Pros and cons of new oral anticoagulants

Hematology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (1) ◽  
pp. 464-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth A. Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Dabigatran Etexilate ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Rapid Onset ◽  
New Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Therapeutic Class ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Additional Agent

Abstract The availability of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) targeting either thrombin (dabigatran etexilate) or factor Xa (rivaroxaban and apixaban) for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis has been highly anticipated. NOACs have major pharmacologic advantages over vitamin K antagonists (eg, warfarin), including rapid onset/offset of action, few drug interactions, and predictable pharmacokinetics, eliminating the requirement for regular coagulation monitoring. Regulatory agencies have approved several NOACs for specific indications based on the results of clinical trials demonstrating efficacy and safety that are at least as good, if not better, than warfarin (for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and treatment and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism) or low-molecular-weight heparin, which is injectable (for initial treatment of venous thromboembolism and thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty). However, the adoption of this new therapeutic class into clinical practice has been slower than expected due to several factors including concerns regarding medication adherence without laboratory monitoring, uncertainty about dosing in some patient populations (eg, renal dysfunction, marked extremes of body weight), and higher drug costs compared with warfarin. Other issues are the current absence of specific antidotes for NOACs and assays to measure drug levels at most centers. The indications for NOACs on the market will expand and at least one additional agent (edoxaban) will likely gain approval within the next 2 years. As practitioners gain familiarity with the drugs and healthcare systems adapt to their use, NOAC use will increase substantially over time. Warfarin, however, will continue to be an appropriate anticoagulant choice for many patients.

scholarly journals Direct oral anticoagulants and venous thromboembolism

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (141) ◽  
pp. 295-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Franchini ◽  
Pier Mannuccio Mannucci
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Dabigatran Etexilate ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Thrombin Inhibitors ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Direct Anticoagulants ◽  
Deep Vein

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), consisting of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a major clinical concern associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The cornerstone of management of VTE is anticoagulation, and traditional anticoagulants include parenteral heparins and oral vitamin K antagonists. Recently, new oral anticoagulant drugs have been developed and licensed, including direct factor Xa inhibitors (e.g. rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban) and thrombin inhibitors (e.g. dabigatran etexilate). This narrative review focusses on the characteristics of these direct anticoagulants and the main results of published clinical studies on their use in the prevention and treatment of VTE.

The optimal duration of anticoagulant therapy after unprovoked venous thromboembolism – still a challenging issue

VASA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Elmi ◽  
Giuseppe Di Pasquale ◽  
Raffaele Pesavento
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Safety Profile ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Dabigatran Etexilate ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Risk Of Recurrence ◽  
Extended Treatment

Abstract. As about 50 % of patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) will develop new episodes after discontinuing therapy, indefinite treatment is suggested in patients with low or moderate bleeding risk. Baseline and post-baseline factors can help clinicians to identify patients at high risk of recurrence, who require extended treatment. Residual vein obstruction and D-dimer assay have been shown to be suitable methods for assessing the risk of VTE recurrences after a first unprovoked VTE. In treatment for VTE the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) is growing instead of the standard adjusted dose of vitamin K antagonists. The DOAC safety profile has recently been strengthened with systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Idarucizumab is only approved for the reversal of dabigatran etexilate; intravenous antidotes for factor Xa inhibitors are under development. Their advent is of great interest. In the extended treatment of VTE sulodexide has been demonstrated to significantly decrease the risk of recurrences with an excellent safety profile. Aspirin is substantially less effective than oral anticoagulants in preventing recurrences but could play a role among patients who decided to stop anticoagulants. In conclusion, for the secondary prevention of VTE several options are available, without a recognised best choice regarding the treatment duration and the choice of drugs. An individual strategy taking into account risk of recurrence, bleeding risk, therapeutic options, and patient preferences is appropriate.

