Management of epistaxis in patients on novel oral anticoagulation therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 316-322
Author(s):  
J P K Ho ◽  
N Bari ◽  
F Riffat

AbstractBackgroundIndividuals on anticoagulation therapy are at increased risk of bleeding, including epistaxis. There is a lack of available reversal agents for novel oral anticoagulation therapy.ObjectiveThis paper reviews the current literature on epistaxis in the context of novel oral anticoagulation use, in order to recommend guidelines on management.MethodA comprehensive search of published literature was conducted to identify all relevant articles published up to April 2019.ResultsPatients on oral anticoagulation therapy are over-represented in individuals with epistaxis. Those on novel oral anticoagulation therapy were more likely to relapse compared to patients on classic oral anticoagulants or non-anticoagulated patients. Idarucizumab is an effective antidote for bleeding associated with dabigatran use. Recommendations for epistaxis management in patients on novel oral anticoagulation therapy are outlined.ConclusionClinicians need to be aware of the potential severity of epistaxis and the increased likelihood of recurrence. High-quality studies are required to determine the efficacy and safety of andexanet alfa and ciraparantag, as well as non-specific reversal agents.

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 1000-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuhiko Kido ◽  
Michael J. Scalese

Objective: To evaluate current clinical evidence for management of oral anticoagulation therapy after gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) with an emphasis on whether to, when to, and how to resume an anticoagulation therapy. Data Sources: Relevant articles from MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were identified from 1946 through May 20, 2017, using the keywords: gastrointestinal hemorrhage or gastrointestinal bleeding and antithrombotic therapy or anticoagulation therapy or warfarin or dabigatran or rivaroxaban or apixaban or edoxaban.Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language studies assessing management of oral anticoagulation therapy after GIB were evaluated. Data Synthesis: A total of 9 studies were identified. Four retrospective cohort studies showed that resuming anticoagulation therapy was associated with significantly lower rate of thromboembolism (TE) in the general population. Meta-analyses and prospective cohort studies also supported this finding. Two retrospective cohort studies indicated an increase in GIB when anticoagulation reinitiation occurred in less than 7 days without a decrease in TE. Resuming therapy between 7 and 15 days did not demonstrate a significant increase in GIB or TE. A large retrospective study showed that apixaban was associated with the significantly lowest risk of GIB compared with both rivaroxaban and dabigatran. Conclusion: Anticoagulation therapy resumption is recommended, with resumption being considered between 7 and 14 days following GIB regardless of the therapy chosen. Data for warfarin management after GIB should be applied with caution to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) because of the quicker onset and experimental nature of reversal agents. Apixaban may be a preferred option when restarting a DOAC therapy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-41
Author(s):  
Adelina-Mihaela Sorescu ◽  
Tudor Enache ◽  
Suzana Guberna

Background and aims. Few studies discuss the prevalence of oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) in clinical practice, despite their increasing use worldwide. In America, studies established that 20% to 80% of the patients with indication benefit from OAT. In Romania, there is no data regarding the utilization of oral anticoagulants. Thus, this study aims to determine the trends of OAT.Methods. We designed a cross-sectional study of the patients admitted to the Cardiology Department of the “Bagdasar-Arseni” Clinical Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, from the 1st of November 2016 until the 31st of January 2017. We considered OAT indications to be: atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF), pulmonary embolisms (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), intramural or intracavitary thrombi and left ventricle aneurysms. Statistical analysis was performed with EpiInfo.Results. There were 783 patients admitted, 253 of these having an OAT indication (mean age 73.25 years, 53.75% female). Only 162 patients (64.03%) received it, either Vitamin K Antagonists (VKA) (78 patients, 48.14%), or Novel Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) (84 patients, 51.85%). Reasons for not indicating such therapy included the hemorrhage risk (43.27%), the lack of adherence to the treatment (18.56%), the impossibility of INR monitoring (21.84%), the economic status (10.21%) and others (6.12%). 221 patients had AF (87.35%), 141 (63.8%) receiving OAT, VKA (67 patients, 47.51%), or NOAC (74 patients, 52.48%). 17 patients (6.71%) had a PE and/or DVT. 15 (88.23%) received OAT, AVK (11 patients, 73.33%), or NOAC (4 patients, 26.67%). 15 patients (5.92%) had other OAT indications (excepting AF or PE/DVT), 11 receiving OAT (73.33%), AVK (8 patients, 72.72%), or NOAC (3 patients, 27.27%).Conclusions. Our study determined that 64.03% of those with indication received OAT. Similar data is reported in the USA, suggesting an underuse of anticoagulants. The risk of hemorrhage, lack of adherence, the impossibility of INR monitoring or the economic status were some of the reasons for not recommending OAT.


