January 2025

NEUROSCIENCES

STUDY FINDS INCREASED BLEEDING RISK LINKED WITH DILTIAZEM IN AFIB PATIENTS

A recent study published in JAMA, co-authored by Eli E. Zimmerman, MD, investigates the serious bleeding risks associated with diltiazem in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) taking apixaban or rivaroxaban. The research involved over 204,000 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older.
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Key findings:
  • Patients aged 65 and older using diltiazem alongside apixaban or rivaroxaban had a higher risk of serious bleeding events, including bleeding-related hospitalizations and deaths, compared to those treated with metoprolol.
  • The risk of serious bleeding increased further in patients taking diltiazem doses above 120 mg/day.

Read the study>
 Eli E. Zimmerman, MD, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Associate Professor of Neurology (Stroke and Vascular Neurology) at Northwestern Medicine

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