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 hemorrhagic stroke rates with NOACs could be due to superior embolic infarct prevention and fewer consequential hemorrhagic 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.

Source: Cardiovascular Therapeutics - March 3, 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