Conjugated acetyl Salicylic Acid [BSA]

Background and Purpose: The CREST2 trial (Carotid Revascularization and Medical Management for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis) is comparing intensive medical management (IMM) alone to IMM plus revascularization with carotid endarterectomy or transfemoral carotid artery stenting for preventing stroke or death within 44 days after randomization or ipsilateral ischemic stroke thereafter. There are extensive clinical trial data on outcomes after revascularization of asymptomatic carotid stenosis, but not for IMM. As such, the experimental treatment in CREST2 is IMM, which is described in this article. Methods: IMM consists of aspirin 325 mg/day and intensive risk factor management, primarily targeting systolic blood pressure <130 mm Hg (initially systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol <70 mg/dL. Secondary risk factor targets focus on tobacco smoking, non-HDL (high-density lipoprotein), HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c), physical activity, and weight. Risk factor management is performed by site personnel and a lifestyle coaching program delivered by telephone. We report interim risk factor data on 1618 patients at baseline and last follow-up through 24 months. Results: The mean baseline LDL of 80.5 mg/dL improved to 66.7 mg/dL. The mean baseline systolic blood pressure of 139.7 mm Hg improved to 130.3 mm Hg. The proportion of patients in-target improved from 43% to 61% for systolic blood pressure <130 mm Hg and from 45% to 67% for LDL<70 mg/dL (both changesP<0.001). Conclusions: The rigorous multimodal approach to intensive stroke risk factor management in CREST2 has resulted in significant improvements in risk factor control that will enable a comparison of cutting-edge medical care to revascularization in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02089217.

Background: Rivaroxaban is a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) approved for the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Data related to the risk factors associated with rivaroxaban-induced bleeding in patients with NVAF remain scarce in the community setting. We sought to investigate these bleeding risk factors in a racially diverse patient population. Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective study based on a chart review of patients who received rivaroxaban from our outpatient pharmacy from January 2015 to April 2018 for NVAF. Any reported bleeding event (BE) was recorded as either major or minor bleeding event. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed. Results: Of the 327 patients included in our analysis, 105 (32%) were female, and the mean age was 62 +/- 12 years. Among the included patients, 176 (54%) patients were black, 71 (22%) were white, 51 (15.6%) were Hispanic, 13 (4%) were Asian, and 15 (4.6%) belonged to other races. 89 (27.2%) of the patients had co-prescription of aspirin. A total of 24 (7.3%) patients developed BE, out of which 9 (2.7%) patients had a major BE, and 15 (4.5%) patients had minor BE. Non-fatal gastrointestinal bleeding and epistaxis were the most common type of BE. On multivariable analysis, concurrent aspirin use (81 to 325 mg) (P = 0.03; odds ratio (OR) 2.60 [1.08-6.28]) and increasing age (P = 0.00; OR 1.06 [1.01-1.11]) were independent predictors of BE. Conclusion: In community practice, aspirin co-prescription is common among NVAF patients prescribed rivaroxaban. Increasing age and concurrent aspirin use are independent predictors of BE. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.