The impact of the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants into a general practice and hospital anticoagulant services: two local service evaluations

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Tom Cahill ◽  
Julie Broughton ◽  
Thomas Ferguson ◽  
Stephen Jenkins

Background/Aims Anticoagulants are indicated for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, and treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism. The aim of this study was to describe the impact of introducing direct oral anticoagulants on anticoagulation services. Methods One primary and one secondary care anticoagulation service evaluation compared pre-direct oral anticoagulant (2012) and post-direct oral anticoagulant introduction (2015). Findings In the secondary care service, anticoagulant monitoring clinics decreased by 20% and service capacity increased by 38.5% post-direct oral anticoagulant introduction. Direct oral anticoagulants comprised 87.6% of newly-initiated anticoagulants post-direct oral anticoagulant introduction. In patients newly initiated on anticoagulation, a total of 62 anticoagulation-related inpatient admissions were recorded in 12.6% of patients in the pre-direct oral anticoagulant period, compared with a total of 21 anticoagulation-related admissions in 3.6% of patients in the post-direct oral anticoagulant period. In the primary care service, warfarin comprised 62.9% of all anticoagulants prescribed post-direct oral anticoagulant introduction. Overall, patients attended a mean of 14.2 anticoagulation service visits in 6 months pre-direct oral anticoagulant and 13.3 visits in 6 months post-direct oral anticoagulant introduction (non-direct oral anticoagulant-treated: 16.1/patient; direct oral anticoagulant treated: 0.8/patient). Few patients were offered a choice of anticoagulant; however, overall patient satisfaction was high in both services. Conclusions Direct oral anticoagulant introduction in secondary care was associated with increased service capacity and decreased patient visits. Patient choice was limited; however, satisfaction was high in both services.

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 793-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan K Phelps ◽  
Tracy E Wiczer ◽  
H Paige Erdeljac ◽  
Kelsey R Van Deusen ◽  
Kyle Porter ◽  
...  

Introduction Low-molecular-weight heparins are the standard treatment for cancer-associated thrombosis. Recently, direct oral anticoagulants are a new option for thrombosis treatment; however, data supporting the use of direct oral anticoagulants for cancer-associated thrombosis are limited. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to determine the rate of recurrent cancer-associated thrombosis and major bleeding within 6 months of starting either low-molecular-weight heparin or direct oral anticoagulant for treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis. Secondary objectives were to determine the rates of clinically relevant-non-major bleeding and all-cause mortality. Patients/methods This is a retrospective cohort study including adults with cancer-associated thrombosis treated with low-molecular-weight heparin or direct oral anticoagulant between 2010 and 2016 at the Ohio State University. Medical records were reviewed for 6 months after initiation of anticoagulation or until the occurrence of recurrent cancer-associated thrombosis, major bleeding, cessation of anticoagulation of interest, or death, whichever occurred first. Results Four hundred and eighty patients were included (290 low-molecular-weight heparin and 190 direct oral anticoagulant). Patients treated with direct oral anticoagulant were found to carry “lower risk” features including cancer with lower VTE risk and lower rate of metastatic disease. After adjustment for baseline differences, there was no significant difference in the rate of recurrent cancer-associated thrombosis (7.2% low-molecular-weight heparin vs 6.3% direct oral anticoagulant, p = 0.71) or major bleeding (7.6% low-molecular-weight heparin vs 2.6% direct oral anticoagulant, p = 0.08). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that in a select population of cancer patients with VTE, direct oral anticoagulant use can be as effective and safe compared to the standard therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin.


2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (7) ◽  
pp. 111-120
Author(s):  
A I Skripka ◽  
V V Kogay ◽  
A I Listratov ◽  
A A Sokolova ◽  
D A Napalkov ◽  
...  

