嘉兴地区急性缺血性卒中合并心房颤动患者抗凝治疗现状分析

目的 调查嘉兴地区急性缺血性卒中合并心房颤动患者的抗凝治疗现状。 方法 回顾性分析2016年1月-2020年12月基于CT临床数据采集系统对卒中医疗质量改进的研究登 记库-Ⅱ（computer analysing system to improve stroke management quality evaluation-Ⅱ,CASE-Ⅱ）中的 嘉兴地区卒中中心登记的急性缺血性卒中合并心房颤动住院患者的信息。根据患者出院是否带有抗 凝药物分为出院抗凝组与出院未抗凝组,比较两组患者的基本特征,采用logistic回归分析出院抗凝 药物使用的影响因素;并进一步在既往诊断心房颤动且卒中高危（CHA2DS2-VASc≥2分）患者亚群中分 析抗凝药物使用的影响因素。 结果 共纳入患者2005例,平均年龄77±8岁,男性979例（48.8%）,NIHSS中位评分5（2～13）分。 无抗血栓治疗禁忌证患者1817例,出院时带抗血栓药物比例为83.9%（1525/1817）,其中抗凝药 物比例为41.3%（750/1817）。年龄（OR 0.964,95%CI 0.952～0.976）,基线NIHSS评分（OR 0.935, 95%CI 0.920～0.951）,住院时间（OR 1.045,95%CI 1.025～1.066）,深静脉血栓（OR 2.797, 95%CI 1.472～5.311）,住院期间是否发生任意的颅内出血（OR 0.085,95%CI 0.038～0.188）、消化 道出血（OR 0.503,95%CI 0.257～0.985）、肺炎（OR 0.646,95%CI 0.488～0.856）是急性缺血性卒中 合并心房颤动患者出院接受抗凝治疗与否的独立影响因素。既往诊断心房颤动且卒中高危患者接受 抗凝治疗比例仅为16.0%（153/954）,低龄（OR 0.957,95%CI 0.938～0.975）、低收缩压（OR 0.985, 95%CI 0.977～0.993）、卒中/TIA病史（OR 2.773,95%CI 1.954～3.936）是其接受抗凝治疗的独立保护 因素。 结论 嘉兴地区急性缺血性卒中合并心房颤动患者的抗凝治疗率较低,低龄、低基线NIHSS评分、 长住院时间、合并深静脉血栓的患者更多接受抗凝治疗,住院期间发生颅内出血、消化道出血和肺炎 的患者更少接受抗凝治疗。     

不同抗凝状态非瓣膜性心房颤动患者发生急性缺血性卒中的临床特征分析

目的 探讨既往接受口服抗凝治疗的非瓣膜性心房颤动（NVAF）患者发生急性缺血性 卒中（AIS）的临床特征。方法 回顾性分析单中心患者登记研究（NCT04080830）中 2016 年 1 月至 2021 年 12 月在首都医科大学宣武医院神经内科住院的合并 NVAF 的 AIS 患者数据，根据发病前抗凝状态将 患者分为未抗凝组、充分抗凝组和抗凝不足组，比较 3 组患者的临床特征。结果 共纳入 749 例合并 NVAF 的 AIS 患者，其中未抗凝组 661 例，充分抗凝组 33 例，抗凝不足组 55 例。充分抗凝组出现大面积 脑梗死的比例、初始和出院时的美国国家卫生研究院卒中量表评分均低于未抗凝组［15.2%（5/33）比 34.2%（226/666）、4.00（1.00，7.50）分比 8.00（3.00，15.00）分、2.00（0，5.00）分比 4.00（1.00，12.00）分］，出院 时改良 Rankin 量表评分≤ 2 分的比例高于未抗凝组［66.7%（22/33）比 44.0%（226/666）］，差异均有统计 学意义（均P＜ 0.05）。充分抗凝组和抗凝不足组的静脉溶栓比例低于未抗凝组［3.0%（1/33）、3.6%（2/55） 比 5.6% （37/666）］，差异有统计学意义（P＜ 0.01）。充分抗凝组存在心源性 / 大动脉粥样硬化性卒中型的 AIS 病因的患者比例高于未抗凝组和抗凝不足组［42.4%（14/33）比 21.8%（144/666）、16.4%（9/55）］，差异 有统计学意义（P＜ 0.01）。结论 既往充分抗凝治疗与 NVAF 患者发生 AIS 后卒中严重程度较低和出院 时功能预后较好相关，竞争性大动脉动脉粥样硬化性 AIS 发生机制可能是充分抗凝治疗未能有效防控 NVAF 患者 AIS 风险的原因之一。     

北京和加拿大安大略省卒中/短暂性脑缺血发作基线和住院治疗的比较

目的 旨在比较中国北京和加拿大安大略省卒中/短暂性脑缺血发作（transient ischemic attack,TIA）
住院患者的基线特征、卒中治疗和住院结局的差异。
方法 中国国家卒中登记于2007年9月～2008年8月在北京地区的11个研究中心连续收集了1775例急
性卒中及TIA患者。加拿大安大略省的数据来源于2007年4月～2008年3月安大略省的11个卒中中心的
3551例卒中及TIA患者。本研究对北京地区患者的基线特征、卒中治疗和住院结局的数据进行了分析,
并与加拿大卒中登记研究中安大略省的数据进行比较。
结果 ①基线信息：北京地区的患者较安大略省的患者年轻（64.5±12.9 vs 70.2±15.3,P＜0.001）,
并且男性较多（64.8% vs 51.6%,P＜0.001）;既往史有吸烟、饮酒、卒中、高血压的比例北京地区均
高于安大略省（P均＜0.001）,而既往史有TIA、高脂血症、心房颤动的人数安大略省高于北京地区（P
均＜0.001）。②院前信息：与安大略省的患者相比,北京地区的患者使用救护车到达急诊的比率较低
（33.5% vs 78.4%,P＜0.001）,并且2.5 h内到达急诊的比例较低（21.0% vs 42.4%,P＜0.001）。③
治疗情况：北京地区的患者中,进行影像学检查的比例低于安大略省（93.9% vs 99.2%,P＜0.001）,
并且进入卒中单元治疗的比例较低（23% vs 64.7%,P＜0.001）。在缺血性卒中的患者中,北京地区
的患者进行溶栓治疗的比例较低（8.1% vs 17.4%,P＜0.001）,然而伴有心房颤动的患者中,给与抗
凝治疗的比例两者无明显的差异（75.9% vs 75.5%,P =0.945）。北京地区和安大略省地区缺血性卒
中患者出院给予抗栓治疗的比例相近（77.0% vs 77.9%,P =0.544）。④结局事件：与安大略省地区
相比,北京地区患者住院期间新发卒中的比例较低（3.4% vs 5.1%,P＜0.001）,然而住院期间肺炎
的发生率较高（12.5% vs 7.6%,P＜0.001）。北京地区患者的住院死亡率、7 d死亡率和30 d死亡率均
显著低于安大略省地区（7.7% vs 14.7%,5.7% vs 9.3%,7.9% vs 15.9%,P均＜0.001）。
结论 北京和安大略地区的卒中/TIA住院患者在基线信息、住院治疗和结局方面有较大的差异。认
识到这些差异将有助于提高中国卒中住院治疗的质量,有助于更好地制订卒中的控制和预防策略。     

发病前口服抗栓药物对急性缺血性卒中患者静脉溶栓安全性的影响研究

目的 探索发病前口服抗栓药物对急性缺血性卒中患者静脉溶栓安全性的影响。 方法 研究对象为2018年1-12月的全国、多中心、缺血性卒中住院患者登记研究中进行了rt-PA静脉 溶栓的患者。根据患者发病前是否应用抗栓药物,将患者分为观察组（发病前口服抗栓药物）和对照 组（发病前未口服抗栓药物）。比较两组的基线信息、溶栓后症状性颅内出血率和在院全因死亡率的 差异,并采用多因素回归分析发病前应用抗栓药物对患者溶栓后住院期间安全性的影响。 结果 本研究共纳入了全国1374家医院的17 587例rt-PA静脉溶栓的急性缺血性卒中住院患者。其 中,有3313例（18.8%）发病前应用抗栓药物,纳入观察组,14 274例（81.2%）发病前未应用口服抗 栓药物,纳入对照组。与对照组相比,观察组患者年龄较高（67.7±11.1岁 vs 64.8±12.2岁）,男 性比例较低（63.6% vs 65.7%）,既往血管危险因素比例较高,入院NIHSS＞15分的患者比例较高 （16.1% vs 13.5%）,差异均有统计学意义。观察组溶栓后症状性颅内出血的发生率（0.12% vs 0.07%, P =0.156）和在院全因死亡率（1.72% vs 1.16%,P =0.010）均高于对照组,但多因素校正后,两组溶 栓后症状性颅内出血（HR 1.133,95%CI 0.220～5.822,P =0.881）和在院全因死亡（HR 0.912,95%CI 0.612～1.359,P =0.651）方面的差异均未达统计学意义。 结论 发病前应用抗栓药物对急性缺血性卒中患者静脉溶栓的短期安全性无显著影响,不增加 症状性颅内出血的发生率和在院全因死亡率。     

2012-2014年北京缺血性卒中患者阿司匹林和氯吡格雷联合使用率分析

目的 通过大数据分析我国临床缺血性卒中患者阿司匹林联合氯吡格雷（双抗）的使用率情况。
方法 从北京市职工医疗保险系统数据库中提取2012年1月-2014年12月,根据国际疾病分类
（International Classification of Diseases,ICD）-10编码主诊断为I63（缺血性卒中）和G45[短暂性脑缺血发
作（transient ischemic attack,TIA）和相关的综合征]的患者,以2013年6月为界限分为前后各18个月,比
较这两个阶段患者用药记录中阿司匹林联合氯吡格雷用药的使用比例。并按照主诊断为缺血性卒中
和TIA进行亚组分析。
结果 研究期间共纳入用药记录6 296 188例次,患者总计101 587例。2013年7月-2014年12月,每个
月双抗使用876.9例次（标准差129.8）,中位数867（最小值511、最大值1112）,占比14.7%。而2012年1
月-2013年6月每个月的双抗使用649.9例次（标准差129.8）,中位数650.5（最小值352、最大值895）,
占比12.3%。2013年6月以后,主诊断为缺血性卒中和TIA的患者每月双抗使用比例分别为20.2%和
11.1%,而2013年6月之前每月双抗的比例为14.5%和9.1%,2013年6月之后的双抗使用比例大于2013
年6月之前。2013年6月前双抗的使用人数占入选患者的18.3%,而2013年6月之后接受双抗治疗的患
者比例提高至22.2%。
结论 在北京市医疗保险缺血性卒中和TIA患者中,相比2013年6月前,2013年6月后使用阿司匹林联
合氯吡格雷进行双抗的比例较高。     

