Peri-procedural management of oral anticoagulants can be complex and confusing for many providers. It involves a careful balance of a patient's thromboembolic risk and bleeding risk. For every patient chronically taking an oral anticoagulant who will be undergoing an elective procedure, a four step approach may be considered when creating a plan for the oral anticoagulant. (1) Does the oral anticoagulant need to stop for the procedure? (2) If yes, when should the oral anticoagulant be stopped pre-procedure? (3) Does the patient require a "bridging" parenteral anticoagulant? (4) When should anticoagulation be re-started post procedure? Based on the unique features of warfarin versus the direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), a unique, personalized plan should be developed and tailored to the individual patient. Anticoagulant specialists, such as anticoagulation clinic pharmacists, may help facilitate this process.

A total of 143 cases and 143 controls were included. The mean age was 69 years and median baseline CrCl was 87 mL/min. Median follow-up time was 12.4 months for cases and 16.5 months for controls. There was no significant difference in proportion of patients experiencing a major and/or CRNM bleeding event between cases and controls: 23.1% versus 28.0%, respectively; 9 cases and 8 controls permanently discontinued rivaroxaban because of bleeding. Gastrointestinal/rectal bleeding and hematuria were the most frequently reported bleeding events in both groups. Conclusion and Relevance: This is the first study to assess major and CRNM bleeding outcomes in patients with NVAF on rivaroxaban and diltiazem. Diltiazem use was not associated with an increased rate of bleeding events.

No abstract

Background: Warfarin, a commonly prescribed anticoagulant, requires frequent lab monitoring. Lab monitoring puts patients at risk of COVID-19 exposure and diverts medical resources away from health care systems. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) do not require routine therapeutic monitoring and are indicated first line for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) stroke prevention and venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention/treatment. Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the proportion of patients who qualify for DOACs and assess for predictors of qualification. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated patients on warfarin managed by Michigan Medicine Anticoagulation Service. Direct oral anticoagulant eligibility criteria were established using apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban package inserts. Patient eligibility was determined through chart review. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who qualify for DOACs based on clinical factors. Predictors of DOAC qualification were assessed. Results: This study included 3205 patients and found 51.8% ( n = 1661) of patients qualified for DOACs. Qualifying patients were older (71.9 vs 59.4 years, P < 0.0001) with a higher CHA2DS2 VASc (3.7 vs 3.4, P < 0.0007). The primary disqualifying factor was extreme weight, high and low. Accounting for a patient’s sex and referral source, age > 65 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9, P < 0.0001) and NVAF indication (OR = 5.6, P < 0.0001) were significant predictors for DOAC qualification. Conclusion and Relevance: Approximately 52% of patients on warfarin were eligible for DOACs. This presents an opportunity to reduce patient exposure to health care settings and health care utilization in the setting of COVID-19. Increased costs of DOACs need to be assessed.

No abstract