Non Vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants versus Warfarin for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Absolute Benefit and Harm Assessments yield Novel Insights

ConclusionsFor the primary‐outcome, the absolute benefits of NOACs were modest (NNT/year values being large). Reduced haemorrhagic‐stroke rates with NOACs could be due to superior embolic infarct prevention and fewer consequential haemorrhagic transformations. Among apixaban recipients, the absolute mortality benefit exceeded that for the primary‐outcome, indicating prevention of additional unrelated deaths. The substantially greater NOAC acquisition costs need viewing against probable greater safety and the avoidance of monitoring bleeding risks.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Source: Cardiovascular Therapeutics - January 4, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Cyrus R Kumana, Bernard M Y Cheung, David C W Siu, Hung‐Fat Tse, Ian J Lauder Tags: Unsolicited Review Source Type: research