不明原因栓塞性卒中的临床研究

目的 研究不明原因栓塞性卒中（embolic stroke of undetermined source,ESUS）住院患者的一般情况、 危险因素及治疗情况。 方法 检索2003年1月至2014年12月在北京安贞医院神经内科住院的急性缺血性卒中患者,筛选其中符 合ESUS诊断标准的为ESUS组,其他卒中亚型为对照组,比较两组间一般情况、危险因素及治疗情况。 结果 共检出初发急性缺血性卒中1296例,筛选完成诊断ESUS必须检查项目患者200例,其中ESUS占 46.5%（93/200例）,大动脉硬化性卒中26%（52/200例）,心源性卒中25%（50/200例）,腔隙性脑梗 死2.5%（5/200例）,隐源性卒中（cryptogenic stroke,CS）0例;ESUS患者卒中危险因素与对照组比较 基本一致;ESUS患者中94.6%（88/93例）在住院期间及出院后二级预防应用抗血小板治疗,而5.4% 患者（5/93例）因梗死后渗血未应用抗栓治疗,所有入选ESUS的患者均未使用华法林或新型口服抗 凝剂抗凝治疗。 结论 ESUS作为新的卒中亚型在临床工作中并不少见,临床应完善诊断ESUS所需的检查项目,提高 其诊断率,进一步细化卒中亚型,从而提供更有针对性的治疗。     

国际规格化比值(INR)的抗凝监测在缺血性脑血管病中的应用

目的：研究适合我国缺血性脑血管病抗凝监测的国际规格化比值（ＩＮＲ）范围。方法：对１４例抗凝治疗患者,同时监测凝血酶原时间（ＰＴ）及其活动度（ＡＴ）、ＩＮＲ,并将结果进行对照分析。结果：所有患者均达到了预期的治疗效果,抗凝期间出血发生率为１４．３％,无１例发生严重或致命性出血。３５９次检测中ＡＴ值位于２５％￣４４％者占７５．５％,此时相应的ＩＮＲ值为１．８８￣３．２０。结论：采用ＩＮＲ监测抗凝治疗时     

早期临床路径干预改善卒中医疗服务质量关键绩效指标研究

目的 通过比较早期与晚期缺血性卒中临床路径医疗质量干预，评价2种临床路径质量干预方法对缺血性卒中医疗服务质量关键绩效指标的改进作用。方法 前瞻性连续纳入全国202所医院2016年4月-2017年6月的缺血性卒中住院患者。入组医院按照地理位置、医院级别、是否教学医院进行匹配，分为早期临床路径医疗质量干预（早期干预）组和晚期临床路径医疗质量干预（晚期干预）组。研究根据时间顺序分为5个阶段，每3个月为1个阶段。早期干预组自第1阶段即开始进行临床路径干预，晚期干预组则在第3阶段开始进行临床路径干预。比较2组患者的基线特征及缺血性卒中医疗服务质量关键绩效指标，评估早期与晚期临床路径质量干预对医疗质量的影响。结果 本研究中有91所医院随机进入早期干预组，111所医院随机进入晚期干预组，共纳入患者15 167例。在10个预设的缺血性卒中医疗服务质量关键绩效指标的执行率效果评价中，第1阶段，早期干预组患者出院时给予抗栓治疗的比例较晚期干预组高（95.6% vs. 92.7%，P=0.01）。第2阶段，早期干预组患者出院时给予抗栓治疗（94.9% vs. 92.4%，P=0.01）、出院时合并高血压的患者降压治疗的比例较晚期干预组高（68.3% vs. 63.7%，P=0.02）。第3阶段中，早期干预组患者较晚期干预组患者出院时给予抗栓治疗（94.2% vs. 90.8%，P=0.01）、出院时给予他汀类药物治疗的比例高（92.7% vs. 87.6%，P=0.01）。第4阶段中，早期干预组较晚期干预组入院48 h内患者不能行走进行深静脉血栓预防（54.7% vs. 41.6%，P=0.01）、出院时给予抗栓治疗（94.7% vs. 91.1%，P=0.01）、出院时给予他汀类药物治疗的比例高（93.6% vs. 88.5%，P=0.01）。第5阶段中，早期干预组患者较晚期干预组患者时间窗内rt-PA静脉溶栓率高（40.5% vs. 29.5%，P=0.04）。结论 早期临床路径医疗质量干预有助于改善我国缺血性卒中患者的医疗服务质量关键绩效指标。     

