Real-world direct oral anticoagulant experience in atrial fibrillation: falls risk and low dose anticoagulation are predictive of both bleeding and stroke risk

Abstract

Background: Clinical trials have demonstrated that direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are non-inferior to vitamin K antagonist for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) with comparable safety outcomes; however, real-world Australian data are limited. Aims: To evaluate local real-world DOAC use focussing on safety, particularly in high-risk patients. Methods: A retrospective evaluation of 658 patients commenced or continued on DOAC between September 2013 and September 2016 for non-valvular AF at Northern Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Victoria, Australia was performed. Results: Factor Xa inhibitors were more commonly prescribed than direct thrombin inhibitors (83.3 vs 16..