2010 ◽  
Vol 103 (05) ◽  
pp. 1091-1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Mira ◽  
María Teresa Contreras ◽  
Cristina Aguado ◽  
José Antonio Aznar ◽  
Fernando Ferrando

SummaryMost computer- or internet-assisted systems for oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) telemanagement have limitations when it comes to implementation within a healthcare center. It was the objective of this study to evaluate convenience and patient satisfaction with the use of SintromacWeb→, a new OAT telecontrol system, compared with the conventional control. SintromacWeb® consists of a point-of-care device for patient international normalized ratio (INR) self-testing and software that allows internet mediated interaction with physicians. Patients initiated the use of SintromacWeb→ and were followed up during a three-month period. A score-based questionnaire was completed in three controlled visits, and data were subsequently analysed. A total of 102 patients were enrolled. At first visit, 55.7% of the patients had their INR within normal range, and 64.9% at the final visit. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was good (Cronbach‘s α: 0.79). Scores in the questionnaire were independent of patient’s age, education level, working status and INR value. The most valued features of SintromacWeb® were: fewer visits to the hospital, simplicity and convenience of the system, and time administration for control tasks (86.7%, 82.7% and 77.6% of very satisfied patients, respectively). Also, patients showed indifference or were dissatisfied with the conventional system. At the final visit, 99% of patients declared that they were satisfied with their OAT control. Moreover, all patients continued using Sintrom -acWeb→ after completion of the study. In conclusion, SintromacWeb→ telecontrol is a new model for management of anticoagulated patients. It was highly accepted and can be used by all patients regardless of their sociodemographic characteristics.


2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (07) ◽  
pp. 1283-1288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey I. Weitz ◽  
Job Harenberg

SummaryThrombosis is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and anticoagulants are the mainstay of its prevention and treatment. Starting with unfractionated heparin (UFH) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) such as warfarin, the choices of anticoagulants have exploded in the past 20 years. With over 90% subcutaneous bioavailability, no need for coagulation monitoring and dose adjustment, and a lower risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, low-molecular-weight heparin and fondaparinux have replaced UFH for prevention and initial treatment of venous thromboembolism and for secondary prevention in cancer patients. In patients undergoing percutaneous interventions, bivalirudin is often used instead of UFH. Oral anticoagulation therapy has advanced with the introduction of the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), which include dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban. With efficacy at least equal to that of VKAs but with greater safety and convenience, the NOACs are now replacing VKAs for many indications. This paper a) highlights these advances, b) outlines how specific reversal agents for the NOACs will enhance their safety, c) reviews some of the ongoing trials with the NOACs, and d) describes the inhibitors of factor XII and XI that are under investigation as anticoagulants.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 142-145
Author(s):  
David Korpas ◽  
Michaela Tanzerová

In this work, the analysis of data on atrial fibrillation (AF) burden from dual chamber pacemakers is used for supporting the anticoagulation treatment management. The aim is to evaluate the benefit of basic diagnostic functions to support oral anticoagulation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation. These patients have increased risk of thromboembolism. If patients have an implanted pacemaker, the device’s diagnostic features monitor the frequency and duration of atrial fibrillation episodes. This data can then be used for further decisions. Statistical data processing was performed on a group of 117 patients with an implanted dual chamber pacemaker. From these results, we evaluated the benefits of the algorithms. In the whole group, a trend was observed in increase of the AF burden between the two monitored periods. The increase of AF burden occurred in 17 patients, while the decrease occurred in 6 patients only. Using simple logic functions, the numbers of patients with different binary values of the presence of AF, the presence of oral anticoagulation therapy, the risk CHA2DS2-VASc score and the values of AF burden were determined. Thus, in the whole group of patients, the diagnostic functions of the implanted devices contributed to the change in oral anticoagulation therapy for 24% of patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 361-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Bracey ◽  
Wassim Shatila ◽  
James Wilson

In optimizing anticoagulation therapy, it is essential to balance treatment efficacy with the major adverse effect of anticoagulant treatment, bleeding risk. This narrative review examines the efficacy and safety of the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban compared with standard anticoagulation or placebo. NOAC therapies provide equivalent to superior protection versus standard therapy, with similar or superior safety, and potential benefits in convenience. We will review the phase III evidence for each of the available NOACs in different antithrombotic indications, including atrial fibrillation (in the absence of significant mitral stenosis or mechanical heart valves); prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery; and acute and long-term treatment of VTE. Further, we will illustrate scenarios in which the evidence is stronger for a particular agent in the context of the overall positive safety and efficacy profile of NOACs in general. Limitations of the factor Xa inhibitors include the lack of a specific antidote in case of a bleeding emergency (an approved agent is available for reversing the effect of the direct thrombin inhibitor). We discuss the options for mitigating bleeding and describe the ongoing developments towards specific reversal agents. In conclusion, the available data for efficacy and safety, together with reliable pharmacokinetics obviating the need for regular monitoring, indicate that NOACs may offer substantial benefits for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation or VTE.


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