meta-analysis of renal function on the safety and efficacy
TRANSCRIPT
Accepted Manuscript
Meta-Analysis of Renal Function on the Safety and Efficacy of Novel OralAnticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation
Freddy Del-Carpio Munoz, MD, MSc, S. Michael Gharacholou, MD, MSc, Thomas M.Munger, MD, Paul A. Friedman, MD, Samuel J. Asirvatham, MD, Douglas L. Packer,MD, Peter A. Noseworthy, MD
PII: S0002-9149(15)02084-6
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2015.09.046
Reference: AJC 21457
To appear in: The American Journal of Cardiology
Received Date: 14 August 2015
Revised Date: 25 September 2015
Accepted Date: 28 September 2015
Please cite this article as: Del-Carpio Munoz F, Gharacholou SM, Munger TM, Friedman PA, AsirvathamSJ, Packer DL, Noseworthy PA, Meta-Analysis of Renal Function on the Safety and Efficacy of NovelOral Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation, The American Journal of Cardiology (2015), doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2015.09.046.
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Meta-Analysis of Renal Function on the Safety and Efficacy of Novel Oral Anticoagulants for
Atrial Fibrillation
Freddy Del-Carpio Munoz, MD, MSc1; S. Michael Gharacholou, MD, MSc
1; Thomas M. Munger,
MD1;Paul A. Friedman, MD
1; Samuel J. Asirvatham, MD
1; Douglas L. Packer, MD
1; Peter A
Noseworthy, MD1,2
(1) Heart Rhythm Section, Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN
(2) Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic,
Rochester MN
Address for correspondence:
Freddy Del-Carpio Munoz, MD, MSc
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
200 First Street SW
Rochester MN, 55905
Tel: 507-266-3564
Fax: 507-284-1732
Email: [email protected]
Running title: NOAC vs. warfarin use for AF in mild or moderate renal dysfunction
Conflicts of interest: None
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Abstract:
Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are safe and effective for the prevention of stroke or systemic
embolism (S/SE) in atrial fibrillation (AF). The efficacy and safety of NOACs compared to warfarin has not
been systematically assessed in subjects with mild or moderate renal dysfunction. We performed a
meta-analysis of the randomized clinical trials that compared efficacy and safety (major bleeding)
outcomes of NOACs compared to warfarin for the treatment of nonvalvular AF and had available data
on renal function. We estimated the pooled relative risk (RR) of S/SE and major bleeding in relation to
renal function (assessed by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] divided in 3 groups:
normal [eGFR>80 ml/min], mildly impaired [50-80 mL/min], and moderate impairment [<50 mL/min]).
We included 4 randomized clinical trials enrolling a total of 58,338 subjects. The residual risks of S/SE
and major bleeding were higher in subjects with renal impairment compared to normal renal function,
independent of type of anticoagulant therapy. In subjects with normal renal function, no difference in
the risk of S/SE was observed, while the risk of major bleeding was slightly lower for subjects taking
NOACs (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.76-0.99). In subjects with mild or moderate renal impairment, NOACs were
associated with a reduced risk of S/SE (RR 0.75; 95% CI 0.66-0.85 and RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.68-0.94,
respectively) and major bleeding (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.79-0.95 and RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.71-0.91, respectively)
compared to warfarin. The pooled analysis for major bleeding demonstrated significant heterogeneity.
In conclusion, the use of NOACs was associated with a reduced risk of S/SE and reduced risk of major
bleeding compared to warfarin in subjects with mild or moderate renal impairment suggesting a
favorable risk profile of these agents in patients with renal disease.
Keywords: Glomerular filtration rate, Novel oral anticoagulant, Warfarin, Stroke, Major bleeding
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Introduction
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with five-fold increased
risk of cardioembolic stroke. Warfarin reduces the risk of stroke or systemic embolism (S/SE) by
approximately two-thirds1 and recent large-scale clinical trials have demonstrated that the novel oral
anticoagulants (NOACs) are associated with a similar reduction in stroke with a favorable risk profile2-5
.
Advantages of the NOACs over warfarin include the predictable pharmacokinetics, rapid onset of action,
fewer drug-drug interactions and dietary restrictions, and convenience due to the lack of need for
ongoing monitoring6. Renal impairment is common among patients with atrial fibrillation and has an
important impact on clinical outcomes. Patients with AF and renal dysfunction are at particularly high
risk of thromboembolic complications as well as an increased risk of bleeding7,8
. Each of the NOACs has
some degree of renal metabolism or excretion and their efficacy and safety across the range of mild to
moderate renal impairment have not been fully studied. We performed a systematic review and meta-
analysis of the safety and efficacy of the four FDA-approved NOACs compared to warfarin in nonvalvular
atrial fibrillation in relation to renal function.
Methods
We searched for randomized clinical studies that compared the risk of S/SE events in subjects
with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation randomized to any of four novel oral anticoagulants (dabigatran,
rivaroxaban, apixaban or edoxaban) versus warfarin, and that reported outcomes in relation to renal
function. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Database. Keywords:
“atrial fibrillation,” “dabigatran,” “rivaroxaban,” “apixaban,” “edoxaban,” “warfarin,” “new oral
anticoagulant,” “oral factor Xa inhibitor,” “oral thrombin inhibitor.” Studies were restricted to English
language in peer-reviewed journals until January 2014. We searched the US Food and Drug
Administration databases (www.fda.gov) to obtain data from the respective drug (NOACs) sponsor’s
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application pursuing FDA approval. Finally, principal investigators and/or sponsors of the trials were also
contacted.
Data were independently reviewed and extracted. Studies considered in the present study were: (1)
randomized clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of any new oral anticoagulant compared to
oral anticoagulation with therapeutic dose-adjusted warfarin, for prevention of S/SE in patients with
non-valvular atrial fibrillation, (2) evaluated renal function at baseline, and (3) reported outcomes in
relation to renal function. For trials reporting more than one publication, data were extracted from the
most complete publication, using the other reports to clarify or complement the information obtained.
To assess the agreement between reviewers for study selection, we used the kappa statistic (kappa =
0.78).
Data included: design, randomization protocol, allocation concealment, number of participants,
mean age, sex, therapeutic interventions, type of drug, duration of treatment, baseline renal function.
Primary efficacy outcome: stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or systemic embolism. Primary safety
outcome: major bleeding as defined by the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis criteria
(bleeding causing a fall in hemoglobin levels of >2 g/dL, bleeding leading to transfusion of > 2 units of
blood, symptomatic bleeding in a critical area [intracranial, intraspinal, intraocular, retroperitoneal,
intrarticular, pericardial, or intramuscular with compartment syndrome]; or bleeding events leading to
death). Secondary outcomes: Total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, ischemic stroke, intracranial
bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, and myocardial infarction.
Information about these outcomes was stratified by renal function, according to baseline estimated
Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) using the Cockcroft-Gault formula and classified in the following
groups: eGFR <50 mL/min (moderate renal impairment), eGFR 50-80 mL/min (mild renal impairment),
and eGFR >80 mL/min (normal renal function). Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the
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included using the checklist of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews that assesses the risk of
bias in sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding, attrition, selection and other biases.
We calculated pooled relative risks (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the
primary efficacy (S/SE), safety (major bleeding) and when available for the secondary outcomes in
relation to the three groups according to renal function. When possible we did analysis with the
intention-to-treat population. In the RE-LY study 2 doses of dabigatran were tested, we only included
the higher dose. In the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial 2 doses of edoxaban were tested we included data from
the higher dose (60mg/30mg). A separate sensitivity analysis was carried out including only factor Xa
inhibitors. Outcomes were then pooled and compared with a fixed effects model (Mantel-Haenszel
method). A value of P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. All analyses were performed using
Review Manager Software (RevMan, version 5.2 from the Cochrane Collaboration). The appropriateness
of pooling data across studies was assessed with the use of Cochran Q and the I2 test for heterogeneity.
Results
Of the 43 full text articles reviewed, 36 articles were excluded (see Study Flow Diagram, figure 1)
and among the excluded studies 3 were randomized studies (1 study was excluded because had no
warfarin comparison group, 1 used different doses of dabigatran, and 1 randomized study was not
blinded and not reporting outcomes in renal function subgroups)9-11
. Six phase II trials were excluded
due to no reporting baseline renal function and/or no outcomes in relation to renal function12-17
. Four
phase III RCTs were included2-5
, information from 3 sub-studies reporting outcomes in relation to renal
function were extracted to complete the information from the primary trials18-20
. Further, data from the
four drugs sponsor’s application to the FDA were reviewed21-24
and used to complement other sources.
All authors of the primary trials and sub-studies were contacted; but were not able to provide more
detailed data about their studies.
