Impact of direct-acting oral anticoagulants and warfarin on postendoscopic GI bleeding and thromboembolic events in patients undergoing elective endoscopy

Abstract Background Oral glucocorticoids and direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOAC) have both been associated with a risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. However, drug safety, especially regarding the risk of bleeding, in relation to concomitant treatment with oral glucocorticoids and DOACs is insufficiently explored. Purpose We aimed to investigate the short-term risk of GI bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) following concomitant treatment with DOACs and oral glucocorticoids. Methods Register-based, retrospective and nationwide Danish study including patients with AF and on DOAC treatment during 2012–2018. Patients were defined as exposed to oral glucocorticoids from the date of a redeemed prescription and 60 days forward. We associated concomitant treatment with GI bleeding and reported hazard ratios (HR) via a nested case-control design and standardized 60-day absolute risk adjusted for comorbidities using a cohort design. In both analyses, exposed were compared to non-exposed controls matched on age, sex, calendar year, follow-up time and DOAC agent. Results We included 98,376 patients (age [interquartile range]: 75 [68– 82], 44% females) with AF on DOAC treatment. The use of oral glucocorticoids among included patients was widespread with 16% redeeming at least one prescription within three years, 4% redeeming at least five (Figure 1A). Lung disease was the most frequent indication (Figure 1B). Concomitant treatment with DOACs and oral glucocorticoids was associated with an increased incidence of GI bleeding (total n=4,946) compared with only DOAC treatment, including a dose-response trend (<20mg daily dose, HR [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.64 [1.38–1.95]; ≥20mg daily dose, HR [95% CI]: 2.29 [1.90–2.77]). Likewise, the standardized 60-day absolute risk of GI bleeding from first oral glucocorticoid exposure was increased compared with non-exposed (Figure 2). Conclusion Caution should be exercised when prescribing even short-term oral glucocorticoid treatment for DOAC treated patients, most notably in high doses and for patients with elevated bleeding risk. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Ib Mogens Kristiansens Almene FondandHelsefonden

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Reversal of DIRECT-ACTING Oral Anticoagulants in Urgent Surgery of the Proximal Aorta: case Series and Review of the literature

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612825666181226150006 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (38) ◽

pp. 4534-4539 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eric Zimmermann ◽

Fawzi Ameer ◽

Berhane Worku ◽

Dimitrios Avgerinos

Keyword(s):

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Aortic Surgery ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Case Series ◽

Published Data ◽

Review Of Literature ◽

Clotting Factors ◽

Urgent Surgery ◽

Direct Acting ◽

Direct Acting Oral Anticoagulants

Introduction: Proximal aorta interventions impose significant bleeding risk. Patients on concomitant anticoagulation regimens compound the risk of bleeding in any surgery, but especially cardiothoracic interventions. The employment of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOAC), namely those that target clotting factors II or X, has expanded at a precipitous rate over the last decade. The emergence of their reversal agents has followed slowly, leaving clinicians with management dilemmas in urgent surgery. We discuss current reversal strategies based on the available published data and our experience with proximal aortic surgery in patients taking DOACs. Literature Search: We performed a review of literature and present three cases from our experience to offer insight into management strategies that have been historically successful. A review of literature was conducted via PubMed with the following search string: (NOAC or DOAC or TSOAC) and (aorta or aortic or (Stanford and type and a)). Case Presentation: We present three case presentations that illustrate the importance of DOAC identification and offer management strategies in mitigating associated bleeding risks in urgent or emergent surgeries. Conclusion: Treatment teams should be aware of the technical limitations of identifying and reversing DOACs. In view of the tendency toward publishing positive outcomes, more scientific rigor is required in the area of emergency DOAC reversal strategies.

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