Reversal strategies in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants

VASA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 389-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Gressenberger
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Bleeding Complications ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Reversal Agent

Summary. Administration of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for the treatment of venous thrombotic events (VTE) or non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is now standard of care and has demonstrated clinical efficacy and safety in numerous clinical studies. Usually these substances have lower overall mortality and less risk of cerebral hemorrhage, but depending on the substance and study, they are more likely to cause gastrointestinal bleeding than vitamin K antagonists (VKA), the medication that used to be standard for VTE and AF. Since DOACs have very short plasma elimination half-lives compared to VKA, for most bleeding events, expert opinions suggest that withdrawal of DOACs and supportive care will likely suffice to stop a bleeding episode. Because there is a bleeding risk associated with DOACs, reversal strategies may be needed if a patient receiving DOAC therapy bleeds during surgery or an invasive procedure. So far, idarucizumab has been the only available antidote that binds specifically to dabigatran and safely and quickly reverses its anticoagulant effects. Idarucizumab has no effects on anti Xa inhibitors or other anticoagulants. To date, treatment of serious, life-threatening bleeds in patients with anti-Xa-inhibitor has involved 4 factor prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC). PCC restores normal hemostasis laboratory values in most patients with major bleeding events after anti Xa inhibitor intake. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved andexanet alfa as the first specific antidote for the anti-Xa inhibitors apixaban and rivaroxaban. So far clinical experience with this substance and data comparing it with PCC are lacking. Currently ciraparantag is under investigation as a universal reversal agent for all DOACs and low molecular weight heparin as well. Because it is so broadly applicable, ciraparantag might be a good future option for the management of most bleeding complications under anticoagulant treatment. The aim of this review is to summarize recent study data and recommendations on nonspecific and specific DOAC reversal strategies and to present the current evidence.

P690Incidence of events between vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulants in patients with cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pardo Sanz ◽  
L M Rincon ◽  
G De Lara ◽  
A Tamayo ◽  
L C Belarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Major Bleeding ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Systemic Embolism ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Patients With Cancer

Abstract Background Balance between embolic and bleeding risk is challenging in patients with cancer. There is a lack of specific recommendations for the use of antithrombotic therapy in oncologic patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) within patients with breast cancer. We also compared the embolic and bleeding risk, the preventive management and the incidence of events between patients with and without cancer. Methods It is an ambispective observational multicentric study that analysed patients with non-valvular AF treated in Oncology and Cardiology Departments in Spain in the period 2011–2018. A total of 1237 female patients with AF were enrolled: 637 with breast cancer and 599 without cancer. The incidence of thromboembolic and major bleeding events according to the antithrombotic strategy with VKAs or DOACs was evaluated in the cohort of 637 patients with cancer. Analysis were conducted using SPSS software V.22.0 and R V.3.5.1, with a two-tailed significance value of 0.05. Results Mean follow-up was 3.1 years. Both groups were similar in age, CHA2DS2-VASc and HASB-LED scores. There was no evidence that the incidence of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism differed between patients with cancer treated with AVK and DOAC after CHA2DS2-VASc adjustment: HR 0.91 (95% CI, 0.42–1.99). In addition, no significant differences in the incidence of major bleeding events were found between DOACs and VKA after adjustment for HAS-BLED score: HR 1.53 (95% CI, 0.93–2.53) (Figure 3). Gastrointestinal bleeding was the main source of haemorrhages in both groups (45% of bleedings among patients treated with DOACs and, 37% in VKAs group). Metastatic disease or active chemotherapy were studied as potential covariates but none of them posed any relevant change in the result. Kaplan-Meier analysis Conclusions Cancer patients treated with DOACs did not differ versus those treated with VKAs with regards to stroke or systemic embolism in a model adjusted for CHA2DS2-VASc. Neither significant differences were found for bleeding events in a model adjusted for baseline HASBLED.