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The 4 included studies enrolled a total of 58,076 subjects. Of them 29,066 subjects were
randomized to a NOAC and 29,010 to warfarin. The studies characteristics are listed in Table 1. All 4
trials were phase III randomized, 3 of them (ARISTOTLE4 , ROCKET-AF
3, and ENGAGE-AF TIMI 58
5) were
double blind, double dummy studies. The RELY trial2 had the dabigatran arm blinded and the warfarin
arm unblinded. The RELY and ARISTOTLE studies enrolled subjects with lower risk of stroke (CHADS2
score of 2.1 both), while the ENGAGE-AF TIMI 58 trial enrolled subjects with CHADS2 scores average of
2.8 and the ROCKET AF trial had the highest risk subjects (CHADS2 score of 3.5 with no subjects with
scores of 0 or 1). The number of subjects with previous warfarin use ranged from 50 to 60%. The time in
therapeutic range in the warfarin arms was the lowest in the ROCKET AF trial (mean 58%) and was
similar in the other 3 trials (66-68%). All four studies had small fraction of subjects lost to follow up
(<0.1%). According to the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews assessment of the risk of bias, all
four studies were deemed of high quality (Table 2).
As shown in Table 3, the residual risk of S/SE in subjects receiving NOACs ranged from 2.16 % for
subjects with normal renal function to 3.8% for subjects with moderate renal impairment. Compared to
subjects with normal renal function, the odds ratio of residual stroke was 1.3 times (95% CI 1.1-1.5)
higher in subjects with mild renal impairment and 1.79 times (95% CI 1.5-2.2) higher in subjects with
moderate renal impairment. In subjects receiving warfarin the risk of residual S/SE was highest in the
group with moderate renal function; in comparison to subjects with normal renal function, the residual
risk of stroke was higher in subjects with moderate and mild renal impairment.
Similarly, the risk of bleeding was higher in subjects with renal impairment (Table 4). In the
group receiving NOACs, compared with subjects with normal renal function the odds of major bleeding
were higher in subjects with mild or moderate renal impairment. In subjects receiving warfarin we
observed higher risk of major bleeding in subjects with renal impairment.
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In subjects with moderate renal impairment S/SE occurred in 3.8% treated with NOACs and 4.8%
subjects treated with warfarin (Figure 2). The use of NOACs was associated with a significant reduction
of stroke or systemic embolism (RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66-0.94). In subjects with mild renal impairment
S/SE occurred in 2.7% subjects receiving NOACs and in 3.9% subjects taking warfarin; the use of NOACs
was associated with a significant reduction of stroke or systemic embolism (RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62-0.81).
In subjects with normal renal function, there was no difference in the risk of stroke or systemic
embolism between NOACs or warfarin treatment (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.81-1.15). When analyzing the
differences among the groups, the test for interaction was significant (p=0.02) with moderate degree of
heterogeneity among the groups (I2 = 54%).
In subjects with moderate renal, impairment major bleeding occurred in 7.20% of subjects
receiving NOACs and in 8.98% patients receiving warfarin (Figure 3, supplementary figure 1). The use of
NOACs was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of major bleeding compared to warfarin
(RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.70-0.91). In subjects with mild renal impairment, major bleeding occurred in 5.66%
patients taking NOACs and in 6.41% subjects taking warfarin. Treatment with NOACs was associated
with a significant reduction of major bleeding compared to the use of warfarin (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.80-
0.97). In subjects with normal renal function, major bleeding occurred in 3.74% subjects taking NOACs
and in 4.35% of patients taking warfarin. The use of NOACs was associated with a significant reduction in
the risk of major bleeding (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.75-0.98). There was significant degree of heterogeneity
(p=0.03).
Data for total mortality in relation to renal function were available from only 2 studies
(Supplementary figure 2): RELY and ARISTOTLE trials. In subjects with moderate renal impairment, the
use of NOACs was not associated with mortality reduction in comparison with the use of warfarin (RR,
1.05; 95% CI, 0.91-1.20). In subjects with moderate renal impairment the use of NOACs was associated
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with a trend to reduced mortality compared to the use of warfarin (RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.79-1.01). In
subjects with normal renal function the use of NOACs was also associated with a trend towards less
mortality compared to the use of warfarin (RR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73-1.01).
Data for intracranial bleeding were available from 3 trials and only for subjects with moderate
renal impairment and a single group of subjects with mild impairment and normal renal function
(eGFR>50 mL/min) (Supplementary Figure 3). In subjects with moderate renal impairment, intracranial
bleeding occurred in 0.90% subjects taking NOACs and in 1.62% patients taking warfarin. In subjects
with eGFR >50mL/min, intracranial bleeding occurred in 0.58% patients taking NOACs and in 1.15%
patients taking warfarin. Independent of renal function there was a lower risk of intracranial bleeding
associated with the use of NOACs compared to the use of warfarin.
