Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Artery Disease With Recent or Remote Events: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Ongoing debate remains regarding optimal antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary artery disease. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the following: (i) dual-pathway therapy (DPT; oral anticoagulant [OAC] plus antiplatelet) vs triple therapy (OAC and dual-antiplatelet therapy) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and (iii) OAC monotherapy vs DPT at least 1 year after PCI or ACS. Following a 2-stage process, we identified systematic reviews published between 2019 and 2022 on these 2 clinical questions, and we updated the most comprehensive search for additional RCTs published up to October 2022. Outcomes of interest were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), death, stent thrombosis, and major bleeding. We estimated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model. Results: Based on 6 RCTs (n = 10,435), DPT reduced major bleeding (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.52-0.73) and increased stent thrombosis (RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.02-2.36), vs triple therapy after PCI or medically-managed ACS, with no significant differences in MACE and death. In 2 RCTs (n = 2905), OAC monotherapy reduced major bleeding (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49-0.91) vs DPT in AF patients with remote PCI or ACS, with no significant differences in MACE or death. Conclusions: In patients with AF and coronary artery disease, using less-aggressive antithrombotic treatment (DPT after PCI or ACS, and OAC alone after remote PCI or ACS) reduced major bleeding, with an increase in stent thrombosis with recent PCI. These results support a minimalist yet personalized antithrombotic strategy for these patients.

Contexte: La question du traitement antithrombotique optimal chez les personnes présentant une fibrillation auriculaire (FA) et une coronaropathie demeure controversée. Méthodologie: Nous avons réalisé une revue systématique et une méta-analyse pour synthétiser les essais contrôlés randomisés ayant comparé i) la bithérapie (anticoagulant oral et antiplaquettaire) et la trithérapie (anticoagulant oral et bithérapie antiplaquettaire) après une intervention coronarienne percutanée (ICP) ou un syndrome coronarien aigu (SCA), et ii) un anticoagulant oral en monothérapie et la bithérapie au moins 1 an après une ICP ou un SCA. Nous avons procédé en 2 temps, d'abord en répertoriant les revues systématiques publiées entre 2019 et 2022 sur ces 2 questions cliniques, puis en effectuant la recherche la plus exhaustive possible pour trouver d'autres essais contrôlés randomisés publiés jusqu'en octobre 2022. Les paramètres qui nous intéressaient étaient les événements cardiovasculaires indésirables majeurs (ECIM), le décès, la thrombose de l'endoprothèse et l'hémorragie majeure. Nous avons estimé les rapports de risques (RR) et les intervalles de confiance (IC) à 95 % à l'aide d'un modèle à effets aléatoires. Résultats: D'après 6 essais contrôlés randomisés (n = 10 435), la bithérapie a réduit les hémorragies majeures (RR : 0,62; IC à 95 % : 0,52 à 0,73) et augmenté les thromboses de l'endoprothèse (RR : 1,55; IC à 95 % : 1,02 à 2,36), comparativement à la trithérapie après une ICP ou un SCA ayant fait l'objet d'une prise en charge médicale, tandis qu'aucune différence significative n'a été observée quant aux ECIM et aux décès. Dans 2 essais contrôlés randomisés (n = 2 905), un anticoagulant oral en monothérapie a réduit les hémorragies majeures (RR : 0,66; IC à 95 % : 0,49 à 0,91) comparativement à la bithérapie chez des patients présentant une FA après une ICP ou un SCA plus lointain, sans différence significative quant aux ECIM et aux décès. Conclusions: Chez les patients présentant une FA et une coronaropathie, l'utilisation d'un traitement antithrombotique moins agressif (bithérapie après un ICP ou un SCA, et anticoagulant oral en monothérapie après une ICP ou un SCA plus lointain) réduit les hémorragies majeures, mais s'accompagne d'une augmentation des thromboses de l'endoprothèse en cas d'ICP récente. Ces résultats plaident en faveur d'une stratégie antithrombotique minimaliste, mais personnalisée chez ces patients.

Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Quality of Life in Heart Failure Across the Ejection Fraction Spectrum: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Use of a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) reduces hospitalization in heart failure (HF) patients across the spectrum of ejection fraction, but no study has comprehensively explored their impact on quality of life (QoL) with respect to different subgroup populations. We aimed to explore the QoL impact of SGLT2i use in HF patients across the spectrum of ejection fraction and over time. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) covering the period from 2019 to February 2022. We included placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling HF patients that evaluated QoL as an outcome. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for eligibility, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias (RoB), using the Cochrane RoB2 tool, and certainty of evidence, using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Primary and secondary outcomes were the mean difference in QoL, and clinically important improvement in QoL, as defined in the original study, respectively. We conducted subgroup analyses based on ejection fraction category, SGLT2i agent, and timing of QoL measurement. Results: From 1477 identified reports, we included 14 RCTs (n = 23,361). The mean age was 68 years, and 34% were female. All included RCTs reported QoL using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). SGLT2i use improved KCCQ-overall summary score, compared with placebo (mean difference 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.6-2.5; high certainty). More patients receiving an SGLT2i achieved a clinically important QoL improvement (risk ratio 1.14, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.28; moderate certainty). Similar improvements were observed in the KCCQ clinical summary and total symptom subscores, and across all subgroups and timeframes. Conclusions: Use of an SGLT2i consistently provides a clinically important improvement in QoL among patients with HF, regardless of ejection fraction, with noticeable improvements seen as early as week 2.

Contexte: Les inhibiteurs du cotransporteur sodium-glucose de type 2 (SGLT-2) réduisent le nombre d'hospitalisations chez les patients atteints d'insuffisance cardiaque (IC), quelle que soit la fraction d'éjection. Cependant, aucune étude n'a examiné de manière exhaustive leur incidence sur la qualité de vie (QdV) dans différents sous-groupes de populations. Notre étude visait à explorer l'incidence de l'utilisation d'inhibiteurs du SGLT-2 sur la QdV des patients atteints d'IC, en fonction de la fraction d'éjection et au fil du temps. Méthodologie: Nous avons effectué des recherches dans les bases de données MEDLINE, Embase et le registre Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) couvrant la période de 2019 à février 2022. Nous avons inclus des essais contrôlés randomisés (ECR) contrôlés par placebo menés chez des patients atteints d'IC, dont les critères d'évaluation portaient sur la QdV. Deux examinateurs ont évalué indépendamment les critères d'admissibilité aux études, extrait les données et évalué le risque de biais, à l'aide de l'outil Cochrane RoB2, et la certitude des données probantes, à l'aide du cadre GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Les critères d'évaluation primaire et secondaire correspondaient à ceux définis dans l'étude d'origine et étaient respectivement la différence moyenne relative à la QdV et l'amélioration d'importance clinique de la QdV. Nous avons effectué des analyses par sous-groupes portant sur la catégorie de fraction d'éjection, l'inhibiteur du SGLT-2 utilisé et le moment de la mesure de la QdV. Résultats: Sur les 1 477 rapports recensés, nous avons inclus 14 ECR (n = 23 361). L'âge moyen était de 68 ans, et 34 % étaient des femmes. Tous les ECR inclus ont rapporté la QdV à l'aide du questionnaire KCCQ (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire). L'utilisation d'inhibiteurs du SGLT-2 améliore le score sommaire global au questionnaire KCCQ, comparativement à un placebo (différence moyenne de 2,0, intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % de 1,6 à 2,5; certitude élevée). Un plus grand nombre de patients ayant reçu un inhibiteur du SGLT-2 ont obtenu une amélioration d'importance clinique de la QdV (rapport de risques de 1,14, IC à 95 % de 1,02 à 1,28; certitude modérée). Des améliorations similaires ont été observées pour le score sommaire clinique et le score des symptômes totaux du KCCQ, ainsi que dans tous les sous-groupes et à tous les moments de l'évaluation. Conclusions: L'utilisation d'un inhibiteur du SGLT-2 procure de manière constante une amélioration d'importance clinique de la QdV chez les patients atteints d'IC, indépendamment de la fraction d'éjection, des améliorations notables étant observées dès la deuxième semaine.

Approche de la décision partagée concernant la prise en charge du diabète de type 2.

