The vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are associated with a significant rate of major and fatal bleeding complications. The new direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), even though having a better bleeding profile…
Plasma coagulation in the activated partial thromboplastin time assay is initiated by sequential activation of coagulation factors XII, XI, and IX. While this series of proteolytic reactions is not an…
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been approved for the treatment of venous thromboembolism and atrial fibrillation based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of direct comparisons with vitamin K antagonists. Despite…
The periprocedural management of patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is a common but potentially challenging clinical problem because there are few prospective studies to guide clinical decisions. Retrospective analyses…
In the past 2 decades, the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have emerged as alternatives to the standard therapy (unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin followed by vitamin K antagonists [VKA]), for the…
For more than 50 years, vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have been the standard of care for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the numerous limitations of VKAs have led to the…
Elective total hip or knee arthroplasty places patients at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). As our understanding of the pathophysiology of VTE after joint arthroplasty has increased, pharmacologic strategies have…
In some clinical settings laboratory measurement of direct oral anticoagulants effect is helpful in guiding medical care, such as life-threatening bleeding, need for emergency surgery, renal impairment, severe hepatic failure,…
Key points • The administration of intravenous heparin to a small number of postoperative patients by Barritt and Jordan dramatically reduced the incidence of fatal and nonfatal pulmonary embolism and…
Jean Marie Connors, MD, Editor Anticoagulant choices have increased exponentially in the last few years, with new options available for the prevention and treatment of thrombotic disease. Unlike heparin and…
