Rossi, Raiza

ABSTRACT Background Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is an alternative strategy for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) with contraindications to long‐term oral anticoagulation therapy. However, evidence comparing the long‐term outcomes of LAAO with those of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) remains limited. Methods A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane databases through April 2026. Co‐primary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; composite of cardiac death, stroke, or systemic embolism) and net adverse clinical events (NACE; composite of MACCE and non‐procedure‐related bleeding). Secondary endpoints included individual components of co‐primary endpoints, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, all‐cause death, major or clinically significant bleeding (procedure + non‐procedure related), and stroke or systemic embolism. The random‐effects model was used to generate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs. Results Four randomized controlled trials comprising 5890 AF patients and a median follow‐up of 3 years were included. There was no significant difference between LAAO and DOAC therapy in the risk of MACCE (RR 1.17; 95%CI 0.96–1.41; I 2 = 0%) or NACE (RR 0.89; 95%CI 0.65–1.24; I 2 = 85%). Both LAAO and DOAC therapy were similar in risk of cardiac death, stroke, systemic embolism, hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, all‐cause mortality, stroke or systemic embolism, and pericardial effusion. LAAO was associated with a lower risk of non‐procedure‐related bleeding (RR 0.60; 95%CI 0.47–0.76; I 2 = 59%). Conclusion LAAO demonstrated efficacy comparable to DOAC therapy in reducing the risk of MACCE, NACE, and ischemic events, while significantly reducing the risk of non‐procedure‐related bleeding. Our findings support a tailored approach to stroke prevention in AF, wherein LAAO serves as an effective alternative for patients with contraindications to DOAC therapy.

Background Older adults undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) face unique challenges due to complex anatomy and comorbidities. Intravascular imaging [including intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT)] has been shown to improve PCI outcomes, but its benefits in older adults are less well established. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare intravascular imaging with angiography alone to guide PCI in older adults. Methods Cochrane, PubMed, and Scopus were searched for RCTs comparing intravascular imaging (IVUS or OCT) vs. angiography alone in adults aged ≥65 years. The outcome of interest was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at the longest follow-up, as defined by each trial. Subgroup analyses were performed based on intravascular imaging modality, age group, and lesion complexity. Data were pooled using random-effects models, and heterogeneity was assessed using Higgins’ I ² statistic. Results Nine RCTs ( n = 7164, intravascular imaging = 3703, angiography alone = 3461) met the inclusion criteria. Intravascular imaging significantly reduced MACE compared with angiography alone [relative risk (RR) 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56–0.77; P < 0.001; I ² = 0%]. IVUS demonstrated superiority over angiography alone (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.43–0.72; P < 0.001; I ² = 0%), while OCT demonstrated only a trend toward MACE reduction (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.62–1.02). Subgroup analyses indicated consistent benefits with intravascular imaging for adults aged ≥65 and ≥70 years, respectively, and among those with complex coronary lesions (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.53–0.79; P < 0.001). Conclusion Intravascular imaging guidance, especially IVUS, reduces MACE in older adults undergoing PCI compared with angiography alone.

Importance Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs) have demonstrated cardiorenal benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes, but their effectiveness in patients with MGUS remains unexplored. Objective To assess the effectiveness of GLP-1 RAs for primary prevention of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients with MGUS and diabetes. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used a propensity score–matched analysis of data from the TriNetX Global Database, encompassing patients diagnosed with diabetes and MGUS between January 1, 2018, and January 13, 2023. Patients with prior heart failure (HF), ischemic heart disease, coronary revascularization, or stroke or transient ischemic attack before MGUS diagnosis were excluded. The cohort was divided into 2 groups: GLP-1 RA users and nonusers at baseline. After 1:1 propensity score matching, GLP-1 RA users and nonusers were compared up to 5 years from the MGUS diagnosis date. Data analyses were completed January 19, 2025. Exposure GLP-1 RA use within 1 year before MGUS diagnosis. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was MACCE, defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, new-onset HF, acute coronary syndrome, and stroke or transient ischemic attack. Secondary end points included individual MACCE components, decompensated HF, and acute kidney injury or end-stage kidney disease. Results A total of 4871 patients with MGUS (mean [SD] age, 68.9 [10.1] years; 2366 [48.5%] male) were included (473 GLP-1 RA users and 4398 non-users). A total of 460 users were matched to 460 nonusers, with balanced characteristics (mean [SD] age, 65.0 [10.6] vs 65.1 [11.0] years; 229 [49.7%] male vs 234 [50.8%] male), including 14 patients (3.0%) vs 13 patients (2.8%) identifying as Asian, 8 (21.3%) vs 92 (20.0%) as Black or African American, 25 patients (5.4%) vs 20 patients (4.3%) as Hispanic or Latino, and 243 patients (52.8%) vs 250 patients (54.3%) as White. GLP-1 RA use was associated with a significantly lower risk of MACCE (hazard ratio [HR], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.93). Significant reductions were also observed in all-cause mortality (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.37-0.87), new-onset HF (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54-0.90), decompensated HF (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.43-0.84), and acute kidney injury or end-stage kidney disease (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57-0.92). Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this cohort study of GLP-1 RA use vs no use in patients with MGUS and diabetes suggest the potential of GLP-1 RA for primary prevention of MACCE. These findings warrant further investigation in prospective randomized trials.