Improved outcomes with DOAC in AF and ACS and/or PCI independent of bleeding and stroke risk
Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation After Acute Coronary Syndromes or Percutaneous Intervention
Literature - Harskamp RE, Fanaroff AC, Lopes RD et al., - J Am Coll Cardiol 2022;79:417–427, doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.11.035Introduction and methods
Background
Patients with AF and who have an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and/or undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have an indication for both anticoagulation and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) [1,2]. Triple antithrombotic therapy, however, is associated with a very high risk of bleeding complications [3].
The AUGUSTUS trial demonstrated that double antithrombotic therapy with a P2Y12 inhibitor in combination with a DOAC reduced ischemic outcomes while avoiding major bleeding in many of these patients [4]. However, there may be subgroups that benefit from more potent antithrombotic regimen [2].
Study design
The AUGUSTUS trial was a multicenter, 2-by-2 factorial, RCT comparing apixaban with VKA and aspirin with placebo. Eligible patients had AF requiring OAC therapy and were hospitalized for ACS and/or underwent PCI with planned use of a P2Y12 inhibitor.
A non-prespecified post hoc analysis of the AUGUSTUS trial was performed to assess safety and efficacy of antithrombotic regimens according to the bleeding score HAS-BLED [5] and the stroke score CHA2DS-VASc [6] in 4386 patients with AF and ACS and/or PCI.
HAS-BLED and CHA2DS-VASc score ≤2 was defined as low risk and scores ≥3 was defined as high risk.
Main outcomes
Safety outcomes were occurrence of major bleeding and major or clinically relevant nonmajor (CRNM) bleeding defined by the ISTH through 6 months of follow-up. Efficacy outcomes included stroke; a composite of death or ischemic events including stroke, MI, probable or definite stent thrombosis, or urgent revascularization; and death or any hospitalization.
Main results
Bleeding outcomes
- Patients in the apixaban group had lower rates of ISTH major or CRNM bleeding compared to those assigned to VKA, irrespective of HAS-BLED score (HR 0.57, 95%CI:0.41-0.78 for HAS-BLED ≤2; HR 0.72, 95%CI: 0.59-0.88 for HAS-BLED ≥3, Pinteraction=0.23)
- Similar results were observed for ISTH major bleeding.
- Patients in the aspirin group had higher rates of major or CRNM bleeding compared with those assigned to placebo, irrespective of HAS-BLED score (HR 1.86, 95%CI:- 1.36-2.58 for HAS-BLED ≤2; HR 1.81, 95%CI: 1.47-2.23 for HAS-BLED ≥3, Pinteraction=0.88).
- Results were similar for ISHT major bleeding.
Efficacy outcomes
- No strokes occurred in patients with CHA2DS-VASc score ≤2. Therefore, no interaction testing could be done.
- There were no difference in treatment effect for apixaban vs VKA or aspirin vs. placebo for the composite of death or ischemic events or the composite of death or hospitalization when stratified by CHA2DS-VASc score.
- When looking at death or hospitalization, apixaban resulted in a lower risk than VKA without a significant interaction with baseline CHA2DS-VASc score (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.67-1.25 for CHA2DS2-VASc≤2 and HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.73-0.94 for CHA2DS2-VASc≥3, Pinteraction=0.53).
Conclusion
In this post hoc analysis of the AUGUSTUS trial changes in bleeding outcomes, rates of death or hospitalization and ischemic events in those randomized to apixaban vs. VKA were independent of baseline bleeding or stroke risk.
The authors conclude that the treatment regimen in the AUGUSTUS trial consisting of apixaban and a P2Y12 inhibitor without aspirin is preferred across a wide range of bleeding and stroke scores in patients with AF and ACS and/or PCI.
References
1. Michniewicz E, Mlodawska E, Lopatowska P, Tomaszuk-Kazberuk A, Malyszko J. Patients with atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease—double trouble. Adv Med Sci. 2018;63:30–35.
.2. Hindricks G, Potpara T, Dagres N, et al. 2020 ESC guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). Eur Heart J. 2021;42:373–498.
3. van Rein N, Heide-Jorgensen U, Lijfering WM, Dekkers OM, Sorensen HT, Cannegieter SC. Major bleeding rates in atrial fibrillation patients on single, dual, or triple antithrombotic therapy. Circulation. 2019;139:775–786.
4. Lopes RD, Vora AN, Liaw D, et al. An openLabel, 2 x 2 factorial, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the safety of apixaban vs. vitamin K antagonist and aspirin vs. placebo in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome and/or percutaneous coronary intervention: Rationale and design of the AUGUSTUS trial. Am Heart J. 2018;200:17–23.
5. Pisters R, Lane DA, Nieuwlaat R, de Vos CB, HJ, Crijns HJ and Lip GY. A novel user-friendly score (HAS-BLED) to assess 1-year risk of major bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation: the Euro Heart Survey. Chest. 2010;138:1093–1100.
6. Lip GY, Nieuwlaat R, Pisters R, Lane DA, Crijns HJ. Refining clinical risk stratification for predicting stroke and thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation using a novel risk factor-based approach: the euro heart survey on atrial fibrillation. Chest. 2010;137:263–272.
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