Summary
Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are increasingly used in the
prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism and in the prevention of stroke
in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. In phase III clinical trials and
meta-analyses, the NOACs were at least as effective as vitamin K antagonists (VKAs)
and were associated with a similar or lower incidence of major bleeding, including
consistent and significant decreases in intracranial bleeding, although with an increase
in gastrointestinal bleeding for some agents compared with VKAs. Subsequent real-world
evidence supports these outcomes. Despite this, physicians have concerns about serious
bleeding or emergencies because there are no specific reversal agents for the NOACs.
However, in clinical trials, patients receiving NOACs generally had similar or better
outcomes after these events than those taking VKAs. As with any bleeding, anticoagulant-related
bleeding should first be stratified according to severity and location; risk can be
minimised by ongoing assessment. Management protocols for NOAC-related bleeding are
similar to those for VKAs but should take into account the pharmacological profile
of the specific drug. Because of their short half-lives, NOAC-related mild bleeding
can often be controlled by temporarily withholding treatment. More severe bleeding
requires standard escalating haemodynamic support measures, and non-specific reversal
agents can be considered in life-threatening situations, based on limited clinical
data. Specific and rapid reversal agents are not currently available for any oral
anticoagulant and restoration of coagulation may not necessarily lead to better outcomes.
Nevertheless, specific NOAC reversal agents are in development and show promise in
healthy volunteers.
Keywords
Bleeding profiles - bleeding management - non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant - real-world
data - reversal agent