New Targets for Antithrombotic Medications: Seeking to Decouple Thrombosis from Hemostasis.

Arterial and venous thromboses are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Numerous antithrombotic agents are currently available with antiplatelet, thrombolytic/fibrinolytic, and anticoagulant activity. However, all the currently available antithrombotic agents carry a risk of bleeding that often prevents their use.

Evaluation of patient and encounter decision aid interventions for atrial fibrillation: Baseline characteristics of the RED-AF study - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The Randomized Evaluation of Decision Support Interventions for Atrial Fibrillation (RED-AF) trial is a multi-site, randomized controlled clinical trial examining the effectiveness of a patient decision aid and an encounter decision aid in promoting shared decision-making (SDM) during a clinical encounter for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to describe baseline characteristics of patients and clinicians in the trial and compare them to the demographics of the larger AF population. We also conducted an analysis of possible predictors of attrition rates at baseline, 6 and 12 months.

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.

System-Wide, Electronic Health Record-Based Medication Alerts for Appropriate Prescribing of Direct Oral Anticoagulants: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: While direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have improved oral anticoagulation management, inappropriate prescribing remains prevalent and leads to adverse drug events. Antithrombotic stewardship programs seek to enhance DOAC prescribing but require scalable and sustainable strategies.

Objective: We present a pilot, prescriber-level randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of electronic health record (EHR)-based medication alerts in a large health system.

Guideline concordance of aspirin use for primary prevention in adult outpatients.

Recent guidelines have recommended a reduced role for primary prevention aspirin use, which is associated with an increased bleeding risk. This study aimed to characterize guideline-discordant aspirin use among adults in a community care setting. As part of a quality improvement initiative, patients at 1 internal medicine and 1 family medicine clinic affiliated with an academic hospital were sent an electronic survey.

Erratum to 'Illustrated State-of-the-Art Capsules of the ISTH 2024 Congress' [Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis Volume 8, Issue 4, May 2024, 102432].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.rpth.

Pharmacist Use of a Population Management Dashboard for Safe Anticoagulant Prescribing: Evaluation of a Nationwide Implementation Effort.

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have complex dosing regimens and are often incorrectly prescribed. We evaluated a nationwide DOAC population management dashboard rollout whose purpose includes pharmacist review and correction of off-label dosing prescriptions.

Methods And Results: Using data from Veterans Health Affairs, we identified all patients prescribed DOACs for atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism between August 2015 and December 2019.

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.

Antithrombotic Strategies for Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: JACC Scientific Statement.

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) experience major cardiovascular and limb events. Antithrombotic strategies including antiplatelets and anticoagulants remain a cornerstone of treatment and prevention. Recent trials have shown heterogeneity in the response to antithrombotic therapies in patients presenting primarily with PAD when compared to those presenting primarily with coronary artery disease.

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.

Longitudinal associations between exclusive, dual and polytobacco use and respiratory illness among youth.

Background: The health consequences of polytobacco use are not well understood. We evaluated prospective associations between exclusive, dual, and polytobacco use and diagnosed bronchitis, pneumonia, or chronic cough among US youth.

Methods: Data came from Waves 1-5 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study.

Comparative effectiveness of warfarin management strategies: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: The management of warfarin therapy presents clinical challenges due to its narrow therapeutic index. We aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of different management strategies in patients using warfarin.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, and EBSCO Open Dissertation were searched from inception to 8 May 2024.

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.

In device-detected AF, DOACs vs. aspirin or placebo reduce ischemic stroke and increase major bleeding.

McIntyre WF, Benz AP, Becher N, et al. Circulation. 2024;149:981-988.

Trends in Initial Anticoagulation Among US Patients Hospitalized With Acute Pulmonary Embolism 2011-2020.

Study Objective: Guidelines recommend low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) rather than unfractionated heparin (UFH) for treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) given their efficacy and reduced risk of bleeding. Using data from a large consortium of US hospitals, we examined trends in initial anticoagulation among hospitalized patients diagnosed with acute PE.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of inpatient and observation cases between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2020, among individuals aged more than or equal to 18 years treated at acute care hospitals contributing data to the Premier Healthcare Database.

Illustrated State-of-the-Art Capsules of the ISTH 2024 Congress.

Here, we present a series of illustrated capsules from the State of the Art (SOA) speakers at the 2024 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. This year's Congress marks the first time that the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis has held its flagship scientific meeting in Southeast Asia and is the first to be organized by an international Planning Committee. The Bangkok program will feature innovative science and clinical updates from around the world, reflecting the diversity and multidisciplinary growth of our field.

Feasibility and acceptability of patient- and clinician-level antithrombotic stewardship interventions to reduce gastrointestinal bleeding risk in patients using warfarin (Anticoagulation with Enhanced Gastrointestinal Safety): a factorial randomized controlled pilot trial.

Background: Overuse of antiplatelet therapy and underuse of gastroprotection contribute to preventable bleeding in patients taking anticoagulants.

Objectives: (1) Determine the feasibility of a factorial trial testing patient activation and clinician outreach to reduce gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding risk in patients prescribed warfarin-antiplatelet therapy without proton pump inhibitor gastroprotection and (2) assess intervention acceptability.

Methods: Pragmatic 2 × 2 factorial cluster-randomized controlled pilot comparing (1) a patient activation booklet vs usual care and (2) clinician notification vs clinician notification plus nurse facilitation was performed.