OBJECTIF: Offrir une aide à la décision interactive en ligne pour faciliter la prise de décision partagée dans le contexte des choix de traitements pour les patients atteints du diabète sucré de type 2 (DST2). SOURCES DE L'INFORMATION: Le meilleur modèle de prédiction clinique pour les patients atteints du DST2 a été choisi en se fondant sur une revue des lignes directrices, DynaMed et UpToDate, et sur une recension dans PubMed. Une liste des options pharmacothérapeutiques pour le DST2 a été compilée à partir d'une analyse des lignes directrices, des revues narratives et de l'opinion d'experts. Pour déterminer les bienfaits et les préjudices de chaque traitement, des moteurs de recherche fédérée ont servi à trouver des méta-analyses d'essais randomisés contrôlés auxquelles des résultats d'essais randomisés contrôlés individuels, mais non signalés dans les méta-analyses, ont été ajoutés en complément. MESSAGE PRINCIPAL: Environ 2,1 millions de Canadiens sont atteints du DST2 et courent un risque accru de décès, de maladie cardiovasculaire et de complications microvasculaires. Même si plus d'une douzaine d'options pharmacologiques sont disponibles, les décisions concernant ces médicaments sont difficiles, parce que les préférences des patients varient. La décision partagée a le potentiel d'individualiser ces décisions difficiles, mais le nombre des complications liées au diabète et des options de traitements disponibles ont traditionnellement rendu cet exercice difficile à réaliser. C'est dans ce contexte que l'aide à la décision sur la médication pour le diabète a été élaborée. Cette aide à la décision présente aux patients les estimations individualisées du risque, sur une période de 10 ans, de souffrir de 6 complications cliniquement importantes liées au diabète. L'outil permet aussi aux patients de se concentrer sur les résultats qui leur importent le plus, et de comparer les bienfaits et les préjudices de 12 options thérapeutiques différentes. Cette information est présentée en nombres absolus individualisés et inclut des renseignements pratiques, comme le coût. CONCLUSION: L'aide à la décision sur la médication pour le diabète offre un outil pratique qui peut permettre aux patients de prendre des décisions bien éclairées et de manière autonome sur les médicaments.

Shared decision-making approach to type 2 diabetes management.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an online interactive decision aid to facilitate shared decision making in the context of medication choices for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). SOURCES OF INFORMATION: The best available clinical prediction model for patients with T2DM was selected based on a review of guidelines, DynaMed, and UpToDate and a search of PubMed. A list of pharmacotherapeutic options for T2DM was compiled based on a review of guidelines, narrative reviews, and expert opinion. To determine the benefits and harms of each treatment, federated search engines were searched for meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, supplemented by individual randomized controlled trials for outcomes not reported in meta-analyses. MAIN MESSAGE: Approximately 2.1 million Canadians have T2DM, with a resulting increased risk of death, cardiovascular disease, and microvascular outcomes. While more than a dozen medication options are available, decisions regarding these medications are challenging, as patients vary in their preferences. Shared decision making has the potential to individualize these difficult decisions, but the number of diabetes-related outcomes and available treatment options have made this historically impractical. It is within this context that the PEER Diabetes Medication Decision Aid was developed. This decision aid provides patients with personalized 10-year risk estimates for 6 clinically important diabetes-related outcomes. The tool also allows patients to focus on the outcome that matters most to them and to compare the benefits and harms of up to 12 different treatment options. This information is displayed in personalized absolute numbers, along with practical considerations such as cost. CONCLUSION: The PEER Diabetes Medication Decision Aid provides a practical tool that can enable patients with T2DM to come to autonomous and well-informed medication decisions.

Qualitative Analysis of Patient Decisional Needs for Medications to Treat Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: The development of tools to support shared decision-making should be informed by patients' decisional needs and treatment preferences, which are largely unknown for heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) pharmacotherapy decisions. We aimed to identify patients' decisional needs when considering HFrEF medication options. METHODS: This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. We recruited patients with HFrEF from 2 Canadian ambulatory HF clinics and clinicians from Canadian HF guideline panels, HF clinics, and Canadian HF Society membership. We identified themes through inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants included 15 patients and 12 clinicians. Six themes and associated subthemes emerged related to HFrEF pharmacotherapy decision-making: (1) patient decisional needs included lack of awareness of a choice or options, difficult decision timing and stage, information overload, and inadequate motivation, support and resources; (2) patients' decisional conflict varied substantially, driven by unclear trade-offs; (3) treatment attribute preferences-patients focused on both benefits and downsides of treatment, whereas clinicians centered discussion on benefits; (4) quality of life-patients' definition of quality of life depended on pre-HF activity, though most patients demonstrated adaptability in adjusting their daily activities to manage HF; (5) shared decision-making process-clinicians' described a process more akin to informed consent; (6) decision support-multimedia decision aids, virtual appointments, and primary-care comanagement emerged as potential enablers of shared decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HFrEF have several decisional needs, which are consistent with those that may respond to decision aids. These findings can inform the development of HFrEF pharmacotherapy decision aids to address these decisional needs and facilitate shared decision-making.