P675Current status of anticoagulation in patients with breast cancer and atrial fibrillation

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pardo Sanz ◽  
L M Rincon ◽  
P Guedes Ramallo ◽  
L Belarte ◽  
G De Lara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Oncologic Patients

Abstract Aims Balance between embolic and bleeding risk is challenging in patients with cancer. There is a lack of specific recommendations for the use of antithrombotic therapy in oncologic patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We compared the embolic and bleeding risk, the preventive management and the incidence of events between patients with and without cancer. We further evaluated the effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) within patients with cancer. Methods The AMBER-AF registry is an observational multicentre study that analysed patients with non-valvular AF treated in Oncology and Cardiology Departments in Spain. 1237 female patients with AF were enrolled: 637 with breast cancer and 599 without cancer. Mean follow-up was 3.1 years. Results Both groups were similar in age, CHA2DS2-VASc and HASB-LED scores. Lack of guidelines recommended therapies was more frequent among patients with cancer. Compared with patients without cancer, adjusted rates of stroke (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]) in cancer patients were higher (1.56 [1.04–2.35]), whereas bleeding rates remained similar (1.25 [0.95–1.64]). Within the group of patients with cancer, the use of DOACs vs VKAs did not entail differences in the adjusted rates of stroke (0.91 [0.42–1.99]) or severe bleedings (1.53 [0.93–2.53]). Follow-up events Conclusions Antithrombotic management of AF frequently differs in patients with breast cancer. While breast cancer is associated with a higher risk of incident stroke, bleeding events remained similar. Patients with cancer treated with DOACs experienced similar rates of stroke and bleeding as those with VKAs.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) Vs. Traditional Anticoagulants in Patients with Cirrhosis

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5015-5015
Author(s):  
Justin Hum ◽  
Janice Jou ◽  
Thomas G. Deloughery ◽  
Joseph Shatzel
Keyword(s):  
Major Bleeding ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Complications ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Recurrent Thrombosis ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Cirrhotic Patients

Abstract Introduction: The coagulopathy associated with cirrhosis is complex and places patients at risk for both bleeding and thrombosis. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been shown to have superior efficacy and safety compared to vitamin K antagonists; however their efficacy and safety in cirrhotic patients is not clear. The aim of this study is to retrospectively compare the effectiveness and bleeding complications of DOACs as compared to traditional anticoagulants in cirrhotic patients. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of patients treated at a single academic center between 2012-2015 who were prescribed a DOAC (apixaban or rivaroxaban), or a traditional anticoagulant (warfarin or low molecular weight heparin), with an ICD-9 code for the diagnosis of cirrhosis. The primary outcomes of interest are recurrent thrombosis or stroke (efficacy failure), or bleeding events (safety failure). Major bleeds were characterized as fatal bleeding, symptomatic bleeding in critical organ area, or bleeding causing a fall in hemoglobin level >2 or leading to transfusion of 2+ units of packed red blood cells. Results: During the study period, 27 cirrhotic patients were prescribed a DOAC and 18 were prescribed a traditional anticoagulant (either LMWH or warfarin). Both groups had similar total bleeding events (8 DOAC vs. 10 traditional anticoagulation, p = 0.12). There were significantly less major bleeding episodes in the DOAC group, (1 (4%) vs. 5 (28%), p = 0.03) and less intracranial bleeding (3 (17% ) vs. 0 (0%) p=0.06). Recurrent thrombosis or stroke occurred in 1 (4%) patient in the DOAC group and 1 (6%) patient in the traditional group (p = 1.0). Conclusions: Anticoagulation with DOACs in cirrhotic patients may be as safe as traditional anticoagulants with respect to bleeding events. Patients with cirrhosis at our center prescribed DOACs had less major bleeding events, while maintaining efficacy at preventing stroke or recurrent thrombosis. Table Table. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Thrombotic and Bleeding Outcomes Following Perioperative Interruption of Direct Oral Anticoagulants and Vitamin K Antagonists in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation - a Comparative Analysis

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1234-1234
Author(s):  
Joseph R. Shaw ◽  
Tinghua Zhang ◽  
Gregoire Le Gal ◽  
James Douketis ◽  
Marc Carrier
Keyword(s):  
Major Bleeding ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Advisory Board ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Chads2 Score ◽  
High Bleeding Risk

