Cardio Round-Up: Apixaban Reduces Hemorrhage in VTE; Gene Editing Benefits in Cardiology; and More

Apixaban Reduces the Risk of Hemorrhage in VTE Patients

In assessing hemorrhage risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) patients taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), the use of apixaban is correlated with reduced non-intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and recurrent (rVTE) risk, compared to rivaroxaban, according to a study published in Thrombosis Research. This study comprised 225,559 patients with VTE; of whom 34,201 received apixaban and 46,007 received rivaroxaban. According to the results of the study, compared to rivaroxaban, apixaban was associated with both a decreased risk of non-ICH hemorrhage risk.

Gene Editing Offers Hope for Progressive Cardiomyopathy Due to Amyloidosis

Investigators have found that intravenous infusion of a CRISPR-Cas9 based gene therapy decreases serum transthyretin (TTR) protein in patients with hereditary TTR amyloidosis (ATTR). Gillmore and colleagues report the findings of a global, multiphase trial in which they administered a CRISPR-Cas9 therapy to six patients aged 18 to 80. This study was based on proof of concept models involving transgenic mice treated with equivalent doses prior to human testing. The investigators reported a dose-dependent mean reduction in serum TTR protein of 52% in the low dose group and 87% in the high dose group, sustained at 28 days.

Circulating Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 Robust Predictor of Recurrence in Atrial Fibrillation

In persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients, increased soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) is a strong marker of recurrence after radiofrequency ablation, according to a study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. In this study, researchers analyzed baseline plasma levels of sST2 from 210 patients with persistent AFib (n = 117) and paroxysmal AFib (n = 93) patients. “In persistent AFib, circulating sST2 ≥ 39.25 ng/ml was predictive of recurrence after primary ablation. Furthermore, atrial myofibroblasts were likely a cellular source of circulating sST2, which might serve as an important biomarker for the degree atrial fibrosis. Inhibiting circulating sST2 might be useful as an adjuvant treatment to improve outcomes of catheter ablation for persistent AFib,” the researchers concluded.

Patients with Obstructive CAD Have Worse Long-Term Outcomes Compared to Patients with Normal Coronary Arteries

A study found that obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography (ICA) evaluation for ischemic heart disease have significantly more cardiac events than patients with normal or near normal coronary arteries (NNCA). The results appeared in Clinical Cardiology. In this study, researchers assessed 925 patients who underwent an initial ICA at the University of Virginia for suspected CAD between January 2012 and December 2013. Subsequent to an average follow-up of six years, the results showed  a significant decrease in survival free from cardiac death (CD)/nonfatal myocardial infarction (NFMI), and total cardiac events in patients with obstructive CAD compared to patients with NNCAs or nonobstructive CAD.