心房颤动合并脑栓塞患者的抗凝治疗现状和出血转化分析

目的 通过充血性心力衰竭、高血压、年龄≥75岁（双倍）、糖尿病、卒中（双倍）、血管病变、年 龄65～74岁、女性（Congestive heart failure,Hypertension,Age≥75（doubled）,Diabetes Mellitus,Stroke （doubled）,vascular disease,age 65～74 and sex category（female）,CHA2DS2-VASc）评分观察心房颤 动合并脑栓塞患者的抗栓治疗现状,分析高血压、异常的肝肾功能、卒中、出血、国际标准化比 值（international normalized ratio,INR）不稳定、年龄、药物治疗或者饮酒（Hypertension,Abnormal renal and liver function,Stroke,Bleeding,Labile international normalized ratio,Elderly,Drugs and alcohol intake, HAS-BLED）评分及其他相关临床危险因素与心房颤动合并脑栓塞出血转化的关系。 方法 回顾性分析2012年5月至2014年12月在北京博爱医院神经康复科住院的心房颤动合并脑栓塞 患者的临床资料。根据CHA2DS2-VASc评分观察低危组（0分）、中危组（1分）、高危组（≥2分）的抗栓 治疗情况。根据HAS-BLED评分,分析心房颤动脑栓塞出血转化（hemorrhagic transformation,HT）率在 出血转化低危组（0～2分）和出血转化高危组（≥3分）之间的差异,同时对多个临床变量进行多因素 分析,寻找与HT相关的临床危险因素。 结果 研究共入组101例患者,患者在发生脑栓塞之前,根据CHA2DS2 -VASc评分,低危组抗凝率 66.7%（2/3）,无抗血小板治疗;中危组抗凝、抗血小板率均为16.7%（2/12）;高危组抗凝率19.8% （17/86）,抗血小板率14.0%（12/86）。脑栓塞前1个月内停用抗凝治疗而发病的占所有抗凝患者 42.8%（9/21）。发生脑栓塞之后,所有患者均为高危组,抗凝治疗率68.3%（69/101）,抗血小板 治疗率25.7%（26/101）。根据HAS-BLED评分,心房颤动合并脑栓塞后,出血转化高危组HT 58.5% （31/53）,与低危组HT 37.5%（18/48）比较,差异有显著性（χ 2=4.443,P =0.035）。对HT组与非HT 组的多个临床变量分析发现,两组美国国立卫生研究院（National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS）评分差异有显著性（14.860±4.486 vs 11.940±5.648,P =0.006）;HAS-BLED评分差异有显 著性（2.76±0.80 vs 2.21±0.96,P =0.003）;病灶范围大的梗死灶HT为57.9%（44/76）,小的梗 死灶为HT 20%（5/25）,两组有显著差异（P =0.001）。多因素Logistic回归分析发现NIHSS（OR 1.106, 95%CI 1.106～1.216,P =0.036）、病灶范围大小（OR 5.083,95%CI 1.826～14.148,P =0.002）和HASBLED 评分（OR 2.353,95%CI 1.326～4.175,P =0.003）均是心房颤动患者脑栓塞后HT的危险因素。 结论 心房颤动合并脑栓塞的患者抗栓治疗率不理想,HAS-BLED评分能很好地预测心房颤动合并 脑栓塞后的HT风险,另外,神经功能缺损较重、病灶范围大也是心房颤动合并脑栓塞患者发生HT的 危险因素。     