Abstract Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common disorder that will affect up to 5.6 million patients in the U.S. by 2050. Both direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), typically warfarin, are used for stroke prevention in AF and such patients frequently undergo invasive procedures requiring anticoagulant interruption. Temporary interruption of anticoagulants can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the form of thromboembolic and bleeding complications. DOACs have a short half-life and fast onset of action, thereby facilitating their perioperative management as compared to VKAs. Despite important differences in perioperative management and pharmacokinetics between DOACs and VKAs, there is a paucity of data comparing perioperative outcomes in DOAC and VKA-treated patients. Methods: We undertook a single-center, retrospective chart review that compared consecutive DOAC- or warfarin-treated patients with AF who underwent perioperative anticoagulant interruption for invasive procedures between January 2017 and March 2018. Perioperative warfarin interruption was done as per CHEST guidelines (Douketis et al. Chest 141,2 Suppl). Perioperative bridging with low-molecular-weight heparin was only used for patients with CHADS2 scores of 5-6 or in patients with stroke within the past 6 months. Perioperative interruption of DOACs was done as per Thrombosis Canada guidelines, with anticoagulation held for 3 half-lives prior to low bleeding risk procedures and 5 half-lives for high bleeding risk procedures. Primary outcomes included the 30-day post-operative thromboembolic and major bleeding rates. Secondary outcomes included the 30-day clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB) andl mortality rates. Major bleeding and CRNMB were defined according to ISTH definitions. Procedural bleeding risk was defined as per Schulman et al (Circulation 2015; 132(3)). Outcome events were independently adjudicated by two investigators. Outcomes from patients on DOACs and VKAs were compared. Demographic data was analyzed on a per-patient basis, p-values were calculated using independent T-Test, Chi-Square/Fisher's Exact Test where appropriate. Outcome data was analyzed on a per-interruption basis. P-values for unadjusted and adjusted comparisons were calculated using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for correlation between multiple procedures on the same patients. Results: 325 DOAC patients and 199 warfarin patients underwent 351 and 221 periprocedural interruptions, respectively. Warfarin patients had a significantly higher mean age, CHADS2 score, and proportion with renal dysfunction (Table 1). There was no statistically significant difference in 30-day post-operative rates of thromboembolism, CRNMB, and overall mortality, but warfarin patients had a significantly higher rate of major bleeding (Table 2). This latter result remained statistically significant following multivariate logistic regression correction for age, CHADS2 score and level of renal dysfunction. All bleeding events occurred post-procedure, with major bleeding events occurring from post-operative day 1 to post-operative day 25. None of the warfarin patients with major bleeding received perioperative bridging; the mean international normalized ratio (INR) at the time of major bleeding was 3.3. Most major bleeding events (7/8) in the VKA arm were surgical, with a single non-surgical major-bleed (spontaneous ICH on post-operative day 15 following urological surgery). Conclusions: The perioperative interruption of warfarin was associated with a higher 30-day rate of major bleeding as compared with DOAC interruption. Re-initiation of warfarin should be done judiciously following high bleeding risk procedures, and close INR monitoring may be warranted. Disclosures Shaw: Portola Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Douketis:Janssen: Consultancy; Pfizer: Other: Advisory Board; Boehringer-Ingelheim: Consultancy, Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Portola: Other: Advisory Board; The Medicines Company: Other: Advisory Board; Daiichi-Sankyo: Other: Advisory Board; Biotie: Other: Advisory Board; Bayer: Other: Advisory Board; Sanofi: Consultancy, Other: Advisory Board; BMS: Other: Advisory Board; Astra-Zeneca: Other: Advisory Board. Carrier:Bayer: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Leo Pharma: Research Funding.

scholarly journals Management of DOAC in patients undergoing planned surgery or invasive procedure: FCSA position paper

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Squizzato ◽  
Daniela Poli ◽  
Doris Barcellona ◽  
Antonia Ciampa ◽  
Elvira Grandone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perioperative Management ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Risk Of Bleeding ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Anticoagulated Patients

Patients on anticoagulant treatment are constantly increasing, with an estimated prevalence in Italy of 2% of the total population. About a quarter of the anticoagulated patients require temporary cessation of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or vitamin K antagonists for a planned intervention within 2 years from anticoagulation inception. Several clinical issues about DOAC interruption remain unanswered: many questions are tentatively addressed daily by thousands of physicians worldwide through an experience-based balancing of thrombotic and bleeding risk. Among possible valuable answers the Italian Federation of Centers for the diagnosis of thrombotic disorders and the Surveillance of the Antithrombotic therapies (FCSA) proposes some experience-based suggestions and expert opinions. In particular, FCSA provides practical guidance on the following issues: 1) multiparametric assessment of thrombotic and bleeding risk based on patients’ individual and surgical risk factor, 2) testing of prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and DOAC plasma levels before surgery or invasive procedure, 3) use of heparin, 4) restarting of full-dose of DOAC after high-risk of bleeding surgery, 5) practical non-pharmacological suggestions to manage patients perioperatively. Finally, FCSA suggests creating a multidisciplinary ‘Anticoagulation Team’ with the aim to define the optimal perioperative management of anticoagulation.

