NEW ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS (NOACS) ARE THE GOLD STANDARD IN VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM

• Author(s): Antunes, Luís F.
• Date: 2021
• Origin: Portuguese Journal of Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Surgery
• Document Type: Journal article
• Language: English

Description

Introduction: Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The risk of recurrence could be very high without thromboprophylaxis. New oral anticoagulants (NOACs or DOACs) represent a new step in anticoagulation. Material and Methods: We searched for papers with trials, systematic reviews and meta-analysis involving NOACs in the treatment and secondary prevention of VTE. We also searched for guidelines of two medical societies (American College of Chest Physicians and International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis - ISTH). Results: Six RCT (randomized controlled trial) comparing NOACs with Warfarin shew a non-inferiority in relation with recurrent VTE and major bleeding. Two RCT (SELECT-D and Hokusay cancer) and one meta-analysis shew low recurrence rate of VTE in cancer patients and higher rate of bleeding, mainly in gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers. There are two RCTs involving NOACs in treatment of patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). Discussion: NOACs shew non-inferiority over AVK. Guidelines of CHEST 2016 recommend NOACs for VTE treatment in no cancer patients, and Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) for cancer patients. ISTH suggest NOACs as the first option in VTE cancer patients with low risk of bleeding. A recent RCT shews no benefit and increased risk of vascular events in APS patients treated with NOACs. NOACs are the gold standard for VTE treatment and secondary prevention in no cancer patients. They could be the first option in cancer patients with low risk of bleeding.