rivaroxaban and Hypertension

We present a case of a fatal cerebral haemorrhage in an 82-year-old male patient with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), who was taking prophylactic oral anticoagulation because of atrial fibrillation (rivaroxaban 20 mg q.d. for two years). On admission, the patient was deeply comatose, mechanically ventilated, with tachycardia up to 150 bpm, high blood pressure >210/120 mmHg and a body temperature >39°C. A computed tomography scan of the head showed a large intracerebral haemorrhage located in the deep structures of the right hemisphere, with a mass effect and bleeding to the ventricles. Rivaroxaban was discontinued at admission. The patient tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but he did not have typical symptoms of pneumonia. In the following days, the patient's neurological condition did not improve, and a fever of up to 40°C and abnormal coagulation parameters remained resistant to pharmacotherapy. The patient developed multi-system organ failure and died on day 8. Here, we review the recent literature and discuss the possible association of SARS-CoV-2-mediated endothelial injury and cardiovascular disorders with cerebrovascular complications. We postulate that anti-inflammatory treatment in COVID-19 and the stabilisation of endothelium functions can be particularly important in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Atrial Fibrillation; Cerebral Hemorrhage; COVID-19; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Hypertension; Hypotension; Male; Multiple Organ Failure; Respiratory Insufficiency; Rivaroxaban; SARS-CoV-2; Stroke; Tachycardia

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Stroke in patients with CKD and AF is frequent, and is usually more severe than in the absence of CKD. Current European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend oral anticoagulant therapy in order to reduce thromboembolic risk in AF patients in general, and also in the presence of CKD, excluding however stage 4 and dialysis (stage 5) patients. Warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists are still the most frequently used drugs in these settings, despite the high bleeding risk. In the United States, the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, especially apixaban, are here used off-label, despite the absence of strong evidences of efficacy and safety. Several clinical trials are ongoing, and further evidence is needed before non-vitamin K antagonists can be recommended in these patients.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Age Factors; Aged; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Dabigatran; Diabetes Complications; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Female; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Middle Aged; Off-Label Use; Prevalence; Pyrazoles; Pyridines; Pyridones; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Risk Factors; Rivaroxaban; Sex Factors; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Stroke; Thiazoles; Thromboembolism

Management of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a complex conundrum because of higher risks for both thromboembolic and bleeding complications compared to the general population. This makes it particularly important for clinicians to carefully weigh the risks versus benefits of anticoagulation therapy to determine the individualized net clinical benefit for every patient. During the past few years, 4 non-vitamin K-dependent oral anticoagulant (NOAC) agents have supplemented warfarin in the therapeutic armamentarium for the prevention of systemic thromboembolism in nonvalvular AF. However, the use of NOACs in CKD specifically mandates a nuanced understanding due to their varying dependence on renal clearance, with resultant safety implications related to either underdosing (thromboembolism) or excessive drug exposure (bleeding). This pragmatic review highlights unique considerations pertaining to accurate estimation and temporal monitoring of kidney function in the context of NOAC use with specific clinical deliberations and variables when determining whether an NOAC is appropriate for a patient with CKD. The dependence of NOACs on renal clearance and several troubling safety signals in the published literature suggest that it is vital for nephrologists to be active members of a multidisciplinary team caring for these high-risk patients with CKD and AF.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aged; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Cyclophosphamide; Dabigatran; Diabetes Mellitus; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Multimorbidity; Obesity; Prognosis; Pyrazoles; Pyridones; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Risk Assessment; Rivaroxaban; Thromboembolism

Hypertension and atrial fibrillation are the most common cardiovascular risk factors and clinically significant arrhythmia, respectively. These conditions frequently coexist and their prevalence increases rapidly with aging. Despite several different risk factors and clinical conditions predisposing to hypertension for its high prevalence in the population is still the main risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation. Several pathophysiologic mechanisms (such as structural changes at the level of left ventricle and or atrium, neurohormonal activation, arterial stiffness, etc.) can contribute to the onset of atrial fibrillation. Some antihypertensive treatments have been shown to contribute to reduce the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor for stroke, which is further increased in the presence of hypertension. For this reason, hypertension is included as a major risk factor in the available models for the risk stratification and the prevention of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. In this article we will review the relationship between atrial fibrillation and hypertension, looking at the possible specific indications of the antithrombotic treatment with new classes of anticoagulants in the prevention of thromboembolic events in hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation.

