Evaluation of bleeding in patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants

Abstract

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recognized by evidence-based treatment guidelines as the first-line option for the treatment of venous thromboembolism and prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. As use of these anticoagulants has become favored over the past several years, reported bleeding-related adverse drug events with these agents has increased. In randomized clinical trials, all DOACs have a reduced risk for intracranial hemorrhage, while major and other bleeding results have varied among the agents compared to vitamin K antagonists. We have reviewed the bleeding incidence and severity from randomized and real-world data in patients receiving DOACs in an effort to provide the clinician with a critical review of bleeding and offer practical considerations for avoiding adverse events with these anticoagulants.

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Introduction

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recognized as guideline-directed medical therapies for the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and prevention of stroke and systemic embolism (SSE) in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).^1–3 Previously referred to as new or novel, the DOACs directly inhibit thrombin (dabigatran) or factor Xa (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban), thereby exerting their anticoagulant effects. This represents a major advancement over traditional vitamin K antagonists (VKA), which indirectly affects clotting factors and requires several days to reach peak therapeutic effect. Advantages of using DOACs over VKA include reaching a more rapid anticoagulant effect within hours after first dose, achieving similar (and in some cases superior) effectiveness compared to VKA, eliminating the need for routine international normalized ratio (INR) testing, and improving patient satisfaction.^1–3 Bleeding remains a risk with any anticoagulant; however, noted differences in bleeding outcomes exist between patients receiving DOACs and VKA. In randomized clinical trials, all DOACs, when used for the prevention of SSE in NVAF, have reduced the risk for intracranial hemorrhage while major and other bleeding results have varied among the agents.^4–7 Likewise, when used for the treatment and secondary prevention of VTE, major and nonmajor clinically relevant bleeding seems to be at least similar and sometimes reduced to that of VKA.^8–13 Global registry data indicate that prescriptions for DOACs have surpassed that of VKA.¹⁴ As use with these agents has increased since their approval, adverse drug event reporting, in particular bleeding, has also increased.^15,16 Therefore, a critical evaluation of bleeding in patients receiving DOACs is needed. We have reviewed bleeding incidence and severity from randomized trials and real-world registries in patients receiving DOACs to provide the clinician with a critical review of risk and offer practical considerations for the avoidance and management of adverse events with these anticoagulants.

Evaluation of bleeding events from randomized clinical trials

Over the past 7 years since the approval of the first DOAC, data from Phase III clinical trials has been scrutinized to better understand and apply both safety and efficacy results to clinical practice. Table 1 summarizes the bleeding end points from each of the Phase III clinical trials utilizing anticoagulation with DOACs in NVAF and VTE treatment. Bleeding was defined as major if it was clinically overt and associated with a decrease in hemoglobin level of ≥2.0 g/dL, if bleeding led to the transfusion of ≥2 units of red cells, or if bleeding was intracranial or retroperitoneal, occurred in another critical site, or contributed to death. Clinically relevant nonmajor (CRNM) bleeding was defined as overt bleeding that did not meet the criteria for major bleeding but was associated with medical intervention, unscheduled contact with a physician, interruption or discontinuation of study drug, or discomfort or impairment of activities of daily life. Studies evaluating the incidence and outcomes of bleeding events from these initial trials have been published and are described in the following sections.

Table 1.

