The daily practice of direct oral anticoagulant use in patients with atrial fibrillation; an observational cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are administered in fixed doses without monitoring. There is still little published data on the impact of the absence of monitoring on adherence to medication and stability of DOAC plasma levels over time.

Objectives

To explore adherence and stability of DOAC plasma levels over time in patients with atrial fibrillation (NVAF) recently started on DOAC therapy.

Patients and methods

A prospective observational cohort study with structured follow up including assessment of adherence to medication, plasma levels at baseline, 3,6 and 12 months and adverse events.

Results

We included 164 patients; 89% were previous users of a vitamin K antagonist (VKA). One-year adherence was reasonably good: Morisky adherence measurement

SUBMITTER: Gulpen AJW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6554016 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature