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- Alexander, John H., et al.
(author)
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Apixaban vs. warfarin with concomitant aspirin in patients with atrial fibrillation : insights from the ARISTOTLE trial
- 2014
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In: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 35:4, s. 224-232
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims We assessed the effect of concomitant aspirin use on the efficacy and safety of apixaban compared with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and results In ARISTOTLE, 18 201 patients were randomized to apixaban 5 mg twice daily or warfarin. Concomitant aspirin use was left to the discretion of the treating physician. In this predefined analysis, simple and marginal structured models were used to adjust for baseline and time-dependent confounders associated with aspirin use. Outcome measures included stroke or systemic embolism, ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, mortality, major bleeding, haemorrhagic stroke, major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding, and any bleeding. On Day 1, 4434 (24%) patients were taking aspirin. Irrespective of concomitant aspirin use, apixaban reduced stroke or systemic embolism [with aspirin: apixaban 1.12% vs. warfarin 1.91, hazard ratio (HR) 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39-0.85 vs. without aspirin: apixaban 1.11% vs. warfarin 1.32%, HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.66-1.07; P interaction = 0.10] and caused less major bleeding than warfarin (with aspirin: apixaban 3.10 vs. warfarin 3.92%, HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.60-0.99 vs. without aspirin: apixaban 1.82% vs. warfarin 2.78, HR without aspirin 0.65, 95% CI 0.55-0.78; P interaction = 0.29). Similar results were seen in the subgroups of patients with and without arterial vascular disease. Conclusion Apixaban had similar beneficial effects on stroke or systemic embolism and major bleeding compared with warfarin, irrespective of concomitant aspirin use.
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2. |
- Armstrong, Paul W, et al.
(author)
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ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes in PLATO : Insights from the ECG Substudy
- 2012
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In: Circulation. - 0009-7322 .- 1524-4539. ; 125:3, s. 514-521
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Ticagrelor, when compared with clopidogrel, reduced the 12-month risk of vascular death/myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke in patients with ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (ST-E ACS) intended to undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial. This pre-specified electrocardiogram (ECG) substudy explored whether ticagrelor's association with vascular death and MI within one year would be amplified by: 1) the extent of baseline ST shift; and 2) subsequently associated with less residual ST changes at hospital discharge. METHODS AND RESULTS: ECGs were evaluated centrally in a core laboratory in 3,122 ticagrelor- and 3,084 clopidogrel-assigned patients having at least 1mm ST-E in two contiguous leads as identified by site investigators on the qualifying ECG. Patients with greater ST-segment shift at baseline had higher rates of vascular death/MI within one year. Amongst those who also had an ECG at hospital discharge (n=4,798), patients with ≥50% ∑ST-deviation (∑ST-dev) resolution had higher event-free survival than those with incomplete resolution (6.4% vs. 8.8%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.69 (0.54-0.88), p=0.003). The extent of ∑ST-dev resolution was similar irrespective of treatment assignment. The benefit of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel on clinical events was consistent irrespective of the extent of baseline ∑ST-dev (p(interaction)=0.728). When stratified according to conventional times from symptom onset i.e. ≤3 hours, 3-6 hours, >6 hours, the extent of baseline ∑ST-dev declined progressively over time. As time from symptom onset increased beyond three hours, the benefit of ticagrelor appeared to be more pronounced; however, the interaction between time and treatment was not significant (p=0.175). CONCLUSIONS: Ticagrelor did not modify ∑ST-dev resolution at discharge nor was its benefit affected by the extent of baseline ∑ST-dev. These hypothesis-generating observations suggest that the main effects of ticagrelor may not relate to the rapidity or the completeness of acute reperfusion, but rather the prevention of recurrent vascular events by more powerful platelet inhibition or other mechanisms.
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3. |
- Banegas, José R, et al.
(author)
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Achievement of lipoprotein goals among patients with metabolic syndrome at high cardiovascular risk across Europe. The EURIKA study.
- 2013
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In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 166:1, s. 210-214
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To examine for the first time the achievement of lipoprotein treatment goals in patients with metabolic syndrome and lipid abnormalities who are at elevated cardiovascular risk in Europe. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in 2009-2010 in 12 European countries among outpatients aged ≥50years free of clinical cardiovascular disease. We assessed achievement of American Diabetes Association/American College of Cardiology lipid treatment goals in those with metabolic syndrome at highest risk (diabetes plus ≥1 additional major cardiovascular risk factor beyond lipid abnormalities) or high risk (no diabetes but ≥2 additional major cardiovascular risk factors). RESULTS: Among 1431 highest-risk patients, 64.6% (between-country range [BCR] 40-84.5%) were on lipid-lowering medication. Of them, 13.4% (BCR: 2.5-28.6%) had LDL-cholesterol<70mg/dl, non-HDL-cholesterol<100mg/dl, and apolipoprotein B<80mg/dl. Among 832 high-risk patients, 38.7% BCR: 27.5-55.3%) were on lipid-lowering medication. Of them, 20.5% (BCR: 5.5-57.6%) had LDL-cholesterol<100mg/dl, non-HDL-cholesterol<130mg/dl, and apolipoprotein B<90mg/dl. About 96% of highest-risk patients and 94% of high-risk patients were given at least one lifestyle advice (weight reduction, healthy diet, physical activity, no-smoking), but only 1.3% of the former and 4.9% of the latter reached all three lipid goals. CONCLUSION: There is a substantial gap between clinical guidelines and medical practice since only one in 5-7 patients met all treatment targets. Although most patients received lifestyle advice, the effectiveness of counseling was very low. Large between-country differences in outcomes suggest considerable room for improvement.
