Risk of major bleeding and stroke associated with the use of VKAs, NOACs and aspirin in patients with atrial fibrillation: a cohort study

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

Retrospective cohort study (n=31,497) found NOACs and vitamin K antagonists equally effective in preventing stroke but NOACs were linked to higher risk of GI bleeding (HR 2.63, 95% CI 1.50-4.62), particularly in women. Aspirin was not effective in prevention of stroke in AF.

Edoxaban for the Prevention of Thromboembolism in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Bioprosthetic Valves

Circulation

191 patients in ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial had bioprosthetic valves, of which those on higher-dose edoxaban (HDED) had similar rates of stroke/ systemic embolic events (S/SEE) and major bleeding (MB) vs warfarin. Patients on lower DED had similar rates of S/SEE but lower rates of MB.

Diagnosis and management of acute deep vein thrombosis: a joint consensus document from the European society of cardiology working groups of aorta and peripheral circulation and pulmonary circulation and right ventricular function

European Heart Journal

This covers diagnosis, initial (first 5–21 days) and long-term (first 3–6 months) phase management, extended phase management (beyond first 3–6 months), and special situations.

Postapproval Observational Studies of Non–Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation

Journal of the American Medical Association

Review notes that despite limitations of observational data about NOAC use for stroke prevention in AF, they do broadly confirm results of the pivotal NOAC
RCTs and show that these agents are viable alternatives to warfarin in routine clinical practice.

Prevention of thromboembolic complications in patients with superficial-vein thrombosis given rivaroxaban or fondaparinux: the open-label, randomised, non-inferiority SURPRISE phase 3b trial

The Lancet Haematology

Study (n=435) reports primary outcome (composite of symptomatic DVT or PE, progression or recurrence of superficial vein-thrombosis, and all-cause
mortality at 45 days) occurred in 3% of those on rivaroxaban v 2% of those on fondaparinux (HR 1.9, p=0·0025 for non-inferiority).

The above records have been identified by UKMi and feature in the NICE Medicines Awareness Service. Further details on this service can be found at:

http://www.evidence.nhs.uk/about-evidence-services/content-and-sources/medicines-information/new-medicines-awareness-services