We performed a sensitivity analysis of primary efficacy and safety outcomes in relation to renal
function; including only Factor Xa inhibitors (Supplementary figures 4 and 5). In subjects with moderate
renal impairment the use of Factor Xa inhibitors was associated with a trend to lower risk of S/SE (RR,
0.85; 95% CI, 0.70-1.03), in subjects with mild renal impairment the use of Factor Xa inhibitors was
associated with a significant reduction in the risk of S/SE (RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.61-0.83); while in subjects
with normal renal function the use of Factor Xa inhibitors was not associated with a reduction in the
primary efficacy endpoint (RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.84-1.24) compared to warfarin. There was a differential
response among the groups (test for interaction p=0.01). Compared to the primary analysis, it seems
apparent that the benefit or lack of, associated with the use of NOACs is not related significantly with
the underlying mechanism of the NOACs.
In terms of major bleeding, in subjects with moderate renal impairment the use of Factor Xa
inhibitors was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of major bleeding (RR, 0.73; 95% CI,
0.62-0.84). In subjects with mild renal impairment the use of Factor Xa inhibitors was associated with a
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reduction of major bleeding compared to warfarin use (RR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.78-0.98). While in subjects
with normal renal function the use of Factor Xa inhibitors was associated with a trend to less risk of
major bleeding compared to the use of warfarin (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74-1.00). Similar to the principal
analysis, there was significant heterogeneity in the groups of moderate impairment and normal renal
function.
A funnel plot of the included studies was not informative given the small number of studies
included. Supplementary figure 6 shows the funnel plot S/SE.
Discussion
This meta-analysis of large phase III RCTs demonstrated that in patients with nonvalvular atrial
fibrillation receiving anticoagulation: (1) the residual risks of S/SE and bleeding are higher in subjects
with mild or moderate renal impairment compared to subjects with normal renal function, (2) the risk of
S/SE is lower with the use of NOACs compared to warfarin in subjects with mild or moderate renal
impairment, but that risk is not different in subjects with normal renal function, and (3) the risk of
bleeding is lower with the use of NOACs compared to warfarin, independently of renal function.
Renal impairment is a risk factor for S/SE25
. The present study adds to the body of literature
demonstrating that renal impairment is associated with an increased risk of residual S/SE regardless of
the use of NOACs or warfarin in subjects with nonvalvular AF. Our analysis was unadjusted for other
potential factors known to be associated with higher risk of stroke and renal impairment (older age,
diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease including stroke, and heart failure), which can in part
explain this higher residual S/SE risk.
We found that subjects with mild or moderate renal impairment have less risk of stroke or
systemic embolism when taking NOACs than when taking warfarin, a finding in line with the overall
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effect favoring NOACs over warfarin. For subjects with normal renal function the benefits of NOACs and
warfarin appear to be similar.
The risk of bleeding was higher in subjects with renal impairment compared to subjects with
normal renal function, regardless of the use of NOACs or warfarin. This finding supports previous reports
that renal impairment is a marker of higher risk of bleeding complications26
. Renal impairment is
considered in the bleeding prediction schemes for subjects with AF using anticoagulants (HAS-BLED27
and HEMORR2HAGES28
). As with the residual risk of S/SE, our analysis for bleeding was not adjusted for
other potential factors and a patient-level analysis would better addresses this finding.
In most of the performed comparative analyses there was significant heterogeneity. Regardless
of this heterogeneity, however, all subgroup analyses were in line with the overall trend towards lower
bleeding risk with NOACs compared to warfarin. The overall effect of reduced major bleeding associated
with NOACs compared to warfarin seems to be applicable to all subjects regardless of renal function. No
differential effect was found in relation to different degrees of renal impairment. Potential explanations
for the heterogeneity were not readily identified, but most likely are related to different baseline risk of
bleeding in the populations studied in the four trials.
Our evaluation of secondary outcomes of interest is incomplete. Most secondary outcomes
were not reported in relation to renal function in any published or unpublished articles; and the
sponsors were not able to release that information. For the only two secondary analyses reported, total
mortality was assessed for apixaban and dabigatran and we were not able to show any differential
mortality benefit for NOACs or warfarin in relation to renal function. For intracranial bleeding our
analysis reported on dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and edoxaban; in relation to moderate renal impairment
and a group including subjects with normal and mild renal impairment. It appears that there is no
differential effect between the two groups.
