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Background: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well-established risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the optimal achieved LDL-C level with regard to efficacy and safety in the long term remains unknown. Methods: In FOURIER (Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects With Elevated Risk), 27 564 patients with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were randomized to evolocumab versus placebo, with a median follow-up of 2.2 years. In the open-label extension (FOURIER-OLE), 6635 of these patients were transitioned to open-label evolocumab regardless of initial treatment allocation in the parent trial and were followed for an additional median of 5 years. In this prespecified analysis, we examined the relationship between achieved LDL-C levels (an average of the first 2 LDL-C levels measured) in FOURIER-OLE (available in 6559 patients) and the incidence of subsequent cardiovascular and safety outcomes. We also performed sensitivity analyses evaluating cardiovascular and safety outcomes in the entire FOURIER and FOURIER-OLE patient population. Multivariable modeling was used to adjust for baseline factors associated with achieved LDL-C levels. Results: In FOURIER-OLE, 1604 (24%), 2627 (40%), 1031 (16%), 486 (7%), and 811 (12%) patients achieved LDL-C levels of P trend Conclusions: In patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, long-term achievement of lower LDL-C levels, down to Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT01764633.

Background: In FOURIER (Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects With Elevated Risk), the proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 inhibitor evolocumab reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and risk of cardiovascular events and was safe and well tolerated over a median of 2.2 years of follow-up. However, large-scale, long-term data are lacking. Methods: The parent FOURIER trial randomized 27 564 patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL on statin to evolocumab versus placebo. Patients completing FOURIER at participating sites were eligible to receive evolocumab in 2 open-label extension studies (FOURIER-OLE [FOURIER Open-Label Extension]) in the United States and Europe; primary analyses were pooled across studies. The primary end point was the incidence of adverse events. Lipid values and major adverse cardiovascular events were prospectively collected. Results: A total of 6635 patients were enrolled in FOURIER-OLE (3355 randomized to evolocumab and 3280 to placebo in the parent study). Median follow-up in FOURIER-OLE was 5.0 years; maximum exposure to evolocumab in parent plus FOURIER-OLE was 8.4 years. At 12 weeks in FOURIER-OLE, median LDL-C was 30 mg/dL, and 63.2% of patients achieved LDL-C P =0.008); a 20% lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.68–0.93]; P =0.003); and a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular death (hazard ratio, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.60–0.99]; P =0.04). Conclusions: Long-term LDL-C lowering with evolocumab was associated with persistently low rates of adverse events for >8 years that did not exceed those observed in the original placebo arm during the parent study and led to further reductions in cardiovascular events compared with delayed treatment initiation. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifiers: NCT02867813 and NCT03080935.

ImportanceSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, such as dapagliflozin, promote renal glucose excretion and reduce cardiovascular (CV) deaths and hospitalizations for heart failure (HHF) among patients with type 2 diabetes. The relative CV efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin according to baseline kidney function and albuminuria status are unknown.ObjectiveTo assess the CV efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin according to baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR).Design, setting, and participantsThis secondary analysis of the randomized clinical trial Dapagliflozin Effect on Cardiovascular Events-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 58 compared dapagliflozin vs placebo in 17 160 patients with type 2 diabetes and a baseline creatinine clearance of 60 mL/min or higher. Patients were categorized according to prespecified subgroups of baseline eGFR (InterventionsDapagliflozin vs placebo.Main outcomes and measuresThe dual primary end points were major adverse cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, and CV death) and the composite of CV death or HHF.ResultsAt baseline, 1265 patients (7.4%) had an eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 5199 patients (30.9%) had albuminuria. Among patients having data for both eGFR and UACR, 10 958 patients (65.1%) had an eGFR equal to or higher than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and an UACR below 30 mg/g (mean [SD] age, 63.7 [6.7] years; 40.1% women), 5336 patients (31.7%) had either an eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or albuminuria (mean [SD] age, 64.1 [7.1] years; 32.6% women), and 548 patients (3.3%) had both (mean [SD] age, 66.8 [6.9] years; 30.5% women). In the placebo group, patients with more CKD markers had higher event rates at 4 years as assessed using the Kaplan-Meier approach for the composite of CV death or HHF (3.9% for 0 markers, 8.3% for 1 marker, and 17.4% for 2 markers) and major adverse cardiovascular events (7.5% for 0 markers, 11.6% for 1 marker, and 18.9% for 2 markers). Estimates for relative risk reductions for the composite of CV death or HHF and for major adverse cardiovascular events were generally consistent across subgroups (both P > .24 for interaction), although greater absolute risk reductions were observed with more markers of CKD. The absolute risk difference for the composite of CV death or HHF was greater for patients with more markers of CKD (0 markers, -0.5%; 1 marker, -1.0%; and 2 markers, -8.3%; P = .02 for interaction). The numbers of amputations, cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, fractures, and major hypoglycemic events were balanced or numerically lower with dapagliflozin compared with placebo for patients with an eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and an UACR of 30 mg/g or higher.Conclusions and relevanceThe effect of dapagliflozin on the relative risk for CV events was consistent across eGFR and UACR groups, with the greatest absolute benefit for the composite of CV death or HHF observed among patients with both reduced eGFR and albuminuria.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01730534.

Trial Evaluating Cardiovascular Outcomes with Sitagliptin (TECOS) assessed the cardiovascular (CV) safety of sitagliptin versus placebo on CV outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and CV disease and found sitagliptin noninferior to placebo. Subsequently, based on feedback from FDA, the Sponsor of the trial, MerckCo., Inc., engaged a separate academic research organization, the TIMI Study Group, to re-adjudicate a prespecified set of originally adjudicated events.TIMI adjudicated in a blinded fashion all potential hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) events, all potential MACE+ events previously adjudicated as not an endpoint event, and a random subset (~10%) of MACE+ events previously adjudicated as an endpoint event. An updated study-level meta-analysis of four randomized, placebo-controlled, CV outcomes trials with dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors was then performed.After re-adjudication of potential HHF events in the intent-to-treat population, there were 224 patients with a confirmed event in the sitagliptin arm (1.05/100 person-years) and 239 patients in the placebo arm (1.13/100 person-years), corresponding to a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.94 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.78-1.13, p = .49). Concordance between the outcome of the original adjudication and the re-adjudication for HHF events was 82.7%. The meta-analysis of CV outcomes trials with DPP-4 inhibitors with placebo and involving 43 522 patients yielded an HR of 1.07 (95% CI: 0.83-1.39), with moderate heterogeneity (p = .45, IThe results of this independent re-adjudication process and analyses of CV outcomes from TECOS were consistent with the original adjudication results and overall study findings. An updated study-level meta-analysis showed no overall significant risk for HHF with DPP-4 inhibitors, but with statistical heterogeneity.

