Safety and Feasibility of Treatment with Rivaroxaban in Children for Non-Routine Indications: A Case Series Analysis

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5014-5014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Dickerson ◽  
Ravi Sarode ◽  
Ayesha Zia

Background. Anticoagulation therapy is the cornerstone of acute treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and for prevention of recurrent VTE. The need for anticoagulation is increasing in children, largely in part due to increasing VTE rates. Conventional anticoagulants, including heparin, low-molecular weight heparins (LMWH), Fondaparinux, and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are widely used in children but have limitations. Standard of care management with these agents is plagued with the trade-off between daily or twice daily injections or frequent monitoring of therapeutic effect. The advent of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have catalyzed significant changes in the therapeutic landscape of VTE management. DOACs have been evaluated for safety and efficacy in large, randomized controlled trials in the treatment and prevention of VTE in adults, with results that are comparable to conventional therapy. None of the current DOACs have FDA-approved indications and dosing in children yet. Off-label use of these agents is largely based on adult data and doses, and is increasing at many Children's Hospitals across US. Rivaroxaban, a DOAC, is a factor Xa inhibitor with predictable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics properties. Methods. We describe a case series of 8 unique pediatric cases, treated with Rivaroxaban, for a variety of non-routine indications, due either to adverse effects, intolerability of LMWH or VKA or the need for ongoing, long term anticoagulation. Rivaroxaban was started after informed consent and assent from parents or patients respectively, and was initiated at a fixed dose but titrated to a final dose after monitoring of trough and peak Rivaroxaban levels (Aniara, West Chester,OH, USA). Results. The mean age of patients in this case series is 14 years (median: 16, range 3-17) (see Table). The most common indication to use Rivaroxaban was the need for long term anticoagulation after having completed therapeutic anticoagulation, except in two patients, one of whom developed warfarin skin necrosis due to protein C deficiency and another with heparin induced thrombocytopenia. Only two patients needed dose adjustments to achieve target trough and peak drug levels. The mean duration of follow-up is 9 months (median= 5.5; range 3-24) (see Table) at this time. None of the patients developed recurrent VTE while on Rivaroxaban. A soft tissue traumatic bleed occurred in one patient which was treated with holding off the drug for 48 hours. No other bleeding complications were observed. Conclusions. Clinical application of DOACs in a real world clinical setting, including strong thrombophilia and malignancy, results in treatment profile of high efficacy and safety in children; however, larger studies are needed to validate these findings. Disclosures Sarode: CSL Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria.

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 249-268
Author(s):  
Radica Stepanović-Petrović ◽  
Katarina Nastić

Thromboembolic events are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. From the second half of the 20th century, vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), warfarin and acenocoumarol, were the only anticoagulants taken orally. The major reform in anticoagulation therapy was made by the advent of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), about 10 years ago. Direct thrombin inhibitor (dabigatran) and direct inhibitors of factor Xa (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, and betrixaban) have demonstrated favorable risk/benefit ratio. Compared to warfarin, DOACs are associated with a predictable pharmacokinetic profile, lower severe bleeding complications, particularly intracranial hemorrhages, and minimal drug interactions. Moreover, DOACs achieve a rapid onset of action and have shown comparable efficacy with warfarin and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in clinical trials. As a result, DOACs are now replacing VKAs and LMWH for many indications including stroke and systemic embolism prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, prevention, and treatment of venous thromboembolism and thromboprophylaxis following total knee/hip replacement surgery. In addition, rivaroxaban (in combination with aspirin alone or aspirin and clopidogrel) is used in the prevention of atherothrombotic events following acute coronary syndrome with elevated cardiac biomarkers. In case of severe bleeding complications under DOACs treatment, antidotes are available; idarucizumab for dabigatran reversal and andexanet alfa for rivaroxaban and apixaban.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Müller ◽  
Michaela Traschitzger ◽  
Michael Nagler ◽  
Spyridon Arampatzis ◽  
Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos ◽  
...  

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.


