title: Antithrombotics in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and normal sinus rhythm: an evidence appraisal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the thromboembolic risk, pathophysiology associated with the risk, and literature investigating the use of antithrombotics in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and normal sinus rhythm (HFrEF-NSR).
  
  
  METHODS
  An English language literature search was performed with MEDLINE/PubMed and Embase from January 1950 to October 2013 using the search terms heart failure, HFrEF, systolic heart failure, cardiomyopathy, left ventricular dysfunction, sinus rhythm, thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, acute coronary events, coronary artery disease, stroke, and cerebrovascular events to identify relevant articles. References in the retrieved articles were also assessed to identify other important articles.
  
  
  METHODS
  All pertinent original studies, reviews, consensus documents, and guidelines were evaluated for inclusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with HFrEF-NSR may be predisposed to developing thromboembolic events. Studies that have examined the role of antithrombotics (warfarin and/or antiplatelet therapy) for reducing thromboembolic risk have been inconclusive. The WASH and HELAS pilot trials--the only studies with a no-antithrombotics or placebo comparator group--did not find a benefit with antithrombotic therapy but found an increased risk of bleeding with warfarin and of hospitalizations with aspirin. Although the clinical outcome studies (WATCH and WARCEF) suggested that warfarin may reduce stroke risk compared with antiplatelet therapy, the lack of a placebo group and lower-than-projected enrollment prevents definitive conclusions from being made.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current evidence does not support the routine use of antithrombotics for preventing thromboembolic events in patients with HFrEF-NSR without compelling indications.
authors.affiliation: Mission Hospitals, Asheville, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Rathasen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prom
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Usedom
authors.forename: Ryan B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Dull
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014859:Warfarin; D001241:Aspirin
keywords: anticoagulation; antiplatelets; antithrombotics; aspirin; cardiomyopathy; clopidogrel; heart failure; sinus rhythm; thromboembolism; warfarin