scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Cancer: Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Author(s):  
Bo Cao ◽  
Xiaobo Hu ◽  
Min Chen ◽  
Mingfeng Shen ◽  
Lan Xu

Abstract BackgroundEvidence on the safety and effectiveness of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with cancer is rather limited, so we performed this meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of NOACs with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in real-world patients with AF and cancer. MethodsThe PubMed and Embase databases were searched up to June 2020 for eligible studies. Outputs were presented as risk ratios (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model. ResultsA total of five observational studies involving 232,234 cancer patients with AF were included. Compared with VKAs, use of NOACs was associated with decreased risks of stroke or systemic embolism (RR, 0.79; 95% CI 0.69-0.90), ischaemic stroke (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72-0.93), venous thromboembolism (VTE) (RR, 0.28; 95% CI 0.14-0.53), all-cause death (RR, 0.57; 95% CI 0.50-0.64), major bleeding (RR, 0.60; 95% CI 0.51-0.72) and intracranial or gastrointestinal bleeding (RR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.51-0.73). In subgroup analysis, all NOACs showed similar rates of stroke or systemic embolism, ischaemic stroke but reduced rates of all-cause death, major bleeding and intracranial or gastrointestinal bleeding compared to VKAs. ConclusionsIn this combined analysis of real-world observational studies, NOACs showed lower risks of stroke or systemic embolism, ischaemic stroke, VTE, all-cause death and reduced rates of major bleeding and intracranial or gastrointestinal bleeding compared to VKAs in patients with AF and cancer.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuwei Liu ◽  
Yunyao Yang ◽  
Winglam Cheng ◽  
Jianyong Ma ◽  
Wengen Zhu

Background: Recent observational studies have compared effectiveness and safety profiles between non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, the confounders may exist due to the nature of clinical practice-based data, thus potentially influencing the reliability of results. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to compare the effect of NOACs with warfarin based on the propensity score-based observational studies vs. randomized clinical trials (RCTs).Methods: Articles included were systematically searched from the PubMed and EMBASE databases until March 2021 to obtain relevant studies. The primary outcomes were stroke or systemic embolism (SSE) and major bleeding. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the outcomes were extracted and then pooled by the random-effects model.Results: A total of 20 propensity score-based observational studies and 4 RCTs were included. Compared with warfarin, dabigatran (HR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.71–0.96]), rivaroxaban (HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.75–0.85]), apixaban (HR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.65–0.86]), and edoxaban (HR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.60–0.83]) were associated with a reduced risk of stroke or systemic embolism, whereas dabigatran (HR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.65–0.87]), apixaban (HR, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.56–0.67]), and edoxaban (HR, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.45–0.74]) but not rivaroxaban (HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.84–1.00]) were significantly associated with a decreased risk of major bleeding based on the observational studies. Furthermore, the risk of major bleeding with dabigatran 150 mg was significantly lower in observational studies than that in the RE-LY trial, whereas the pooled results of observational studies were similar to the data from the corresponding RCTs in other comparisons.Conclusion: Data from propensity score-based observational studies and NOAC trials consistently suggest that the use of four individual NOACs is non-inferior to warfarin for stroke prevention in AF patients.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wengen Zhu ◽  
Zi Ye ◽  
Shilan Chen ◽  
Dexi Wu ◽  
Jiangui He ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Several observational studies have compared the effect of the non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants to each other in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, confounding by indication is a major problem when comparing non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant treatments in some of these studies. This meta-analysis was conducted to compare the effectiveness and safety between non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant and non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant by only including the propensity score matching studies. Methods: We systematically searched the PubMed and Ovid databases until May 2020 to identify relevant observational studies. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs of the reported outcomes were collected and then pooled by a random-effects model complemented with an inverse variance heterogeneity or quality effects model. Results: A total of 17 retrospective cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with dabigatran use, the use of rivaroxaban was significantly associated with increased risks of stroke or systemic embolism (HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.05–1.29]) and major bleeding (HR, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.24–1.41]), whereas the use of apixaban was associated with a reduced risk of major bleeding (HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.67–0.90]) but not stroke or systemic embolism (HR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.56–1.28]). Compared with rivaroxaban use, the use of apixaban was associated with a decreased risk of major bleeding (HR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.54–0.73]) but not stroke or systemic embolism (HR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.67–1.04]). Reanalyses with the inverse variance heterogeneity or quality effects model produced similar results as the random-effects model. Conclusions: Current observational comparisons with propensity score matching methods suggest that apixaban might be a better choice compared with dabigatran or rivaroxaban for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients.


Author(s):  
Tzu-Fei Wang ◽  
Marc Carrier ◽  
Karine Fournier ◽  
Deborah M. Siegal ◽  
Grégoire Le Gal ◽  
...  