Author(s):  
Martin Müller ◽  
Ioannis Chanias ◽  
Michael Nagler ◽  
Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos ◽  
Thomas C. Sauter

Abstract Background Falls from standing are common in the elderly and are associated with a significant risk of bleeding. We have compared the proportional incidence of bleeding complications in patients on either direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) or vitamin K antagonists (VKA). Methods Our retrospective cohort study compared elderly patients (≥65 years) on DOAC or VKA oral anticoagulation who presented at the study site – a Swiss university emergency department (ED) – between 01.06.2012 and 01.07.2017 after a fall. The outcomes were the proportional incidence of any bleeding complication and its components (e.g. intracranial haemorrhage), as well as procedural and clinical parameters (length of hospital stay, admission to intensive care unit, in-hospital-mortality). Uni- and multivariable analyses were used to compare the studied outcomes. Results In total, 1447 anticoagulated patients were included – on either VKA (n = 1021) or DOAC (n = 426). There were relatively more bleeding complications in the VKA group (n = 237, 23.2%) than in the DOAC group (n = 69, 16.2%, p = 0.003). The difference persisted in multivariable analysis with 0.7-fold (95% CI: 0.5–0.9, p = 0.014) lower odds for patients under DOAC than under VKA for presenting with any bleeding complications, and 0.6-fold (95% 0.4–0.9, p = 0.013) lower odds for presenting with intracranial haemorrhage. There were no significant differences in the other studied outcomes. Conclusions Among elderly, anticoagulated patients who had fallen from standing, those under DOACs had a lower proportional incidence of bleeding complications in general and an even lower incidence of intracranial haemorrhage than in patients under VKAs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Bushoven ◽  
Sven Linzbach ◽  
Mate Vamos ◽  
Stefan H Hohnloser ◽  
◽  
...  

For many patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation, cardioversion is performed to restore sinus rhythm and relieve symptoms. Cardioversion carries a distinct risk for thromboembolism which has been described to be in the order of magnitude of 1 to 3 %. For almost five decades, vitamin K antagonist therapy has been the mainstay of therapy to prevent thromboembolism around the time of cardioversion although not a single prospective trial has formally established its efficacy and safety. Currently, three new direct oral anticoagulants are approved for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. For all three, there are data regarding its usefulness during the time of electrical or pharmacological cardioversion. Due to the ease of handling, their efficacy regarding stroke prevention, and their safety with respect to bleeding complications, the new direct oral anticoagulants are endorsed as the preferred therapy over vitamin K antagonists for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation including the clinical setting of elective cardioversion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 19-23
Author(s):  
Tarique S. Chachar ◽  
Nooraldaem Yousif ◽  
Khurshid Ahmed ◽  
Tajammul Hussain ◽  
Haitham Amin

Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) is a known complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Vitamin K antagonists such as Warfarin showed a reduction in associated mortality and morbidity and are indicated as anticoagulants of choice in current guidelines. Since their approval for clinical use, there has been a dramatic increase in off-label use of direct oral anti-coagulants (DOAC) for LVT. In this case series, the authors share their successful experience with DOAC in the treatment of LVT.


2017 ◽  
pp. 56-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yu. Gilyarov ◽  
E. V. Konstantinova

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), comprising deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a common condition associated with a significant clinical and economic burden. Anticoagulant therapy is the mainstay of treatment for VTE. Current guidelines recommend the use of either low molecular weight heparins or fondaparinux overlapping with and followed by a vitamin K antagonist for the initial treatment of VTE, with the vitamin K antagonist continued when long-term anticoagulation is required. These traditional anticoagulants have practical limitations that have led to the development of direct oral anticoagulants that directly target either Factor Xa or thrombin and are administered at a fixed dose without the need for routine coagulation monitoring. The paper reviews results of the trials of apixaban application for treatment and/or long-term secondary prevention of VTE. The paper analyses effectiveness and safety of apixaban in different groups of patients, as well as features of apixaban application in every day practice.


Author(s):  
Marco Valerio Mariani ◽  
Michele Magnocavallo ◽  
Martina Straito ◽  
Agostino Piro ◽  
Paolo Severino ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recommended as first-line anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, in patients with cancer and AF the efficacy and safety of DOACs are not well established. Objective We performed a meta-analysis comparing available data regarding the efficacy and safety of DOACs vs vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in cancer patients with non-valvular AF. Methods An online search of Pubmed and EMBASE libraries (from inception to May, 1 2020) was performed, in addition to manual screening. Nine studies were considered eligible for the meta-analysis involving 46,424 DOACs users and 182,797 VKA users. Results The use of DOACs was associated with reduced risks of systemic embolism or any stroke (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.52–0.81; p 0.001), ischemic stroke (RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.74–0.95; p 0.007) and hemorrhagic stroke (RR 0.61; 95% CI 0.52–0.71; p 0.00001) as compared to VKA group. DOAC use was associated with significantly reduced risks of major bleeding (RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.50–0.92; p 0.01) and intracranial or gastrointestinal bleeding (RR 0.64; 95% CI 0.47–0.88; p 0.006). Compared to VKA, DOACs provided a non-statistically significant risk reduction of the outcomes major bleeding or non-major clinically relevant bleeding (RR 0.94; 95% CI 0.78–1.13; p 0.50) and any bleeding (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.78–1.06; p 0.24). Conclusions In comparison to VKA, DOACs were associated with a significant reduction of the rates of thromboembolic events and major bleeding complications in patients with AF and cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Poci ◽  
D Gjermeni ◽  
V Kuehlkamp