Topics: Anticoagulants; Antihypertensive Agents; Atrial Fibrillation; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Humans; Hypertension; Risk; Rivaroxaban; Thromboembolism

AF might be a life threatening disease. Patients have been under oral antithrombotic treatment in order to avoid thrombotic events. Although this treatment proved to be effective in the last decades there was always the inconvenience of a regular blood control. In the last months NOACs have been flooding the market promising to be as effective as their older concurrents in certain circumstances and highlighting the fact that the control of INR has become obsolete. However, as there is no specific antidote up to date, NOACs might present a life threatening event in case of an intracerebral haemorrhage. The brain surgeons might find themselves in a difficult situation when they have to decide whether to operate on a patient with a compromised haemostasis or not. We present four patients who were treated with NOACs for AF. Three of them were admitted with intracerebral haemorrhage in our neurosurgical unit from January to October 2013. The fourth patient bled one week after stopping his treatment with NOAC. Furthermore we take a closer look to the existing literature and try to portray the issue from a neurosurgical point of view.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Benzimidazoles; beta-Alanine; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Dabigatran; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Morpholines; Rivaroxaban; Thiophenes

Chronic kidney disease and atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly coexist, and data suggest that renal patients have AF rates in excess of double that encountered in the general population. These patients are at increased risk of stroke, regardless of the presence or absence of AF. Furthermore, a lower GFR causes increased thromboembolic risk in patients with AF - independent of other risk factors. The dilemma facing clinicians treating this cohort of patients is that renal insufficiency confers both a thromboembolic and a bleeding risk. Renal disease also commonly coexists with other risk factors for stroke and bleeding such as hypertension and advanced age. Furthermore, bleeding risk tracks stroke risk and many risk factors are common to both thromboembolism and haemorrhage. Patients with severe renal impairment are also actively excluded from the majority of trials for stroke prevention in AF, including those trials which informed the development of stroke risk factor scoring schemes. Therefore, patients with renal disease and AF present a unique management challenge. The available data suggests that the benefit from warfarin in terms of stroke reduction is not as clear as in the general population, and there is an increased risk of bleeding complications and even ectopic vascular calcification. Thus, it is problematic to extrapolate the benefits of warfarin in the general population to a subgroup that has been actively excluded from clinical trials. The new oral anticoagulants have relatively little data in patients with severe renal impairment, and all have an element of renal excretion. There is a need for large randomised control trials in patients with renal insufficiency and on haemodialysis to provide a bank of high-quality scientific data on which clinicians can base their management decisions. Until then, we must adopt a pragmatic approach which involves careful consideration of the relative risk of stroke and bleeding in each individual patient.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Benzimidazoles; beta-Alanine; Clinical Trials as Topic; Comorbidity; Dabigatran; Disease Management; Embolism; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; Intracranial Embolism; Male; Morpholines; Patient Selection; Pyrazoles; Pyridones; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Risk; Risk Factors; Rivaroxaban; Severity of Illness Index; Stroke; Thiophenes; Thrombophilia; Warfarin

The majority of the patients enrolled in the rivaroxaban vs. warfarin in Japanese patients with atrial fibrillation (J-ROCKET AF) trial had hypertension. In this subgroup analysis, we investigated differences in the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban and warfarin in subjects with and without hypertension. The baseline blood pressure (BP) measurements of patients with hypertension in the rivaroxaban and warfarin groups were 130/77 mm Hg and 131/77 mm Hg, respectively, whereas those of patients without hypertension were 123/74 mm Hg and 124/73 mm Hg, respectively. The incidence rates of the principal safety outcomes in the rivaroxaban and warfarin groups were 18.39% per year and 16.81% per year, respectively, among patients with baseline hypertension (hazard ratio (HR): 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84-1.45) and 16.71% per year and 15.00% per year, respectively, among patients without hypertension at baseline (HR: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.66-1.97), indicating no significant interaction (P=0.933). The incidence rates of the primary efficacy endpoints in the rivaroxaban group and the warfarin group were 0.54% per year and 2.24% per year, respectively, in patients without baseline hypertension (HR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.03-2.25), and 1.45% per year and 2.71% per year, respectively, in patients with baseline hypertension (HR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.25-1.16), indicating no significant interaction (P=0.509). In conclusion, the safety and efficacy profile of rivaroxaban was similar to that of warfarin, independent of baseline hypertensive status.