Anticoagulation and Reversal Agents

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Culbreth ◽  
Dirk Varelmann ◽  
Jessica Rimsans
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K ◽  
Prothrombin Complex Concentrate ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Fresh Frozen Plasma ◽  
Reversal Agent ◽  
Reversal Agents ◽  
Fresh Frozen

Managing the balance between bleeding risk and the need to treat thromboembolic disease continues to challenge anesthesiologists and interventionalists, particularly as new direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are approved for use. While in the hospital, patients are often placed on parenteral anticoagulants that require monitoring to ensure the dynamic changes that occur in acute illness do not lead to excessive or insufficient anticoagulation. Until recently, vitamin K antagonists (VKA) have been the mainstay of therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism. To facilitate procedures and or minimize bleeding, VKAs were either held or its effects reversed by vitamin K, fresh frozen plasma, or four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate to facilitate procedures and minimize bleeding. Those patients on DOACs continue to challenge the interventionist as there is no commercially available targeted reversal agent for all DOACs. When anticoagulation reversal is warranted, timing or urgency of reversal, the mechanism of action of the anticoagulant, half-life of the anticoagulant, risk of bleeding associated with the procedure, end-organ function, and the patient’s risk factors for thrombosis and bleeding should be considered. This chapter briefly reviews anticoagulants and reversal strategies. This review contains 1 figure, 10 tables, and 53 references. Key Word: activated prothrombin complex concentrate, anticoagulation, antithrombotic, life-threatening bleeding, reversal, periprocedural, prothrombin complex concentrate, surgery

scholarly journals Safe chest tube placement in a patient with tension pneumothorax receiving rivaroxaban therapy for non-valvular atrial fibrillation

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Cipriano ◽  
Matteo Parollo ◽  
Ester Taurino ◽  
Elena Venturi ◽  
Massimo Santini
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Tension Pneumothorax ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
Tube Thoracostomy ◽  
Tube Placement ◽  
Bleeding Complications ◽  
Number Of Patients

The number of patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants is increasing worldwide. Although bleeding complications associated with direct oral anticoagulants are lower than those associated with vitamin K antagonists, the increased number of patients treated with these anticoagulants suggests that a higher absolute number of patients are at risk. Tube thoracostomy is an invasive procedure with a high risk of bleeding. To date, among direct oral anticoagulants, only dabigatran has a well-studied antidote to reverse its effects during emergency procedure or surgery. This report describes a case in which emergency placement of a tube thoracostomy, in a patient with type 2 respiratory failure due to left tension pneumothorax and receiving the anticoagulant rivaroxaban, in the pharmacokinetics phase with greater anticoagulant effect, did not result in bleeding greater than that typically encountered during such interventions. The procedure ended successfully with no acute complications.

scholarly journals Impaired kidney function at ED admission: a comparison of bleeding complications of patients with different oral anticoagulants

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Müller ◽  
Michaela Traschitzger ◽  
Michael Nagler ◽  
Spyridon Arampatzis ◽  
Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Function ◽  
Kidney Function ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Patient Treatment ◽  
Bleeding Complications ◽  
Study Patient ◽  
Bleeding Events