Abstract Background Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation is known for the combining risks of thromboembolism (TE) and major bleedings. This urges a better understanding and optimization of the intraprocedural anticoagulation management. Differences in unfractionated heparin (UFH) requirements and anticoagulation time (ACT) levels between patients on different uninterrupted oral anticoagulation (OAC) agents have been studied. However, the clinical relevance, in terms of periprocedural TE and bleeding events, of UFH administration according to ACT monitoring among patients on different OAC agents, needs to be addressed. Objective To evaluate how the ACT monitoring and differences in intraprocedural UFH requirements among different anticoagulant agents, may translate to clinical outcome, in terms of periprocedural incidence of thromboembolic and bleeding events. Methods We retrospectively studied 1571 cases who underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation between January 2011 and May 2017. Cases were on an uninterrupted oral OAC therapy of Vitamin K Antagonists (VKA)(713), Rivaroxaban (RG)(385), Dabigatran (DG)(260), Apixaban (AG)(192) and Edoxaban (EG)(21). First ACT measurements after the initial bolus of UFH (1ehz748.0610U), mean ACT measurements, total UFH doses/kg (Body Weight)/min (duration of procedure) and incidence of major periprocedural events were compared among the above OAC groups. Results The mean ACT (sec) was significantly lower in the AG and greater in the VKA (313,7±47 vs 340,5±49, p<0,001). Significantly lower UFH doses (U/kg/min) were required to reach the target ACT in VKA compared to RG, DG, AG and EG (0,69±0,4 vs 1,41±0,76; 1,42±0,7; 1,63±0,8; 1,37±0,4 respectively, p<0,001) The proportion of patients who achieved a target ACT value within 30 minutes after the fixed first UFH Bolus of 10 000 U was significantly lower in DG and AG compared to VKA, EG and RG group (51,5% and 49% vs 53%, 71,4%, and 61,8% respectively p=0,005). The incidence of periprocedural TE events and bleedings showed no significant difference among OAC groups. However, the 22 patients with a periprocedural TE event had significantly lower UFH doses (U)/ Duration of catheter ablation (min) compared to the ones without periprocedural TE (62,71±44,5 vs 94,4±66,4, p=0,026), despite equivalent mean ACT values between these two groups. Patients with a periprocedural TE had also a significantly older Age (69,6±10 vs 64±10 p=0,01, higher CHADSVASC Score (3,64±1,76 vs 2,63±1,7 p=0,006), longer duration of procedure (188,9±79,1 vs 144,9±57 p=0,0001) and higher pre-Ablation INR values (2,2±0,6 vs 1,7±0,6 p=0,002). Conclusions The average UFH doses required to reach the target ACT were lower in VKA than in NOAC- groups. The incidence of periprocedural TE events and bleedings was equivalent among OAC groups. Patients with TE showed a lower UFH requirement compared to no-TE group, with both groups having mean ACT ≥300 sec.


Author(s):  
Mauro Massussi ◽  
Andrea Scotti ◽  
Gregory Y H Lip ◽  
Riccardo Proietti

Abstract Left ventricular thrombosis (LVT) is a major risk factor for systemic thromboembolism and might complicate both the acute and the chronic phase of ischaemic heart disease after myocardial infarction and, less frequently, non-ischaemic cardiomyopathies. The pathophysiology of thrombus formation is complex and involves the three aspects of Virchow’s triad: blood stasis, prothrombotic state, and tissue injury. Advances in technology have improved the detection rate of intracardiac thrombi, but several uncertainties still remain regarding the optimal treatment strategy within daily clinical practice. Of note, anticoagulation therapy with heparin and vitamin K antagonists decreases the risk of embolic stroke though exposing patients to an undeniable risk of bleeding complications. Although limited data on the off-label use of direct oral anticoagulants have reported safety and efficacy for LVT resolution, yet more evidence is needed to justify their use in clinical practice.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document