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5. |
- Cannon, Christopher P., et al.
(author)
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Comparison of ticagrelor with clopidogrel in patients with a planned invasive strategy for acute coronary syndromes (PLATO) : a randomised double-blind study
- 2010
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In: The Lancet. - 0140-6736 .- 1474-547X. ; 375:9711, s. 283-293
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Variation in and irreversibility of platelet inhibition with clopidogrel has led to controversy about its optimum dose and timing of administration in patients with acute coronary syndromes. We compared ticagrelor, a more potent reversible P2Y12 inhibitor with clopidogrel in such patients. METHODS: At randomisation, an invasive strategy was planned for 13 408 (72.0%) of 18 624 patients hospitalised for acute coronary syndromes (with or without ST elevation). In a double-blind, double-dummy study, patients were randomly assigned in a one-to-one ratio to ticagrelor and placebo (180 mg loading dose followed by 90 mg twice a day), or to clopidogrel and placebo (300-600 mg loading dose or continuation with maintenance dose followed by 75 mg per day) for 6-12 months. All patients were given aspirin. The primary composite endpoint was cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Analyses were by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00391872. FINDINGS: 6732 patients were assigned to ticagrelor and 6676 to clopidogrel. The primary composite endpoint occurred in fewer patients in the ticagrelor group than in the clopidogrel group (569 [event rate at 360 days 9.0%] vs 668 [10.7%], hazard ratio 0.84, 95% CI 0.75-0.94; p=0.0025). There was no difference between clopidogrel and ticagrelor groups in the rates of total major bleeding (691 [11.6%] vs 689 [11.5%], 0.99 [0.89-1.10]; p=0.8803) or severe bleeding, as defined according to the Global Use of Strategies To Open occluded coronary arteries, (198 [3.2%] vs 185 [2.9%], 0.91 [0.74-1.12]; p=0.3785). INTERPRETATION: Ticagrelor seems to be a better option than clopidogrel for patients with acute coronary syndromes for whom an early invasive strategy is planned.
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6. |
- Cornel, Jan H., et al.
(author)
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Prior smoking status, clinical outcomes, and the comparison of ticagrelor with clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes-Insights from the PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial
- 2012
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In: American Heart Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-8703 .- 1097-6744. ; 164:3, s. 334-342
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Habitual smoking has been associated with increased platelet reactivity, increased risk of thrombotic complications and greater efficacy of clopidogrel therapy over placebo. In the PLATO trial, ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) reduced the primary composite end point of vascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke, without increasing overall rates of major bleeding. We evaluated the results in relation to smoking habits.Methods Interactions between habitual smokers (n = 6678) and in ex/nonsmokers (n = 11,932) and the effects of randomized treatments on ischemic and bleeding outcomes were evaluated by Cox regression analyses.Results Habitual smokers had an overall lower risk profile and more often ST-elevation ACS. After adjustment for baseline imbalances, habitual smoking was associated with a higher incidence of definite stent thrombosis (adjusted HR, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.07-1.94]); there were no significant associations with other ischemic or bleeding end points. The effects of ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel were consistent for all outcomes regardless of smoking status. Thus, there was a similar reduction in the primary composite end point for habitual smokers (adjusted HR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.68-1.00]) and ex/nonsmokers (adjusted HR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.79-1.00]) (interaction P = .50), and in definite stent thrombosis for habitual smokers (adjusted HR, 0.59 [0.39-0.91]) and ex/nonsmokers (adjusted HR, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.45-1.07]) (interaction P = .61).Conclusions In patients hospitalized with ACS, habitual smoking is associated with a greater risk of subsequent stent thrombosis. The reduction of vascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and stent thrombosis by ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel is consistent regardless of smoking habits.
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7. |
- Dallongeville, Jean, et al.
(author)
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Survey of physicians' practices in the control of cardiovascular risk factors : the EURIKA study.
