Atherothrombotic residual risk in coronary and peripheral artery disease patients on guideline-recommended antiplatelet monotherapy: baseline preliminary results from the RESRISK study
Authors: Vallejo-Vaz A , Dharmayat K I , Nzeakor N , Fatoba S T , McMahon P , Tolani E , Carrasco C P , Ray K K 
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Greater recognition of a multi-factorial approach to risk factor control and use of guideline-recommended evidence-based therapies, including antiplatelets, have led to a decline in recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events among those with atherosclerotic CV disease (ASCVD). While residual risk still persists, recent evidence-based therapies have emerged which could further attenuate CV risk in these individuals, including novel drugs adjunct to antiplatelet therapies.

Purpose

The RESRISK study aims to quantify the residual atherothrombotic risk among a routine care cohort with ASCVD on guideline-recommended antiplatelet monotherapy (APMT). As a first step, we assessed the characteristics of participants at entry in the study, including risk factor burden, comorbidities and use of evidence-based medications.

Methods

A retrospective (2010–18) cohort of 758,325 patients with coronary (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD) aged ≥18 years was derived from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Patients were selected if they were on recommended APMT according to ESC guidelines and NICE (aspirin for CAD; clopidogrel for PAD), were diagnosed with CAD/PAD prior to initiating APMT, and had ≥1 year of baseline data prior to index date (date of first APMT prescription). History of atrial fibrillation and haemorrhagic stroke led to exclusion.

Results

174,210 patients with CAD (and no prior history of PAD) and 11,050 patients with PAD (and no prior history of CAD) met the inclusion criteria. Within the selection process for the PAD cohort, 51,114 patients were excluded due to being prescribed aspirin instead of clopidogrel. Baseline characteristics are shown in Table. Mean age was ∼70 years for both cohorts. While prevalence of hypertension was similar in both cohorts, presence of diabetes was 1.6 times higher in PAD patients. Stroke was 2.5 times more prevalent among PAD patients. The proportion of patients with systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≤130/≤85 mmHg were 41.6%/84.5% for CAD and 32.2%/80.6% for PAD (corresponding numbers for ≤140/≤90 mmHg were 67.8%/93.4% for CAD, and 58.8%/91.1% for PAD). Mean LDL-C was 2.4±0.9 and 2.6±1.1 mmol/L in CAD and PAD patients, with 10.7% and 9.5% of them, respectively, having an LDL-C &lt;1.4 mmol/L (25.1% and 22.6% for LDL-C &lt;1.8).

Conclusions

Among a contemporary cohort with ASCVD on guideline-recommended APMT, risk factor burden is high and attainment of guideline-recommended targets remains largely suboptimal. Prevalence of diabetes among PAD patients is particularly high. A large gap exists between guideline recommendations and guideline-recommended goal attainment. Greater attention to risk factor control and use of appropriate evidence-based therapy is required to reduce the potential risk of recurrent events among this high-risk population. Subsequent follow-up analysis with linkage to outcomes will provide quantification of the consequences of current practice on residual risk.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): All financial support for this research has been provided by Bayer plc. Table 1