Warfarin faring better: Vitamin K antagonists beat rivaroxaban and apixaban in the INVICTUS and PROACT Xa trials

J Thromb Haemost. 2023 Jul 8:S1538-7836(23)00523-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.06.036. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAlthough guidelines give preference to the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) over vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for stroke prevention in most patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), DOACs are not recommended in those with rheumatic heart disease or mechanical heart valves. The results of the INVICTUS trial (Investigation of Rheumatic AF Treatment Using Vitamin K Antagonists, Rivaroxaban or Aspirin Studies), which compared rivaroxaban with a VKA in patients with rheumatic heart disease associated AF, and the PROACT Xa trial (A Trial to Determine if Participants with an On-X Aortic Valve Can be Maintained Safely on Apixaban), which compared apixaban with warfarin in patients with an On-X valve in the aortic position, support the use of VKAs for these indications. In this paper, we review the results of these trials, provide perspective on why VKAs were superior to DOACs, and discuss future directions for anticoagulation in these disorders.PMID:37429508 | DOI:10.1016/j.jtha.2023.06.036
Source: Thrombosis and Haemostasis - Category: Hematology Authors: Source Type: research