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The effect of management models on thromboembolic and bleeding rates in anticoagulated patients: an ecological study
AbstractThe primary  study objective is to compare the outcomes of patients taking oral anticoagulant medications in two distinct populations treated according to different management models (comprehensive vs. usual care). (Design: regional prospective cohort study; setting: hospital admission data from two regions). Eligible partecipants were patients taking oral anticoagulant drugs (vitamin K antagonist or direct oral anticoagulants), residents in the Vicenza and Cremona districts from February 1st, 2016 to June 30th, 2017. Patients were identified by accessing the administrative databases of patient drug prescripti...
Source: Internal and Emergency Medicine - July 14, 2019 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

Dabigatran etexilate: appropriate use in patients with chronic kidney disease and in the elderly patients
AbstractDabigatran etexilate (DE) is a direct thrombin inhibitor, which has been approved for the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF), and for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Despite large randomized clinical trials and independent observational studies providing robust data concerning DE safety and efficacy, some physicians still perceive mild-to-moderate renal impairment and old age as a relative contraindication to its use. In this article, we review the available scientific evidence supporting the use of DE in these clinical situations. Patients with AF and chronic kidney di...
Source: Internal and Emergency Medicine - April 24, 2017 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

Why switch from warfarin to NOACs?
Abstract Several patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation treated with warfarin or other vitamin-K antagonists (VKA) might benefit from switching to an oral non vitamin-K antagonist anticoagulant (NOAC). In the absence of randomised comparative trials of switching to NOACs versus maintaining VKA treatment, several considerations argue in favour of a switching strategy. First, there is conclusive evidence that haemorrhagic strokes and intracranial bleedings are much fewer in number with NOACs than with warfarin. The risk of intracranial bleeding is 52 % lower with NOACS than with warfarin, with extremes rang...
Source: Internal and Emergency Medicine - March 14, 2016 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

To treat or not to treat very elderly naïve patients with atrial fibrillation with vitamin K antagonists (VKA): results from the VENPAF cohort
Abstract Despite the recommendations in the guidelines, physicians still underuse warfarin in very elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The risks of stroke and major bleeding both increase with age, but it is still not clear whether the beneficial effects of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in preventing stroke outweigh the related bleeding risks in fragile, very elderly patients. The bleeding rates reported in real-world observational studies differ considerably. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the incidence of major bleeding in VKA-naïve patients over 80 years old w...
Source: Internal and Emergency Medicine - April 21, 2015 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research

Direct oral anticoagulants in the secondary prevention of stroke and transient ischemic attack in patients with atrial fibrillation
Abstract In patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and history of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke, the rate of vascular events is higher in comparison to patients without history of stroke or TIA. A meta-analysis of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) studies, including only patients with history of stroke or TIA, report a significant reduction of 15 % in the rates of composite of stroke and systemic embolism in patients treated with DOACs, compared to those treated with warfarin. Furthermore, a reduction of 14 % for major bleeding, as well as a 56 % reduction for hemorrhagic stroke over...
Source: Internal and Emergency Medicine - April 11, 2015 Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research