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. 2020 Dec 2;27(4):36.
doi: 10.5837/bjc.2020.036. eCollection 2020.

DOACs for stroke prevention in patients with AF and cancer

Dipal Mehta  1 , Daniel M Jones  2 , Avirup Guha  3 , Peter K MacCallum  4 , Amitava Banerjee  5 , Charlotte Manisty  6 , Thomas Crake  6 , Mark Westwood  6 , Arjun K Ghosh  6
Affiliations

DOACs for stroke prevention in patients with AF and cancer

Dipal Mehta et al. Br J Cardiol. .

Abstract

Stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation is an important consideration in patients with cancer. However, there is little consensus on the choice of anticoagulation, due to the numerous difficulties associated with active cancer. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been shown to be a promising option. Here, we conduct a simple cross-sectional analysis of 29 cancer patients receiving DOACs for stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation at a tertiary-care institution in London. Our study demonstrates an encouraging efficacy and safety profile of DOACs used in this setting. We conclude by suggesting that, while DOACs may be useful, anticoagulation in cancer patients should continue to be individualised.

Keywords: atrial fibrillation; cancer; direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Distribution of cancer type and associated bleeding complications in patients taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (SPAF). There were no thromboembolic complications
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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