Peri-Procedural Bleeding and Thromboembolic Events with Dabigatran Compared to Warfarin: Results from the RE-LY Randomized Trial.
Circulation. 2012 Jun 14;
Authors: Healey JS, Eikelboom J, Douketis J, Wallentin L, Oldgren J, Yang S, Themeles E, Heidbuchel H, Avezum A, Reilly P, Connolly SJ, Yusuf S, Ezekowitz M
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dabigatran reduces ischemic stroke compared to warfarin; however, given the lack of antidote, there is concern that it might increase bleeding when surgery or invasive procedures are required. METHODS AND RESULTS: The current analysis was undertaken to compare the peri-procedural bleeding risk of patients in the RE-LY trial treated with dabigatran and warfarin. Bleeding rates were evaluated from 7 days prior until 30 days following invasive procedures, considering only the first procedure for each patient. A total of 4591 patients underwent at least one invasive procedure: 24.7% of patients receiving dabigatran-110; 25.4% on dabigatran-150 and 25.9% on warfarin, p=0.34. Procedures included: pacemaker/ defibrillator insertion (10.3%), dental procedures (10.0%), diagnostic procedures (10.0%), cataract removal (9.3%), colonoscopy (8.6%) and joint replacement (6.2%). Among patients assigned to either dabigatran dose the last dose of study drug was given 49 (35-85) hours prior to the procedure; compared to 114 (87-144) hours in patients receiving warfarin, p<0.001. There was no significant difference in the rates of peri-procedural major bleeding between patients receiving dabigatran-110 (3.8%) or dabigatran-150 (5.1%) or warfarin (4.6%); dabigatran-110 vs. warfarin: RR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.59-1.17, p=0.28; dabigatran-150 vs. warfarin: RR=1.09, 95% CI: 0.80-1.49, p=0.58. Among patients having urgent surgery, major bleeding occurred in 17.8% with dabigatran-110, 17.7% with dabigatran-150 and 21.6% with warfarin: dabigatran-110: RR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.48-1.41, p=0.47; dabigatran-150: RR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.50-1.35, p=0.44. CONCLUSIONS: Dabigatran and warfarin were associated with similar rates of peri-procedural bleeding, including patients having urgent surgery. Dabigatran facilitated a shorter interruption of oral anticoagulation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: clinicaltrials.gov; Identifier: NCT00262600.
PMID: 22700854 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]