Direct Oral Anticoagulant Use Early After Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: There is limited literature guiding the prescribing of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) early after cardiac surgery as this population has been excluded from landmark randomized controlled trials. This study aims to determine the rate of in-hospital DOAC use compared with warfarin early after cardiac surgery, evaluate factors associated with DOAC use, determine difference in postoperative length of stay, and characterize bleeding events. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in adult patients with indications for anticoagulation and receiving either a DOAC or warfarin after cardiac surgery during their index hospitalization. Patients were excluded if they had any contraindications to DOAC use. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients discharged on a DOAC compared with warfarin. Results: Of included 210 patients, 30% received DOACs and 70% received warfarin on discharge. The most common DOAC used was apixaban (74.6%), and median postoperative day of initiation was 5 days. Patients receiving DOACs were older (70.8 vs 68.0 years), had less valvular heart disease (38.1% vs 63.9%), were more likely to be on DOACs preoperatively (50.8% vs 31.3%), and were more likely to have undergone coronary artery bypass graft alone (54.0% vs 24.5%) compared with those on warfarin. Postoperative length of stay (7 vs 9 days; P = 0.59) and in-hospital bleeding (1.6% vs 2.0%; P = 1.00) did not differ between DOAC and warfarin groups. Conclusions: At a quaternary referral centre for cardiac surgery, DOACs were used in approximately one-third of patients with an indication for anticoagulation early after cardiac surgery.

Introduction: Il existe peu de documentation sur la prescription des anticoagulants oraux directs (AOC) peu de temps après la chirurgie cardiaque puisque cette population a été exclue des essais cliniques novateurs à répartition aléatoire. La présente étude vise à déterminer le taux d'utilisation des AOC à l'hôpital par rapport au taux d'utilisation de la warfarine peu de temps après la chirurgie cardiaque, à évaluer les facteurs associés à l'utilisation des AOC, à déterminer l'écart de la durée du séjour et à caractériser les événements hémorragiques. Méthodes: Nous avons réalisé une étude de cohorte rétrospective auprès de patients adultes qui avaient des indications d'anticoagulation et qui recevaient des AOC ou de la warfarine après la chirurgie cardiaque durant l'hospitalisation de référence. Les patients étaient exclus s'ils avaient des contre-indications à l'utilisation des AOC. Le critère d'évaluation principal était la proportion de patients sortis de l'hôpital sous AOC par rapport à celle des patients sortis de l'hôpital sous warfarine. Résultats: Parmi les 210 patients inclus, 30 % ont reçu des AOC et 70 % ont reçu de la warfarine à la sortie de l'hôpital. L'AOC le plus fréquemment utilisé était l'apixaban (74,6 %), et le nombre médian de jours après l'intervention chirurgicale du début du traitement était 5 jours. Les patients qui recevaient les AOC étaient plus âgés (70,8 vs 68,0 ans), avaient moins de cardiopathies valvulaires (38,1 % vs 63,9 %), étaient plus susceptibles de recevoir des AOC avant l'opération (50,8 % vs 31,3 %) et étaient plus susceptibles d'avoir seulement subi un pontage aorto-coronarien (54,0 % vs 24,5 %) que ceux sous warfarine. La durée du séjour postopératoire (7 vs 9 jours ; P = 0,59) et les événements hémorragiques à l'hôpital (1,6 % vs 2,0 % ; P = 1,00) ne différaient pas entre les groupes qui recevaient les AOC et les groupes qui recevaient la warfarine. Conclusions: Dans un centre d'aiguillage de soins quaternaires en chirurgie cardiaque, les AOC ont été utilisés chez environ un tiers des patients qui avaient une indication d'anticoagulation peu de temps après la chirurgie cardiaque.