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Analysis of the benefits and risks of the use of factor Xa inhibitors versus warfarin yielded similar
results compared to the primary analysis. Coincidentally, two of the potential factors to explain
heterogeneity of drug characteristics were accomplished with this sensitivity analysis, since dabigatran is
the one NOAC with the highest degree of renal excretion (80%) and it is the only direct thrombin
inhibitor. Compared to the primary analysis, there were only minor differences in the effect size for S/SE
prevention in the group of moderate renal impairment and similar effect sizes in the group of mild
impairment and normal renal function.
Our study has several limitations. First subgroup analysis according to renal function was not
pre-determined and no hypothesis was specified in all the studies included. This is a study-level sub-
group meta-analysis; therefore we could not perform further analyses for other clinical characteristics.
Renal function was assessed at baseline using the Cockcroft-Gault equation, a formula that is not
recommended by the US Renal Data System (USRDS). Even further, the accepted classification of chronic
renal disease based on GFR uses different cutoffs to classify renal impairment from the one used in the
landmark clinical trials. Therefore, there exists the possibility for misclassification of the severity of renal
impairment. Renal function was uniformly assessed by the same method in all studies included. This
meta-analysis included four large RCTs on NOACs and excluded all phase II RCTs due to not reporting
outcomes in relation to renal function. Because these phase II trials had short follow-up, relatively small
sample sizes, and small number of efficacy and safety events, we believe that the final pooled analysis
would not have changed by including these studies. However our analysis has several strengths. The
number of events in each subgroup was large and this analysis represents the largest subgroup analysis
performed on this topic. Our meta-analysis specified a prior hypothesis. Our findings are consistent with
previous evidence that subjects with renal impairment are at higher risk of stroke and bleeding. Finally
there are plausible biological mechanisms to explain the higher risk of stroke. Our data collection was as
complete as possible and included FDA drug sponsor’s applications.
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to renal function in patients with atrial fibrillation: insights from the ARISTOTLE trial. Eur Heart J
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Research 2010;http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2010/022512Orig1s000MedR.pdf.
22. Rivaroxaban Medical Review Application Number: 202439. FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and
Research 2011;http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2011/202439Orig1s000MedR.pdf.
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23. Apixaban Medical Review Application Number: 202155. FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and
Research 2012;http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2012/202155Orig1s000MedR.pdf.
24. Edoxaban Medical Review Application Number: 206316. FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and
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2015;http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2015/206316Orig1Orig2s000TOC.cfm.
25. Banerjee A, Fauchier L, Vourc'h P, Andres CR, Taillandier S, Halimi JM, Lip GY. Renal impairment and
ischemic stroke risk assessment in patients with atrial fibrillation: the Loire Valley Atrial Fibrillation
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26. Roldan V, Marin F, Fernandez H, Manzano-Fernandez S, Gallego P, Valdes M, Vicente V, Lip GY. Renal
impairment in a "real-life" cohort of anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation (implications for
thromboembolism and bleeding). Am J Cardiol 2013;111:1159-1164.
27. Pisters R, Lane DA, Nieuwlaat R, de Vos CB, Crijns HJ, Lip GY. A novel user-friendly score (HAS-BLED)
to assess 1-year risk of major bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation: the Euro Heart Survey. Chest
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28. Gage BF, Yan Y, Milligan PE, Waterman AD, Culverhouse R, Rich MW, Radford MJ. Clinical
classification schemes for predicting hemorrhage: results from the National Registry of Atrial Fibrillation
(NRAF). Am Heart J 2006;151:713-719.
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Figure 1. Flow diagram of the clinical trial selection process.
Figure 2. Risk of stroke or systemic embolism and use of novel oral anticoagulants versus warfarin in
atrial fibrillation in relation to renal function.
Figure 3. Risk of major bleeding and use of novel oral anticoagulants versus warfarin in relation to renal
function.
Supplementary Figure 1. Risk of major bleeding and the use of novel oral anticoagulants versus warfarin
in relation to renal function. Analysis using a random-effects model.
Supplementary Figure 2. Total mortality and the use of novel oral anticoagulants versus warfarin in atrial
fibrillation in relation to renal function.
Supplementary Figure 3. Risk of intracranial bleeding and the use of novel oral anticoagulants versus
warfarin in atrial fibrillation in relation to renal function.