Objectives: Obesity is associated with increased risks of atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) for which anticoagulation is commonly used. However, data on the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulants in patients with morbid obesity are limited. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for AF or VTE in patients with morbid obesity. Results: We included 3 randomized controlled trials (5 studies) and 18 observational studies in adult patients with a body weight ≥ 120 kg, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2 or classified as morbid obesity who received DOACs or VKAs for AF or VTE (N=77,687). The primary efficacy outcome was stroke/systemic embolism or recurrent VTE, and the primary safety outcome was major bleeding. DOACs were associated with a pooled incidence rate of stroke/systemic embolism of 1.16 per 100 person-years, compared to 1.18 with VKAs. The incidence of recurrent VTE on DOACs was 3.83 per 100 person-years, compared to 6.81 on VKAs. In both VTE and AF populations, DOACs were associated with lower risks of major bleeding compared to VKAs. However, all observational studies had moderate to serious risks of bias. Conclusions: Patients with morbid obesity on DOACs had similar risks of stroke/systemic embolism, lower rates of recurrent VTE and major bleeding events compared to those on VKAs. However, the certainty of evidence was low given that studies were mostly observational with high risk of confounding.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cao B ◽  
Hu X ◽  
Chen M ◽  
Shen M ◽  
Xu L

Background: Evidence on the safety and effectiveness of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs) in Atrial Fibrillation (AF) patients with cancer is rather limited, so we performed this meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of NOACs with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in real-world patients with AF and cancer.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 107602961988518
Author(s):  
Qinmei Xiong ◽  
Cen Wang ◽  
Hualong Liu ◽  
Zhaochong Tan ◽  
Chen Chen ◽  
...  

There are few head-to-head trials directly comparing non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) against one other. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to examine the indirect comparisons among NOACs in Asians with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). STATA 15.0 and ADDIS 1.16.8 softwares were used to perform the statistical analysis. Odds ratios with 95% credible intervals were applied to evaluate the end points. The probabilities of treatment rank were used to understand which interventions are more effective and safe, and the total rank probability was 1. In our NMA, the rank probabilities of apixaban in the case of stroke or systemic embolism, death from any cause, major bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were 0.47, 0.49, 0.42, and 0.51, respectively. For cases of myocardial infarction, the rank probabilities of rivaroxaban were 0.40. This NMA indirectly compares the main efficacy and safety end points among NOACs in Asians with NVAF, and the rank probability analysis showed that apixaban likely performs best in cases of stroke or systemic embolism, death from any cause, and ICH; rivaroxaban may have the best performance for myocardial infarction.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojuan Wu ◽  
Linyan Hu ◽  
Jinjin Liu ◽  
Qiuping Gu

Background: Several studies have investigated the role of off-label non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety outcomes between off-label underdose or overdose vs. on-label dose of NOACs in AF patients.Methods: The PubMed database was systematically searched until August 2021. Observational cohorts were included if they compared the outcomes of off-label underdose or overdose with on-label dose of NOACs in AF patients. The risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a fixed-effects model (I2 ≤ 50%) or a random-effects model (I2 > 50%).Results: A total of 15 observational studies were included. Compared with on-label dose of NOACs, off-label underdose of NOACs was associated with increased risks of stroke or systemic embolism (RR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.16), and all-cause death (RR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.10–1.52) but not ischemic stroke (RR = 1.34, 95% CI 0.76–2.36), myocardial infarction (RR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.92–1.28), major bleeding (RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.89–1.05), intracranial hemorrhage (RR = 1.12, 95% CI 0.90–1.40), and gastrointestinal bleeding (RR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.85–1.07), whereas off-label overdose of NOACs was associated with increased risks of SSE (RR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.05–1.36), all-cause death (RR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.06–1.39), and major bleeding (RR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.16–1.52) but not gastrointestinal bleeding (RR = 1.18, 95% CI 0.99–1.42) and myocardial infarction (RR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.75–1.30).Conclusion: Compared with on-label dose of NOACs, off-label underdose was associated with increased risks of stroke or systemic embolism and all-cause death, whereas off-label overdose of NOACs was associated with increased risks of stroke or systemic embolism, all-cause death, and major bleeding.


Stroke ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 2819-2828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengbiao Xue ◽  
Hao Zhang

Background and Purpose— Several randomized trials and real-world studies have reported the efficacy and safety of non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in Asian patients with atrial fibrillation; and therefore, this meta-analysis was aimed to compare the effects of NOACs with warfarin for atrial fibrillation stroke prevention in Asians. Methods— The PubMed and Embase databases were searched from January 2009 to February 2019 for studies on comparisons of NOACs versus warfarin in Asians. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs were pooled using a random-effects model. Results— Five NOAC trials and 21 observational cohorts were included. For the NOAC trials, compared with warfarin, NOACs was associated with reduced risks of stroke or systemic embolism (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.59–0.90), all-cause death (RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73–0.95), major bleeding (RR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.48–0.72), and intracranial bleeding (RR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.26–0.49). For the real-world data, compared with warfarin, NOACs was associated with decreased rates of stroke or systemic embolism (RR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.68–0.82), ischemic stroke (RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.59–0.83), myocardial infarction (RR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.58–0.93), all-cause death (RR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.59–0.77), major bleeding (RR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.55–0.73), intracranial bleeding (RR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.43–0.59), and gastrointestinal bleeding (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.51–0.84). The results did not change in the subgroup analyses based on the type and dose of NOACs. Conclusions— Based on published NOAC trials and real-world studies, the use of NOACs is noninferior to warfarin in Asians with atrial fibrillation irrespective of the NOAC type and dose.