Topics: Aged; Asian People; Atrial Fibrillation; Double-Blind Method; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents; Humans; Hypertension; Japan; Male; Morpholines; Rivaroxaban; Thiophenes; Treatment Outcome; Warfarin

Whether there are differences in direct oral anticoagulants efficacy and safety in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) combined with hypertension is unclear. We therefore conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study to assess the differences in the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with AF combined with hypertension. This multicenter retrospective cohort study was based on data from 15 centers in China and included 2086 patients with AF. We divided the patients into dabigatran and rivaroxaban groups according to their direct oral anticoagulants. Propensity score matching was used to balance the covariates between the groups. Due to our limited sample size, the number of cases of some clinical events with low incidence was small. During a mean follow-up period of 10 months, a total of 268 (12.9%) bleeding events occurred, including 27 (1.3%) major bleeding events and 241 (11.6%) minor bleeding events, and 45 (2.2%) thromboembolic events. In patients with AF combined with hypertension, rivaroxaban was associated with a higher major bleeding incidence than dabigatran (odds ratio [OR], 2.89 [95% confidence interval [CI, 1.22-6.87]; P = .012). In contrast, the risk of thromboembolism and minor bleeding was similar for rivaroxaban (OR, 0.55 [95%CI, 0.29-1.01]; P = .069) and dabigatran (OR, 0.82 [95%CI, 0.63-1.08]; P = .150). Based on the results of this study, in patients with AF and hypertension treated with direct oral anticoagulants, the incidence of thromboembolism and minor bleeding was not statistically different between dabigatran and rivaroxaban, but compared with rivaroxaban, dabigatran was associated with a lower risk of major bleeding.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Dabigatran; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; Retrospective Studies; Rivaroxaban; Stroke; Thromboembolism; Warfarin

Clinical models such as the HAS-BLED (standing for Hypertension, Abnormal liver/renal function, Stroke history, Bleeding history or predisposition, Labile INR, Elderly, Drug/alcohol usage) were developed to predict risk of major bleeding on vitamin K antagonists/antiplatelet therapy. We aimed to develop a model that will improve the ability to predict major bleeding events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with new oral anticoagulants (NOACs).. Clalit Health Services is the largest of four integrated healthcare organisations in Israel, which insures 4.7 million patients (53% of the population). We identified in Clalit Health Services all patients with AF, new users of an NOAC (2013-2017), and followed them until first occurrence of a major bleeding event, death, switch to another oral anticoagulant, 30 days after discontinuation of NOAC or end of follow-up (31 December 2019). Importance of the candidate model variables was estimated by inclusion frequencies across forward selection algorithm applied to 50 bootstrap samples. Then, backward selection algorithm using the modified Bayesian Information Criterion for competing risks was applied to select predictors for the final model.. We present a novel and simple risk score for prediction of major bleeding in patients with non-valvular AF treated with NOACs. Validation in additional cohorts is warranted.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aged; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Bayes Theorem; Dabigatran; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Rivaroxaban; Stroke

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common disease in elderly patients and thromboembolic complication prophylaxis significantly improves the prognosis in these patients. The study assessed the frequency of individual non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) use among patients ≥75 years and attempted to identify factors predisposing to their prescription.. The data of patients with non-valvular AF hospitalized in the reference cardiology center between 2011 and 2019 were analyzed.. Out of 1443 analyzed patients, 329 (22.8%) received apixaban, 618 (42.8%) dabigatran, and 496 (34.4%) rivaroxaban. The entire population mean age was 82.3 ± 5 years, and 57.9% were females. Independent predictors of apixaban use were age, and bleeding history. Hospitalization for the implantation/reimplantation of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) reduced the chance of apixaban use. Hypertension was a predictor of dabigatran prescription. The chance of using dabigatran decreased with age. Hypertension and bleeding history decreased the chance of rivaroxaban application.. In hospitalized AF patients ≥75 years, dabigatran was the most frequently used NOAC. Age, comorbidities and bleeding risk determined the selection of individual NOACs.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Dabigatran; Female; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Pyridones; Rivaroxaban; Stroke; Thromboembolism

Analysis of the pathogenesis of coronavirus infection caused SARS-CoV-2 indicates a significant impact of hemorheological disorders on its course and outcomes. It is known that chronic cardiovascular diseases are associated with the risk of severe course and lethal outcomes both in COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Therefore, in each case it is necessary to study the interaction and mutual influence of different components of the treatment program prescribed to such patients.The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of coagulation activity on the course of a novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and to justify the management of comorbid patients having been received novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in previously selected doses according to indications in concomitant somatic diseases.. Total 76 cases of confirmed coronavirus infection in patients who had been received initial therapy on an outpatient basis were analyzed. 26 patients who received NOACs (rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran) made up the main group and 50 - the comparison (control) group in which patients had not been administered any drugs that affect blood clotting until the episode of COVID-19. All patients have been prescribed therapy following the Provisional guidelines «Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus infection (COVID-19)» (https://static-0.minzdrav.gov.ru/system/attachments/attaches/).. The number of hospitalizations was significantly fewer in the group of patients who had been received NOACs (19 vs. 66% in the control group). No deaths or cases of severe respiratory and/or renal failure were observed in the main group, while adverse outcomes were noted in 14% of patients who had not been administered these drugs.. Taking NOACs reduces the probability of severe course and adverse outcomes in the development of coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, which indicates a significant contribution of coagulation mechanisms to the pathogenesis in COVID-19. There were no indications for drug replacement and correction of anticoagulant therapy regimens in patients who received adequate therapy with oral anticoagulants for treating a non-severe form of coronavirus infection in ambulatory patient settings.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Antiviral Agents; Atrial Fibrillation; Azithromycin; Cohort Studies; Comorbidity; Coronary Disease; COVID-19; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Dabigatran; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Indoles; Interferon alpha-2; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis; Male; Middle Aged; Pyrazoles; Pyridones; Rivaroxaban; SARS-CoV-2; Severity of Illness Index; Survival Analysis

Background Reducing major bleeding events is a challenge when managing anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation. This study evaluated the impact of modifiable and nonmodifiable bleeding risk factors in patients with atrial fibrillation receiving rivaroxaban and estimated the impact of risk factor modification on major bleeding events. Methods and Results Modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors associated with major bleeding events were identified from the XANTUS (Xarelto for Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation) prospective registry data set (6784 rivaroxaban-treated patients). Parameters showing univariate association with bleeding were used to construct a multivariable model identifying independent risk factors. Modeling was used to estimate attributed weights to risk factors. Heavy alcohol use (hazard ratio [HR]=2.37; 95% CI 1.24-4.53); uncontrolled hypertension (HR after parameter-wise shrinkage=1.79; 95% CI 1.05-3.05); and concomitant treatment with antiplatelets, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or paracetamol (HR=1.80; 95% CI 1.24-2.61) were identified as modifiable, independent bleeding risk factors. Increasing age (HR=1.25 [per 5-year increment]; 95% CI 1.12-1.38); heart failure (HR=1.97; 95% CI 1.36-2.86); and vascular disease (HR=1.91; 95% CI 1.32-2.77) were identified as nonmodifiable bleeding risk factors. Overall, 128 (1.9%) patients experienced major bleeding events; of these, 11% had no identified bleeding risk factors, 50% had nonmodifiable bleeding risk factors only, and 39% had modifiable bleeding risk factors (with or without nonmodifiable risk factors). The presence of 1 modifiable bleeding risk factor doubled the risk of major bleeding. Conclusions Elimination of modifiable bleeding risk factors is a potentially effective strategy to reduce bleeding risk in atrial fibrillation patients receiving rivaroxaban. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01606995.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alcohol Drinking; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Atrial Fibrillation; Europe; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Female; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Prospective Studies; Registries; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Rivaroxaban; Stroke; Treatment Outcome

The safety and efficacy of nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been established in randomized controlled trials, but limited data are available on their use in clinical practice across geographical regions.. In the international RE-COVERY DVT/PE observational study (enrollment January 2016 to May 2017), we sought to characterize the patient population and describe the prescribed anticoagulant. Patient characteristics and anticoagulants administered after objective diagnosis of VTE were recorded at the baseline visit and again at hospital discharge or at 14 days after the diagnosis, whichever was later.. A total of 6095 patients were included, 50.2% were male, and the mean age was 61.5 years. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (35%), diabetes mellitus (11%), cancer (11%), prior VTE(11%), and trauma/surgery (7%). Overall, 77% of patients received oral anticoagulants, with 54% on NOACs and 23% on vitamin K antagonists (VKAs); 20% received parenteral anticoagulation only. NOACs comprised about 60% of anticoagulant treatment in Europe and Asia but substantially less in Latin America (29%) and the Middle East (21%). For NOAC therapies, the distribution (as a percentage of the total cohort) was rivaroxaban 25.6%, dabigatran 15.5%, apixaban 11.3%, and edoxaban 1.7%. Treatment with NOACs was less frequent in patients who had cancer, chronic renal disease, heart failure, or stroke.. These findings enhance our understanding of baseline characteristics and the initial management of patients with VTE in routine practice.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Anticoagulants; Asia; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dabigatran; Diabetes Mellitus; Europe; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Female; Fondaparinux; Heparin; Humans; Hypertension; Latin America; Male; Middle Aged; Middle East; Neoplasms; Postoperative Complications; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Pulmonary Embolism; Pyrazoles; Pyridines; Pyridones; Rivaroxaban; Thiazoles; Venous Thromboembolism; Venous Thrombosis; Wounds and Injuries

Topics: Acute Disease; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Anticoagulants; Cardiotonic Agents; Case-Control Studies; Diuretics; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Heart Aneurysm; Heart Failure; Humans; Hypertension; Iron; Myocardial Infarction; Pacemaker, Artificial; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Placebos; Portraits as Topic; Rivaroxaban; Stroke; Stroke Volume; Thrombosis; Urea

Background An enhanced renin-angiotensin system causes hypertensive renal damage. Factor Xa not only functions in the coagulation cascade but also activates intracellular signaling through protease-activated receptors ( PAR ). We investigated the effects of rivaroxaban, a factor Xa inhibitor, on hypertensive renal damage in hypertensive mice overexpressing renin (Ren-TG). Methods and Results The 12- to 16-week-old Ren-TG and wild-type mice were orally administered with or without 6 or 12 mg/kg of rivaroxaban for 1 or 4 months. Plasma factor Xa was significantly increased in the Ren-TG compared with the wild-type mice and was reduced by 12 mg/kg of rivaroxaban ( P<0.05). Urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was higher in the nontreated 8-month-old Ren-TG than in the wild-type mice (69.6±29 versus 20.1±8.2 μg/day; P<0.01). Treatment with 12 mg/kg of rivaroxaban for 4 months decreased the UAE to 38.1±13.2 μg/day ( P<0.01). Moreover, rivaroxaban treatment attenuated histologic changes of glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial matrix expansion, effacement of the podocyte foot process, and thickened glomerular basement membrane in the Ren-TG. The renal expression of PAR -2 was increased in the Ren-TG, but was inhibited with rivaroxaban treatment. In vitro study using the human podocytes showed that the expressions of PAR -2 and inflammatory genes and nuclear factor--κB activation were induced by angiotensin II stimulation, but were inhibited by rivaroxaban. PAR -2 knockdown by small interfering RNA also attenuated the PAR -2-related inflammatory gene expressions. Conclusions These findings indicate that rivaroxaban exerts protective effects against angiotensin II-induced renal damage, partly through inhibition of the PAR -2 signaling-mediated inflammatory response.

Topics: Albuminuria; Angiotensin II; Animals; Blood Coagulation; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Glomerular Basement Membrane; Glomerular Mesangium; Humans; Hypertension; In Vitro Techniques; Inflammation; Kidney Glomerulus; Male; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Podocytes; Receptor, PAR-2; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Renin; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rivaroxaban; Vasoconstrictor Agents

Clinical variables including hypertension could be linked with major bleeding events and death beyond vitamin K antagonist (warfarin) or direct oral anti-coagulants (DOACs) treatment strategy.. Subgroup analysis of major bleeding (primary endpoint) associated with clinical variables, site of bleeding, ongoing antithrombotics, reversal treatment or blood transfusion, outcomes (secondary endpoints) was performed in patients with bleeding events submitted to hard 5:1 propensity-score matching for hypertension.. Enrolled patients were 2,792 (mean age, 65.6 ± 19.9 years) during 2-year survey including 166,000 visits, of 200,000 inhabitants catchment area; 8,239 patients received warfarin and 3,797 DOACs. Hypertension account for 1,077 (39%) patients; major bleeding for 474 (17%); death for 29 (1%), and 72 (3%) on 1-month and 1-year, respectively. Hypertension, age, glucose, cancer, ischemic vascular disease, and CHA2D2VASc score were more likely to link with major bleeding. On multivariate analysis, only age (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; P < 0.001), CHA2DS2VASc score ≥ 2 (OR, 2.14; P = 0.001), and glucose (OR, 1.01; P = 0.005) were predictors of major bleeding. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated patients with hypertension as compared with patients without showed 60% versus 20% death on 1-month (P < 0.001). Warfarin compared with DOACs was more likely to present with major bleeding (0.7% versus 0.2%; OR, 2.8; P = 0.005). Receiver operator characteristics analysis showed high value (0.61) of age and glucose over creatinine and systolic arterial pressure (P = NS).. Four in 10 patients with major bleeding showed hypertension; of these 8 in 10 will die within 1 month. Warfarin compared with DOACs was more likely to present with major bleeding.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Blood Glucose; Blood Transfusion; Cardiovascular Diseases; Creatinine; Dabigatran; Emergency Service, Hospital; Epistaxis; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hematuria; Hemoptysis; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Odds Ratio; Prognosis; Propensity Score; Pyrazoles; Pyridines; Pyridones; Rivaroxaban; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Factors; Thiazoles; Warfarin

To compare the level of adherence of public health nurses to BP measurement guidelines based on their knowledge if the guidelines and skills in BP measurement before and after Blood Pressure Measurement Training Program (BPMTP).. An experimental pre- and post-test design using two-staged cluster randomization was conducted. 118 PHNs (mean age ± 38.45 years, mean years of experience ± 13.45 years; 84.1% women) from six districts in Manila were equally assigned to either the BPMTP group or control group. Structured instruments were used.. This study showed that Blood Pressure Measurement Training Package is feasible in improving adherence of nurses based on their increased knowledge of the BP measurement guidelines and skills in BP measurement. A larger-scale study is warranted to show that BPMTP can potentially improve clinical management of hypertension in public health clinics globally.. The fixed dose of 15 mg rivaroxaban might carry a risk of under exposure, which would lead to an increase of thromboembolic complications in patients with high BMI. Therefore, rivaroxaban dose increase was suggested for obese patients. Use of DOACs appears to have considerable safety in obese patients.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease; Angiotensin II; Animals; Antithrombins; Atrial Fibrillation; Body Mass Index; Catheter Ablation; Cohort Studies; Dabigatran; Dogs; Embolism; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Female; Genotype; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular; Incidence; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; Middle Aged; Norepinephrine; Obesity; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Retrospective Studies; Rivaroxaban; Stroke; Sympathectomy

This study examined characteristics and treatment persistence among patients prescribed oral anticoagulants (OACs) for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). We identified 15,244 patients (51.8% male, 72.7% aged ≥70) with NVAF and no prior OAC therapy who were prescribed apixaban (n = 1,303), rivaroxaban (n = 5,742), dabigatran (n = 1,622) or vitamin-K antagonists (VKAs, n = 6,577) between 1-Dec-2012 and 31-Oct-2014 in German primary care (IMS® Disease Analyzer). We compared OAC persistence using Cox regression over patients' entire follow-up and using a data-driven time-partitioned approach (before/after 100 days) to handle non-proportional hazards. History of stroke risk factors (stroke/transient ischaemic attack [TIA] 15.2%; thromboembolism 14.1%; hypertension 84.3%) and high bleeding risk (HAS-BLED score≥3 68.4%) was common. Apixaban-prescribed patients had more frequent history of stroke/TIA (19.7%) and high bleeding risk (72.6%) than other OACs. 12-month persistence rates were: VKA 57.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 56.0-59.0%), rivaroxaban 56.6% (54.9-58.2%), dabigatran 50.1% (47.2-53.1%), apixaban 62.9% (58.8-67.0%). Over entire follow-up, compared to VKA, non-persistence was similar with apixaban (adjusted hazard ratio 1.08, 95% CI 0.95-1.24) but higher with rivaroxaban (1.21, 1.14-1.29) and dabigatran (1.53, 1.40-1.68). Using post-hoc time-partitioned approach: in first 100 days, non-persistence was higher with apixaban (1.37, 1.17-1.59), rivaroxaban (1.41, 1.30-1.53) and dabigatran (1.91, 1.70-2.14) compared to VKA. Compared to apixaban, rivaroxaban non-persistence was similar (1.03, 0.89-1.20), dabigatran was higher (1.39, 1.17-1.66). After 100 days, apixaban non-persistence was lower than VKA (0.66, 0.52-0.85); rivaroxaban (0.97, 0.87-1.07) and dabigatran (1.10, 0.95-1.28) were similar to VKA. Furthermore, rivaroxaban (1.46, 1.13-1.88) and dabigatran (1.67, 1.26-2.19) non-persistence was higher than apixaban. This study describes real-world observations on OAC use, particularly early apixaban use following approval for NVAF, in Germany. We identified potential differential OAC prescribing and higher persistence with apixaban than other OACs after 100 days' treatment. Larger studies are needed with longer follow-up to establish long-term patterns.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aged; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Cohort Studies; Dabigatran; Female; Germany; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Male; Primary Health Care; Pyrazoles; Pyridones; Risk Factors; Rivaroxaban; Stroke; Thromboembolism; Vitamin K