Summary Background The clinical benefit of LDL cholesterol lowering treatment in older patients remains debated. We aimed to summarise the evidence of LDL cholesterol lowering therapies in older patients. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE and Embase for articles published between March 1, 2015, and Aug 14, 2020, without any language restrictions. We included randomised controlled trials of cardiovascular outcomes of an LDL cholesterol-lowering drug recommended by the 2018 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines, with a median follow-up of at least 2 years and data on older patients (aged ≥75 years). We excluded trials that exclusively enrolled participants with heart failure or on dialysis because guidelines do not recommend lipid-lowering therapy in such patients who do not have another indication. We extracted data for older patients using a standardised data form for aggregated study-level data. We meta-analysed the risk ratio (RR) for major vascular events (a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction or other acute coronary syndrome, stroke, or coronary revascularisation) per 1 mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol. Findings Data from six articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, which included 24 trials from the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' Collaboration meta-analysis plus five individual trials. Among 244 090 patients from 29 trials, 21 492 (8·8%) were aged at least 75 years, of whom 11 750 (54·7%) were from statin trials, 6209 (28·9%) from ezetimibe trials, and 3533 (16·4%) from PCSK9 inhibitor trials. Median follow-up ranged from 2·2 years to 6·0 years. LDL cholesterol lowering significantly reduced the risk of major vascular events (n=3519) in older patients by 26% per 1 mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol (RR 0·74 [95% CI 0·61–0·89]; p=0·0019), with no statistically significant difference with the risk reduction in patients younger than 75 years (0·85 [0·78–0·92]; pinteraction=0·37). Among older patients, RRs were not statistically different for statin (0·82 [0·73–0·91]) and non-statin treatment (0·67 [0·47–0·95]; pinteraction=0·64). The benefit of LDL cholesterol lowering in older patients was observed for each component of the composite, including cardiovascular death (0·85 [0·74–0·98]), myocardial infarction (0·80 [0·71–0·90]), stroke (0·73 [0·61–0·87]), and coronary revascularisation (0·80 [0·66–0·96]). Interpretation In patients aged 75 years and older, lipid lowering was as effective in reducing cardiovascular events as it was in patients younger than 75 years. These results should strengthen guideline recommendations for the use of lipid-lowering therapies, including non-statin treatment, in older patients. Funding None.

The EBBINGHAUS (Evaluating PCSK9 Binding Antibody Influence on Cognitive Health in High Cardiovascular Risk Subjects) trial demonstrated that evolocumab added to a background statin did not affect cognitive performance in a subset of 1,204 patients enrolled in FOURIER (Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 inhibitors in Subjects With Elevated Risk).The authors describe patient-reported cognition in the entire FOURIER trial using a self-survey.FOURIER was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels ≥70 mg/dl or non-high-density cholesterol ≥100 mg/dl despite statin therapy. At the final visit, patients completed a 23-item survey on memory and executive domains from the Everyday Cognition (ECog) scale. Patients compared their levels of everyday function at the end of the trial with their levels at the beginning and scored as 1 (no change or improvement), 2 (occasionally worse), 3 (consistently little worse), or 4 (consistently much worse). ECog scores were compared by the 2 randomized treatment arms and by achieved LDL-C at 4 weeks.A total of 22,655 patients completed ECog after a median duration of 2.2 years. The proportions of patients reporting cognitive decline (ECog score ≥2) at the end of the study were similar for placebo versus evolocumab, both for total score 3.6% versus 3.7% (p = 0.62) and for subdomains (memory, 5.8% vs. 6.0%; total executive, 3.6% vs. 3.7%). The proportion of patients reporting a decline in total cognitive score was similar among the 2,338 patients who achieved very low LDL-C levels (20 mg/dl) compared to the 3,613 patients with LDL-C ≥100 mg/dl (3.8% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.57).The addition of evolocumab to maximally tolerated statin therapy had no impact on patient-reported cognition after an average of 2.2 years of treatment, even among patients who achieved LDL-C 20 mg/dl.

Background Mechanistic studies have shown that morphine blunts the antiplatelet effects of oral adenosine diphosphate receptor blockers. However, the clinical relevance of this interaction is controversial. Objectives This study sought to explore the association between morphine and ischemic events in 5,438 patients treated with concomitant clopidogrel presenting with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS) in the EARLY ACS (Early Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibition in Patients With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome) trial. Patients not treated with clopidogrel (n = 3,462) were used as negative controls. Methods Endpoints were the composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), recurrent ischemia, or thrombotic bailout at 96 h (4-way endpoint) and the composite of death or MI at 30 days. Results In patients treated with clopidogrel, morphine use was associated with higher rates of the 4-way endpoint at 96 h (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04 to 1.87; p = 0.026). There was a trend for higher rates of death or MI at 30 days (adjusted OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.70; p = 0.072), driven by events in the first 48 h (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.23; p = 0.021). In patients not treated with clopidogrel, morphine was not associated with either the 4-way endpoint at 96 h (adjusted OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.74 to 1.49; p = 0.79; pinteraction = 0.36 ) or death or MI at 30 days (adjusted OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.77 to 1.48; p = 0.70; pinteraction = 0.46). Conclusions When used concomitantly with clopidogrel pre-treatment, morphine was associated with higher rates of ischemic events in patients with NSTEACS. (EARLY ACS: Early Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibition in Patients With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome; NCT00089895 )

Aims PEGASUS-TIMI 54 demonstrated that long-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and ticagrelor reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), with an acceptable increase in bleeding, in patients with prior myocardial infarction (MI). While much of the discussion around prolonged DAPT has been focused on stented patients, patients with prior MI without prior coronary stenting comprise a clinically important subgroup. Methods and results This was a pre-specified analysis from PEGASUS-TIMI 54, which randomized 21 162 patients with prior MI (1–3 years) and additional high-risk features to ticagrelor 60 mg, 90 mg, or placebo twice daily in addition to aspirin. A total of 4199 patients had no history of coronary stenting at baseline. The primary efficacy outcome (MACE) was the composite of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke. Patients without history of coronary stenting had higher baseline risk of MACE [13.2% vs. 8.0%, adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–1.73, in the placebo arm]. The relative risk reduction in MACE with ticagrelor (pooled doses) was similar in patients without (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.68–0.99) and with prior stenting (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75–0.96; P for interaction = 0.76). Conclusion Long-term ticagrelor reduces thrombotic events in patients with prior MI regardless of whether they had prior coronary stenting. These data highlight the benefits of DAPT in prevention of spontaneous atherothrombotic events and indicate that long-term ticagrelor may be considered in high-risk patients with prior MI even if they have not been treated with stenting. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01225562.

Introduction: Ezetimibe (EZE) added to statin further reduces LDL-C and CV events. Prior studies demonstrated large inter-individual variability in LDL-C reduction with statins. Whether similar variability exists with EZE has not been reported in a large study. Methods: We assessed the placebo (PBO)-adjusted LDL-C reduction from randomization to 4 months in IMPROVE-IT, a double-blind RCT of EZE vs placebo (PBO) added to simvastatin (SIMVA) post-ACS. Inter-individual variation in % LDL-C reduction was calculated via rank-ordered subtraction of PBO/SIMVA from EZE/SIMVA. Patients not on study drug or with missing LDL-C values at either timepoint were excluded. Using the overall distribution of PBO-adjusted LDL-C reductions with EZE, we modelled the % of patients anticipated to achieve guideline-recommended LDL-C targets at 4 months with the addition of EZE across a range of baseline LDL-C values. Results: In 14,970 pts, the median baseline LDL-C in both groups was 80 mg/dL (IQR 65-96). The median change from baseline at 4 months was -37% (IQR -20% to -51%) in the EZE/SIMVA arm and -14% (IQR +7% to -31%) with PBO/SIMVA ( Panel A ). The PBO-adjusted median change in LDL-C at 4 months with EZE/SIM was -23% with low variability (IQR -19 to -27%; Panel A) . Based on this distribution, modelling predicts that fewer than half of patients would achieve the U.S. and European targets of 91 mg/dL and >72 mg/dL, respectively, with the addition of EZE to statin therapy ( Panel B ). Conclusions: Addition of EZE to statin therapy results in a consistent median 23% reduction in LDL-C, with 75% of patients achieving at least a 19% reduction. The distribution of LDL-C reduction can be used to estimate how likely a patient will be to achieve guideline LDL-C targets with the addition of EZE to statin therapy.