Impact of the method of calculating 30-day readmission rate after hospitalization for heart failure. Data from the VancOuver CoastAL Acute Heart Failure (VOCAL-AHF) registry.

BACKGROUND: Thirty-day readmission rate after heart failure (HF) hospitalization is widely used to evaluate healthcare quality. Methodology may substantially influence estimated rates. We assessed the impact of different definitions on HF and all-cause readmission rates. METHODS: Readmission rates were examined in 1,835 patients discharged following HF hospitalization using 64 unique definitions derived from five methodological factors: (1) ICD-10 codes (broad vs narrow), (2) index admission selection (single admission only first-in-year vs. random sample; or multiple admissions in year with vs. without 30-day blanking period), (3) variable denominator (number alive at discharge vs. number alive at 30-days), (4) follow-up period start (discharge date vs day following discharge), and (5) annual reference-period (calendar vs fiscal). The impact of different factors was assessed using linear-regression. RESULTS: The calculated 30-day readmission rate for HF varied more than 2-fold depending solely on the methodological approach (6.5% to 15.0%). All-cause admission rates exhibited similar variation (18.8% to 29.9%). The highest rates included all consecutive index admissions (HF 11.1-15.0%, all-cause 24.0-29.9%), and lowest only one index admission per patient per year (HF 6.5-11.3%, all-cause 18.8-22.7%). When including multiple index admissions and compared to blanking the 30-days post-discharge, not blanking was associated with 2.3% higher readmission rates. Selecting a single admission per year with a first-in-year approach lowered readmission rates by 1.5%, while random-sampling admissions lowered estimates further by 5.2% (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Calculated 30-day readmission rates varied more than 2-fold by altering methods. Transparent and consistent methods are needed to ensure reproducible and comparable reporting.

Les meilleures études en 2023 adaptées aux soins primaires: De l'équipe du groupe PEER.

OBJECTIF: Faire la synthèse de 10 articles médicaux de grande qualité, publiés en 2023 et susceptibles d'intéresser les médecins de famille. SÉLECTION DES DONNÉES PROBANTES: L'équipe du groupe PEER (Patients, Expérience, Évidence, Recherche), formée de professionnels des soins primaires qui s'intéressent à la médecine fondée sur des données probantes, a fait la sélection et le classement des articles. Le processus de sélection comportait une surveillance systématique des tables des matières de revues médicales à fort impact et un repérage continu dans EvidenceAlerts. La priorité accordée aux articles se fondait sur leur applicabilité directe aux soins primaires et sur leur influence potentielle sur la pratique. MESSAGE PRINCIPAL: Les articles choisis portaient sur divers domaines cliniques des soins primaires. Au nombre des sujets traités figuraient les suivants : la comparaison d'une approche thérapeutique visant une cible par rapport à la prescription de statines à forte intensité pour le contrôle des lipides; le sémaglutide et ses effets sur les issues cardiovasculaires; le vaccin contre le virus respiratoire syncytial chez les adultes plus âgés; le chlorthalidone par rapport à l'hydrochlorothiazide dans la prévention des incidents cardiovasculaires; l'amitriptyline pour le syndrome du côlon irritable; le rôle des opioïdes dans les cas de lombalgie aiguë; l'innocuité des provocations par voie orale à la pénicilline pour les personnes qui y sont allergiques; le spironolactone pour l'acné facial; les stratégies pour inverser la fragilité chez les adultes plus âgés; et l'identification des principaux acteurs dans la prise en charge des maladies chroniques. Deux médicaments prometteurs « à venir ¼ sont aussi mentionnés : le rétatrutide pour la perte pondérale et le fézolinétant pour les symptômes vasomoteurs de la ménopause. CONCLUSION: La recherche publiée en 2023 a produit plusieurs articles de grande qualité sur divers sujets d'intérêt en soins primaires, dont les soins cardiovasculaires, le syndrome du côlon irritable, les soins aux aînés et la prise en charge de l'acné.

Top studies of 2023 relevant to primary care: From the PEER team.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a summary of the noteworthy medical articles published in 2023 that are relevant to family physicians. SELECTING THE EVIDENCE: Articles were chosen and ranked by the PEER (Patients, Experience, Evidence, Research) team, a group of primary care health professionals focused on evidence-based medicine. The selection process involved routine surveillance of tables of contents in high-impact medical journals and continuous monitoring of EvidenceAlerts. Articles were prioritized based on their direct applicability to and potential to influence primary care practice. MAIN MESSAGE: Selected articles addressed various clinical areas of primary care. The topics included a comparison of a treat-to-target approach versus a high-intensity statins prescription for lipid management; semaglutide and its impact on cardiovascular outcomes; respiratory syncytial virus vaccine for older adults; chlorthalidone versus hydrochlorothiazide in preventing cardiovascular events; amitriptyline for irritable bowel syndrome; the role of opioids in acute back pain; safety of oral penicillin challenges in patients allergic to penicillin; spironolactone for facial acne; strategies to reverse frailty in older adults; and identifying the provider of chronic disease management. Two "up and coming" medications are also mentioned: retatrutide for weight loss and fezolinetant for vasomotor symptoms of menopause. CONCLUSION: Research published in 2023 yielded several high-quality articles with topics relevant to primary care, including cardiovascular care, irritable bowel syndrome, care of the elderly, and acne management.

Development and Application of an Attribute-Based Taxonomy on the Benefits of Oral Anticoagulant Switching in Atrial Fibrillation: A Delphi Study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) often switch between oral anticoagulants (OACs). It can be hard to know why a patient has switched outside of a clinical setting. Medication attribute comparisons can suggest benefits. Consensus on terms and definitions is required for inferring OAC switch benefits. The objectives of the study were to generate consensus on a taxonomy of the potential benefits of OAC switching in patients with AF and apply the taxonomy to real-world data. METHODS: Nine expert clinicians (seven clinical pharmacists, two cardiologists) with at least 3 years of clinical and research experience in AF participated in a Delphi process. The experts rated and commented on a proposed taxonomy on the potential benefits of OAC switching. After each Delphi round, ratings were analyzed with the RAND Corporation/University of California, Los Angeles (RAND/UCLA) appropriateness method. Median ratings, disagreement index, and comments were used to modify the taxonomy. The resulting taxonomy from the Delphi process was applied to a cohort of patients with AF who switched OACs in a population-based administrative health dataset from 1996 to 2019 in British Columbia, Canada. RESULTS: The taxonomy was finalized in two Delphi rounds, reaching consensus on five switch benefit categories: safety, effectiveness, convenience, economic considerations, and drug interactions. Safety benefit (a switch that could lower the risk of adverse drug events) had three subcategories: major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Effectiveness benefit had four subcategories: stroke and systemic embolism (SSE), ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and all-cause mortality. Real-world OAC switches revealed that more OAC switches had convenience (72.6%) and drug interaction (63.0%) benefits compared to effectiveness (SSE 22.0%, ischemic stroke 11.1%, MI 3.1%, all-cause mortality 10.1%), safety (major bleeding 24.3%, GI bleeding 10.6%, ICH 48.5%), and economic benefits (12.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The Delphi-based taxonomy identified five criteria for the beneficial effects of OAC switching, aiding in characterizing real-world OAC switching.

Management of Tachycardia-Mediated Cardiomyopathy: Experience from the Vancouver General Hospital Cardiac Function Clinic (TMC-EXPLOR Study).

Background: Tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy (TMC) is a reversible form of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), most commonly caused by atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Evidence for its management is scarce, and practice patterns are highly variable. Objective: To describe management patterns for HFrEF and atrial arrhythmias in patients with TMC at a specialty heart failure clinic. Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved adults with HFrEF and a physician-determined diagnosis of TMC, with an initial visit for this problem between October 2018 and October 2019. The 2 primary outcomes, evaluated at 1 year after the initial visit, were the proportion of patients receiving triple therapy (combination of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor [or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker if ejection fraction improved to > 40% by 1 year], ß-blocker, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist at any dose) and the proportion receiving or with a plan to receive rhythm control. Results: A total of 59 participants met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 73 years, 39 patients (66%) were male, and 42 (71%) had hypertension. At 1-year follow-up, 42 (71%) were receiving triple therapy, and rhythm control was attempted or planned for 20 (34%). Among the 17 patients (29%) not receiving triple therapy, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist was the agent most commonly omitted. Conclusions: In a specialty heart failure clinic, most patients with TMC were receiving triple therapy, with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist being the agent most commonly missing among those not receiving triple therapy. One-third of patients with TMC had received a rhythm-control strategy. These gaps in HFrEF therapy and rhythm control represent key areas for quality improvement initiatives in the management of patients with TMC.