Rivaroxaban, a highly selective direct factor Xa inhibitor, is a new oral anticoagulant approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in November 2011 for stroke prophylaxis in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Because of its efficacy and once-a-day dosing, it is commonly preferred in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and intolerance to warfarin in clinical practice. However, it can result in some adverse effects such as bleeding, rashes and liver injury. Here, we described a very rare adverse reaction of rivaroxaban, jaundice due to intrahepatic cholestasis, appeared in a 71-year-old male patient after taking rivaroxaban.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Antihypertensive Agents; Atrial Fibrillation; Carbazoles; Carvedilol; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic; Humans; Hypertension; Jaundice; Liver; Male; Perindopril; Propanolamines; Rivaroxaban; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Atrial Appendage; Atrial Fibrillation; Coronary Thrombosis; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Rivaroxaban

The new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are used for the prevention of thromboembolic complications in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and those at risk of deep venous thrombosis. Their rapid onset of action and predictable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles make them the optimal alternative to warfarin in the treatment of these two categories of patients. Unfortunately, however, NOACs cannot be used in patients with valvular AF or valvular cardiac prostheses. Although mechanical valves are effectively a contraindication to NOAC use due to several pathophysiological mechanisms that promote the use of warfarin rather than NOACs, few data exist regarding the use of such new pharmacological compounds on patients with cardiac biological valves or those who have undergone mitral repair or tubular aortic graft implantation.. Our case series involved 27 patients [mean age 70 ± 10 years; mean CHA2DS2-VASc (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75 years (doubled), Diabetes mellitus, Stroke/transient ischemic attack (doubled), Vascular disease, Age 65-74 years, Sex category): 6 ± 1.4; and mean HAS-BLED (Hypertension, Abnormal renal and liver function, Stroke, Bleeding, Labile international normalized ratios, Elderly, Drugs or alcohol): 4 ± 1] with AF and biological prostheses, repaired mitral valves, or tubular aortic graft who were treated with the factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban due to inefficacy or adverse effects of warfarin.. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 48 ± 9 %, the left atrial diameter was 46.5 ± 7 mm, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate was 45 ± 21 mL/min/1.73 m(2). The mean duration of treatment was 15 ± 2 months. No relevant complications or recurrent thromboembolic events occurred. Three patients had recurrent nose bleeding and two had hematuria that led to reduction of the rivaroxaban dose by the treating physician to 15 mg once a day after 4 months of therapy. No further bleeding episode was recorded after escalating the dose.. Rivaroxaban is a valuable treatment option for patients with biological prostheses, repaired mitral valves, or a tubular aortic graft in order to prevent thromboembolic complications.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents; Heart Failure; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; International Normalized Ratio; Male; Middle Aged; Rivaroxaban; Stroke; Thromboembolism; Warfarin

