARE-AF trial were common in routine clinical practice, and had poor clinical outcomes.
Project description:Background Increasing age predisposes patients with atrial fibrillation to both thromboembolic and bleeding events; however, data on outcomes of very elderly patients (aged ≥85 years) receiving appropriate antithrombotic therapy are still limited. Methods and Results The J-ELD AF (Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study to Investigate the Effectiveness and Safety of Apixaban in Japanese Elderly Atrial Fibrillation Patients) Registry is a multicenter prospective observational study of Japanese patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation aged ≥75 years taking on-label doses (standard dose of 5 mg BID or reduced dose of 2.5 mg BID) of apixaban. The entire cohort (3031 patients from 110 institutions) was divided into 3 age groups: 75 to 79 years (n=1068, 35.2%), 80 to 84 years (n=1120, 37.0%), and ≥85 years (n=843, 27.8%). The event incidence rates (/100 person-years) were 1.40, 1.55, and 1.95 for stroke or systemic embolism (log-rank P=0.65); 1.70, 1.55, and 2.61 for bleeding requiring hospitalization (log-rank P=0.33); 2.09, 2.60, and 5.29 for total deaths (log-rank P<0.001); and 0.40, 1.06, and 1.55 for cardiovascular deaths (log-rank P=0.045), respectively. After adjusting for confounders using a Cox regression analysis, age ≥85 years was identified as an independent risk of total death (hazard ratio, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.10-3.26 [P=0.022]), but not of stroke or systemic embolism, bleeding requiring hospitalization, or cardiovascular death. Conclusions Although mortality increased with age, age ≥85 years was not a significant risk of stroke or systemic embolism, bleeding requiring hospitalization, or cardiovascular death in Japanese patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation taking on-label doses of apixaban. Registration URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr; Unique identifier: UMIN000017895.
Project description:BackgroundPatients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease represent a high-risk group for thromboembolism and bleeding.AimsTo explore the relationship between kidney function changes and outcomes of stroke/systemic embolism (SE), major bleeding and all-cause death in anticoagulated AF patients participating in the BOREALIS trial comparing efficacy and safety of once-weekly s.c. idrabiotaparinux to that of warfarin.MethodsChanges in kidney function by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation in 2765 AF patients. Trial adjudicated outcomes were determined.ResultsAfter a mean follow-up of 394 days, in 94.4% of the included patients kidney function changed ranging from -30 mL/min to 30 mL/min. The incidence of stroke/SE and major bleeding was similar between patients with deteriorated (reduction in eGFR from baseline over follow-up) and preserved kidney function change (increase or no change in eGFR from baseline over follow-up) [stroke/SE: incidence rate (IR): 1.33%/year vs 1.80%/year; hazard ratio (HR) 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41-1.32, P = .30; major bleeding: IR 1.63%/year vs 1.49%/year, HR 1.10, 95% CI 0.61-1.97, P = .76]. On Cox regression analysis, patients with deteriorated kidney function were at higher risk for all-cause death, compared to patients with preserved kidney function (HR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.02-2.63, P = .04).ConclusionIn the BOREALIS trial, the risk of adjudicated stroke/SE, major bleedings, and all-cause death was not related to mild-moderate follow-up changes in kidney function (±30 mL/min). The risk of all-cause death was significantly increased in AF patients with abruptly deteriorating kidney function.
Project description:BackgroundAdvancing age, decreasing renal function, and atrial fibrillation are strongly associated. Real-world evidence of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use among elderly patients ≥75 years of age with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and renal dysfunction is limited.ObjectivesThis study sought to assess 2-year outcomes and anticoagulant treatment, stratified by renal function.MethodsEnrolled patients were divided into 4 subgroups by creatinine clearance (CrCl) to determine the impact of renal dysfunction on clinical outcomes.ResultsOf 32,275 patients, 26,202 with CrCl data were analyzed (median follow-up 2.00 [IQR: 1.92-2.00] years); 1.3% of patients had CrCl <15 mL/min, 10.7% had CrCl 15 to <30 mL/min, 33.4% had CrCl 30 to <50 mL/min, 35.8% had CrCl ≥50 mL/min, and 18.9% had unknown CrCl. Cumulative incidences of stroke/systemic embolic events, major bleeding, major plus clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding, cardiovascular death, all-cause death, and net clinical outcomes increased with decreasing CrCl. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, lower CrCl emerged as an independent risk factor for these clinical outcomes, except for major bleeding, compared with CrCl ≥50 mL/min. The effectiveness and safety of DOACs over warfarin were similar or better across 3 CrCl subgroups with CrCl 15 mL/min or more. DOAC use was associated with a lower risk of stroke/systemic embolic events, major bleeding, cardiovascular death, all-cause death, and net clinical outcome compared with warfarin in patients with CrCl 30 to <50 mL/min.ConclusionsIncidences of major clinical outcomes increased with decreasing renal function in elderly nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients. DOACs were effective and safe even in patients with renal dysfunction (CrCl 15-<50 mL/min). (Prospective Observational Study in Late-Stage Elderly Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: All Nippon AF In Elderly Registry [ANAFIE Registry]; UMIN000024006).
Project description:BackgroundBased on their renal excretion, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may increase the risk of hematuria in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and urologic cancer compared with vitamin K antagonists.ObjectivesTo examine the risk of bleeding associated with DOAC versus warfarin in patients with AF and urologic cancer.MethodsWe conducted a Danish nationwide cohort study with individually linked registry data on patients with AF and active or a history of urologic cancer. We calculated crude rates per 100 person-years of hospital episodes of major bleeding and hematuria. We then compared rates of hematuria during the year after initial oral anticoagulation filled prescription by treatment regimen using inverse probability of treatment weighting and Cox regression.ResultsThe study population included 2615 patients with AF and urologic cancer (6.1% women; median age, 76 years) initiating a DOAC or warfarin. One-year risk of hematuria was 4.8% in the DOAC group and 4.7% in the warfarin group with a corresponding weighted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.21 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-1.81). HRs for hematuria were generally similar in analyses restricted to patients treated with standard-dose DOAC and patients with active cancer. For those with cancer of the kidney, renal pelvis, ureter, and bladder, the HR was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.44-1.54). Results were mirrored for other bleeding events, whereas the risk for intracranial bleeding was lower with DOACs.ConclusionIn patients with AF and urologic cancer, there was a similar risk of hematuria associated with DOAC and warfarin treatment.