心房颤动患者体内溶血磷脂类分子含量与无症状性脑梗死的相关性

目的 观察非瓣膜性心房颤动(NVAF)患者中无症状性脑梗死(SBI)的发病率及其血浆溶血磷脂类分子(LPA/AP)含量的变化,探索房颤相关性脑卒中的病理生理学机制,为临床进行抗栓治疗提供依据.方法 选取经临床和辅助检查确诊的235例未接受抗栓治疗的NVAF患者、116例无NVAF的SBI患者及120名年龄大于60岁的健康体检者纳入本研究.测定其血浆溶血磷脂酸(LPA)及其极性相似总磷脂(AP)的含量变化.同时观察NVAF合并SBI时体内血小板的活化状态.结果 235例NVAF患者中,SBI的发生率为31.5%,其中年龄大于60岁的157例NVAF患者中,SBI的发生率为37.6%.NVAF合并SBI患者血浆LPA含量[(3.78±0.61)μmol/L]显著高于对照组[(2.66±0.49)μmol/L,95%CI 3.47～4.21,P=0.000]、NVAF无SBI组[(3.29±0.57)μmol/L,95%CI 3.01～3.76,P=0.008]及无NVAF的SBI组[(3.17±0.54)μmol/L,95% CI2.86～3.54,P=0.004].NVAF无SBI组及无NVAF的SBI组血浆LPA含量也显著高于对照组.NVAF合并SBI患者血浆AP含量显著高于对照组、NVAF无SBI组及无NVAF的SBI组.NVAF无SBI组及无NVAF的SBI组血浆AP含量也显著高于对照组.与对照组相比,年龄大于60岁的NVAF患者合并存在SBI的比率显著升高.NVAF患者合并存在SBI时体内血小板的活化程度显著升高.结论 NVAF是SBI的重要危险因素.NVAF患者合并存在SBI时体内血小板的活化程度升高.NVAF或NVAF合并SBI患者均存在缺血性膜损伤.对于NVAF或合并SBI患者在进行抗栓治疗时应充分考虑抗血小板治疗的重要性.LPA可作为一种理想的分子标记物用于判断NVAF或NVAF合并SBI患者体内血小板的活化状态.     

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy after Noncardioembolic Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack: Pros and Cons

Dual antiplatelet therapy simultaneously blocks different platelet activation pathways and might thus be more potent at inhibiting platelet activation and more effective at reducing major ischemic vascular events compared to antiplatelet monotherapy. Aspirin plus clopidogrel dual therapy is now the standard therapy for patients with acute coronary syndrome and for those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. However, dual antiplatelet therapy carries an increased risk of bleeding. Patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) are generally older and likely to have a fragile cerebrovascular bed, which further increases the risk of systemic major bleeding events and intracranial hemorrhage. Clinical trials and meta-analyses suggest that in comparison to antiplatelet monotherapy, dual antiplatelet therapy initiated early after noncardioembolic ischemic stroke or TIA further reduces the rate of recurrent stroke and major vascular events without significantly increasing the rate of major bleeding events. In contrast, studies of long-term therapy in patients with noncardioembolic ischemic stroke or TIA have yielded inconsistent data regarding the benefit of dual antiplatelet therapy over monotherapy. However, the harm associated with major bleeding events, including intracranial hemorrhage, which is generally more disabling and more fatal than ischemic stroke, is likely to increase with dual antiplatelet therapy. Physicians should carefully assess the benefits and risks of dual antiplatelet therapy versus antiplatelet monotherapy when managing patients with ischemic stroke or TIA.     

The influence of fluid intake on stroke recurrence--a prospective study

PurposeA nationwide survey was conducted regarding anticoagulant therapy in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) on warfarin with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).MethodsA questionnaire on standard therapeutic strategy for warfarin-related ICH in patients with NVAF was mailed to 416 institutes.ResultsA total of 329 physicians (79%) responded with a completed questionnaire. On admission, all respondents stopped warfarin medication and 94% normalized the international normalized ratio (INR) mainly by Vitamin K (63%), followed by fresh frozen plasma (20%), and prothrombin complex concentrate (10%). Afterwards, 91% of the respondents restarted anticoagulation and 3% used antiplatelet for prevention of thromboembolism, but the remaining 6% disagreed with restarting antithrombotic therapy. As contraindications for resuming anticoagulation, recurrent ICH (59%) and poor functional condition (59%) were often chosen. Of those who restarted anticoagulation, the timing was within 4 days in 7%, 5 to 7 days in 21%, 8 to 14 days in 25%, 15 to 28 days in 28% and 29 days or later in 18%. The major key finding on follow-up CT to restart anticoagulation was the absorption tendency of hematomas (47%). When restarting anticoagulation, 76% of the respondents used warfarin alone and 20% used either unfractionated heparin plus warfarin or heparin alone.ConclusionA large majority of respondents responsible for ICH management stopped oral warfarin medication and normalized INR on admission, and restarted anticoagulation after acute ICH in patients with NVAF. However, the strategies to normalize INR and to restart anticoagulant therapy varied greatly and depended on each individual physician's decision.     

