Prevalence of discussions around left atrial appendage occlusion as a treatment option in patients on oral anticoagulation experiencing a major bleeding event.

Background: Guidelines recommend considering percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at moderate to high stroke risk and contraindications to long-term anticoagulation. Discontinuation of anticoagulation in this patient population, without an alternative treatment option, may place patients at unnecessary risk. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of discussions around LAAO as a treatment option following major bleeding adverse events in patients on oral anticoagulation for AF and to identify the proportion of patients stopping anticoagulation without evidence of LAAO discussions.

Treatment of atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism with factor Xa inhibitors in severely obese patients.

Background: A paucity of data exists to support the use of factor (F)Xa inhibitors in severely obese patients with a weight of ≥150 kg or body mass index (BMI) of ≥50 kg/m.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether FXa inhibitors are as safe and effective as warfarin for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or venous thromboembolism (VTE) in individuals with a BMI of ≥50 kg/m and/or weight of ≥150 kg.

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of severely obese adult patients with AF and/or VTE treated with a FXa inhibitor or warfarin.

Comparing DOAC and warfarin outcomes in an obese population using the 'real-world' Michigan Anticoagulation Quality Improvement Initiative (MAQI) registry.

Introduction: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have overtaken warfarin in the treatment of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Limited data explore the safety of DOACs in obesity.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study between June 2015 and September 2019 uses the Michigan Anticoagulation Quality Improvement Initiative (MAQI) registry to compare DOACs and warfarin across weight classes (not obese: body mass index (BMI) ⩾ 18.

Timing of Off-Label Dosing of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Three Large Health Systems.

Background:  While direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may be viewed as simpler to manage then warfarin, they present their own unique management challenges resulting in frequent off-label dosing. It is unknown to what extent off-label dosing occurs when a patient is started on a DOAC versus later in their treatment.

Objectives:  We aimed to better characterize when off-label DOAC dosing is occurring and to evaluate the effectiveness of prescribing oversight using a registry-based intervention.

Outcomes of direct oral anticoagulants with aspirin vs warfarin with aspirin: a registry-based cohort study.

Background: For patients anticoagulated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or warfarin and on aspirin (ASA) for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and/or venous thromboembolism, it is unclear if bleeding outcomes differ.

Objectives: To assess bleeding rates for ASA with DOACs vs warfarin and one another.

Methods: Registry-based cohort study of patients followed by a 6-center quality improvement collaborative in Michigan using data from 2009 to 2022.

Prevalence of Guideline-Discordant Aspirin Use and Associated Adverse Events in Patients on Warfarin for Mechanical Valve Replacement.

Background: For patients on warfarin for mechanical heart valve replacement, the 2020 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association Guidelines recommend only adding aspirin in patients with a specific indication for antiplatelet therapy. This contrasts with prior guidelines, which recommended concomitant aspirin therapy. We sought to assess the prevalence of guideline-discordant aspirin use among patients on warfarin for mechanical heart valve replacement and to compare adverse event rates among patients with and without concomitant aspirin.

Adverse events in low versus normal body weight patients prescribed apixaban for atrial fibrillation.

Safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in low weight patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear due to few low body weight patients enrolled in clinical trials. To assess bleeding and thrombotic event rates for patients with AF that are prescribed apixaban and have a low versus normal body weight. We analyzed patients with AF prescribed apixaban from 2017 to 2020 with at least 12 months of follow-up.

Higher OAK (Oral Anticoagulation Knowledge) score at baseline associated with better TTR (Time in Therapeutic Range) in patients taking warfarin.

A lack in patient knowledge of warfarin therapy is associated with poor adherence. This knowledge gap may result in a lower INR Time in Therapeutic Range (TTR). To investigate association between patient anticoagulation knowledge and warfarin control.

Length of Anticoagulation in Provoked Venous Thromboembolism: A Multicenter Study of How Real-World Practice Mirrors Guideline Recommendations.

Background For more than a decade, guidelines have recommended a limited 3 months of anticoagulation for the treatment of provoked venous thromboembolism (VTE). How closely real-world practice follows guideline recommendations is not well described. Methods and Results In our multicenter, retrospective cohort study, we evaluated trends in anticoagulation duration for patients enrolled in the MAQI (Michigan Anticoagulation Quality Improvement Initiative) registry who were receiving anticoagulation for a provoked VTE.

Assessment of an Intervention to Reduce Aspirin Prescribing for Patients Receiving Warfarin for Anticoagulation.

Importance: For some patients receiving warfarin, adding aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) increases bleeding risk with unclear treatment benefit. Reducing excess aspirin use could be associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Objective: To assess changes in aspirin use, bleeding, and thrombosis event rates among patients treated with warfarin.

Outcomes in patients undergoing periprocedural interruption of warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants.