We conducted a retrospective analysis examining the association between systolic blood pressure (SBP) or hypertension bracket and stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).. The study included 14,256 anticoagulated patients in the ROCKET AF trial. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare the risk of adverse outcomes by European Society of Cardiology hypertension bracket and screening SBP.. In total, 90.5% of patients had hypertension (55.8% controlled, 34.6% uncontrolled). The adjusted risk of stroke or systemic embolism (SE) increased significantly for every 10-mm Hg increase in screening SBP (hazard ratio [HR] 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.13). There was a trend toward an increased adjusted risk of stroke or SE in patients with controlled (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.89-1.66) and uncontrolled hypertension (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.03-1.95) (P = .06). In contrast, the adjusted risk of major bleeding was similar between hypertensive brackets and did not vary significantly by screening SBP. The benefit of rivaroxaban versus warfarin in preventing stroke or SE was consistent among patients regardless of SBP (P interaction = .69).. In a trial of anticoagulated patients with AF, increasing screening SBP was independently associated with stroke and SE, and one-third of patients had uncontrolled hypertension. The relative effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban versus warfarin were consistent across all levels of screening SBP. A single SBP may be an important factor in reducing the overall risk of stroke and SE in anticoagulated patients with AF.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Blood Pressure; Embolism; Female; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Middle Aged; Proportional Hazards Models; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retrospective Studies; Risk; Rivaroxaban; Stroke; Warfarin

Spontaneous rectus sheath haematomas and cough secondary to losartan are individually rare conditions. Abdominal wall haematomas present with abdominal pain and abdominal mass. Most patients are managed conservatively; Surgery or embolisation is indicated for shock, infection, rupture into the peritoneum or intractable pain. This is a man aged 65 years presented with dry cough and right-sided abdominal pain. He started losartan a few weeks prior to the onset of cough and had been on rivaroxaban for prior deep venous thrombosis. The right side of his abdomen was distended, bruised and tender. His haemoglobin dropped from 13.3to 9.5 g/dL. CT abdomen/pelvis showed a large 14.5×9.1×4.5 cm haematoma within the right lateral rectus muscle. His only risk factor for developing rectus sheath haematoma was cough in the setting of anticoagulation. Dry cough due to angiotensin receptor blockers is rare, but can have very serious consequences.

Topics: Aged; Antihypertensive Agents; Cough; Diagnosis, Differential; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Hematoma; Humans; Hypertension; Losartan; Male; Muscular Diseases; Rectus Abdominis; Rivaroxaban; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To investigate the clinical features and current therapy of atrial fibrillation (AF) of inpatients in Urumqi, China.. The clinical data of inpatients diagnosed with AF from January, 2008 to December, 2012, in 12 hospitals in Urumqi were retrospectively analyzed.. Totally 1 310 AF inpatients were enrolled in this study with the age of (64.8 ± 3.3) years old and a men to women ratio of 1.39. Most patients were in age groups of 61-70 years (26.5%) and 71-80 years (27.6%). More patients with paroxysmal AF were at cardiac function class I-II (75.2%), while more patients with persistent AF were at cardiac function class III-IV (31.0%) (both P values < 0.05). The most common co-morbidities of AF were hypertension (49.2%), coronary heart disease (38.5%), diabetes mellitus (20.1%). Compared with patients of chronic AF, the patients of paroxysmal AF had higher success rates in amiodarone conversation and sinus rhythm maintenance after ablation (44.8% vs 29.9%, 87.5% vs 68.9%, P values < 0.05). Among the 1 310 inpatients, 992 patients (75.7%) received antithrombotic therapy. There were statistically significant differences in CHA2DS2 score and incidence rate of cerebral infarction among patients receiving aspirin, warfarin or rivaroxaban/other anticoagulation drugs [2(1, 3) vs 3(2, 4) vs 3(2, 5) and 6.3% vs 23.8% vs 30.2%, both P values < 0.05].. Our results of AF inpatients' age, gender, related disease distribution, AF types, incidence of stoke, therapeutic and epidemiological features are in accordance with the domestic and abroad reports.

Topics: Aged; Amiodarone; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Anticoagulants; Aspirin; Atrial Fibrillation; China; Comorbidity; Diabetes Mellitus; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents; Humans; Hypertension; Incidence; Inpatients; Male; Morpholines; Retrospective Studies; Rivaroxaban; Stroke; Thiophenes; Treatment Outcome; Warfarin

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Aspirin; Atrial Fibrillation; Benzimidazoles; beta-Alanine; Dabigatran; Diabetes Complications; Female; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Middle Aged; Morpholines; Pyrazoles; Pyridones; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rivaroxaban; Secondary Prevention; Stroke; Thiophenes; Warfarin

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Anticoagulants; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9; Exons; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Testing; Genotype; Haplotypes; Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension; Mixed Function Oxygenases; Morpholines; Mutation; Poland; Rivaroxaban; Thiophenes; Vitamin K; Vitamin K Epoxide Reductases; Warfarin