Summary
The new anticoagulants dabigatran and rivaroxaban can be responsible for haemorrhagic
complications. As for any anticoagulant, bleeding management is challenging. We aimed
to test the effect of all putative haemostatic agents on the anticoagulant activity
of these new drugs using thrombin generation tests. In an ex vivo study, 10 healthy white male subjects were randomised to receive rivaroxaban (20
mg) or dabigatran (150 mg) in one oral administration. After a two weeks washout period,
they received the other anticoagulant. Venous blood samples were collected just before
drug administration (H0) and 2 hours thereafter. Reversal of anticoagulation was tested
in vitro using prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), rFVIIa or FEIBA® at various concentrations.
Rivaroxaban affects quantitative and kinetic parameters, including the endogenous
thrombin potential (ETP-AUC and more pronouncedly the thrombin peak), the lag-time
and time to peak. PCC strongly corrected ETP-AUC, whereas rFVIIa only modified the
kinetic parameters. FEIBA corrected all parameters. Dabigatran specially affects the
kinetics of thrombin generation with prolonged lag-time and time to peak. Although
PCC increased ETP-AUC, only rFVIIa and FEIBA corrected the altered lag-time. For both
anticoagulants, lower doses of FEIBA, corresponding to a quarter to half the dose
usually used, have potential reversal profile of interest. In conclusion, some non-specific
reversal agents appear to be able to reverse the anticoagulant activity of rivaroxaban
or dabigatran. However, clinical evaluation is needed regarding haemorrhagic situations,
and a meticulous risk-benefit evaluation regarding their use in this context is required.
Keywords
Anticoagulants - dabigatran - rivaroxaban - reversal - thrombin generation test