- 2012
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In: European journal of preventive cardiology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 2047-4881 .- 2047-4873. ; 19:3, s. 541-550
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To assess the practices of physicians in 12 European countries in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD).METHODS: In 2009, 806 physicians from 12 European countries answered a questionnaire, delivered electronically or by post, regarding their assessment of patients with cardiovascular risk factors, and their use of risk calculation tools and clinical practice guidelines (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT00882336). Approximately 60 physicians per country were selected (participation rate varied between 3.1% in Sweden and 22.8% in Turkey).RESULTS: Among participating physicians, 85.2% reported using at least one clinical guideline for CVD prevention. The most popular were the ESC guidelines (55.1%). Reasons for not using guidelines included: the wide choice available (47.1%), time constraints (33.3%), lack of awareness of guidelines (27.5%), and perception that guidelines are unrealistic (23.5%). Among all physicians, 68.5% reported using global risk calculation tools. Written charts were the preferred method (69.4%) and the most commonly used was the SCORE equation (35.4%). Reasons for not using equations included time constraints (59.8%), not being convinced of their usefulness (21.7%) and lack of awareness (19.7%). Most physicians (70.8%) believed that global risk-equations have limitations; 89.8% that equations overlook important risk factors, and 66.5% that they could not be used in elderly patients. Only 46.4% of physicians stated that their local healthcare framework was sufficient for primary prevention of CVD, while 67.2% stated that it was sufficient for secondary prevention of CVD.CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of physicians reported using clinical guidelines for primary CVD prevention. However, time constraints, lack of perceived usefulness and inadequate knowledge were common reasons for not using CVD prevention guidelines or global CVD risk assessment tools.
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8. |
- Goodman, Shaun G., et al.
(author)
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Association of Proton Pump Inhibitor Use on Cardiovascular Outcomes With Clopidogrel and Ticagrelor : Outcomes With Clopidogrel and Ticagrelor
- 2012
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In: Circulation. - 0009-7322 .- 1524-4539. ; 125:8, s. 978-986
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background-The clinical significance of the interaction between clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) remains unclear. Methods and Results-We examined the relationship between PPI use and 1-year cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) in patients with acute coronary syndrome randomized to clopidogrel or ticagrelor in a prespecified, nonrandomized subgroup analysis of the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial. The primary end point rates were higher for individuals on a PPI (n = 6539) compared with those not on a PPI (n = 12 060) at randomization in both the clopidogrel (13.0% versus 10.9%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04 -1.38) and ticagrelor (11.0% versus 9.2%; HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.07-1.45) groups. Patients on non-PPI gastrointestinal drugs had similar primary end point rates compared with those on a PPI (PPI versus non-PPI gastrointestinal treatment: clopidogrel, HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.79-1.23; ticagrelor, HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.73-1.10). In contrast, patients on no gastric therapy had a significantly lower primary end point rate (PPI versus no gastrointestinal treatment: clopidogrel, HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.12-1.49; ticagrelor, HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.14-1.49). Conclusions-The use of a PPI was independently associated with a higher rate of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome receiving clopidogrel. However, a similar association was observed between cardiovascular events and PPI use during ticagrelor treatment and with other non-PPI gastrointestinal treatment. Therefore, in the PLATO trial, the association between PPI use and adverse events may be due to confounding, with PPI use more of a marker for, than a cause of, higher rates of cardiovascular events.
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- Halcox, Julian P. J., et al.
(author)
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C-reactive protein levels in patients at cardiovascular risk : EURIKA study
- 2014
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In: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2261 .- 1471-2261. ; 14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are associated with high cardiovascular risk, and might identify patients who could benefit from more carefully adapted risk factor management. We have assessed the prevalence of elevated CRP levels in patients with one or more traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Data were analysed from the European Study on Cardiovascular Risk Prevention and Management in Usual Daily Practice (EURIKA, ClinicalTrials. gov Identifier: NCT00882336), which included patients (aged = 50 years) from 12 European countries with at least one traditional cardiovascular risk factor but no history of cardiovascular disease. Analysis was also carried out on the subset of patients without diabetes mellitus who were not receiving statin therapy. Results: In the overall population, CRP levels were positively correlated with body mass index and glycated haemoglobin levels, and were negatively correlated with high- density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. CRP levels were also higher in women, those at higher traditionally estimated cardiovascular risk and those with greater numbers of metabolic syndrome markers. Among patients without diabetes mellitus who were not receiving statin therapy, approximately 30% had CRP levels >= 3 mg/ L, and approximately 50% had CRP levels = 2 mg/ L, including those at intermediate levels of traditionally estimated cardiovascular risk. Conclusions: CRP levels are elevated in a large proportion of patients with at least one cardiovascular risk factor, without diabetes mellitus who are not receiving statin therapy, suggesting a higher level of cardiovascular risk than predicted according to conventional risk estimation systems.
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