What’s Hot in Clots – February 2025

Key Updates in Thrombosis

Table of Contents
  1. Studying postpartum venous thromboembolism prophylaxis with aspirin: It is feasible

It’s hard to stay focused with news that may markedly impact the direction of research but I’m trying to distract myself! Here are the updates for the month:

Risk of major bleeding and ICH with DOACs vs aspirin

DOACs have revolutionized the landscape of antithrombotic therapy – but is their bleeding risk as low as aspirin? Not quite, suggests this systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)…with many nuances. Read more.


Abelacimab blossoming in patients with AF?

Results from the phase II AZALEA–TIMI 71 trial show promising findings for bleeding compared with rivaroxaban. Most of the other safety outcomes are reassuring. The one issue that I would like to see further tested in phase III trials is stroke. There were few events in this trial, although numerically more strokes with abelacimab than rivaroxaban. In isolation, it wouldn’t have caught my attention – but considering the results of OCEANIC AF and others, I would love to see firm effectiveness data. Read more.

What is the optimal antithrombotic regimen in patients with AF and stable CAD?

This question comes up all the time in clinic. Findings from a collaborative meta-analysis of four RCTs suggests that anticoagulant monotherapy seems to be the appropriate regimen with fewer bleeding events and no major increase in ischemia. Read more.

Apixaban in patients with cryptogenic stroke

Last year, we discussed the results of the ARCADIA trial, which did not show a benefit from apixaban—compared with aspirin—after cryptogenic stroke. Read more. Now a secondary analysis from this trial suggests that apixaban might reduce covert infarcts. The question is whether there are subgroups of patients with cryptogenic stroke in whom full-intensity anticoagulation confers net benefit. Read more.

Studying postpartum venous thromboembolism prophylaxis with aspirin: It is feasible

A pilot feasibility trial including 257 individuals showed that it’s feasible to assign postpartum women with two or more risk factors for VTE and/or known mild-to moderate-thrombophilia to aspirin or placebo. Only a single VTE event occurred in the RCT, and more definitive evidence is required to ascertain or exclude the effectiveness of aspirin. Read more.

For more updates, be sure to subscribe to get the latest updates each month.

Find this information helpful? Please consider making a small donation in support of thrombosis education & resources.


Behnood Bikdeli, MD, MS 

Cardiologist, Section of Vascular Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital 

Investigator, Thrombosis Research Group, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital 

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School 

Investigator, Yale/ YNHH Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale School of Medicine 

Investigator, Cardiovascular Research Foundation 

Related Articles