Systematic review and meta-analysis of new oral anticoagulants in addition to single or dual antiplatelet therapy after an acute coronary syndrome

Source: European Heart Journal Area: News Oral vitamin K antagonists have been shown to prevent recurrent ischaemic events after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), both as mono-therapy and in combination with aspirin, but substantially increase bleeding. The potential of new oral anticoagulants as antithrombotic therapy after ACSs has been investigated over the past few years and consistent increases in bleeding and the less consistent reduction in ischaemic events have been reported. The overall benefit-risk profile of adding new oral anticoagulants to antiplatelet treatment after an ACS is unknown.   This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of adding direct thrombin or factor-Xa inhibition by any of the novel oral anticoagulants (apixaban, dabigatran, darexaban, rivaroxaban, and ximelagatran) to single (aspirin) or dual (aspirin and clopidogrel) antiplatelet therapy in this setting.   Seven published randomised, placebo-controlled phase II and III studies of novel oral anticoagulants in ACS ...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Source Type: news