Supplementary Figure 4. Sensitivity analysis of the risk of stroke and peripheral embolism and the use of
factor Xa inhibitors versus warfarin in atrial fibrillation in relation to renal function.
Supplementary Figure 5. Sensitivity analysis of the risk of major bleeding and the use of factor Xa
inhibitors versus warfarin in atrial fibrillation in relation to renal function.
Supplementary Figure 6. Funnel plot showing risk of publication bias for stroke or systemic embolism in
relation to renal function.
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Table 1: Relevant Characteristics of Included Clinical Studies.
RE-LY2, 19
ROCKET-AF3,
18
ARISTOTLE4, 20
ENGAGE-AF TIMI 485
Dabi
150
Warf Riva Warf Apixa Warf Edo
60
Warf
Study design RCT phase
III,
unblinded
warfarin
RCT phase III,
double blind,
double
dummy
RCT phase III,
double blind,
double dummy
RCT phase III, double
blind, double dummy
Population NVAF and
≥1 risk
factor
(stroke or
TIA, CHF,
age >75yo
or 65-74 yo
+ DM or
HTN or CAD
NVAF, CHADS
score ≥2
NVAF, ≥1 risk
factor (age ≥75 y,
stroke or TIA,
CHF, DM, HTN
NVAF, CHADS ≥ 2
Number of
randomized
subjects
6076 6022 7131 7133 9120 9081 7035 7036
CHADS2 2.2 2.1 3.5 3.5 2.1 2.1 2.8 2.8
0-1 32% 31% 0 0 34% 34% <1% <1%
2 35% 37% 13% 13% 36% 36% 46% 47%
3-6 33% 32% 87% 87% 30% 30% 54% 53%
Age 71 (mean) 73 (median) 70 (median) 72 (median)
Women 37% 37% 40% 40% 36% 35% 39% 38%
Previous warfarin
use
50% 49% 62% 63% 57% 57% 59% 59%
Concomitant
Aspirin use
39% 41% 36% 37% 31% 31% 29% 30%
Median follow-up
(years)
2.0 1.9 1.8 2.8
Warfarin group
time in therapeutic
range
67 (54-78) 58 (43-71) 66 (52-77) 68 (57-77)
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Table 2. Risk of bias in accordance to the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Random
sequence
generation
(selection
bias)
Allocation
concealment
(selection
bias)
Blinding of
participants
and
personnel
(performance
bias)
Blinding of
outcome
assessment
(detection
bias)
Incomplete
outcome
data
(attrition
bias)
Selective
reporting
(reporting
bias)
Other
bias
RE-LY Low Low Unclear Low Low Low Low
ROCKET-AF Low Low Low Low Low Low Low
ARISTOTLE Low Low Low Low Low Low Low
ENGAGE
AF-TIMI 48
Low Low Low Low Low Low Low
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Table 3: Residual risk of stroke in relation to renal function.
Stroke or
Systemic
Embolism
Risk of
Stroke
Odds
Ratio
95% CI P value
NOACs
• Normal Renal
Function
229/10,603 2.16% Ref Ref NA
• Mild Renal
Impairment
352/12,952 2.72% 1.27* 1.07-1.5 <0.01
• Moderate
Renal
Impairment
210/5,511 3.81% 1.79* 1.48-2.17 <0.001
Warfarin
• Normal Renal
Function
235/10,515 2.23% Ref Ref NA
• Mild Renal
Impairment
505/13,098 3.86% 1.75* 1.50-2.06 <0.0001
• Moderate
Renal
Impairment
261/5,397 4.84% 2.22* 1.86-2.66 <0.0001
(*) Compared to normal renal function.
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Table 4: Risk of bleeding in relation to renal function.
Major
Bleeding
Risk of
Major
Bleed
Odds
Ratio
95% CI P value
NOACs
• Normal Renal
Function
397/10,606 3.74% Ref Ref NA
• Mild Renal
Impairment
734/12,957 5.66% 1.54* 1.36-
1.75
<0.0001
• Moderate
Renal
Impairment
397/5,514 7.20% 2.00* 1.73-
2.30
<0.0001
Warfarin
• Normal Renal
Function
457/10,512 4.35% Ref Ref NA
• Mild Renal
Impairment
840/13,096 6.41% 1.51* 1.34-
1.70
<0.0001
• Moderate
Renal
Impairment
486/5,411 8.98% 2.17* 1.90-
2.48
<0.0001
(*) Compared to normal renal function.
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