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Background: The safety and efficacy of antithrombotic regimens may differ between patients with atrial fibrillation who have acute coronary syndromes (ACS), treated medically or with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and those undergoing elective PCI., Methods: Using a 2×2 factorial design, we compared apixaban with vitamin K antagonists and aspirin with placebo in patients with atrial fibrillation who had ACS or were undergoing PCI and were receiving a P2Y 12 inhibitor. We explored bleeding, death and hospitalization, as well as death and ischemic events, by antithrombotic strategy in 3 prespecified subgroups: patients with ACS treated medically, patients with ACS treated with PCI, and those undergoing elective PCI., Results: Of 4614 patients enrolled, 1097 (23.9%) had ACS treated medically, 1714 (37.3%) had ACS treated with PCI, and 1784 (38.8%) had elective PCI. Apixaban compared with vitamin K antagonist reduced International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding in patients with ACS treated medically (hazard ratio [HR], 0.44 [95% CI, 0.28-0.68]), patients with ACS treated with PCI (HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.52-0.89]), and patients undergoing elective PCI (HR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.64-1.04]; P interaction =0.052) and reduced death or hospitalization in the ACS treated medically (HR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.54-0.92]), ACS treated with PCI (HR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.74-1.06]), and elective PCI (HR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.72-1.04]; P interaction =0.345) groups. Compared with vitamin K antagonists, apixaban resulted in a similar effect on death and ischemic events in the ACS treated medically, ACS treated with PCI, and elective PCI groups ( P interaction =0.356). Aspirin had a higher rate of bleeding than did placebo in patients with ACS treated medically (HR, 1.49 [95% CI, 0.98-2.26]), those with ACS treated with PCI (HR, 2.02 [95% CI, 1.53-2.67]), and those undergoing elective PCI (HR, 1.91 [95% CI, 1.48-2.47]; P interaction =0.479). For the same comparison, there was no difference in outcomes among the 3 groups for the composite of death or hospitalization ( P interaction =0.787) and death and ischemic events ( P interaction =0.710)., Conclusions: An antithrombotic regimen consisting of apixaban and a P2Y 12 inhibitor without aspirin provides superior safety and similar efficacy in patients with atrial fibrillation who have ACS, whether managed medically or with PCI, and those undergoing elective PCI compared with regimens that include vitamin K antagonists, aspirin, or both., Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02415400.

Background and Purpose- Predictors of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are poorly understood. The primary aims of this analysis were to (1) determine the incidence of ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke and TIA in patients with symptomatic PAD, (2) identify predictors of stroke in patients with PAD, and (3) compare the rate of stroke in ticagrelor- and clopidogrel-treated patients. Methods- EUCLID (Examining Use of Ticagrelor in Peripheral Artery Disease) randomized 13 885 patients with symptomatic PAD to receive monotherapy with ticagrelor or clopidogrel for the prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke). Ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke and TIA were adjudicated and measured as incidence rates postrandomization and cumulative incidence (per patient-years). Post hoc multivariable competing risk hazards analyses were performed using baseline characteristics to determine factors associated with all-cause stroke in patients with PAD. Results- A total of 458 cerebrovascular events in 424 patients (317 ischemic strokes, 39 hemorrhagic strokes, and 102 TIAs) occurred over a median follow-up of 30 months, for a cumulative incidence of 0.87, 0.11, and 0.27 per 100 patient-years, respectively. Age, prior stroke, prior atrial fibrillation/flutter, diabetes mellitus, geographic region, ankle-brachial index <0.60, prior amputation, and systolic blood pressure were independent baseline factors associated with the occurrence of all-cause stroke. After adjustment for baseline factors, the rates of ischemic stroke and all-cause stroke remained lower in patients treated with ticagrelor as compared with those receiving clopidogrel. There was no significant difference in the incidence of hemorrhagic stroke or TIA between the 2 treatment groups. Conclusions- In patients with symptomatic PAD, ischemic stroke and TIA occur frequently over time. Comorbidities such as age, prior stroke, prior atrial fibrillation/flutter, diabetes mellitus, higher blood pressure, prior amputation, lower ankle-brachial index, and geographic region were each independently associated with the occurrence of all-cause stroke. Use of ticagrelor, as compared with clopidogrel, was associated with a lower adjusted rate of ischemic and all-cause stroke. Further study is needed to optimize medical management and risk reduction of all-cause stroke in patients with PAD. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01732822.

Background: The cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor evacetrapib substantially raises the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, reduces the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level, and enhances cellular cholesterol efflux capacity. We sought to determine the effect of evacetrapib on major adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with high-risk vascular disease., Methods: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial, we enrolled 12,092 patients who had at least one of the following conditions: an acute coronary syndrome within the previous 30 to 365 days, cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease, peripheral vascular arterial disease, or diabetes mellitus with coronary artery disease. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either evacetrapib at a dose of 130 mg or matching placebo, administered daily, in addition to standard medical therapy. The primary efficacy end point was the first occurrence of any component of the composite of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, or hospitalization for unstable angina., Results: At 3 months, a 31.1% decrease in the mean LDL cholesterol level was observed with evacetrapib versus a 6.0% increase with placebo, and a 133.2% increase in the mean HDL cholesterol level was seen with evacetrapib versus a 1.6% increase with placebo. After 1363 of the planned 1670 primary end-point events had occurred, the data and safety monitoring board recommended that the trial be terminated early because of a lack of efficacy. After a median of 26 months of evacetrapib or placebo, a primary end-point event occurred in 12.9% of the patients in the evacetrapib group and in 12.8% of those in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.91 to 1.11; P=0.91)., Conclusions: Although the cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor evacetrapib had favorable effects on established lipid biomarkers, treatment with evacetrapib did not result in a lower rate of cardiovascular events than placebo among patients with high-risk vascular disease. (Funded by Eli Lilly; ACCELERATE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01687998 .).

Objective: We investigated whether prior clopidogrel influenced long-term ischaemic and bleeding risks and modified the randomised treatment effect of clopidogrel versus prasugrel among medically managed patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) treated with dual antiplatelet therapy., Methods: Medically managed patients with ACS in the Targeted Platelet Inhibition to Clarify the Optimal Strategy to Medically Manage Acute Coronary Syndromes (TRILOGY ACS) trial were randomised to clopidogrel versus prasugrel (plus aspirin), stratified by prior clopidogrel use. From the analysis population (n=8927), we compared two groups: 'clopidogrel in-hospital (n=6513)' (clopidogrel started ≤72 h of presentation for index ACS event) and 'prior-clopidogrel (n=2414)' (on clopidogrel ≥5 days before index hospitalisation). Treatment-related differences in ischaemic (all-cause death, cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and the composite of CV death/MI/stroke) and bleeding outcomes (severe/life-threatening or moderate bleeding events based on Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO) criteria) through 30 months were analysed between patients in the two groups., Results: Compared with 'clopidogrel in-hospital,' 'prior clopidogrel' patients were younger (median 64 years vs 66 years, p<0.001), more likely to have prior CV events/revascularisation, and had a higher frequency of CV death, MI or stroke through 30 months (20.8% vs 18.2%, p=0.002), with no difference in bleeding events (2.3% vs 3.4%, p=0.50). Randomised treatment effect (prasugrel vs clopidogrel) was similar for ischaemic and bleeding outcomes in both groups (all pinteraction>0.05)., Conclusions: Patients receiving clopidogrel before admission for ACS and subsequently treated only medically are at higher risk for CV events versus those not previously receiving clopidogrel. More potent antiplatelet inhibition with prasugrel versus clopidogrel did not significantly reduce this risk., Trial Registration Number: NCT00699998., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/)