Treatment and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients

2012 ◽  
Vol 03 (03) ◽  
pp. 121-125
Author(s):  
I. Pabinger ◽  
C. Ay
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
New Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Potential Use

SummaryCancer is a major and independent risk factor of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In clinical practice, a high number of VTE events occurs in patients with cancer, and treatment of cancerassociated VTE differs in several aspects from treatment of VTE in the general population. However, treatment in cancer patients remains a major challenge, as the risk of recurrence of VTE as well as the risk of major bleeding during anticoagulation is substantially higher in patients with cancer than in those without cancer. In several clinical trials, different anticoagulants and regimens have been investigated for treatment of acute VTE and secondary prophylaxis in cancer patients to prevent recurrence. Based on the results of these trials, anticoagulant therapy with low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) has become the treatment of choice in cancer patients with acute VTE in the initial period and for extended and long-term anticoagulation for 3-6 months. New oral anticoagulants directly inhibiting thrombin or factor Xa, have been developed in the past decade and studied in large phase III clinical trials. Results from currently completed trials are promising and indicate their potential use for treatment of VTE. However, the role of the new oral thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors for VTE treatment in cancer patients still has to be clarified in further studies specifically focusing on cancer-associated VTE. This brief review will summarize the current strategies of initial and long-term VTE treatment in patients with cancer and discuss the potential use of the new oral anticoagulants.

scholarly journals Update on Edoxaban for the Prevention and Treatment of Thromboembolism: Clinical Applications Based on Current Evidence

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Zalpour ◽  
Thein Hlaing Oo
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Dabigatran Etexilate ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Coagulation Factors ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Thrombin Inhibitor ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Financial Impacts

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and heparins have been utilized for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolism (arterial and venous) for decades. Targeting and inhibiting specific coagulation factors have led to new discoveries in the pharmacotherapy of thromboembolism management. These targeted anticoagulants are known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Two pharmacologically distinct classes of targeted agents are dabigatran etexilate (Direct Thrombin Inhibitor (DTI)) and rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban (direct oral factor Xa inhibitors (OFXaIs)). Emerging evidence from the clinical trials has shown that DOACs are noninferior to VKA or low-molecular-weight heparins in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolism. This review examines the role of edoxaban, a recently approved OFXaI, in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolism based on the available published literature. The management of edoxaban in the perioperative setting, reversibility in bleeding cases, its role in cancer patients, the relevance of drug-drug interactions, patient satisfaction, financial impacts, and patient education will be discussed.

Old and new anticoagulants

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (01) ◽  
pp. 21-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Harbrecht
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
New Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Thrombin Inhibitors ◽  
Clotting Factor ◽  
Direct Thrombin Inhibitors ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
New Anticoagulants ◽  
Gastrointestinal Side Effects

SummaryVitamin-K-antagonists (VKA) and heparins have been complementary anticoagulants for prevention and treatment of thrombosis for almost 70 years. In contrast to heparins, VKA have not been modified pharmacologically, however treatment surveillance has improved by introducing INR and self-monitoring/management. Disclosure of the molecular basis of interaction with VKORC1, the target enzyme of VKA, has helped to better understand coumarin sensitivity and resistance. New oral anticoagulants have now been approved and stimulated expectations in patients and physicians to get rid of the burdening frequent controls of VKA without loss of efficacy and safety.This review will summarize the development and profile of the new substances. Main difference compared to VKA is their direct mode of action against one clotting factor which is factor IIa in dabigatran and factor Xa in rivaroxaban and other “xabanes” currently under intensive investigation. Half lifes of the new anticoagulants are much shorter than that of the mainly used coumarins (phenprocoumon, warfarin), making “anticoagulation bridging” unnecessary before surgery. Therapeutic width of direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors is broader and they are given at fixed doses. Clinical studies in thromboprophylaxis, thromboembolism and atrial fibrillation indicate at least non-inferiority or even superior efficacy compared with enoxaparin and VKA at comparable safety outcomes. Limitations of the new substances may arise from gastrointestinal side effects, mode of metabolism and route of elimination. Specific antidots are not available for none of them.Undoubtedly, the new oral anticoagulants are very promising. But, although thousands of study patients already have been treated, there are questions to be answered such as treatment adherence in absence of monitoring, safety and efficacy in risk patients, dosage adjustment and interactions with other drugs, before conclusions can be drawn towards their potential to replace VKA.