Background Coronary stent type and risk of stent thrombosis remain important factors affecting recommended duration of dual antiplatelet therapy. We investigated the efficacy and safety of long‐term ticagrelor in patients with prior coronary stenting enrolled in the PEGASUS‐TIMI 54 (Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 54) trial. Methods and Results Patients in PEGASUS‐TIMI 54 had a myocardial infarction 1 to 3 year prior and were randomized 1:1:1 to ticagrelor 60 or 90 mg BID or placebo. The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (major adverse cardiovascular events). Stent thrombosis was prospectively adjudicated (Academic Research Consortium definition). Baseline characteristics were compared by most recent stent type (bare metal versus drug‐eluting stent and first‐ versus later‐generation drug‐eluting stent). Treatment arms were compared using Cox proportional hazards models. Of 21 162 patients randomized, 80% (n=16 891) had prior coronary stenting. Following randomization, myocardial infarction was the most frequent ischemic event in patients with prior stenting in the placebo arm, occurring in 5.2% of patients (Type 1: 4.1%), followed by cardiovascular death (2.3%), stroke (1.7%), and stent thrombosis (0.9%). Ticagrelor pooled reduced major adverse cardiovascular events (7.0% versus 8.0%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75–96) regardless of stent type (bare metal stent versus drug‐eluting stent: p interaction =0.767; first versus later generation: p interaction =0.940). The rate of any stent thrombosis was numerically lower with ticagrelor pooled (0.7% versus 0.9%; HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.50–1.05) and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction major bleeding was increased (HR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.90–3.68). Conclusions Long‐term ticagrelor reduces major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with prior myocardial infarction and coronary stenting regardless of stent type, with the benefit driven predominantly by reduction in de novo events. Nonfatal major bleeding is increased with ticagrelor. Registration Information clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT01225562.

Background: Metformin is first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus, although its effects on the cardiovascular system are unproved. Methods: In this post hoc analysis, patients in SAVOR-TIMI 53 (Saxagliptin and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) with baseline biomarker samples (n=12 156) were classified as ever versus never taking metformin during the trial period. Associations between metformin exposure and outcomes were estimated with inverse probability of treatment weighting Cox modeling for the composite end point of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke, as well as cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality, with biomarkers included as covariates. Additional sensitivity analyses included propensity score matching and Cox multivariable models. Results: Of the 12 156 patients with baseline biomarker samples, 8971 (74%) had metformin exposure, 1611 (13%) had prior heart failure, and 1332 (11%) had at least moderate chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤45 mL·min −1 ·1.73 m −2 ). Metformin use was associated with no difference in risk for the composite end point (hazard ratio for inverse probability of treatment weighting, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.76–1.11]) but lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for inverse probability of treatment weighting, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.59–0.95]). There was no significant relationship between metformin use and these end points in patients with prior heart failure or moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. Conclusions: In a cohort of 12 156 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and high cardiovascular risk, metformin use was associated with lower rates of all-cause mortality, including after adjustment for clinical variables and biomarkers, but not lower rates of the composite end point of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke. This association was most apparent in patients without prior heart failure or moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01107886.

Background: Obesity is thought to increase renal hyperfiltration, thereby increasing albuminuria and the progression of renal disease. The effect of pharmacologically mediated weight loss on renal outcomes is not well-described. Lorcaserin, a selective serotonin 2C receptor agonist that promotes appetite suppression, led to sustained weight loss without any increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in the CAMELLIA-TIMI 61 trial (Cardiovascular and Metabolic Effects of Lorcaserin in Overweight and Obese Patients-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 61). Methods: CAMELLIA-TIMI 61 randomly assigned 12 000 overweight or obese patients with or at high risk for atherosclerotic CV disease to lorcaserin or placebo on a background of lifestyle modification. The primary renal outcome was a composite of new or worsening persistent micro- or macroalbuminuria, new or worsening chronic kidney disease, doubling of serum creatinine, end-stage renal disease, renal transplant, or renal death. Results: At baseline, 23.8% of patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) −1 ·1.73 m −2 and 19.0% had albuminuria (urinary albumin:creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g). Lorcaserin reduced the risk of the primary renal composite outcome (4.2% per year versus 4.9% per year; hazard ratio [HR], 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79–0.96; P =0.0064). The benefit was consistent across subpopulations at increased baseline CV and renal risk. Lorcaserin improved both eGFR and urinary albumin:creatinune ratio within the first year after randomization. The effect of lorcaserin on weight, hemoglobin A1c, and systolic blood pressure was consistent regardless of baseline renal function. Likewise, there was no excess in cardiovascular events in patients assigned to lorcaserin in comparison with placebo, regardless of renal function. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, those with evidence of kidney disease were at increased risk of major CV events. Compared with patients with an eGFR ≥90 mL·min −1 ·1.73 m −2 , those with an eGFR 60-90 and those −1 ·1.73 m–2 had HRs of 1.25 (95% CI, 1.01, 1.56) and 1.51 (95% CI, 1.17, 1.95), respectively ( P for trend 0.0015). Likewise, compared with patients with no albuminuria (P for trend Conclusions: Renal dysfunction was associated with increased CV risk in overweight and obese patients. When added to diet and lifestyle, lorcaserin reduced the rate of new-onset or progressive renal impairment in comparison with placebo. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02019264.

Background: Women are underrepresented across cardiovascular clinical trials. Whether women are more likely than men to prematurely discontinue study drug or withdraw consent once enrolled in a clinical trial is unknown. Methods: Eleven phase 3/4 TIMI (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction) trials were included (135 879 men and 51 812 women [28%]). The association between sex and premature study drug discontinuation and withdrawal of consent were examined by multivariable logistic regression after adjusting for potential confounders in each individual trial and combining the individual point estimates in random effects models. Results: After adjusting for baseline differences, women had 22% higher odds of premature drug discontinuation (adjusted odds ratio [OR adj ], 1.22 [95% CI, 1.16–1.28]; P adj , 1.20 [95% CI, 1.13–1.27]) and active therapy arms (OR adj , 1.23 [95% CI, 1.17–1.30)]; there was some evidence for regional heterogeneity ( P interaction P =0.60). Women were also more likely to withdraw consent compared with men (OR adj , 1.26 [95% CI, 1.17–1.36]; P Conclusions: Women were more likely than men to prematurely discontinue study drug and withdraw consent across cardiovascular outcome trials. Premature study drug discontinuation was not explained by baseline differences by sex or a higher proportion of adverse events. Future trials should better capture reasons for drug discontinuation and withdrawal of consent to understand barriers to continued study drug use and clinical trial participation, particularly among women.