Comparison of primary and secondary stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: Results from the RAFFINE registry

ObjectivesClinical outcome data of primary and secondary prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) after the introduction of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy are limited.Materials and MethodsA subgroup analysis of the RAFFINE registry, an observational, multicenter, prospective registry of Japanese patients with AF, was performed. Incidence rates of stroke or systemic embolism, all-cause death, major bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage were compared between patients with and without a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).ResultsOf 3,706 NVAF patients at baseline, 557 (15.0%) had a history of ischemic stroke or TIA (secondary prevention group), and 3,149 (85.0%) had no history of ischemic stroke or TIA (primary prevention group). The proportion of patients receiving oral anticoagulants was 87.2% (42.5% warfarin, 44.7% DOACs). The secondary prevention group had higher rates of stroke or systemic embolism (2.6% vs 1.0%/year, p<0.001), all-cause death (3.6% vs 2.4%/year, p<0.01), and major bleeding (2.0% vs 1.3%/year, p<0.01), and similar rates of intracranial hemorrhage (0.6% vs 0.5%/year, p=0.66) compared with the primary prevention group. A Cox proportional hazards model showed that a history of ischemic stroke or TIA was independently associated with an increased risk of stroke or systemic embolism (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.57 – 3.15; p<0.001).ConclusionsIn a contemporary cohort of NVAF patients, a history of ischemic stroke or TIA was still an independent predictor of stroke or systemic embolism, despite advances in anticoagulation therapy.     

Clinical Risk Factors of Thromboembolic and Major Bleeding Events for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Treated with Rivaroxaban in Japan

Background: It is important to understand the risk of thromboembolism and bleeding in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) receiving direct oral anticoagulants; however, data on risk factors in Japanese patients are limited. Methods: XAPASS (Xarelto Post-Authorization Safety and Effectiveness Study in Japanese Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective observational study examining the safety and effectiveness of rivaroxaban in Japanese real-world clinical practice. We investigated risk factors for stroke/noncentral nervous system systemic embolism (non-CNS SE)/myocardial infarction (MI) and major bleeding using 1-year follow-up data. Associations between baseline characteristics and outcomes were examined by Cox regression analysis. Results: During April 2012-June 2014, 11,308 patients newly started with rivaroxaban treatment were enrolled. Of 9578 patients with 1-year data fixed as of September 2017, 6220 patients who received appropriate dosages of rivaroxaban for their creatinine clearance were included in the present safety outcomes subanalysis, and 6198 were included in the effectiveness outcomes analysis. Stroke/non-CNS SE/MI was observed in 97 of 6198 patients (1.6%, 1.8 events/100 patient-years), and major bleeding occurred in 102 of 6220 patients (1.6%, 1.9 events/100 patient-years). Age greater than or equal to 75 years (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.27; [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49, 3.47]), prior ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (2.08; [1.38, 3.13]), and antiplatelet use (3.23; [1.83, 5.70]) were associated with stroke/non-CNS SE/MI. Creatinine clearance less than 50 mL/min (HR: 1.86; [95% CI: 1.26, 2.75]), diabetes (1.55; [1.02, 2.35]), and antiplatelet use (3.04; [1.70, 5.45]) were associated with major bleeding. Conclusions: These results would help physicians to assess risks in Japanese patients with NVAF receiving rivaroxaban.     

Ischaemic stroke and bleeding rates in 'real-world' atrial fibrillation patients

Stroke prevention guidelines recommend oral anticoagulants (OAC) for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at moderate/high risk of stroke, and antiplatelet or no therapy for those at low/moderate risk. Outcomes for AF patients receiving antiplatelet/no therapy in 'real-life' clinical practice were explored. This study compared clinical event rates (stroke/bleeding) for AF patients treated with OAC therapy, antiplatelets or no therapy in usual clinical practice to event rates in OAC-treated AF patients from optimally-monitored 'real-life' settings (anticoagulation clinics). We searched biomedical literature (1994-2010) using PubMed to identify 'real-world' studies of clinical event rates for AF patients receiving OAC therapy, antiplatelets, or no therapy; event rates were extracted for each treatment and setting. We identified 136 studies of thromboembolic events and 86 of bleeding events. Ischaemic stroke rates (30 studies) were higher for AF patients receiving no therapy (median: 4.45/100 person-years; range: 0.25-5.9) or antiplatelet-therapy (median: 4.45/100 person-years; range: 2.0-10) compared to OAC-treated patients monitored in anticoagulation clinics (median: 1.72/100 person-years; range: 0.97-2.00), or from a non-specialized setting (median 1.66/100 person-years; range: 0-4.9). Major bleeding rates (32 studies) for patients receiving antiplatelet/no therapy were similar to OAC-treated patients from both clinical settings. As in randomised clinical trials, AF patients in 'real-world' clinical practice receiving antiplatelet/no therapy have higher rates of ischaemic stroke than OAC-treated patients. Antiplatelet/no therapy was associated with similar bleeding rates to OAC therapy. Increasing utilisation of anticoagulants in clinical practice could improve patient outcomes.     

Symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis: outcome of patients who fail antithrombotic therapy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognosis of patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis who fail antithrombotic therapy. BACKGROUND: The outcome of patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis who fail antithrombotic therapy is unknown. These patients may represent the target group for investigation of more aggressive therapies such as intracranial angioplasty. METHODS: The authors performed a chart review and telephone interview of patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis identified in the Stanford Stroke Center clinical database. A Cox regression model was created to identify factors predictive of failure of antithrombotic therapy. The authors generated Kaplan-Meier survival curves to determine the timing of recurrent TIA, stroke, or death after failure of antithrombotic therapy. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients had symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis and fulfilled entry criteria. Twenty-nine of the 52 patients (55.8%) had cerebral ischemic events while receiving an antithrombotic agent (antiplatelet agents [55%], warfarin [31%], or heparin [14%]). In a Cox regression model, older age was an independent predictor of failure of antithrombotic therapy, and warfarin use was associated with a decrease in risk. Recurrent TIA (n = 7), nonfatal/fatal stroke (n = 6/1), or death (n = 1) occurred in 15 of 29 (51.7%) of the patients who failed antithrombotic therapy. The median time to recurrent TIA, stroke, or death was 36 days (95% CI 13 to 59). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis who fail antithrombotic therapy have extremely high rates of recurrent TIA/stroke or death. Recurrent ischemic events typically occur within a few months after failure of standard medical therapy. The high recurrence risk observed warrants testing of alternative treatment strategies such as intracranial angioplasty.     

Secondary Stroke Prophylaxis with Clopidogrel Produces Sufficient Antiplatelet Response

Background

Antiplatelet therapy is a cornerstone prevention strategy for secondary ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA). Yet, a proportion of patients who receive antiplatelet therapy experience recurrent ischemic cerebrovascular events. A recent meta-analysis found an increased risk of recurrent stroke in clopidogrel- or aspirin-treated patients with ischemic stroke who had high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR). Few studies have focused specifically on clopidogrel HTPR. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between clopidogrel HTPR and recurrent ischemic events in a population of Danish patients with IS.