Relationship between the D-dimer and von Willebrand factor levels and the development of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with stable coronary artery disease: data from the registry of long-term antithrombotic therapy REGATTA-1

Aim . To study the role of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and D-dimer (DD) as predictors of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Material and methods . The study included patients with stable CAD who are members of the prospective registry of long-term antithrombotic therapy (REGATTA-1) (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04347200). The primary endpoints were actionable GIBs (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2-5). Cut-off points for DD and VWF were determined by ROC analysis. The predictive significance of an increase in VWF and DD was assessed by the logistic regression. Results . The study included 408 patients (men, 77,5%; mean age, 61,3±10,8 years). The median follow-up period was 2,5 [1,1-14,7] years. DD was determined in all patients, including 36 patients with GIB, while VWF — in 169 patients (28 patients with GIB). An increase in DD >928 ng/ml was an independent predictor of GIB, including taking into account clinical risk factors (odds ratio (OR), 3,26 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1,43-7,42] (p=0,0047), or the previously developed REGATTA scale score (OR, 3,73, 95% CI: 1,65-8,43 (p=0,0015)). VWF >105% was also an independent predictor of GIB (OR, 14,02; 95% CI: 1,41-139,42 (p=0,023)); in the REGATTA scale model — OR 11,3, 95% CI: 1,43-88,83 (p=0,021). The increase in both markers was most unfavorable, since the proportion of those with GIB was 41,4%, while among patients with normal DD and increased VWF — 14,9%, and with low values of both markers — 0%. OR of GIB in patients with an increase in both markers was 4,1 (95% CI: 1,6-10,3 (p=0,003)). Conclusion . In patients with stable CAD, an increase in VWF and DD was associated with an increase in GIB risk regardless of the presence of clinical risk factors.