Title:Risk of Bleeding Related to Antithrombotic Treatment in Cardiovascular Disease
VOLUME: 18 ISSUE: 33
Author(s):Rikke Sorensen, Jonas B. Olesen, Mette Charlot and Gunnar H. Gislason
Affiliation:Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Niels Andersens Vej 65, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark.
Keywords:Antithrombotics, bleeding, atrial fibrillation, acute coronary syndrome, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease
Abstract:Antithrombotic therapy is a cornerstone of treatment in patients with cardiovascular disease with bleeding being the most
feared complication. This review describes the risk of bleeding related to different combinations of antithrombotic drugs used for cardiovascular
disease: acute coronary syndrome (ACS), atrial fibrillation (AF), cerebrovascular (CVD) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Different risk assessment schemes and bleeding definitions are compared. The HAS-BLED risk score is recommended in patients with
AF and in ACS patients with AF. In patients with ACS with or without a stent dual antiplatelet therapy with a P2Y12 receptor antagonist
and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is recommended for 12 months, preferable with prasugrel or ticagrelor unless there is an additional indication
of warfarin or increased risk of bleeding. In patients with AF, warfarin is recommended if the risk of stroke is moderate to high, but
newer emerging antithrombotic drugs will be recommended along with/or preferred to warfarin in the nearby future. Patients with CVD
(without cardiogenic causes) are recommended clopidogrel treatment for secondary prevention, where as patients with PAD are recommended
ASA or clopidogrel. With future implementation of new antithrombotic treatment regimens as monotherapy and in combinations
with antiplatelet therapy, increased focus on risk of thromboembolic events and bleeding and individual tailoring of antithrombotic therapy
is warranted.
