The Influence of Antithrombotic Therapy on the Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Complications in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease And Diabetes Mellitus. Emphasis on Hypercoagulation

Comorbid diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a serious factor that significantly impairs the life prognosis and increases the risk of cardiovascular complications (CVC) as well as the likelihood of death. The residual risk of developing CVC in such patients is largely determined by the high thrombotic status, that is associated with hypercoagulation characteristic of DM. Hypercoagulation causes activation of both platelet and coagulation pathways, which leads to an increased susceptibility to thrombosis. In this context, the combined administration of the anticoagulant rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) 2.5 mg and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) can significantly reduce this risk by affecting both mechanisms of thrombus formation and thereby improving the prognosis. Rivaroxaban 2.5 mg in combination with ASA is the only available strategy to intensify the antithrombotic therapy in patients with stable IHD and DM with no history of ischemic events. Importantly, such therapy should be initiated as early as possible to prevent clinically significant CVCs and improve patients' quality of life.