Background Ticagrelor reduces ischemic risk but increases bleeding in patients with prior myocardial infarction. Identification of patients at lower bleeding risk is important in selecting patients who are likely to derive more favorable outcomes versus risk from this strategy. Methods and Results PEGASUS‐TIMI 54 (Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin—Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 54) randomized 21 162 patients with prior myocardial infarction in a 1:1:1 fashion to ticagrelor 60 mg or 90 mg twice daily or placebo, with ticagrelor 60 mg approved for long‐term use. TIMI major or minor bleeding was the primary end point for this analysis. Causes of bleeding were categorized by site and etiology, and independent predictors were identified. At 3 years, ticagrelor 60 mg increased the rate of TIMI major or minor bleeding by 2.0% versus placebo (1.4% placebo versus 3.4% ticagrelor). The bleeding excess was driven primarily by spontaneous gastrointestinal bleeds. A history of spontaneous bleeding requiring hospitalization and the presence of anemia were independent predictors of bleeding but not of ischemic risk. Patients with at least 1 risk predictor had 3‐fold higher rates of bleeding with ticagrelor 60 mg versus those who had neither (absolute risk increase, 4.4% versus 1.5%; P =0.01). Patients with neither predictor had a more favorable benefit profile with ticagrelor 60 mg versus placebo including lower mortality (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65–0.96; P interaction = 0.03). Conclusions In patients with prior myocardial infarction, bleeding with ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily is predominantly spontaneous gastrointestinal. A history of spontaneous bleeding requiring hospitalization or the presence of anemia identifies patients at higher risk of bleeding, and the absence of either identifies patients likely to have a more favorable net benefit with ticagrelor. Registration URL https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ . Unique identifier: NCT01225562.

Introduction: The clinical benefit from LDL-C lowering therapy in the elderly remains debated. Aim: To synthesize the efficacy of lowering LDL-C in patients aged ≥75 years in the light of most recently published data. Methods: Medline database was searched for the most recent evidence (2015-2020). The key inclusion criterion was a randomized controlled cardiovascular outcome trial testing an LDL-C lowering therapy with data available in patients aged ≥75 years at randomization. For efficacy, we meta-analyzed the risk ratio (RR) of major vascular events (a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction, stroke or coronary revascularization) per 1-mmol/L reduction in LDL-C. Results: Among 244,090 patients from 29 trials, 21,492 (8.8%) were elderly; 11,750 from statin trials, 6209 from ezetimibe trials, and 3533 from PCSK9 inhibitor trials. Median follow-up ranged from 2.2-6.0 years. LDL-C lowering therapy significantly reduced major vascular events (n=3519) in the elderly by 26% per 1-mmol/L LDL-C reduction (RR 0.74 [0.61-0.89], P=0.002), which was at least as good as the magnitude of effect seen in the non-elderly patients (RR 0.85 [0.78-0.92]; P interaction =0.24). Amongst the elderly, the RR was similar for statin (0.81 [0.70-0.94]) and non-statin therapy (0.67 [0.47-0.95]; P interaction =0.60). The benefit of LDL-C lowering in the elderly was observed for each component of the composite, including CV death (RR 0.85 [0.73-0.996], P=0.045), myocardial infraction (RR 0.80 [0.70-0.92], P=0.001), stroke (RR 0.71 [0.58-0.87], P=0.001) and coronary revascularization (RR 0.78 [0.63-0.96], P=0.017). Conclusion: In patients 75 years and older, lipid-lowering therapy is as effective in reducing CV events as it is in younger adults. These results should strengthen guideline recommendations for the use of lipid-lowering therapies, including non-statin therapy, in the elderly.

Background: Patients (pts) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk of heart failure (HF); however, the underlying mechanisms by which T2DM contributes to HF are incompletely understood. Hypothesis: We aimed to identify biological pathways associated with risk of hospitalization for HF (HHF) in a well-characterized cohort with T2DM followed for a median of 4.2 yrs. Methods: DECLARE-TIMI 58 was a randomized trial of dapagliflozin in pts with T2DM. We performed a nested case-control study of 184 candidate biomarkers (Olink CV II and CV III) in pts hospitalized for HF (n=432) and controls matched on age, sex, prior HF, prior CV disease, and f/u time (n=432). We evaluated associations between baseline biomarkers and HHF using logistic regression with a stringent threshold for significance (Bonferroni). Biomarkers were ranked according to Wald χ 2 values. ORs for the top 10 biomarkers were further adjusted for the components of the TIMI Risk Score for HF in Diabetes (AF, UACR, eGFR, CAD). ORs are per 1-SD. Results: 45 biomarkers were significantly associated with HHF. The 10 strongest associations were seen with N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), B type natriuretic peptide (BNP), spondin-1 (SPON1), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), interleukin-6 (IL-6), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), transferrin receptor protein 1 (TR), metalloproteinase inhibitor 4 (TIMP4), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), C-X-C motif chemokine 16 (CXCL16) ( Fig ). All 10 biomarkers were significantly associated with HHF both in pts with and without a history of HF. These proteins represent pathobiological axes implicated in hemodynamic stress, inflammation, myocardial hypertrophy, and cellular senescence, among others. Conclusions: A targeted proteomic approach identified established (NT-proBNP, BNP), investigational (IGFBP7, FGF-23, IL-6, TR, TIMP4, MMP-2, CXCL16), and novel (SPON1) biomarkers of HHF in pts with T2DM.

Aims Although presenting features and early sequelae of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) are well described, less is known about longer-term risks and modes of death. The purpose of this study was to characterize modes of death following NSTE-ACS in clinical trial populations. Methods and results We evaluated 66 252 patients with NSTE-ACS enrolled in 14 Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) trials, examining baseline characteristics and modes and timing of death. Of the 66 252 patients followed for a median of 372 (interquartile range 218-521) days, 3147 (4.8%) died by the time of last follow-up. Of the 2606 patients (82.8%) with known modes of death, 75.1% were related to a cardiovascular (CV) event, 3.0% were related to a bleeding event (including intracranial haemorrhage), and 21.8% were related to a non-CV/non-bleeding event. The most common modes of CV death were sudden death (SD) and recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) (36.4% and 23.4%, respectively, of CV deaths). The proportion of CV deaths related to recurrent MI was higher in the first 30 days than it was after 30 days following NSTE-ACS (30.6% vs. 18.7%), whereas the proportion of SD was lower in the first 30 days than after 30 days (21.6% vs. 46.2%). Conclusion Sudden death represents the largest proportion of CV deaths after 30 days among patients enrolled in CV clinical trials with NSTE-ACS. Further investigations aimed at defining the epidemiology of SD and developing specific therapies and management approaches to reduce SD following NSTE-ACS may be critical to reducing late mortality.