Contexte: La cardiomyopathie rythmique (CMR) est une forme réversible d'insuffisance cardiaque à fraction d'éjection réduite (HFrEF), le plus souvent causée par la fibrillation auriculaire ou le flutter auriculaire. Les données probantes relatives à sa prise en charge sont rares et les modèles de pratique sont très variables. Objectif: Décrire les schémas de prise en charge de l'HFrEF et des arythmies auriculaires chez les patients atteints d'une CMR dans une clinique spécialisée en insuffisance cardiaque. Méthodes: Cette étude de cohorte rétrospective impliquait des adultes atteints d'HFrEF et ayant reçu un diagnostic de CMR déterminé par un médecin, avec une première visite pour ce problème de santé entre octobre 2018 et octobre 2019. Les 2 résultats principaux, évalués 1 an après la première visite, étaient les suivants: 1) la proportion de patients recevant une trithérapie (association récepteur de l'angiotensine-néprilysine (ARNi) [ou inhibiteur de l'enzyme de conversion de l'angiotensine/antagoniste des récepteurs de l'angiotensine II si la fraction d'éjection s'est améliorée à > 40 % à 1 an], un traitement par ß-bloquant et un antagoniste des récepteurs des minéralocorticoïdes à n'importe quelle dose); et 2) la proportion recevant ou prévoyant de recevoir un médicament antiarythmique. Résultats: Au total, 59 participants répondaient aux critères d'inclusion. L'âge moyen était de 73 ans; 39 patients (66 %) étaient des hommes et 42 (71 %) avaient de l'hypertension. Au marqueur d'un an, 42 (71 %) recevaient une trithérapie et un médicament antiarythmique a été tenté ou était prévu pour 20 (34 %) patients. Parmi les 17 patients (29 %) ne recevant pas de trithérapie, l'agent le plus souvent omis était l'antagoniste des récepteurs des minéralocorticoïdes. Conclusions: Dans une clinique spécialisée dans l'insuffisance cardiaque, la plupart des patients atteints d'une CMR recevaient une trithérapie, l'antagoniste des récepteurs minéralocorticoïdes étant l'agent le plus souvent absent chez ceux qui n'en recevaient pas. Un tiers des patients atteints d'une CMR avaient reçu un médicament antiarythmique. Ces lacunes concernant la thérapie HFrEF et la gestion de l'arythmie représentent des domaines clés pour les initiatives d'amélioration de la qualité dans la prise en charge des patients atteints d'une CMR.

Clinician's Approach to Advanced Statistical Methods: Win Ratios, Restricted Mean Survival Time, Responder Analyses, and Standardized Mean Differences.

Novel statistical methods have emerged in recent medical literature, which clinicians must understand to properly appraise and integrate evidence into their practice. Some of these key concepts include win ratios, restricted mean survival time, responder analyses, and standardized mean difference. This article offers guidance to busy clinicians on the comprehension and practical applicability of the results to patients. Win ratios provide an alternative method to analyze composite outcomes by prioritizing individual components of the composite; prioritization of the outcomes should be evidence-based, pre-specified, and patient-centered. Restricted mean survival time presents a method to analyze Kaplan-Meier curves when assumptions required for Cox proportional hazards analysis are not met. As it only considers outcomes that occur within a specific timeframe, the duration of follow-up must be appropriately defined and based on prior epidemiologic and mechanistic evidence. Researchers can analyze continuous outcomes with responder analyses, in which participants are dichotomized into "responders" or "non-responders." While clinicians and patients may more easily grasp outcomes analyzed in this way, they should be aware of the loss of information and resulting imprecision, as well as potential to manipulate data presentation. When meta-analyzing continuous outcomes, point estimates can be converted to standardized mean differences to facilitate the combination of data utilizing various outcome measures. However, clinicians may find it challenging to grasp the clinical meaningfulness of a standardized mean difference, and may benefit from converting it to well-known outcomes. By providing the background knowledge of these statistical methods, along with practical applicability, benefits, and inevitable limitations, this article aims to provide clinicians with an approach to appraise the literature and apply the results in clinical practice.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology 2023 Focused Update of the Guidelines for the Use of Antiplatelet Therapy.