New anticoagulants – towards the development of an "ideal" anticoagulant

VASA ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haas
Keyword(s):  
Unfractionated Heparin ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Dabigatran Etexilate ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Rapid Onset ◽  
Factor Ix ◽  
Thrombin Inhibitors ◽  
Therapeutic Monitoring ◽  
Direct Thrombin Inhibitors ◽  
Onset Of Action

Currently available anticoagulants, such as unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparins and vitamin K antagonists, have proved effective in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders. However, these drugs have some drawbacks, such as unpredictability (in the case of unfractionated heparin), non-specificity and parenteral mode of administration, which limit their use in the clinical setting. There is a need for new agents with efficacy similar to that of these classes of anticoagulants and none of their associated drawbacks. Advances are being made in the development of more convenient and more specific drugs, with the aim to improve substantially the prevention and management of thromboembolic disorders. This review will emphasize how the development of an ideal anticoagulant, with potential benefits including high efficacy, safety, low levels of bleeding, fixed dosing, rapid onset of action, ability to bind clot-bound coagulation factors and no requirement for therapeutic monitoring, is a considerable challenge. This review will present the most relevant preclinical data, as well as the clinical studies performed to date, for several drug classes. Direct thrombin inhibitors, such as dabigatran etexilate, will be reviewed, as well as indirect (fondaparinux and idraparinux) and direct (rivaroxaban, apixaban, among others) Factor Xa inhibitors, Factor IXa inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies against Factor IX/IXa.

RE-COVERY DVT/PE: Rationale and design of a prospective observational study of acute venous thromboembolism with a focus on dabigatran etexilate

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (02) ◽  
pp. 415-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Ageno ◽  
Ivan B. Casella ◽  
Chee Kok Han ◽  
Gary E. Raskob ◽  
Sebastian Schellong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Dabigatran Etexilate ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Phase Iii Studies

SummaryThe therapeutic management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is rapidly evolving. Following the positive results of pivotal large-scale randomised trials, the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) represent an important alternative to standard anticoagulation. In phase III studies, dabigatran was as effective as, and significantly safer than warfarin. Additional information on real-world data of dabigatran is now warranted. RE-COVERY DVT/PE is a multi-centre, international, observational (i. e. non-interventional) study enrolling patients with acute DVT and/or PE within 30 days after objective diagnosis. The study is designed with two phases. Phase 1 has a cross-sectional design, enrolling approximately 6000 patients independently of treatment choice, with the aim of providing a contemporary picture of the management of VTE worldwide. Phase 2 has a prospective cohort design, with follow-up of one year, enrolling 8000 patients treated with dabigatran or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) with the aim of comparing their safety, defined by the occurrence of major bleeding, and effectiveness, defined by the occurrence of symptomatic recurrent VTE. RE-COVERY DVT/PE will complement both the results of other observational studies in this field and the results of phase III studies with dabigatran, in particular by assessing its clinical benefit in various patient subgroups treated in routine clinical practice.

Management consensus guidance for the use of rivaroxaban – an oral, direct factor Xa inhibitor

2012 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 876-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reinhold Kreutz ◽  
Juan Llau ◽  
Bo Norrving ◽  
Sylvia Haas ◽  
Alexander Turpie
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dabigatran Etexilate ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Clinical Trial Data ◽  
Thrombin Inhibitor ◽  
Direct Factor ◽  
Replacement Surgery ◽  
Vein Thrombosis

SummaryA number of novel oral anticoagulants that directly target factor Xa or thrombin have been developed in recent years. Rivaroxaban and apixaban (direct factor Xa inhibitors) and dabigatran etexilate (a direct thrombin inhibitor) have shown considerable promise in large-scale, randomised clinical studies for the management of thromboembolic disorders, and have been approved for clinical use in specific indications. Rivaroxaban is licensed for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement surgery, the treatment of deep-vein thrombosis and prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism, and for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Based on the clinical trial data for rivaroxaban, feedback on its use in clinical practice and the authors’ experience with the use of rivaroxaban, practical guidance for the use of rivaroxaban in special patient populations and specific clinical situations is provided. Although most recommendations are in line with the European summary of product characteristics for the approved indications, additional and, in several areas, different recommendations are given based on review of the literature and the authors’ clinical experience.

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