Aims Some trials have reported diminished efficacy for statins in the elderly, and in women compared with men. We examined the efficacy and safety of evolocumab by patient age and sex in the FOURIER trial, the first major cardiovascular outcome trial of a PCSK9 inhibitor. Methods and results FOURIER was a randomised, double blind trial, comparing evolocumab with placebo in 27,564 patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease receiving statin therapy (median follow-up 2.2 years). The primary endpoint was cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalisation for unstable angina or coronary revascularisation. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the efficacy of evolocumab versus placebo stratified by quartiles of patient age and by sex. There were small variations in the cardiovascular event rate across the age range (for the primary endpoint, Kaplan–Meier at 3 years 15.6%, >69 years, vs. 15.1%, ≤56 years, P = 0.45); however, the relative efficacy of evolocumab was consistent regardless of patient age (for the primary endpoint (Q1 hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval) 0.83, 0.72–0.96, Q2 0.88, 0.76–1.01, Q3 0.82, 0.71–0.95, Q4 0.86, 0.74–1.00; Pinteraction = 0.91), and the key secondary endpoint (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke) (Q1 0.74 (0.61–0.89), Q2 0.83 (0.69–1.00), Q3 0.78 (0.65–0.94), Q4 0.82 (0.69–0.98)); Pinteraction = 0.81). Women had a lower primary endpoint rate than men (Kaplan–Meier at 3 years 12.5 vs. 15.3%, respectively, P Conclusions The efficacy and safety of evolocumab are similar throughout a broad range of ages and in both men and women.

Background: Odanacatib, a cathepsin K inhibitor, reduces bone resorption while maintaining bone formation. Previous work has shown that odanacatib increases bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of odanacatib to reduce fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Methods: The Long-term Odanacatib Fracture Trial (LOFT) was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven study at 388 outpatient clinics in 40 countries. Eligible participants were women aged at least 65 years who were postmenopausal for 5 years or more, with a femoral neck or total hip bone mineral density T-score between −2·5 and −4·0 if no previous radiographic vertebral fracture, or between −1·5 and −4·0 with a previous vertebral fracture. Women with a previous hip fracture, more than one vertebral fracture, or a T-score of less than −4·0 at the total hip or femoral neck were not eligible unless they were unable or unwilling to use approved osteoporosis treatment. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to either oral odanacatib (50 mg once per week) or matching placebo. Randomisation was done using an interactive voice recognition system after stratification for previous radiographic vertebral fracture, and treatment was masked to study participants, investigators and their staff, and sponsor personnel. If the study completed before 5 years of double-blind treatment, consenting participants could enrol in a double-blind extension study (LOFT Extension), continuing their original treatment assignment for up to 5 years from randomisation. Primary endpoints were incidence of vertebral fractures as assessed using radiographs collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months, yearly, and at final study visit in participants for whom evaluable radiograph images were available at baseline and at least one other timepoint, and hip and non-vertebral fractures adjudicated as being a result of osteoporosis as assessed by clinical history and radiograph. Safety was assessed in participants who received at least one dose of study drug. The adjudicated cardiovascular safety endpoints were a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, and new-onset atrial fibrillation or flutter. Individual cardiovascular endpoints and death were also assessed. LOFT and LOFT Extension are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT00529373) and the European Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT number 2007-002693-66). Findings: Between Sept 14, 2007, and Nov 17, 2009, we randomly assigned 16 071 evaluable patients to treatment: 8043 to odanacatib and 8028 to placebo. After a median follow-up of 36·5 months (IQR 34·43–40·15) 4297 women assigned to odanacatib and 3960 assigned to placebo enrolled in LOFT Extension (total median follow-up 47·6 months, IQR 35·45–60·06). In LOFT, cumulative incidence of primary outcomes for odanacatib versus placebo were: radiographic vertebral fractures 3·7% (251/6770) versus 7·8% (542/6910), hazard ratio (HR) 0·46, 95% CI 0·40–0·53; hip fractures 0·8% (65/8043) versus 1·6% (125/8028), 0·53, 0·39–0·71; non-vertebral fractures 5·1% (412/8043) versus 6·7% (541/8028), 0·77, 0·68–0·87; all p

Background Renal dysfunction including both reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the presence of albuminuria have each been shown to predict cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), which promote glucose excretion in the kidneys, reduce CV events and hospitalizations for heart failure (HHF) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Purpose To analyze the CV efficacy of dapagliflozin according to baseline renal function and albuminuria status in DECLARE-TIMI 58. Methods The DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial compared dapagliflozin vs. placebo in 17,160 patients with T2DM and a creatinine clearance >60 ml/min/1.73m2 at enrollment. The dual primary endpoints were CV death/HHF and MACE (MI, stroke, CV death). We categorized patients according baseline eGFR [ Results In total, 5198 (30.3%) patients had albuminuria (UACR 30–300: n=4029; UACR >300: n=1169) and 1265 (7.4%) had an eGFR 0.29), though numerically greatest (42%) in patients with reduced eGFR and albuminuria. However, the absolute risk difference increased substantially in patients with greater kidney damage (absolute risk difference of CV death/HHF: −0.5%, −1.0%, and −8.3%, respectively; P-INT for ARD 0.002; Figure). See figure for MACE and component outcomes. Conclusions Patients with baseline renal disease had higher rates of adverse CV outcomes. Dapagliflozin reduced events with generally consistent relative risk, but reduced the absolute risk of CVD/HHF by the greatest amount in patients with kidney disease evidenced by both reduced eGFR and albuminuria. Acknowledgement/Funding AstraZeneca, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (ZE 1109/1-1)

Introduction Optimal antithrombotic therapy after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains unclear. We evaluated the association between antithrombotic regimens and outcomes in TAVR patients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent TAVR at a single academic center from April 2009 to March 2014. Antithrombotic regimens were classified as single or dual antiplatelet therapy (AP), single antiplatelet plus anticoagulant (SAC), or triple therapy (TT). The primary endpoint was a composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and major bleeding. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were obtained with best subset variable selection methods using bootstrap resampling. Results Of 246 patients who underwent TAVR, 241 were eligible for analysis with 133, 88, and 20 patients in the AP, SAC, and TT groups, respectively. During a median 2.1-year follow-up, 53.5% had at least one endpoint—the most common was death (68%), followed by major bleeding (23%), stroke (6%), and MI (3%). At 2 years, the composite outcome occurred in 70% of TT, 42% of SAC, and 31% of AP patients. Compared to AP, adjusted HRs for the composite outcome were 2.88 [95% Confidence intervals (CI) (1.61–5.16); p = 0.0004] and 1.66 (95% CI [1.13-2.42]; p = 0.009) in the TT and SAC groups, respectively. Mortality rates at 2 years were 61% in the TT, 32% in the SAC, and 26% in the AP groups (p = 0.005). Conclusions The risk of the composite outcome of death, MI, stroke, or major bleeding at 2-year follow-up was significantly higher in TAVR patients treated with TT or SAC versus AP, even after multivariate adjustment.

Hypoglycaemia is a well-known risk associated with the use of sulphonylureas and insulin, often limiting achievement of glycaemic goals. Recognizing the precipitants and recurrence patterns of hypoglycaemic events, particularly major events, is therefore clinically important. The SAVOR-TIMI-53 trial was a cardiovascular outcome study of 16 492 patients allocated to saxagliptin vs placebo added to conventional care for a median of 2.1 years. Hypoglycaemic events were a prespecified outcome in the study and were defined as a symptomatic episode that recovered with carbohydrates or any recorded blood glucose3.0 mmol/l (54 mg/dL). A major event was defined as one that required third-party assistance. Analysis of the features of the first hypoglycaemic event for each patient showed that a precipitant for the event was recognized by fewer than half of the patients, with the precipitant most often being a missed meal. In 40% of patients reporting major hypoglycaemic events, no precipitating factor was recognized, and in60%, no previous hypoglycaemic event was reported during the timespan of the study, underscoring the lack of predictability of such an event.

OBJECTIVEDipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors may have a protective effect in diabetic nephropathy.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe studied renal outcomes of 16,492 patients with type 2 diabetes, randomized to saxagliptin versus placebo and followed for a median of 2.1 years in the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 53 (SAVOR-TIMI 53) trial.RESULTSAt baseline, 9,696 (58.8%) subjects had normoalbuminuria (albumin/creatinine ratio [ACR] 300 mg/g). Treatment with saxagliptin was associated with improvement in and/or less deterioration in ACR categories from baseline to end of trial (EOT) (P = 0.021, P < 0.001, and P = 0.049 for individuals with baseline normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria, respectively). At 2 years, the difference in mean ACR change between saxagliptin and placebo arms was −19.3 mg/g (P = 0.033) for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >50 mL/min/body surface area per 1.73 m2 (BSA), −105 mg/g (P = 0.011) for 50 ≥ eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/BSA, and −245.2 mg/g (P = 0.086) for eGFR 6.0 mg/dL, were similar as well.CONCLUSIONSTreatment with saxagliptin improved ACR, even in the normoalbuminuric range, without affecting eGFR. The beneficial effect of saxagliptin on albuminuria could not be explained by its effect on glycemic control.

Background: Randomized trials of therapies that primarily lowered triglycerides have not consistently shown reductions in cardiovascular events. Methods: We performed a systematic review and trial-level meta-regression analysis of 3 classes of lipid-lowering therapies that reduce triglycerides to a greater extent than they do low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): fibrates, niacin, and marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids. Key inclusion criteria were a randomized controlled trial that reported major vascular events. We also incorporated data from a previous meta-regression of 25 statin trials. The main outcome measure was the risk ratio (RR) for major vascular events associated with absolute reductions in lipid parameters. Results: A total of 197 270 participants from 24 trials of nonstatin therapy with 25 218 major vascular events and 177 088 participants from 25 trials of statin therapy with 20 962 major vascular events were included, for a total of 374 358 patients and 46 180 major cardiovascular events. Starting with non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, a surrogate for very-low-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins, the RR per 1-mmol/L reduction in non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.76–0.82; P P P =0.0026) per 1-mmol/L (0.92 per 40 mg/dL) reduction in triglycerides. REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl–Intervention Trial) was a significant outlier and strongly influential trial in the meta-regression. When removed, the RRs became 0.79 (95% CI, 0.76–0.83; P P =0.06) per 1-mmol/L (0.96 per 40 mg/dL) reduction in triglycerides. In regard to omega-3 dose, each 1 g/d eicosapentaenoic acid administered was associated with a 7% relative risk reduction in major vascular events (RR, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.91–0.95]; P Conclusions: In randomized controlled trials, triglyceride lowering is associated with a lower risk of major vascular events, even after adjustment for LDL-C lowering, although the effect is less than that for LDL-C and attenuated when REDUCE-IT is excluded. Furthermore, the benefits of marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids, particularly high-dose eicosapentaenoic acid, appear to exceed their lipid-lowering effects.

It remains disputed whether women are at excess risk of adverse outcomes versus men after non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS) or whether differences are explained by discordant risk factors.A sex-specific analysis of cardiovascular outcomes after NSTEACS across trials conducted by the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Study Group was performed to determine the impact of sex on cardiovascular outcomes in this dataset.Ten TIMI trials were identified that enrolled2,500 patients with NSTEACS within 30 days of hospitalization. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association of sex with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) after adjusting for relevant risk factors in individual trials; point estimates were then combined by using random effects models. Individual components of the composite outcome and all-cause mortality were also analyzed.Among 68,730 patients with NSTEACS, 19,827 (29%) were women. Women were older and more frequently had hypertension, diabetes, prior heart failure, and renal impairment than men. Before considering relevant confounders, women were at similar risk of MACE compared with men (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99 to 1.09; p = 0.16) but at higher risk of all-cause death (HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.24; p = 0.03). After adjustment for baseline differences, risks of MACE (HR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88 to 0.98; p 0.01) and all-cause death (HR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.78 to 0.90; p 0.0001) were lower among women compared with men.After accounting for cardiovascular risk factors, women enrolled in clinical trials were at lower risk of MACE than men after NSTEACS. Women, however, remain undertreated with many evidence-based therapies.

Background Data on PCSK9 inhibition in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited. Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes with evolocumab and placebo according to kidney function. Methods The FOURIER (Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk) trial randomized individuals with clinically evident atherosclerosis and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥70 mg/dl or non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥100 mg/dl to evolocumab or placebo. The primary endpoint (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, or coronary revascularization), key secondary endpoint (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke), and safety were analyzed according to chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage estimated from CKD-epidemiology estimated glomerular filtration rate. Results There were 8,077 patients with preserved kidney function, 15,034 with stage 2 CKD, and 4,443 with ≥stage 3 CKD. LDL-C reduction with evolocumab compared with placebo at 48 weeks was similar across CKD groups at 59%, 59%, and 58%, respectively. Relative risk reduction for the primary endpoint was similar for preserved function (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.71 to 0.94), stage 2 (HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.77 to 0.94), and stage ≥3 CKD (HR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.76 to 1.05); pint = 0.77. Relative risk reduction for the secondary endpoint was similar across CKD stages (pint = 0.75)—preserved function (HR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.90), stage 2 (HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.93), stage ≥3 (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.95). Absolute RRs at 30 months for the secondary endpoint were −2.5% (95% CI: -4.7% to -0.4%) for stage ≥3 CKD compared with −1.7% (95% CI: -2.8% to 0.5%) with preserved kidney function. Adverse events, including estimated glomerular filtration rate decline, were infrequent and similar regardless of CKD stage. Conclusions LDL-C lowering and relative clinical efficacy and safety of evolocumab versus placebo were consistent across CKD groups. Absolute reduction in the composite of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke with evolocumab was numerically greater with more advanced CKD. (Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects With Elevated Risk [FOURIER]; NCT01764633)