Data on possibilities of personalized approach for direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) choice in patients with atrial fibrillation are presented in the article. We also review clinical and fundamental studies and future perspectives on pharmacogenetic and pharmacokinetic tests to predict the efficacy and safety of DOAC.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamiae Grimaldi-Bensouda ◽  
Jean-Yves Le Heuzey ◽  
Jean Ferrières ◽  
Didier Leys ◽  
Jean-Marc Davy ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of individual direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists for primary prevention of stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic) in routine clinical practice in patients with various clinical risk factors depending on their atrial fibrillation (AF) patterns. Methods: A nested case-referent study was conducted using data from 2 national registries of patients with stroke and AF. Stroke cases with previous history of AF were matched to up to 2 randomly selected referent patients with AF and no stroke. The association of individual anticoagulant use with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke was studied in patients with or without permanent AF using multivariable conditional logistic models, controlled for clinically significant risk factors and multiple other cardiovascular risk factors. Results: In total, 2586 stroke cases with previous AF and 4810 nonstroke referent patients with AF were retained for the study. Direct oral anticoagulant users had lower odds of stroke of any type than vitamin K antagonist users: the adjusted-matched OR for ischemic stroke were 0.70 (95% CI, 0.50–0.98) for dabigatran, 0.68 (95% CI, 0.53–0.86) for rivaroxaban, and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.52–1.02) for apixaban while for hemorrhagic stroke they were 0.31 (95% CI, 0.14–0.68), 0.64 (95% CI, 0.39–1.06), and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.33–1.49), respectively. The effects of individual direct oral anticoagulants relative to vitamin K antagonists were similar in permanent AF and nonpermanent AF patients. Conclusions: Similar results were observed for each direct oral anticoagulant in real life as those observed in the pivotal clinical trials. The pattern of AF did not affect the outcome.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1144-1152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Im Shin ◽  
Alex Secora ◽  
G. Caleb Alexander ◽  
Lesley A. Inker ◽  
Josef Coresh ◽  
...  

Background and objectivesAll randomized trials of direct oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation excluded patients with severe kidney disease. The safety and effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants across the range of eGFR in real-world settings is unknown. Our objective is to quantify the risk of bleeding and benefit of ischemic stroke prevention for direct oral anticoagulants compared with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation with and without CKD.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsWe created a propensity score–matched cohort of 3206 patients with atrial fibrillation and direct oral anticoagulant use and 3206 patients with atrial fibrillation using warfarin from October of 2010 to February of 2017 in an electronic health record (Geisinger Health System). The risks of bleeding and ischemic stroke were compared between direct oral anticoagulant and warfarin users using Cox proportional hazards regression, stratified by eGFR (≥60 and <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2).ResultsThe mean (SD) age of the 6412 participants was 72 (12) years, 47% were women, and average eGFR was 69 (21) ml/min per 1.73 m2. There were 1181 bleeding events and 466 ischemic strokes over 7391 person-years of follow-up. Compared with warfarin use, the hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) of bleeding associated with direct oral anticoagulant use were 1.01 (0.88 to 1.17) and 1.23 (1.02 to 1.48) for those with eGFR≥60 and eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively (P-interaction=0.10). There was no difference between direct oral anticoagulant and warfarin users in the risk of ischemic stroke: HRs (95% CI) of 0.94 (0.74 to 1.18) and 1.02 (0.76 to 1.37) for those with eGFR≥60 and eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively (P-interaction=0.70). Similar findings were observed with individual drugs.ConclusionsIn a large health care system, patients with eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 who took direct oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation had slightly higher risk of bleeding compared with those on warfarin, but similar benefits from prevention of ischemic stroke.


2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 105-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siavash Piran ◽  
Jennifer Delaney ◽  
Sam Schulman ◽  
Mary Salib ◽  
Mohamed Panju ◽  
...  

