Meta-Analysis of Antithrombotic Strategies in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction and Sinus Rhythm

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events. We compared the safety and efficacy of different antithrombotic strategies for HFrEF and sinus rhythm. PubMed and Embase were searched through January 2020 for studies comparing oral anticoagulants versus antiplatelet agents or placebo in HFrEF and sinus rhythm to include in this network meta-analysis. We identified 5 randomized controlled trials with a total of 9,390 patients randomized to low dose rivaroxaban, vitamin K antagonist (VKA), antiplatelets, or placebo. Low dose rivaroxaban and VKA did not show a significant decrease in stroke compared with placebo but were associated with an increased risk of major bleeding (risk ratio [RR] 6.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16 to 40.7; RR 8.62, 95% CI 1.52 to 48.9, respectively). When compared with antiplatelets, low dose rivaroxaban and VKA were associated with a significantly decreased risk of stroke (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.96; RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.76, respectively), but with a significantly increased risk of major bleeding (RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.33; RR 2.07, 95% CI 1.51 to 2.84, respectively). There was no significant difference in these outcomes between low dose rivaroxaban versus VKA and antiplatelets versus placebo. There were no significant differences in all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, or rehospitalization for heart failure among each treatment. In conclusion, in patient with HFrEF and sinus rhythm, use of oral anticoagulation with or without antiplatelet agents increases the risk of bleeding without substantial effects on the risk of ischemic stroke.