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have emerged as 2 new classes of antihyperglycemic agents that also reduce cardiovascular risk. The relative benefits in patients with and without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease for different outcomes with these classes of drugs remain undefined.We performed a systematic review and trial-level meta-analysis of GLP1-RA and SGLT2i cardiovascular outcomes trials using the PubMed and EMBASE databases (Excerpta Medica Database). The primary outcomes were the composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death (MACE); hospitalization for heart failure; and progression of kidney disease.In total, data from 8 trials and 77 242 patients, 42 920 (55.6%) in GLP1-RA trials, and 34 322 (44.4%) in SGLT2i trials, were included. Both drug classes reduced MACE in a similar magnitude with GLP1-RA reducing the risk by 12% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84-0.94; P0.001) and SGLT2i by 11% (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.96; P=0.001). For both drug classes, this treatment effect was restricted to a 14% reduction in those with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.80-0.93; P=0.002), whereas no effect was seen in patients without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.87-1.19; P=0.81; P interaction, 0.028). SGLT2i reduced hospitalization for heart failure by 31% (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.61-0.79; P0.001), whereas GLP1-RA did not have a significant effect (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.83-1.04; P=0.20). Both GLP1-RA (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.75-0.89; P0.001) and SGLT2i (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.58-0.67; P0.001) reduced the risk of progression of kidney disease including macroalbuminuria, but only SGLT2i reduced the risk of worsening estimated glomerular filtration rate, end-stage kidney disease, or renal death (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.48-0.64; P0.001).In trials reported to date, GLP1-RA and SGLT2i reduce atherosclerotic MACE to a similar degree in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, whereas SGLT2i have a more marked effect on preventing hospitalization for heart failure and progression of kidney disease. Their distinct clinical benefit profiles should be considered in the decision-making process when treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Importance: The PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and first cardiovascular events in the Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects With Elevated Risk (FOURIER) trial, but patients remain at high risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. Objective: To evaluate the effect of evolocumab on total cardiovascular events, given the importance of total number of cardiovascular events to patients, clinicians, and health economists. Design, Setting, and Participants: Secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. The FOURIER trial compared evolocumab or matching placebo and followed up patients for a median of 2.2 years. The study included 27 564 patients with stable atherosclerotic disease receiving statin therapy. Data were analyzed between May 2017 and February 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point (PEP) was time to first cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, or coronary revascularization; the key secondary end point was time to first cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. In a prespecified analysis, total cardiovascular events were evaluated between treatment arms. Results: The mean age of patients was 63 years, 69% of patients were taking high-intensity statin therapy, and the median LDL-C at baseline was 92 mg/dL (to convert to millimoles per liter, multiply by 0.0259). There were 2907 first PEP events and 4906 total PEP events during the trial. Evolocumab reduced total PEP events by 18% (incidence rate ratio [RR], 0.82; 95% CI, 0.75-0.90; P

Background Ticagrelor reduced cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke in patients with prior MI in PEGASUS‐TIMI 54 (Prevention of Cardiovascular Events [eg, Death From Heart or Vascular Disease, Heart Attack, or Stroke] in Patients With Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin). MI can occur in diverse settings and with varying severity; therefore, understanding the types and sizes of MI events prevented is of clinical importance. Methods and Results MIs were adjudicated by a blinded clinical events committee and categorized by subtype and fold elevation of peak cardiac troponin over the upper limit of normal. A total of 1042 MIs occurred in 898 of the 21 162 randomized patients over a median follow‐up of 33 months. The majority of the MIs (76%) were spontaneous (Type 1), with demand MI (Type 2) and stent thrombosis (Type 4b) accounting for 13% and 9%, respectively; sudden death (Type 3), percutaneous coronary intervention–related (Type 4a) and coronary artery bypass graft–related (Type 5) each accounted for P =0.0055). The benefit was consistent among the subtypes, including a 31% reduction in MIs with a peak troponin ≥100× upper limit of normal (hazard ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.53–0.92, P =0.0096) and a 40% reduction in ST‐segment elevation MI (hazard ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.46–0.78, P =0.0002). Conclusions In stable outpatients with prior MI, the majority of recurrent MIs are spontaneous and associated with a high biomarker elevation. Ticagrelor reduces the MI consistently among subtypes and sizes including large MIs and ST‐segment elevation MI. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01225562.

Patients with diabetes appear to be at elevated risk of atherothrombotic events.The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor on recurrent ischemic events in patients with diabetes and prior myocardial infarction (MI).We examined the subgroups of patients with diabetes (n = 6,806) and without diabetes (n = 14,355) from PEGASUS-TIMI 54 (Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin-Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 54), in which 21,162 patients with a history of MI 1 to 3 years prior and with additional risk factors were randomized to ticagrelor (90 or 60 mg twice daily) or placebo. Patients were followed for a median of 33 months. The primary efficacy endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (cardiovascular death, MI, stroke) and the primary safety endpoint was TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) major bleeding.The relative risk reduction in MACE with ticagrelor was consistent for the pooled doses versus placebo in patients with diabetes (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72 to 0.99; p = 0.035) and without diabetes (HR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.74 to 0.96; p = 0.013; p interaction = 0.99). As patients with diabetes were at higher risk of MACE, the absolute risk reduction tended to be greater in patients with versus without diabetes (1.5% vs. 1.1%, with corresponding 3-year number needed to treat of 67 vs. 91). In patients with diabetes requiring pharmacological therapy (n = 5,960), the absolute risk reduction was 1.9% with a 3-year number needed to treat of 53. Additionally, in patients with diabetes, ticagrelor reduced cardiovascular death by 22% and coronary heart disease death by 34%. Similar to patients without diabetes, there was increased TIMI major bleeding in patients with diabetes (HR: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.52 to 4.33; p = 0.0004).In patients with diabetes with prior MI, adding ticagrelor to aspirin significantly reduces the risk of recurrent ischemic events, including cardiovascular and coronary heart disease death. (Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin [PEGASUS]; NCT01225562).

OBJECTIVE To analyze the impact of adding saxagliptin versus placebo on the risk for hypoglycemia and to identify predictors of any and major hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes included in the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 53 (SAVOR-TIMI 53) study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 16,492) were randomized to saxagliptin or placebo and followed for a median of 2.1 years. Associations between any hypoglycemia (symptomatic or glucose measurement RESULTS At least one hypoglycemic event was reported in 16.6% of patients, and 1.9% reported at least one major event. Patients allocated to saxagliptin versus placebo experienced higher rates of any (hazard ratio [HR] 1.16 [95% CI 1.08, 1.25]; P < 0.001) or major (HR 1.26 [1.01, 1.58]; P = 0.038) hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia rates (any or major) were increased with saxagliptin in patients taking sulfonylureas (SURs) but not in those taking insulin. Rates were increased with saxagliptin in those with baseline HbA1c ≤7.0% and not in those with baseline HbA1c >7.0%. Multivariate analysis of the overall population revealed that independent predictors of any hypoglycemia were as follows: allocation to saxagliptin, long duration of diabetes, increased updated HbA1c, macroalbuminuria, moderate renal failure, SUR use, and insulin use. Predictors of major hypoglycemia were allocation to saxagliptin, advanced age, black race, reduced BMI, long duration of diabetes, declining renal function, microalbuminuria, and use of short-acting insulin. Among SURs, glibenclamide was associated with increased risk of major but not any hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS The identification of patients at risk for hypoglycemia can guide physicians to better tailor antidiabetic therapy.

