Major bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation receiving vitamin K antagonists: a systematic review of randomized and observational studies.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Clinical trials have shown that anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), e.g. warfarin, decreases the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF); however, increased bleeding risk is one of the safety concerns. The primary objective was to conduct a systematic review of the published literature, assessing the risk of major bleeding and mortality in patients with AF treated with VKAs.

Methods and results

Online searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, and the Cochrane Library were performed to a pre-specified protocol from 1960 to March 2012 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and from January 1990 to March 2012 for observational studies. A total of 47 studies (16 RCTs and 31 observational studies) were included. Cumulative follow-up was 61,563 pat

SUBMITTER: Roskell NS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3663334 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature