Outcome variables and follow-up
The primary endpoints were death from all causes and death from
cardiovascular diseases. The secondary endpoints were major bleeding and
stroke. The major bleeding events were characterized according to the
Bleeding Academic Research Consortium definitions26types 2,3, or 5. Stroke was defined as a neurological deficit attributed
to an acute focal injury of the central nervous system by vascular
causes, including hemorrhage, embolism and
thrombosis5. In our study, all participants were
contacted and followed up by telephone. The mean follow-up time was
22.35 months.