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Review
. 2017 Aug;12(1):40-45.
doi: 10.15420/ecr.2017:11:2.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants: A Quick Guide

Sikorska Julia  1 , Uprichard James  1
Affiliations
Review

Direct Oral Anticoagulants: A Quick Guide

Sikorska Julia et al. Eur Cardiol. 2017 Aug.

Abstract

Vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin, have been the anticoagulants of choice for many years for patients with AF and other thrombotic conditions. The introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) as alternatives represents a major advance in anticoagulation. DOACs have been found to be at least as safe and effective as vitamin K antagonists in randomised, controlled trials for stroke prevention in AF and the management of venous thromboembolism, with real-world data showing similar outcomes. With the availability of several agents, selecting the most appropriate DOAC can be challenging. The aim of the present article is to provide useful guidance on the implementation of DOAC treatment in clinical practice.

Keywords: AF; direct oral anticoagulant; venous thromboembolic event; vitamin K antagonist.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: JS has no conflicts of interest to declare. JU has sat on scientific advisory boards for Bayer and Leo Pharma; speaker bureaus for Bayer, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Octapharma, Shire and Portola; clinical trials for Portola, Bayer, Boehringer-Ingelheim and Baxalta; and received travel support from Bayer, Baxter and Pfizer.

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