Author(s):  
Kuang-Tsu Yang ◽  
Wei-Chih Sun ◽  
Tzung-Jiun Tsai ◽  
Feng-Woei Tsay ◽  
Wen-Chi Chen ◽  
...  

Background: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are more commonly used to prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients from thromboembolic events than vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). However, the gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) risk in the Asian AF patients associated with NOACs in comparison with VKAs remained unaddressed. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of studies on NOACs and VKAs in the Asian AF patients was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The primary outcome was the hazard ratio (HR) of any GIB associated with NOACs versus VKAs. The secondary outcome was the GIB risks in different kinds of NOACs compared with VKAs. Results: This meta-analysis included two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and four retrospective studies, comprising at least 200,000 patients in total. A significantly lower HR of GIB risks was found in all kinds of NOACs than VKAs in the Asian AF patients (HR: 0.633; 95% confidence interval: 0.535–0.748; p < 0.001). Additionally, the GIB risks of different NOACs were apixaban (HR: 0.392), edoxaban (HR: 0.603), dabigatran (HR: 0.685), and rivaroxaban (HR: 0.794), respectively. Conclusions: NOACs significantly reduced the risk of GIB in the Asian AF patients compared with VKAs. In the four NOACs compared with VKAs, apixaban probably had a trend of the least GIB risk. We need further head-to-head studies of different NOACs to confirm which NOAC is the most suitable for Asian AF patients and to know the optimal dosage regimen of different NOACs.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1162-1162
Author(s):  
Desirée Campoy ◽  
Gonzalo Artaza ◽  
César A Velasquez ◽  
Tania Canals ◽  
Erik A Johansson ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are increasingly used in patients with Non Valvular Atrial Fibrillation (NVAF) for stroke prevention. However, Follow-Up (FU) and dosing these agents in the elderly can be challenging due to different factors, such as chronic kidney disease, frailty, falls, multifactorial anemia and concomitant polypharmacy. These factors in elderly patients predisposes to both thromboembolic and bleeding events once atrial fibrillation occurs. Therefore, balancing risks and benefits of antithrombotic strategies in older populations is crucial. Despite recent increases in DOAC use in NVAF, there are still limited data regarding DOACs effectiveness and safety in frail elderly patients. AIM To assess the effectiveness and safety according to DOAC or Vitamin K Antagonist (VKA) in a cohort of elderly patients with NVAF. METHODS From April 2016 to April 2019, we consecutively included NVAF elderly patients (≥80 years-old) treated with DOAC or VKA in a prospective multicenter registry. Demographic, laboratory, frailty risk stratification and antithrombotic therapy data were collected. Patients had a minimum FU of 6 months. VKA patients had a standard FU through digital international normalized ratio (INR) control and the efficacy of therapy was determined by the time in therapeutic range (TTR) values from the preceding 6 months of treatment using Rosendaal's method. FU in DOAC patients was performed through structured and integral assessment following the Tromboc@t Working Group recommendations for management in patients receiving DOAC (Olivera et al, Med Clin 2018). Key practical management aspects are listed in the flow chart (Figure 1). Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS score) was assigned to each patient at the beginning and during the FU; patients were classified into three categories: non-frail (CFS 1-4), mild-to-moderately frail (CFS 5-6), and severely frail (CFS 7-9). RESULTS From a total of 1040 NVAF patients, 690 (63.5%) were treated with DOAC (61 dabigatran, 95 rivaroxaban, 254 edoxaban and 280 apixaban) and 350 with VKA. In the VKA group, the mean TTR was 52.8%. Demographic characteristics and CFS score are summarized in table 1. Kaplan-Meier analysis (median FU: 16.5 months) showed a significantly high incidence of stroke/systemic embolism among VKA patients vs DOAC patients (4.2 vs 0.5 events per 100 patient-years, p<0.001). Major bleeding in the DOAC group was significantly infrequent compared with VKA group (2.2 vs 8.9 events, p=0.001). In the DOAC group, 90% (n=20/22) of the major bleedings were gastrointestinal [16 rivaroxaban and 4 edoxaban]. However, in the VKA group 64% (n = 20/31) were gastrointestinal, 25.8% (n= 8/31) intracranial and 9.7% (n = 3/31) urogenital bleedings. We identified 365 very elderly patients (aged ≥ 90 years) of which 270 (39.1%) were DOAC patients and 95 (27.1%) VKA patients. In this subgroup of patients, after a multivariate regression analysis, the stroke/systemic embolism incidence was similar in both treatment groups regardless of the age, but major bleeding decreased significantly in DOAC group (adjusted HR 0.247, 95% CI 0.091-0.664). CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that DOACs can be a good therapeutic option for stroke/systemic embolism prevention in frail elderly patients, showing low rates of stroke as well as bleeding events when a structured and integral FU is applied to anticoagulated patients. Further investigations are necessary to analyze the impact in the quality of life and net clinical benefit of anticoagulant therapy when a FU program is applied in elderly patients. Disclosures Sierra: Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Astellas: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Daiichi-Sankyo: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria.


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