Antiplatelet therapy (APT) is the foundation of treatment and prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Selecting the optimal APT strategies to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events, while balancing bleeding risk, requires ongoing review of clinical trials. Appended, the focused update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology guidelines for the use of APT provides recommendations on the following topics: (1) use of acetylsalicylic acid in primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; (2) dual APT (DAPT) duration after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients at high bleeding risk; (3) potent DAPT (P2Y12 inhibitor) choice in patients who present with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and possible DAPT de-escalation strategies after PCI; (4) choice and duration of DAPT in ACS patients who are medically treated without revascularization; (5) pretreatment with DAPT (P2Y12 inhibitor) before elective or nonelective coronary angiography; (6) perioperative and longer-term APT management in patients who require coronary artery bypass grafting surgery; and (7) use of APT in patients with atrial fibrillation who require oral anticoagulation after PCI or medically managed ACS. These recommendations are all on the basis of systematic reviews and meta-analyses conducted as part of the development of these guidelines, provided in the Supplementary Material.

Antithrombotic therapy in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a network meta-analysis.

AIMS: The optimal antithrombotic therapy to balance the risk of thrombosis and bleeding in patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is unknown. This systematic review/network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet regimens in patients post-TAVI. METHODS AND RESULTS: MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to April 2023. Co-primary outcomes were all-cause death and major bleeding. We conducted Bayesian network meta-analyses to compare all interventions simultaneously. For each outcome, we generated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% credible intervals using a random-effects model with informative priors, and ranked interventions based on mean surface under the cumulative ranking curve. We included 11 RCTs (n = 6415), including one unpublished RCT. Three trials enrolled patients with an indication for an oral anticoagulant (OAC). Overall risk of bias was low or with some concerns. Median age was 81 years. Median follow-up was 6 months. The Combination of OAC plus single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) increased the risk of all-cause death compared with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (OR 1.78, 95% credible interval 1.15-2.77). No other comparisons for all-cause death were significantly different. For major bleeding, SAPT reduced the risk compared with DAPT, direct-acting OAC, and OAC + SAPT (OR 0.20-0.40), and DAPT reduced the risk compared with OAC + SAPT. SAPT and DAPT ranked best for all-cause death, while SAPT ranked best for major bleeding. CONCLUSION: In post-TAVI patients, SAPT may provide the optimal balance of reducing thrombotic events while minimizing the risk of bleeding.

Short dual antiplatelet therapy duration after percutaneous coronary intervention in high bleeding risk patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and stent thrombosis. However, DAPT duration is a concern in high bleeding risk (HBR) patients. We evaluated the effect of short DAPT (1-3 months) compared to standard DAPT (6-12 months) on bleeding and ischemic events in HBR PCI. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and CENTRAL up to August 18, 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing short DAPT (1-3 months) versus standard DAPT in HBR PCI were included. We assessed risk of bias (RoB) using the Cochrane RoB2 tool, and certainty of evidence using GRADE criteria. Outcomes included MACE, all-cause death, stent thrombosis, major bleeding, and the composite of major or clinically-relevant non-major bleeding. We estimated risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. RESULTS: From 503 articles, we included five RCTs (n = 7,242) at overall low risk of bias with median follow-up of 12-months. Compared to standard DAPT, short DAPT did not increase MACE (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.84-1.23), all-cause death (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.71-1.20) or stent thrombosis (RR 1.47, 95% CI 0.73-2.93). Short DAPT reduced major bleeding (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.90) and the composite of major or clinically-relevant non-major bleeding (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.44-0.81), translating to 21 and 34 fewer events, respectively, per 1000 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In HBR PCI, DAPT for 1-3 months compared to 6-12 months reduced clinically-relevant bleeding events without jeopardizing ischemic risk. Short DAPT should be considered in HBR patients receiving PCI.