Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis (Jul 2024)

The association of antiplatelet agents with mortality among patients with non–COVID-19 community-acquired pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Sylvain A. Lother,
  • Lana Tennenhouse,
  • Rasheda Rabbani,
  • Ahmed M. Abou-Setta,
  • Nicole Askin,
  • Alexis F. Turgeon,
  • Srinivas Murthy,
  • Brett L. Houston,
  • Donald S. Houston,
  • Asher A. Mendelson,
  • Jonathan D. Paul,
  • Michael E. Farkouh,
  • Jovan Hasmatali,
  • Barret Rush,
  • Joel Nkosi,
  • Ewan C. Goligher,
  • Emily Rimmer,
  • John C. Marshall,
  • Souradet Y. Shaw,
  • Patrick R. Lawler,
  • Yoav Keynan,
  • Ryan Zarychanski

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 5
p. 102526

Abstract

Read online

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) triggers inflammatory and thrombotic host responses driving morbidity and mortality. Antiplatelet agents may favorably modulate these pathways; however, their role in non–COVID-19 CAP remains uncertain. Objectives: To evaluate the association of antiplatelet agents with mortality in hospitalized patients with non–COVID-19 CAP. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adult patients hospitalized for non–COVID-19 CAP exposed to antiplatelet agents (acetylsalicylic acid or P2Y12 inhibitors). We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL from inception to August 2023. Our primary outcome was all-cause mortality: meta-analyzed (random-effects models) separately for observational studies and RCTs. For observational studies, we used adjusted mortality estimates. Results: We included 13 observational studies (123,012 patients; 6 reported adjusted mortality estimates) and 2 RCTs (225 patients; both high risk of bias). In observational studies reporting hazard ratio, antiplatelet agents were associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46-0.91; I2 = 85%; 4 studies, 91,430 patients). In studies reporting adjusted odds ratio, antiplatelet agent exposure was associated with reduced odds of mortality (odds ratio, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.45-1.00; I2 = 0%; 2 studies, 24,889 patients). Among RCTs, there was a nonsignificant association with mortality (risk ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.20-2.25; I2 = 54%; 2 studies, 225 patients). By the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria, the certainty of the evidence was low, primarily due to risk of bias. Conclusion: In hospitalized patients with non–COVID-19 CAP, antiplatelet agents may be associated with reduced mortality compared with usual care or placebo, but the certainty of evidence is low.

Keywords