Background Direct oral anticoagulants are convenient because of their fixed dosing and without laboratory monitoring. There are instructions on avoidance of moisture, no crushing of capsules, and administration with food for some direct oral anticoagulants. Whether patients adhere to this and are prescribed appropriate doses are unknown. Aims To assess direct oral anticoagulant dosing and medication use. Methods Patients ≥18 years old, receiving a direct oral anticoagulant for any diagnosis, were prospectively included. Nurses at our perioperative anticoagulation clinic helped patients complete a 12-item questionnaire. Results Ninety-three consecutive patients were recruited. Forty-nine were on dabigatran, 18 on apixaban, and 26 were on rivaroxaban. Sixty-two patients (67%) received appropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing and administered the medication correctly. Eighteen patients (19%) administered the direct oral anticoagulant properly but at an inappropriate dose. Thirteen patients (14%) received an appropriate dose but administered the direct oral anticoagulant inappropriately: 10 (11%) removed dabigatran from its packaging before administration (exposing it to moisture); 2 (2%) did not take rivaroxaban with food; and 1 (1%) crushed the dabigatran capsule. Conclusion Our study demonstrates a large variability in how direct oral anticoagulants are dosed, and how patients take them. Improved medication literacy around direct oral anticoagulants is needed. Our study highlights opportunities that nurses have to improve patients’ medication literacy.


Open Heart ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e001026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Napohn Chongprasertpon ◽  
Aiste Zebrauskaite ◽  
John Joseph Coughlan ◽  
Abdalla Ibrahim ◽  
Samer Arnous ◽  
...  

PurposeWe sought to assess the safety of performing diagnostic radial access coronary angiography with uninterrupted anticoagulation on patients receiving direct oral anticoagulant therapy.BackgroundDirect oral anticoagulants have become a popular choice for the prevention of thromboembolism. Risk factors for thromboembolism are common among cardiovascular conditions and indications for direct oral anticoagulant therapy as well as coronary angiography often overlap in patients. It has been hypothesised that uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulant therapy would increase haemorrhagic and access site complications, however data in this area is limited.MethodsThis was a prospective observational analysis of 49 patients undergoing elective diagnostic coronary angiography while receiving uninterrupted anticoagulation with direct oral anticoagulants. This population was compared with a control group of 49 unselected patients presenting to the cardiology service for elective diagnostic coronary angiography. Continuous variables were analysed using the independent samples t-test and categorical variables using Pearson’s χ2 test.ResultsThe mean duration of radial compression for the control group was 235.8±62.8 min and for the uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulant group was 258.4±56.5 min. There was no significant difference in mean duration of radial compression (p=0.07; 95% CI=-1.4 to 46.5). There was also no difference in the complication rate between the two groups (p=1).ConclusionsWe observed similar complication rates and radial artery compression time postangiography in both groups. This small prospective observational study suggests that uninterrupted continuation of direct oral anticoagulants during coronary angiography is safe. Larger randomised control studies in this area would be beneficial.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260585
Author(s):  
Daisuke Yanagisawa ◽  
Koichiro Abe ◽  
Hirohito Amano ◽  
Shogo Komatsuda ◽  
Taku Honda ◽  
...  

Several direct oral anticoagulants have been developed to prevent cardiogenic thrombosis in patients with atrial fibrillation, on the other hand, have the complication of bleeding. Since clinical course after bleeding with direct oral anticoagulant remains unclear, the present retrospective cohort study was to clarify the course after hemorrhage among patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants. Among all 2005 patients prescribed dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, or edoxaban between April 2011 and June 2017, subjects comprised 96 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who experienced relevant bleeding during direct oral anticoagulant therapy (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2 or above). The clinical course after hemorrhage was reviewed to examine whether rebleeding or thrombotic events occurred up to the end of December 2019. Gastrointestinal bleeding was the most frequent cause of initial bleeding (57 patients, 59%). Rebleeding occurred in 11 patients (4.5%/year), with gastrointestinal bleeding in 10 and subarachnoid hemorrhage in 1. All rebleeding occurred in patients who resumed anticoagulation therapy. Another significant factor related with rebleeding included past history of gastrointestinal bleeding. On the other hand, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events occurred in 6 patients older than 75 years old or more (2.5%/year), with systemic thrombosis in 4 and cardiac death in 2. All 4 patients with systemic thrombosis withheld anticoagulants after index bleeding, although only 10 patients withheld anticoagulation therapy. Rebleeding should be taken care of when anticoagulants are resumed after bleeding, particularly among patients who initially experienced gastrointestinal bleeding. Systemic thrombosis occurred at a high rate when anticoagulant therapy was withheld after bleeding.


