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.