Background: The effect of intensified platelet inhibition for patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation who do not undergo revascularization has not been delineated., Methods: In this double-blind, randomized trial, in a primary analysis involving 7243 patients under the age of 75 years receiving aspirin, we evaluated up to 30 months of treatment with prasugrel (10 mg daily) versus clopidogrel (75 mg daily). In a secondary analysis involving 2083 patients 75 years of age or older, we evaluated 5 mg of prasugrel versus 75 mg of clopidogrel., Results: At a median follow-up of 17 months, the primary end point of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke among patients under the age of 75 years occurred in 13.9% of the prasugrel group and 16.0% of the clopidogrel group (hazard ratio in the prasugrel group, 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79 to 1.05; P=0.21). Similar results were observed in the overall population. The prespecified analysis of multiple recurrent ischemic events (all components of the primary end point) suggested a lower risk for prasugrel among patients under the age of 75 years (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.00; P=0.04). Rates of severe and intracranial bleeding were similar in the two groups in all age groups. There was no significant between-group difference in the frequency of nonhemorrhagic serious adverse events, except for a higher frequency of heart failure in the clopidogrel group., Conclusions: Among patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation, prasugrel did not significantly reduce the frequency of the primary end point, as compared with clopidogrel, and similar risks of bleeding were observed. (Funded by Eli Lilly and Daiichi Sankyo; TRILOGY ACS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00699998.).

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) include unstable angina, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The management of ACS has improved greatly over the last 3 decades, with an associated steady decline in mortality from this condition seen in the US. The benefits of advances in the management of ACS observed in the US have not fully extended to Mexico, as thrombolytic therapy remains the most commonly used reperfusion strategy for STEMI and new antithrombotic drugs are not widely available. However, treatment of ACS in Mexico is rapidly evolving. Dual oral antiplatelet therapy with the combination of clopidogrel and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is becoming the new standard of care for the management of patients with NSTEMI and those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Results from controlled clinical studies strongly support the use of early and aggressive treatment with this combination. The addition of clopidogrel to the national formulary represents an important step in the evolution of care for ACS patients in Mexico. Local and regional leadership is required to foster the widespread adoption of this highly beneficial treatment strategy. The main objectives of this review are to highlight the recommendations of the Mexican guidelines for the management of ACS and provide some perspective regarding challenges to optimal management of ACS patients in Mexico.

Background: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) offers pharmacological and practical advantages over unfractionated heparin (UFH). Whether these advantages translate into greater infarct-related artery patency and fewer adverse clinical events in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) receiving fibrinolytic therapy remains under study., Methods and Results: We compared angiographic and clinical outcomes in patients treated with LMWH (n=1429) versus UFH (n=1431) in CLARITY-TIMI 28, a randomized trial of clopidogrel versus placebo in STEMI patients aged 18 to 75 years undergoing fibrinolysis. After comprehensive adjustment for baseline characteristics, therapeutic interventions, and a propensity score, treatment with LMWH was associated with a significantly lower rate of a closed infarct-related artery or death or myocardial infarction before angiography (13.5% versus 22.5%, adjusted OR 0.76, P=0.027). Treatment with LMWH was also associated with a significantly lower rate of cardiovascular death or recurrent myocardial infarction through 30 days (6.9% versus 11.5%, adjusted OR 0.68, P=0.030). The lower event rates were observed in patients allocated to clopidogrel and in those who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Rates of TIMI major bleeding through 30 days (1.6% versus 2.2%, P=0.27) and intracranial hemorrhage (0.6% versus 0.8%, P=0.37) were similar in the LMWH and UFH groups. Patients who received both clopidogrel and LMWH, in addition to a standard fibrinolytic and aspirin, had a particularly high rate of infarct-related artery patency (90.9%) and particularly low rates of cardiovascular death (3.2%), recurrent myocardial infarction (3.0%), and major bleeding (1.8%)., Conclusions: In patients with STEMI receiving fibrinolytic therapy, use of LMWH with other standard therapies, including clopidogrel and aspirin, is associated with improved angiographic outcomes and lower rates of major adverse cardiovascular events.