Assessing Bleeding, Stroke Risks

Faculty Researcher's Study of 2 Anticoagulants Draws 'Top Rated Poster' Nod at International Thrombosis and Hematology Meeting

A UH College of Pharmacy researcher's analysis of the comparative thrombosis and bleeding risks associated with two anticoagulant drugs for non-valvular atrial fibrillation was recognized as a "Top Rated Poster" at an international scientific meeting. 

The results of the study by UHCOP's Matthew A. Wanat, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP, FCCM, clinical assistant professor and critical care pharmacy specialist, found a 26 percent relative risk reduction in the rate of stroke/systemic embolism with the anticoagulant apixaban compared to the long-used anticoagulant warfarin.

The study, which analyzed outcomes from more than 10,000 NVAF patients on apixaban and more than 21,000 NVAF patients on warfarin, also found a 32 percent relative risk reduction in bleeding associated with apixaban over warfarin.

Apixaban (brand name Eliquis) was introduced in 2014 as a joint venture between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer, which co-funded Wanat's study with a $207,000 grant. Wanat noted his study results were similar to results reported in the Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation (ARISTOTLE) clinical trials conducted by investigators with the drug developers and the Duke Clinical Research Institute in 2011, which led to FDA approval of the drug. 

Wanat's presentation was recognized at the 64th Annual Scientific and Standardization Committee International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) in Dublin, Ireland, July 18-21. Wanat's project collaborators included UHCOP pharmaceutical health outcomes graduate Xin Wang, Ph.D., and fellow UHCOP faculty members, in alphabetical order, Susan A. Abughosh, Ph.D., Hua Chen, M.D., Ph.D., Marc L. Fleming, Ph.D., MPH, R.Ph., and Michael L. Johnson, Ph.D. 

Wanat also acknowledged the contributions of several current and former UHCOP students on the project, including current Pharm.D. candidate Diane Dreucean and recent Pharm.D. graduates Rodrigo De La Torre, Thao Tran and Jake Li.

At the meeting, Wanat also presented a poster on another aspect of the funded study dealing with NVAF patient outcomes associated with potential drug-drug interactions occurring with the use of antiarrhythmic agents and either warfarin or apixaban. In that phase of the study, the researchers found no difference in thrombotic or bleeding outcomes between the two antiarrhythmic-anticoagulant combinations. 

Founded in 1969, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) is a global not-for-profit membership organization with 4,000 members in 94 countries. The organization's primary mission is to advance the "understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of thrombotic and bleeding disorders."