Direct oral anticoagulants and venous thromboembolism

Eur Respir Rev. 2016 Sep;25(141):295-302. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0025-2016.

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), consisting of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a major clinical concern associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The cornerstone of management of VTE is anticoagulation, and traditional anticoagulants include parenteral heparins and oral vitamin K antagonists. Recently, new oral anticoagulant drugs have been developed and licensed, including direct factor Xa inhibitors (e.g. rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban) and thrombin inhibitors (e.g. dabigatran etexilate). This narrative review focusses on the characteristics of these direct anticoagulants and the main results of published clinical studies on their use in the prevention and treatment of VTE.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage*
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects
  • Blood Coagulation / drug effects*
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Primary Prevention / methods
  • Pulmonary Embolism / blood
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Secondary Prevention / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Venous Thromboembolism / blood
  • Venous Thromboembolism / diagnosis
  • Venous Thromboembolism / drug therapy*
  • Venous Thromboembolism / etiology
  • Venous Thrombosis / blood
  • Venous Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Venous Thrombosis / drug therapy*
  • Venous Thrombosis / etiology

Substances

  • Anticoagulants