Bleeding outcomes in pivotal trials utilizing DOACs^*

	Dabigatran				Rivaroxaban		Apixaban		Edoxaban
	HR (95% CI)	P	HR (95% CI)	P	HR (95% CI)	P	HR (95% CI)	P	HR (95% CI)	P	HR (95% CI)	P
Stroke prevention in NVAF
Trial	RE-LY4				ROCKET-AF5		ARISTOTLE6		ENGAGE-TIMI 487
	110 mg		150 mg						30 mg		60 mg
Stroke or SE	0.91 (0.74–1.11)	<0.001 (for NI); 0.34 (for S)	0.66 (0.53–0.82)	<0.001 (for NI and for S)	0.88 (0.75–1.03)	<0.001 (for NI)	0.79 (0.66–0.95)	0.01	1.07 (0.87–1.31)	0.005 (for NI)	0.79 (0.63–0.99)	<0.001 (for NI)
Major or CRNM bleeding	0.78 (0.74–0.83)	<0.001	0.91 (0.86–0.97)	0.002	1.03 (0.96–1.11)	0.44	0.68 (0.61–0.75)	<0.001	0.62 (0.57–0.67)	<0.001	0.86 (0.80–0.92)	<0.001
Major bleeding	0.80 (0.69–0.93)	0.003	0.93 (0.81–1.07)	0.31	1.04 (0.90–1.20)	0.58	0.69 (0.60–0.80)	<0.001	0.47 (0.41–0.55)	<0.001	0.80 (0.71–0.91)	<0.001
Intracranial	0.31 (0.20–0.47)	<0.001	0.40 (0.27–0.60)	<0.001	0.67 (0.47–0.93)	0.02	0.42 (0.30–0.58)	<0.001	0.30 (0.21–0.43)	<0.001	0.47 (0.34–0.63)	<0.001
GI bleeding	1.10 (0.86–1.41)	0.43	1.50 (1.19–1.89)	<0.001	3.2% vs 2.2%	<0.001	0.89 (0.70–1.15)	0.37	0.67 (0.53–0.83)	<0.001	1.23 (1.02–1.50)	0.03
Acute VTE treatment
Trial	RE-COVER8				EINSTEIN DVT-PE11		AMPLIFY12		Hokusai-VTE13
	HR (95% CI)		P		HR (95% CI)	P	HR (95% CI)	P	HR (95% CI)		P
Recurrent VTE	1.10 (0.65–1.84)		NR		0.89 (0.66–1.19)	<0.001 (for NI)	0.84 (0.60–1.18)	<0.001 (for NI)	0.89 (0.70–1.13)		<0.001 (for NI)
Major or CRNM bleeding	0.63 (0.47–0.84)		NR		0.93 (0.81–1.06)	0.27	0.44 (0.36–0.55)	<0.001	0.81 (0.71–0.94)		0.004
Major bleeding	0.82 (0.45–1.48)		NR		0.54 (0.37–0.79)	0.002	0.31 (0.17–0.55)	<0.001	0.84 (0.59–1.21)		0.35
Intracranial	0 vs 3		NR		2 vs 4	NR	0.1% vs 0.2%	NR	NR		NR
GI bleeding	53 vs 35		NR		1 vs 3	NR	0.3% vs 0.7%	NR	NR		NR

Note:

^*Comparator agent for each is warfarin, listed as HR, number of patients, or percentage of patients.

Abbreviations: CRNM, clinically relevant nonmajor; DOAC, direct oral anticoagulant; GI, gastrointestinal; HR, hazard ratio; NI, non-inferiority; NR, not reported; NVAF, nonvalvular atrial fibrillation; S, superiority; SE, systemic embolism; VTE, venous thromboembolism.

Dabigatran

Majeed et al¹⁷ pooled bleeding reports from five major Phase III trials comparing dabigatran and warfarin and reported 7- and 30-day outcomes including mortality in those patients who experienced major bleeding during anticoagulant therapy. In total, 1,121 major bleeds occurred in 1,034 patients with no significant difference in annualized bleeding rates between dabigatran 150 mg twice daily and warfarin (3.32% vs 3.57%). Due to its size, most data in the pooled analysis came from the Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulation Therapy (RE-LY) trial, where the majority of bleeding occurred during the longer, 2-year treatment phase of the trial. Length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay was significantly shorter for those patients who experienced major bleeding while on dabigatran than in those with major bleeding from warfarin (1.6 vs 2.7 nights; P=0.01), despite a higher number of patients requiring blood transfusions (59.2% vs 49.9%; P<0.001) in the dabigatran group. There was a significant decrease in mortality when comparing those patients who experienced a major bleed at 7 days on dabigatran compared to warfarin (5.3% vs 8.4%; P=0.045) and a trend toward reduced mortality at 30 days in those who experienced bleeding on dabigatran vs warfarin (9.1% vs 13.0%; P=0.057). The 30-day odds ratio (OR) for the combined dabigatran groups in RE-LY was 0.56 (95% CI 0.36–0.86; P=0.009) and was 0.52 (95% CI 0.31–0.88) for the dabigatran 150 mg group in the pooled analysis of all five studies. Mortality rates were not reduced in the patients taking dabigatran for the treatment of VTE, but the overall numbers of events were small. Patients who bled while taking dabigatran were found to be older, have worse renal function, and were more likely receiving aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Most major bleeding events were managed with supportive care only; for 33% of major bleeds, no blood products or hemostatic agents were given. Blood transfusion occurred in 59.2% of patients who bled on dabigatran vs 49.9% of warfarin (P=0.002).¹⁷

