Benefits of dual COMPASS regimen also seen in patients with moderate renal dysfunction

Introduction and methods

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the risk of thromboembolism and bleeding, but anticoagulation therapy also increases bleeding risk in the presence of renal dysfunction [1-4]. Moreover, higher age and the prevalent comorbidities that are associated with vascular disease also negatively impact bleeding risk and adverse vascular outcomes. The extent of renal excretion of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants varies, ranging from 25% to 80% of drug being excreted unchanged in the urine [5-7]. Thus, renal dysfunction may alter the risk-benefit balance for antithrombotic combinations.

The COMPASS study demonstrated that rivaroxaban 2.5 mg bd plus aspirin, compared with aspirin alone, reduced CV outcomes and increased major bleeding in patients with stable atherosclerotic vascular disease [8-10]. Rivaroxaban 5 mg twice daily on the other hand, did not reduce CV outcomes and was associated with higher bleeding risk [8].

This analysis assessed the safety and efficacy of low-dose anticoagulation with rivaroxaban plus aspirin (the dual pathway COMPASS regimen), compared with aspirin alone, in patients who are in sinus rhythm but at increased vascular risk, with or without moderate renal dysfunction. Patients in the COMPASS trial had chronic stable CAD and/or peripheral artery disease. 21.111 patients in the COMPASS population had GFR ≥60 mL/min at baseline and 6.275 had GFR <60 mL/min.

Main results

• The primary efficacy outcome of CV death, MI or stroke, was more frequent in those with renal dysfunction than in those without, and the frequency was inversely related to eGFR.
• Risk reductions with rivaroxaban plus aspirin were consistent in those with GFR ≥60 mL/min (3.5% vs. 4.5% with aspirin alone, HR: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.64-0.90) and in those with GFR <60 mL/min (6.4% vs. 8.4%, 95%CI: 0.75, 0.60-0.94).
• Also in those with more severe renal dysfunction (GFR <30 mL/min, n=243), a consistent, but non-significant risk reduction was seen (HR: 0.73, 95%CI: 0.28-1.91).
• Strokes of any cause were reduced with the dual regime in those with normal renal function (0.9% vs. 1.3%, HR: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.48-0.92) and with GFR <60 mL/min (1.0% vs. 2.3%, HR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.25-0.70).
• CV death was lower in the COMPASS regimen group than in those treated with aspirin alone, both in those with GFR ≥60 mL/min (1.3% vs. 1.7%, HR: 0.73, 95%CI: 0.56-0.96) and in those with GFR <60 mL/min (3.5% vs. 3.9%, HR: 0.88, 95%CI: 0.64-1.20).
• No statistically significant interactions of the treatment effect on various efficacy and safety outcomes and renal function status were seen. When GFR was used on a continuous scale, a consistent benefit of the combination therapy was seen across the GFR range.
• Major bleeding occurred more often in those randomized to the COMPASS regime than in those on aspirin alone in those with GFR ≥60 mL/min (2.9% vs. 1.6%, HR: 1.81, 95%CI 1.44-2.28) and in those with GFR <60 mL/min (3.9% vs. 2.7%, HR: 1.47, 95%CI: 1.05-2.07).
• Net clinical benefit with the dual treatment regimen compared with aspirin alone, based on CV death, stroke, MI, fatal bleeding or symptomatic bleeding into critical organ, was consistent in those with GFR ≥60 mL/min (HR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.69-0.94) and <60 mL/min (HR: 0.79, 95%CI: 0.64-0.98).

Conclusion

References

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