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American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs
Published in: American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs 4/2015

01-08-2015 | Review Article

Bleeding Risk, Management and Outcome in Patients Receiving Non-VKA Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs)

Authors: Sebastian Werth, Tomás Breslin, Fionnuala NiAinle, Jan Beyer-Westendorf

Published in: American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs | Issue 4/2015

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Abstract

Modern direct-acting anticoagulants are rapidly replacing vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in the management of millions of patients worldwide who require anticoagulation. These drugs include agents that inhibit activated factor X (FXa) (such as apixaban and rivaroxaban) or thrombin (such as dabigatran), and are collectively known today as non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs). Since bleeding is the most common and most dangerous side effect of long-term anticoagulation, and because NOACs have very different mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetics compared with VKA, physicians are naturally concerned about the lack of experience regarding frequency, management and outcome of NOAC-associated bleeding in daily care. This review appraises trial and registry (or “real-world”) data pertaining to bleeding complications in patients taking NOACs and VKA and provides practical recommendations for the management of acute bleeding situations.
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Metadata
Title
Bleeding Risk, Management and Outcome in Patients Receiving Non-VKA Oral Anticoagulants (NOACs)
Authors
Sebastian Werth
Tomás Breslin
Fionnuala NiAinle
Jan Beyer-Westendorf
Publication date
01-08-2015
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs / Issue 4/2015
Print ISSN: 1175-3277
Electronic ISSN: 1179-187X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40256-015-0123-6

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