Background Intensive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol therapy with ezetimibe/simvastatin in IMPROVE-IT (IMProved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial) significantly reduced the first primary endpoint (PEP) in patients post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared to placebo/simvastatin. Objectives This analysis tested the hypothesis that total events, including those beyond the first event, would also be reduced with ezetimibe/simvastatin therapy. Methods All PEP events (cardiovascular [CV] death, myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, unstable angina [UA] leading to hospitalization, coronary revascularization ≥30 days post-randomization) during a median 6-year follow-up were analyzed in patients randomized to receive ezetimibe/simvastatin or placebo/simvastatin in IMPROVE-IT. Negative binomial regression was used for the primary analysis. Results Among 18,144 patients, there were 9,545 total PEP events (56% were first events and 44% subsequent events). Total PEP events were significantly reduced by 9% with ezetimibe/simvastatin vs placebo/simvastatin (incidence-rate ratio [RR]: 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85 to 0.97; p = 0.007), as were the 3 pre-specified secondary composite endpoints and the exploratory composite endpoint of CV death, MI, or stroke (RR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.81 to 0.96; p = 0.002). The reduction in total events was driven by decreases in total nonfatal MI (RR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.79 to 0.96; p = 0.004) and total NF stroke (RR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.93; p = 0.005). Conclusions Lipid-lowering therapy with ezetimibe plus simvastatin improved clinical outcomes. Reductions in total PEP events, driven by reductions in MI and stroke, more than doubled the number of events prevented compared with examining only the first event. These data support continuation of intensive combination lipid-lowering therapy after an initial CV event. (IMProved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial [IMPROVE-IT]; NCT00202878 )

Women are underrepresented across cardiovascular clinical trials. Whether women are more likely than men to prematurely discontinue study drug is unknown. Eleven phase 3 TIMI trials were included [135,879 men and 51,812 women (28%)]. The association between sex and odds of premature study drug

Lorcaserin, a selective serotonin 2C receptor agonist that modulates appetite, has proven efficacy for weight management in overweight or obese patients. The cardiovascular safety and efficacy of lorcaserin are undefined.We randomly assigned 12,000 overweight or obese patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors to receive either lorcaserin (10 mg twice daily) or placebo. The primary safety outcome of major cardiovascular events (a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) was assessed at an interim analysis to exclude a noninferiority boundary of 1.4. If noninferiority was met, the primary cardiovascular efficacy outcome (a composite of major cardiovascular events, heart failure, hospitalization for unstable angina, or coronary revascularization [extended major cardiovascular events]) was assessed for superiority at the end of the trial.At 1 year, weight loss of at least 5% had occurred in 1986 of 5135 patients (38.7%) in the lorcaserin group and in 883 of 5083 (17.4%) in the placebo group (odds ratio, 3.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.74 to 3.30; P0.001). Patients in the lorcaserin group had slightly better values with respect to cardiac risk factors (including blood pressure, heart rate, glycemic control, and lipids) than those in the placebo group. During a median follow-up of 3.3 years, the rate of the primary safety outcome was 2.0% per year in the lorcaserin group and 2.1% per year in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.14; P0.001 for noninferiority); the rate of extended major cardiovascular events was 4.1% per year and 4.2% per year, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.07; P=0.55). Adverse events of special interest were uncommon, and the rates were generally similar in the two groups, except for a higher number of patients with serious hypoglycemia in the lorcaserin group (13 vs. 4, P=0.04).In a high-risk population of overweight or obese patients, lorcaserin facilitated sustained weight loss without a higher rate of major cardiovascular events than that with placebo. (Funded by Eisai; CAMELLIA-TIMI 61 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02019264 .).

IMPORTANCE: Elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) concentrations are associated with myocardial fibrosis and renin-angiotensin system upregulation, potentially providing prognostic information distinct from standard cardiovascular (CV) biomarkers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of FGF-23 with recurrent CV events in patients after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: C-terminal FGF-23 was measured in plasma samples using an established enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system for 4947 patients within 30 days of ACS (median, 14 days) and with 1 additional CV risk factor in the Stabilization of Plaques Using Darapladib-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 52 (SOLID-TIMI 52) trial of the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) inhibitor darapladib vs placebo performed from December 1, 2009, to April 24, 2014 (median follow-up, 2.5 years). Analyses were adjusted for clinical risk factors, renal function, and established cardiorenal biomarkers. This secondary analysis was performed from September 25, 2014, to October 1, 2017. EXPOSURE: The FGF-23 concentration at baseline. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point for this post hoc analysis was the composite of CV death or hospitalization for heart failure. RESULTS: In this study, baseline FGF-23 concentrations were available for 4947 patients (median age, 64.0 years; interquartile range, 59.0-71.0 years; 1276 [25.8%] female). Patients with higher FGF-23 concentrations were older and more likely female, with a greater proportion of hypertension, diabetes, and previous myocardial infarction. After multivariable adjustment for baseline clinical characteristics and established biomarkers (high-sensitivity troponin I, brain-type natriuretic peptide, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), FGF-23 concentration in the top quartile was independently associated with an increased risk of CV death or heart failure hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.35; 95% CI, 1.82-3.02; P

Background— Despite the known association of diabetes mellitus with cardiovascular events, there are few contemporary data on the long-term outcomes from international cohorts of patients with diabetes mellitus. We sought to describe cardiovascular outcomes at 4 years and to identify predictors of these events in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods and Results— The Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) registry is an international registry of patients at high risk of atherothrombosis or established atherothrombosis. Four-year event rates in patients with diabetes mellitus were determined with the corrected group prognosis method. Of the 45 227 patients in the REACH registry who had follow-up at 4 years, 43.6% (n=19 699) had diabetes mellitus at baseline. The overall risk and hazard ratio (HR) of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke were greater in patients with diabetes compared with patients without diabetes (16.5% versus 13.1%; adjusted HR, 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–1.35). There was also an increase in both cardiovascular death (8.9% versus 6.0%; adjusted HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.26–1.52) and overall death (14.3% versus 9.9%; adjusted HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.30–1.51). Diabetes mellitus was associated with a 33% greater risk of hospitalization for heart failure (9.4% versus 5.9%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.18–1.50). In patients with diabetes mellitus, heart failure at baseline was independently associated with cardiovascular death (adjusted HR, 2.45; 95% CI, 2.17–2.77; P P Conclusions— Diabetes mellitus substantially increases the risk of death, ischemic events, and heart failure. Patients with both diabetes mellitus and heart failure are at particularly elevated risk of cardiovascular death, highlighting the need for additional therapies in this high-risk population.

OBJECTIVE The glycemic management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and renal impairment is challenging, with few treatment options. We investigated the effect of saxagliptin in the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (SAVOR)-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 53 trial according to baseline renal function. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients with T2DM at risk for cardiovascular events were stratified as having normal or mildly impaired renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] >50 mL/min/1.73 m2; n = 13,916), moderate renal impairment (eGFR 30–50 mL/min/1.73 m2; n = 2,240), or severe renal impairment (eGFR RESULTS After a median duration of 2 years, saxagliptin neither increased nor decreased the risk of the primary and secondary composite end points compared with placebo, irrespective of renal function (all P for interactions ≥0.19). Overall, the risk of hospitalization for heart failure among the three eGFR groups of patients was 2.2% (referent), 7.4% (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.38 [95% CI 1.95–2.91], P < 0.001), and 13.0% (adjusted HR 4.59 [95% CI 3.28–6.28], P < 0.001), respectively. The relative risk of hospitalization for heart failure with saxagliptin was similar (P for interaction = 0.43) in patients with eGFR >50 mL/min/1.73 m2 (HR 1.23 [95% CI 0.99–1.55]), eGFR 30–50 mL/min/1.73 m2 (HR 1.46 [95% CI 1.07–2.00]), and in patients with eGFR CONCLUSIONS Saxagliptin did not affect the risk of ischemic cardiovascular events, increased the risk of heart failure hospitalization, and reduced progressive albuminuria, irrespective of baseline renal function.