Pattern and Impact of Off-label Underdosing of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Who Are Indicated for Standard Dosing

With safety concerns about increasing bleeding, off-label underdosing of non-vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants (NOACs) is common in East Asian patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We tried to investigate the pattern of NOAC underdosing and associated clinical outcomes in patients with AF who are indicated for standard dosing. Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we evaluated 16568 patients with a new prescription of NOAC who are indicated for standard NOAC dosing and compared 4536 patients with warfarin with respect to thromboembolic events (ischemic stroke or systemic embolization), all-cause mortality and major bleeding.
Source: The American Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research