Abstract Background Up to a fourth of patients at emergency department (ED) presentation suffer from acute deterioration of renal function, which is an important risk factor for bleeding events in patients on oral anticoagulation therapy. We hypothesized that outcomes of patients, bleeding characteristics, therapy, and outcome differ between direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin-K antagonists (VKAs). Methods All anticoagulated patients older than 17 years with an impaired kidney function treated for an acute haemorrhage in a large Swiss university ED from 01.06.2012 to 01.07.2017 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Patient, treatment, and bleeding characteristics as well as outcomes (length of stay ED, intensive care unit and in-hospital admission, ED resource consumption, in-hospital mortality) were compared between patients on DOAC or VKA anticoagulant. Results In total, 158 patients on DOAC and 419 patients on VKA with acute bleeding and impaired renal function were included. The renal function in patients on VKA was significantly worse compared to patients on DOAC (VKA: median 141 μmol/L vs. DOAC 132 μmol/L, p = 0.002). Patients on DOAC presented with a smaller number of intracranial bleeding compared to VKA (14.6% DOAC vs. 22.4% VKA, p = 0.036). DOAC patients needed more emergency endoscopies (15.8% DOAC vs, 9.1% VKA, p = 0.020) but less interventional emergency therapies to stop the bleeding (13.9% DOAC vs. 22.2% VKA, p = 0.027). Investigated outcomes did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions DOAC patients were found to have a smaller proportional incidence of intracranial bleedings, needed more emergency endoscopies but less often interventional therapy compared to patients on VKA. Adapted treatment algorithms are a potential target to improve care in patients with DOAC.

Perioperative Management of Patients Receiving New Anticoagulants

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (19) ◽  
pp. 2149-2157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Lamperti ◽  
Andrey Khozenko ◽  
Arun Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K ◽  
Elective Surgery ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Oral Intake ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Dietary Vitamin ◽  
Reversal Agent ◽  
Onset Of Action ◽  
Reversal Agents

There is an increased use of oral anticoagulants for the prevention of venous and arterial thrombosis. Vitamin-K antagonists have been used for decades as the main oral anticoagulants but they have the draback a complex therapeutic management, slow onset of action and by a different oral intake caused by dietary vitamin K intake. New non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been developed to overcome the limitations of warfarin. Their management is easier as it requires a fixed daily dose without coagulation monitoring. Although their therapeutic profile is safe, proper attention should be paid in case of unexpected need for the reversal of their coagulation effect and in case a patient needs to have a scheduled surgery. For non-acute cardiac surgery, discontinuation of NOACs should start at least 48 hours prior surgery. Intracranial bleedings associated with NOACs are less dangerous comparing to those warfarin-induced. NOACs need to be stopped ≥24 hours in case of elective surgery for low bleeding-risk procedures and ≥48 hours for high bleeding-risk surgery in patients with normal renal function and 72 hours in case of reduced CrCl < 80. The therapy with NOACs should be resumed from 48 to 72 hours after the procedure depending on the perceived bleeding, type of surgery and thrombotic risks. There are some available NOAC reversal agents acting within 5 to 20 minutes. In case of lack of reversal agent, adequate diuresis, renal replacement therapy and activated charcoal in case of recent ingestion should be considered.

scholarly journals Applied Nanotechnologies in Anticoagulant Therapy: From Anticoagulants to Coagulation Test Performance of Drug Delivery Systems

Applied Nano ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-117
Author(s):  
Yuri B. G. Patriota ◽  
Luíse L. Chaves ◽  
Evren H. Gocke ◽  
Patricia Severino ◽  
Mônica F. R. Soares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Anticoagulant Therapy ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Delivery Systems ◽  
Reversal Agent ◽  
Laboratory Assessment ◽  
Administration Routes

Heparin-based delivery systems have been explored to improve their therapeutic efficacy and to reduce toxicity for different administration routes. Regardless of the applied drug delivery system (DDS), the evaluation of anticoagulant performance is instrumental for the development of a suitable DDS. The understanding of the range of anticoagulant assays, together with their key applications and limitations, is essential both within the context of scientific research and for clinical usage. This review provides an overview of the current anticoagulant therapy and discusses the advantages and limitations of currently available anticoagulant assays. We also discuss studies involving low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH)-based nanocarriers with emphasis on their anticoagulation performance. Conventional anticoagulants have been used for decades for the treatment of many diseases. Direct oral anticoagulants have overcome some limitations of heparins and vitamin K antagonists. However, the lack of an accurate laboratory assessment, as well as the lack of a factor “xaban” (Xa) inhibitor reversal agent, remains a major problem associated with these anticoagulants. LMWHs represent anticoagulant agents with noteworthy efficacy and safety, and they have been explored to improve their outcomes with various nanocarriers through several administration routes. The main problems related to LMWHs have been surmounted, and improved efficiency may be achieved through the use of DDSs.

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