Background: Differences in clinical outcomes following a temporary interruption of warfarin or a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) for a surgical procedure are not well described. Differences in patient characteristics from practice-based cohorts have not typically been accounted for in prior analyses.

Aim: To describe risk-adjusted differences in postoperative outcomes following an interruption of warfarin vs DOACs.

Comparison of Patient Outcomes Before and After Switching From Warfarin to a Direct Oral Anticoagulant Based on Time in Therapeutic Range Guideline Recommendations.

This cohort study evaluates stroke and major bleeding rates before and after switching from warfarin to a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) in patients grouped by pre-switch time-in-therapeutic range guideline thresholds.

Management strategies following slightly out-of-range INRs: watchful waiting vs dose changes.

Patients' international normalized ratios (INRs) often fall slightly out of range. In these cases, the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines suggest maintaining the current warfarin dose and retesting the INR within the following 2 weeks (watchful waiting). We sought to determine whether watchful waiting or dose changes for slightly out-of-range INRs is more effective in obtaining in-range INRs at follow-up.

Anticoagulation Changes Following Major and Clinically Relevant Nonmajor Bleeding Events in Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients.

Bleeding events are common complications of oral anticoagulant drugs, including both warfarin and the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Some patients have their anticoagulant changed or discontinued after experiencing a bleeding event, while others continue the same treatment. Differences in anticoagulation management between warfarin- and DOAC-treated patients following a bleeding event are unknown.

Standard Versus Higher Intensity Anticoagulation for Patients With Mechanical Aortic Valve Replacement and Additional Risk Factors for Thromboembolism.

Current guidelines recommend targeting an international normalized ratio (INR) of 2.5 to 3.5 for patients with mechanical aortic valve replacement (AVR) and additional risk factors for thromboembolic events.

Adverse events in patients taking apixaban or rivaroxaban who have undergone bariatric surgery: a retrospective case series.

Clinical trials comparing direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) to warfarin excluded patients with a history of bariatric surgery. The anatomic changes from bariatric procedures have several effects on drug absorption which can have serious consequences for these patients. We sought to describe real-world use of DOACs among adults that had a history of bariatric surgery or underwent a bariatric surgery while receiving a DOAC.

Comparison of temporary interruption with continuation of direct oral anticoagulants for low bleeding risk procedures.

Introduction: Limited data is available on the rates of bleeding and thromboembolic events for patients undergoing low bleeding risk procedures while taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC).

Methods: Adults taking DOAC in the Michigan Anticoagulation Quality Improvement Initiative (MAQI) database who underwent a low bleeding risk procedure between May 2015 and Sep 2019 were included. Thirty-day bleeding (of any severity), thromboembolic events, and death were compared between DOAC temporarily interrupted and continued uninterrupted groups.

Adverse Events Associated With the Addition of Aspirin to Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy Without a Clear Indication.

Importance: It is unclear how many patients treated with a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) are using concomitant acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, or aspirin) and how this affects clinical outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and outcomes of prescription of concomitant ASA and DOAC therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or venous thromboembolic disease (VTE).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This registry-based cohort study took place at 4 anticoagulation clinics in Michigan from January 2015 to December 2019.

Reduction in epistaxis and emergency department visits in patients taking warfarin after implementation of an education program.

Background: Anticoagulated patients are often seen unnecessarily in the emergency department (ED) for epistaxis, leading to increased healthcare costs. Patients are often unaware of preventative and management techniques for handling epistaxis in the home.

Methods: In 2016, the Michigan Anticoagulation Quality Improvement Initiative (MAQI), a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan-sponsored consortium of 6 anticoagulation clinics in Michigan, implemented an epistaxis-management educational program for warfarin-treated patients with the goal of reducing unnecessary ED visits.

Periprocedural bridging anticoagulation in patients with venous thromboembolism: A registry-based cohort study.

Background: Use of bridging anticoagulation increases a patient's bleeding risk without clear evidence of thrombotic prevention among warfarin-treated patients with atrial fibrillation. Contemporary use of bridging anticoagulation among warfarin-treated patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) has not been studied.

Methods: We identified warfarin-treated patients with VTE who temporarily stopped warfarin for a surgical procedure between 2010 and 2018 at six health systems.

Association of Adding Aspirin to Warfarin Therapy Without an Apparent Indication With Bleeding and Other Adverse Events.

Importance: It is not clear how often patients receive aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) while receiving oral anticoagulation with warfarin sodium without a clear therapeutic indication for aspirin, such as a mechanical heart valve replacement, recent percutaneous coronary intervention, or acute coronary syndrome. The clinical outcomes of such patients treated with warfarin and aspirin therapy compared with warfarin monotherapy are not well defined to date.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and outcomes of adding aspirin to warfarin for patients without a clear therapeutic indication for combination therapy.