Vascular ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsha Aurshina ◽  
Pavel Kibrik ◽  
Justin Eisenberg ◽  
Ahmad Alsheekh ◽  
Anil Hingorani ◽  
...  

Objectives The use of postoperative anticoagulation is not uncommon for patients undergoing lower extremity arterial procedures as adjunctive therapy. Longer postoperative length of stay is necessary to achieve adequate therapeutic international normalized ratio with traditional protocols that call for the use of unfractionated heparin and warfarin therapy. We hypothesized the direct oral anticoagulants are an attractive alternative to provide adequate anticoagulation in patients who undergo lower extremity arterial procedures. Methods We retrospectively studied patients who had lower extremity arterial procedures between 2012 and 2015 to examine the safety and efficacy of the direct oral anticoagulants in a single institution. Patency, freedom from re-intervention, and major adverse limb event were evaluated. The direct oral anticoagulant agents used included dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban. The primary patency, adverse effects and freedom from re-intervention were then compared to a control group of patients who were treated with traditional heparin–warfarin therapy after lower extremity bypass procedures. Results Direct oral anticoagulants were utilized in a total of 23 patients (48% men; mean age 69 ± 11 years) during the study period. Indication for use of direct oral anticoagulant after procedure included use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bypass graft below the knee joint or after lower extremity angioplasty with disadvantaged runoff. Mean follow-up of the drugs was 23 months (SD ± 16 months). At the end of follow-up, the direct oral anticoagulants have been discontinued in four patients, who are currently only on plavix. Among 82.6% of patients who were given direct oral anticoagulants for PTFE bypasses, graft patency, freedom from re-intervention, and major adverse limb event were 100%, 100%, and 0%, respectively. Patients (17.4%) treated with direct oral anticoagulants for disadvantaged runoff after balloon angioplasty of the lower extremity, patency, freedom from re-intervention, and major adverse limb event were 100%, 100%, and 0%, respectively. For the patients who underwent direct oral anticoagulant administration for disadvantaged runoff primary patency was 100%. One patient developed wound dehiscence which was unrelated to direct oral anticoagulant administration. Our control group consisted of 100 patients who were treated with heparin–warfarin therapy for 30 days after lower extremity bypass procedures. The graft patency, freedom from intervention, and major adverse limb event were 93%, 12%, and 0%, respectively. There was however no statistically significant difference in graft patency rate ( P = .34) or freedom from intervention ( P = .07) between the two groups. Conclusions The preliminary data suggest that there may be a role for using the direct oral anticoagulants with patients who undergo lower extremity arterial procedures for prevention of thrombosis and warrants further investigation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. e1-e8
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Nestor ◽  
Bryan Boling

Intracerebral hemorrhage is a major source of morbidity and mortality, accounting for 10% of all strokes. Oral anticoagulation therapy, while necessary to prevent thromboembolic complications, increases the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage and can potentially worsen bleeding in cases of acute hemorrhage. Before the introduction of direct oral anticoagulant agents in 2010, warfarin was the only option for oral anticoagulation. These new agents have an improved safety profile compared with warfarin but require different reversal strategies. Anticoagulation reversal in the setting of acute intracerebral hemorrhage is an evolving field. This article covers the most common direct oral anticoagulant medications, various available anticoagulant reversal strategies, and the latest guidelines for anticoagulation reversal in patients with acute intracranial hemorrhage.


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