Why carry out this study? |
Inflammation is an important driver of cardiovascular diseases where tissue damage may lead to the formation of deadly thrombi. |
Dual-pathway inhibition (aspirin combined with rivaroxaban) has shown improved efficacy in reducing cardiovascular mortality for severe forms of coronary and peripheral artery disease. |
This study investigated whether the beneficial effects of dual-pathway inhibition were a result of reducing systemic inflammation. |
What was learned from the study? |
Three months of dual-pathway inhibition does not alter immunophenotypes of patients with cardiovascular diseases. |
The clinical benefit of dual-pathway inhibition over aspirin alone is more likely related to the intensified level of anticoagulation, and not to the inhibition of inflammatory pathways. |
Introduction
Methods
Study Design
Participants
Procedures
Baseline
Follow-up
Whole Blood Stimulation
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Isolation and Stimulation
Cytokine Measurements
Immune Cell Measurements via Sysmex
Olink Analysis in Patients with PAD
Statistical Analysis
Results
Patient Characteristics
DUAL-CAD (n = 16) | DUAL-PAD (n = 33) | |
---|---|---|
Demographics | ||
Age (median, range) | 72 [52–82] | 67 [49–85] |
Female sex (n, %) | 5 (31.3) | 11 (33.3) |
Ethnicity (n, %) | ||
Caucasian | 16 (100.0) | 32 (97.0) |
Other | 1 (3.0) | |
Lifestyle | ||
Smoking behavior (n, %) | ||
Current | 6 (37.5) | 6 (18.2) |
Former | 9 (56.3) | 25 (75.8) |
Never | 1 (6.3) | 2 (6.1) |
Vascular state | ||
Coronary episode leading to inclusion (n, %) | NA | |
Myocardial infarction | 11 (68.8) | |
Episode of unstable angina pectoris | 4 (25.0) | |
Stable angina pectoris | 1 (6.3) | |
PAD severity* leading to inclusion (n, %) | NA | |
Intermittent claudication | 27 (81.8) | |
CLTI | 6 (18.2) | |
Previous intervention for PAD (n, %) | NA | 24 (72.7) |
Comorbidity | ||
Hypertension (n, %) | 8 (50.0) | 22 (66.7) |
Hyperlipidemia (n, %) | 7 (43.8) | 14 (42.4) |
Ischemic heart disease (n, %) | 16 (100.0) | 11 (33.3) |
CVA/TIA (n, %) | 3 (18.8) | 4 (12.1) |
PAD (n, %) | 5 (31.3) | 33 (100.0) |
Diabetes mellitus (n, %) | 8 (50.0) | 12 (36.4) |
Drugs | ||
Lipid-lowering drugs (n, %) | 14 (87.5) | 33 (100.0) |
Antihypertensive medication (n, %) | 15 (93.8) | 21 (63.6) |
Physical examination | ||
BMI (median, range) | 27.3 [21.1–38.6] | 27.1 [21.0–38.2] |
Blood pressure, mmHg (median, range) | ||
Systolic | 130 [105–178] | 148 [100–214] |
Diastolic | 76 [60–88] | 76 [57–96] |