[MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIRECT ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS (DOACs) ANTI Xa AND ANTI IIa]

Abstract

Direct oral anticoagulants have emerged as the drugs that have changed the management of the antithrombotic treatment in the last 15 years. Their advantages, like a more friendly way of anticoagulation and their lower risk of bleeding, especially in the brain, have positioned these new anticoagulants as the first drug of choice in the two most frequent indications of anticoagulation, atrial fibrillation, and the venous thromboembolic disease. However, not all the patients can receive these agents, not all the direct oral anticoagulants have the same characteristics, and most importantly, not all the diseases with an indication of an anticoagulant drug can be treated with them. Therefore, it is mandatory that all the faculties involved in the management of these drugs must know them in depth, to decide the best treatment for the patient. This position paper, from a group of experts in anticoagulation in Argentina, can help the general practitioner in the daily use of direct oral anticoagulants based on the new evidence and the experience of a wide group of professionals. The way we relate to the anticoagulant treatment has changed in the last years. The doctors who work with them must also do so.

Keywords: apixaban; dabigatran; direct oral anticoagulants; recommendations; rivaroxaban.