Rivaroxaban

A safety analysis of major bleeding or CRNM bleeding events in the Rivaroxaban Once Daily Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared with Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation (ROCKET AF) trial showed no difference in the risk for bleeding between rivaroxaban and warfarin (14.91% vs 14.52%; P=0.442).¹⁸ Major bleeding was also similar between rivaroxaban and warfarin, but death from major bleeding was significantly less in the rivaroxaban group (0.24% vs 0.48%; P=0.003), as was intracranial bleeding (0.77% vs 1.18%; P<0.05). The authors identified age, prior gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, anemia at baseline, and aspirin use at randomization to be independent predictors of major bleeding.¹⁸ The EINSTEIN-DVT and EINSTEIN-PE clinical trials evaluated the use of rivaroxaban vs low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)/VKA therapy for the treatment of VTE. A pooled analysis of these trials showed a similar rate in the principal safety outcome of first major or CRNM bleeding event between rivaroxaban and LMWH/VKA therapy (9.4% vs 10.0%; hazard ratio [HR] 0.93; 95% CI 0.81–1.06).¹¹ This analysis also showed a significantly lower rate of major bleeding with rivaroxaban than LMWH/VKA (1.0% vs 1.7%; HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.37–0.79; P=0.002). This difference was primarily due to a reduction in intracranial, retroperitoneal, and GI bleeding events.¹¹ A separate analysis of the EINSTEIN-DVT and EINSTEIN-PE trials evaluated both the severity upon presentation and clinical course of the major bleeding events.¹⁹ Major bleeding was defined by the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) criteria and was further classified on an independent scale including “presentation without urgency” to “need for emergent intervention” or “fatal event.” Of major bleeding events that occurred, a less severe presentation was observed more often in patients receiving rivaroxaban than LMWH/VKA (78% vs 62%, respectively). Major bleeding events that presented as severe, which required emergent intervention, was classified more often in those receiving LMWH/VKA than in those receiving rivaroxaban (35% vs 20%, respectively). Bleeding events were also stratified by the clinical course required, from utilizing mild supportive measures to elaborate lifesaving attempts. Interventions considered to be mild occurred more frequently in those receiving rivaroxaban than in those receiving LMWH/VKA (76% vs 67%, respectively). Likewise, 21% of those patients who bled on LMWH/VKA required immediate or elaborate measures to avoid death compared to 15% of those receiving rivaroxaban. The authors concluded major bleeding occurred less often with rivaroxaban (1.0% vs 1.7%; HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.37–0.79; P=0.002) and with less severity than with LMWH/VKA therapy.¹⁹

Apixaban

Bleeding events from the Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation (ARISTOTLE) trial comparing apixaban to warfarin have been evaluated.²⁰ Major bleeding occurred in 789 patients (4.3%) overall after a median of 20.5 months. Of these patients with a documented major hemorrhage, significantly fewer occurred in patients receiving apixaban than warfarin (2.13% vs 3.09%; HR 0.69; 95% CI 0.60–0.80; P<0.001). Major GI bleeding was not significant between groups, but apixaban did have significantly less intracranial bleeding (HR 0.42; 95% CI 0.30–0.58; P<0.001). Also significant, death within 30 days of a major bleed occurred half as often with apixaban than with warfarin (HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.33–0.74; P<0.001). The authors found that increasing age, prior hemorrhage, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), diabetes, lower creatinine clearance (CrCl), and use of aspirin or NSAID independently increased the risk of major bleeding.²⁰ Likewise, an analysis of bleeding events from the VTE population enrolled in the Apixaban for the Initial Management of Pulmonary Embolism and Deep-Vein Thrombosis as First-Line Therapy (AMPLIFY) trial has been described. Investigators evaluated the severity of major bleeding and CRNM bleeding upon presentation as well as categorizing the clinical course of the bleed.²¹ Major bleeding events categorized as severe occurred less often with apixaban vs LMWH/VKA therapy but was not statistically significant (28.5% vs 44.9%; OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.14–1.78). Presentation with less severe episodes occurred at a higher frequency in patients treated with apixaban. A severe clinical course was not significantly different in those who bled on apixaban vs LMWH/VKA (14.3% vs 12.2%; OR 1.19; 95% CI 0.21–6.69). Presentation and course of CRNM bleeding were similar between the apixaban group and the LMWH/VKA group (25.0% vs 22.7%; OR 1.13; 95% CI 0.65–1.97). In both groups, the authors found that standard measures (such as interrupting anticoagulation and applying pressure to the site) were sufficient to manage the majority of major bleeding events (86% vs 88%). The authors concluded that there was no difference in the clinical presentation and course of CRNM bleeding events between the apixaban and LMWH/VKA groups, but there was a trend toward less severe presentation of major bleeding events in patients treated with apixaban.²¹

Edoxaban

In the Effective Anticoagulation with Factor Xa Next Generation in Atrial Fibrillation-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 48 (ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48) trial, the primary safety end point of major bleeding was found to be significantly less (2.75% with high-dose HR 0.80; 95% CI 0.71–0.91; P<0.001; vs 1.61% with low-dose HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.41–0.55; P<0.001; vs 3.43% with warfarin) in those taking high- or low-dose edoxaban vs those taking warfarin for the prevention of SSE in NVAF.⁷ In the Hokusai-VTE trial, major or CRNM bleeding occurred significantly less often in the edoxaban group than the VKA group (8.5% vs 10.3%; HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.71–0.94; P=0.004). Rates of major bleeding were similar between groups (1.4% vs 1.6%; HR 0.84; 95% CI 0.59–1.21; P=0.35).¹³ A safety analysis for the major bleeding events in the Hokusai-VTE study described no significant difference in severity or clinical course in major bleeding with edoxaban compared to enoxaparin/warfarin.²² Of the major bleeding events in the trial, 54% related to edoxaban were considered milder at the time of presentation compared to 42% of bleeding events with VKA, however, not statistically significant. More severe clinical presentation was also numerically less in the edoxaban group (46%) than the VKA group (58%) but not statistically significant (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.30–1.27; P=0.19). The clinical course of severe major bleeding events was not considered different between edoxaban and VKA (23% vs 30% in edoxaban vs VKA, respectively; OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.32–1.66; P=0.46). The authors concluded that major bleeding events with edoxaban in the Hokusai-VTE study had similar presentation and clinical course than those with VKA therapy. However, there was a nonsignificant trend toward milder presentation and course in the edoxaban group.²²

Overall

A meta-analysis pooling the results of all four pivotal clinical trials in patients with NVAF (RE-LY, ROCKET AF, ARISTOTLE, and ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48) included 42,411 patients receiving a DOAC and 29,272 patients receiving a VKA.²³ DOACs had a nonsignificant reduction in rates of major bleeding overall (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.73–1.00; P=0.06) with significant reductions in hemorrhagic stroke (HR 0.49; 95% CI 0.38–0.64; P<0.0001) and intracranial hemorrhage (HR 0.49; 95% CI 0.39–0.59; P<0.0001) compared to VKA. However, the DOACs were associated with an increase in GI bleeding (HR 1.25; 95% CI 1.01–1.55; P=0.043). Reduction in major bleeding was driven by significant reductions in the ARISTOTLE and ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trials.²³

The results of the aforementioned studies, some using independently developed bleeding classifications, confirm that major bleeding with a DOAC is less severe in nature and required less intensive management than those with standard VKA therapy. When used in patients with NVAF, GI bleeding is higher than VKA with dabigatran 150 mg, rivaroxaban, and edoxaban. An increase in GI bleeding in the treatment of the VTE population has not been appreciated. While randomized comparisons between the DOACs are not available, GI bleeding seems to occur the least in patients receiving apixaban.²⁴

Post-marketing bleeding events

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adverse event reporting

Increased use of the DOACs over recent years has allowed for comparison between clinical trial and real-world bleeding rates. Bleeding outcomes in patients receiving dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban have been compared to warfarin separately, most confirming trial data, although some studies with dabigatran have shown conflicting outcomes.^{15,16,25–28} Two separate analyses of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from 2010 to 2011 showed conflicting results.^15,16 While both studies are subject to reporting bias, with a possible lower threshold of reporting events related to the newer dabigatran, Southworth et al¹⁵ found similar bleeding rates associated with dabigatran and warfarin overall, which is consistent with RE-LY, while McConeghy et al¹⁶ reported a higher proportion of bleeding with dabigatran than warfarin. In the McConeghy et al¹⁶ analysis, intracranial bleeding was lower with dabigatran, but rates of GI bleeding were increased than with warfarin, both of which are consistent with RE-LY.

International claims data

More recently, studies have attempted to compare bleeding rates of DOACs to that of warfarin and among each DOAC using large claims databases (Table 2). Inherent limitations in evaluating claims data include the observational nature of reported data and the inability to identify confounding variables such as over-the-counter aspirin or NSAID use, which could influence bleeding results. Nevertheless, this type of data allows comparison of real-world outcomes with those previously reported in randomized controlled settings.

Table 2.

Bleeding comparisons between DOACs and warfarin from international claims data

	Apixaban vs warfarin: HR (95% CI)	Rivaroxaban vs warfarin: HR (95% CI)	Dabigatran vs warfarin: HR (95% CI)	Apixaban vs rivaroxaban: HR (95% CI)	Apixaban vs dabigatran: HR (95% CI)	Rivaroxaban vs dabigatran: HR (95% CI)
Major bleeding
Larsen et al29 (n=61,678)	0.61 (0.49–0.75)	1.06 (0.91–1.23)	0.58 (0.47–0.71)	–	–	–
Halvorsen et al30 (n=32,675)	0.70 (0.61–0.80); P<0.001	1.05 (0.94–1.17); P=0.400	0.74 (0.66–0.84); P<0.001	–	–	–
Noseworthy et al31 (n=57,788)	–	–	–	0.39 (0.28–0.54); P<0.001	0.50 (0.36–0.70); P<0.001	1.30 (1.10–1.53); P<0.01
Lip et al32 (n=45,361)	0.53 (0.39–0.71)	0.98 (0.83–1.17)	0.69 (0.50–0.96)	1.82 (1.36–2.43) (R vs A)	1.41 (0.93–2.14) (D vs A)	1.05 (0.74–1.49) (D vs R)
Intracranial bleeding
Larsen et al29 (n=61,678)	0.72 (0.42–1.24)	0.56 (0.34–0.90)	0.40 (0.25–0.65)	–	–	–
Halvorsen et al30 (n=32,675)	0.56 (0.36–0.86); P=0.009	0.93 (0.67–1.29); P=0.656	0.46 (0.30–0.70); P<0.001	–	–	–
Noseworthy et al31 (n=57,788)	–	–	–	0.56 (0.21–1.45); P=0.23	0.65 (0.25–1.65); P=0.36	1.79 (1.12–2.86); P=0.02

Abbreviations: A, apixaban; D, dabigatran; DOAC, direct oral anticoagulants; HR, hazard ratio; R, rivaroxaban.

Using data from three national Danish databases over a period of 4 years between 2011 and 2015, Larsen et al²⁹ compared the efficacy and safety between newly initiated standard-dose dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban compared to dose-adjusted warfarin in patients with NVAF. Of the 61,678 patients included in the study, 57% of patients were on warfarin, 21% on dabigatran, 12% on rivaroxaban, and 10% on apixaban. With an average follow-up of 1.9 years (0.9 years for apixaban), results showed a significantly lower rate of major bleeding with apixaban (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.49–0.75) and dabigatran (HR 0.58; 95% CI 0.47–0.71) compared to warfarin. Major bleeding rates from rivaroxaban were not different compared to those from warfarin (HR 1.06; 95% CI 0.91–1.23). Intracranial bleeding was significantly less with dabigatran (HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.25–0.65) and rivaroxaban (HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.34–0.90) compared to warfarin. Apixaban was similar to warfarin (HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.42–1.24) with regard to rates of intracranial bleeding. This differs from clinical trials in which apixaban showed a significant reduction in intracranial bleeding, but may be explained by the smaller number of events and shorter follow-up in the apixaban group in this trial given the later approval date.²⁹

The Norwegian Patient Registry and Norwegian Prescription Database were used to evaluate patients with NVAF receiving an initial prescription for warfarin or a DOAC between January 2013 and June 2015.³⁰ Of the 32,675 patients identified, 35% received warfarin, 24% received dabigatran, 21% received rivaroxaban, and 20% received apixaban. With Cox proportional hazards adjusted for baseline characteristics, apixaban (HR 0.70; 95% CI 0.61–0.80; P<0.001), and dabigatran (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.66–0.84; P<0.001) were associated with lower rates of major bleeding. Rates of major bleeding with rivaroxaban were similar to warfarin (HR 1.05; 95% CI 0.94–1.17; P=0.400). These associations were also true when reduced doses of each DOAC were evaluated. Rates of GI bleeding were significantly higher than warfarin with both dabigatran (HR 1.26; 95% CI 1.01–1.57; P=0.037) and rivaroxaban (HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.12–1.69; P=0.003). There was no significant difference in the rate of GI bleeding between warfarin and apixaban (HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.59–1.02; P=0.068). Regarding rates of intracranial bleeding, dabigatran (HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.30–0.70; P<0.001) and apixaban (HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.36–0.86; P=0.009) showed significantly lower rates than warfarin. There was no significant difference between rivaroxaban and warfarin (HR 0.93; 95% CI 0.67–1.29; P=0.656). The results of this study reflected similar trends as those seen in the Danish study as well as major clinical trials.³⁰

A study using administrative claims data from Optum Labs Data Warehouse, which included privately insured and Medicare Advantage individuals throughout the United States, compared three separate one-to-one propensity-score-matched cohorts to evaluate bleeding rates between rivaroxaban and dabigatran (n=31,574), apixaban and dabigatran (n=13,084), and apixaban and rivaroxaban (n=13,130) in patients with NVAF.³¹ The study included adults with 12 months of continuous enrollment between 2010 and 2015 and matched patients based on baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and prior warfarin use. Compared to dabigatran, rivaroxaban showed a higher risk of major bleeding (HR 1.30; 95% CI 1.10–1.53; P<0.01) and intracranial bleeding (HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.12–2.86; P=0.02). Compared to dabigatran, apixaban had lower rates of major bleeding (HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.36–0.70; P<0.001) and similar rates of intracranial bleeding (HR 0.65; 95% CI 0.25–1.65; P=0.36). Compared to rivaroxaban, apixaban showed lower rates of major bleeding (HR 0.39; 95% CI 0.28–0.54; P<0.001) and had similar rates of intracranial bleeding (HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.21–1.45; P=0.23). While there is inherent limitation in interpreting such differences outside of a randomized comparison, the authors concluded that when comparing dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban, apixaban was associated with lower risk and rivaroxaban was associated with higher risk of bleeding.³¹

A separate observational study utilizing the Optum Labs Data Warehouse reported rates of GI bleeding, both upper and lower, in patients newly initiated on dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and warfarin from 2010 to 2013 using propensity matching. Patients were classified as either NVAF or non-atrial fibrillation (AF), and patients with mechanical heart valves or mitral stenosis were excluded.²⁴ In NVAF patients, the DOACs had lower rates of GI bleeding than warfarin although the differences were not significant with both dabigatran (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.61–1.03) and rivaroxaban (HR 0.93; 95% CI 0.69–1.25). In non-AF patients, GI bleeding was similar compared to warfarin with dabigatran (HR 1.14; 95% CI 0.54–2.39) and rivaroxaban (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.60–1.32).²⁴ The authors suggested that there is no major concern for increased GI bleeding with the DOACs but did report increased rates of GI bleeding in those patients aged >75 years.

Data from the Truven MarketScan^® Commercial & Medicare supplemental US claims database from 2012 to 2014 were utilized to evaluate bleeding rates of the DOACs in comparison to warfarin as well as each other.³² A total of 45,361 patients were newly anticoagulated for NVAF with warfarin (34.1%), apixaban (16.4%), rivaroxaban (39.2%), and dabigatran (10.3%). Compared to those initiated on warfarin, there was a significant reduction in the rate of major bleeding with those initiated on apixaban (HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.39–0.71) and dabigatran (HR 0.69; 95% CI 0.50–0.96). Rivaroxaban showed similar rates of major bleeding compared to warfarin (HR 0.98; 95% CI 0.83–1.17). In this analysis, dabigatran showed less overall bleeding than warfarin; however, 10.6% of dabigatran patients were prescribed the lower 75 mg dose. In the dabigatran 150 mg group, there was a similar rate of major bleeding compared to warfarin (HR 0.71; 95% CI 0.49–1.05). These results aligned with those from the major clinical trials in NVAF.^4–6 When comparing the DOACs to each other, rivaroxaban patients had a significantly higher risk of major bleeding than the apixaban patients (HR 1.82; 95% CI 1.36–2.43). There were no significant differences in major bleeding rates between apixaban and dabigatran (HR 1.41; 95% CI 0.93–2.14) and between dabigatran and rivaroxaban (HR 1.05; 95% CI 0.74–1.49). However, when comparing patients taking dabigatran 150 mg to those taking rivaroxaban 20 mg, a significantly higher risk of major bleeding was seen with rivaroxaban (HR 1.65; 95% CI 1.15–2.36).³²

Finally, rates of bleeding-related hospital readmissions of patients discharged on apixaban (5.5%), dabigatran (43.9%), or rivaroxaban (50.5%) for newly diagnosed NVAF were analyzed among patients enrolled in Premier and Cerner Health Facts databases. Both databases showed a significant increase in readmissions with patients on rivaroxaban compared to apixaban but showed similar rates with patients on dabigatran compared to apixaban. Rivaroxaban was not directly compared to dabigatran in this analysis.³³

As with any observational data, despite best efforts to match patients and control for confounders, these results are subject to inherent limitations including selection bias and lack of laboratory data such as renal function to confirm correct dosing of the DOACs. For the warfarin patients, time in therapeutic range (TTR) has been shown to be integral in making comparisons with the DOACs and is unavailable when using claims-based data. There are also less data available for bleeding rates in apixaban as well as edoxaban based on the timing of approval in the United States and many other countries. Nonetheless, available data have suggested similar rates of overall bleeding in the DOACs compared to the original clinical trials, the exception being one study which showed similar rates of intracranial bleeding between apixaban and warfarin. The authors of this study suggested that this finding may be due to low event rates based on the more recent approval of apixaban.²⁹ Future investigations will likely be published as the number of patients on apixaban and edoxaban increase.

Global registry data

In addition to health claims data, national and global registries have been implemented to continue pharmacovigilance with oral anticoagulation. The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the Field – Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is a global registry, which enrolled its first patient in 2009 and has recently completed recruitment of over 57,000 patients with newly diagnosed NVAF. Published outcomes from the first 2 years of patient follow-up indicate that a total of 17,162 patients were enrolled from over 800 practice sites in over 30 countries.³⁴ Of the 60.8% of patients given anticoagulant therapy, half were started on warfarin and 10.8% were started on a DOAC. A total of 27.4% of patients were started on antiplatelet therapy only and 11.8% were not started on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. The rate of first major bleeding was 0.70 per 100 person-years (95% CI 0.62–0.81) and rates were significantly higher within the first 4 months and significantly decreased beyond this (P=0.001), possibly due to better control of anticoagulation, especially in patients taking warfarin. GI bleeding was the most common site of bleeding and occurred in 1.47% of the total population. Intracranial bleeding occurred in 0.22% of the total population. This registry has yet to publish data comparing specific DOACs against each other or warfarin.³⁴

The Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (GLORIA-AF) is collecting data from up to 2,000 sites in nearly 50 countries on the safety and efficacy of each antithrombotic agent in patients newly diagnosed with NVAF.¹⁴ The registry is also collecting data for patients taking aspirin as well as those not receiving any treatment. The first clinical outcomes from Phase II were recently presented at the 2017 American College of Cardiology annual meeting and demonstrated that, over a 2-year follow-up in 2,937 patients, the rate of major bleeding per 100 patient-years was 1.00 and 1.16 in those receiving dabigatran 150 mg and 110 mg, respectively.³⁵ Results of the other anticoagulants have yet to be published.

The Dresden NOAC registry is a large registry in Germany recruiting patients newly initiated on a DOAC for NVAF or VTE treatment and has published data for dabigatran and rivaroxaban use for stroke prevention in NVAF. Of the 341 patients on dabigatran, the annualized rate of major bleeding was 2.3/100 (95% CI 1.14–4.42). Event rates were the highest within the first 6 months of initiation and dropped drastically following this time. In contrast to the RE-LY trial, annualized bleeding rates were higher for the dabigatran 110 mg group (2.9/100 patient-years) than for the dabigatran 150 mg group (1.7/100 patient-years), which the authors attributed to selection bias as patients with a higher inherent bleeding risk would likely be initiated on the lower dose. While the authors caution against direct comparison to clinical trials, they conclude that real-world use is not worse than that reported in the original RE-LY trial.³⁶ Within the same time period, 1,204 patients received rivaroxaban and showed an annualized bleeding rate of 3.0/100 patient-years (95% CI 2.3–3.8). Similar to real-world data with dabigatran, those receiving the reduced dose of rivaroxaban 15 mg had higher rates of bleeding than the 20 mg dose (4.5 vs 2.4/100 patient-years). While patients on the lower dose had higher rates of renal dysfunction, they were also older, had more comorbidities and higher HAS-BLED (Hypertension, Abnormal Renal/Liver Function, Stroke, Bleeding History or Predisposition, Labile International Normalized Ratio, Elderly, Drugs/Alcohol) scores. The authors noted that annualized major bleeding rates were numerically less than those in the ROCKET AF trial (3.6/100 patient-years) and concluded that daily use of rivaroxaban is not worse than what has been published in clinical trials.³⁷

Xarelto^® for Prevention of Stroke in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (XANTUS) is a prospective international registry initiated by Bayer HealthCare for patients newly initiated on rivaroxaban in Europe, Canada, and Israel.³⁸ Of the 6,784 patients started on rivaroxaban, the annualized rate of major bleeding was reported as 2.1/100 patient-years (95% CI 1.8–2.5). The rates of intracranial hemorrhage and GI bleeding were 0.4/100 patient-years (95% CI 0.3–0.6) and 0.9/100 patient-years (95% CI 0.6–1.1), respectively. Authors concluded that rates of bleeding occurred less than those seen in the ROCKET AF trial (3.6/100 patient-years), but a less restrictive definition of bleeding was used. Incidence of intracranial hemorrhage was similar to the ROCKET AF trial (0.5/100 patient-years), and GI bleeding rates were lower (2.0/100 patient-years). The authors concluded that overall rates of bleeding with rivaroxaban in a real-world setting were generally low and not worse than those reported in the ROCKET AF trial.³⁸

Additional ongoing registries are summarized in Table 3. Now that treatment guidelines recognize the DOACs as first line therapies, the quantity and availability of real world experience with these agents will increase, enabling clinicians to make more informed decisions when initiating anticoagulation with the agents.¹

Table 3.

Global registries of DOACs used for the treatment of VTE and prevention of SSE in NVAF

Name	Dates and location	Indication	Drug(s)	Target recruitment	National clinical trial identifier(s)	Outcomes
GARFIELD-AF	December 2009–July 2018; 35 countries	Newly diagnosed NVAF	Warfarin; DOAC; antiplatelet; no therapy	55,000	NCT01090362	Characterize treatment patterns and outcomes; rates of stroke and bleeding
GARFIELD-VTE	March 2014–December 2018; 20 countries	Acute, subacute, and extended duration VTE	Warfarin; DOAC	10,000	NCT02155491	Rate of recurrent VTE; bleeding events
GLORIA-AF	May 2011–January 2020; 50 countries	Newly diagnosed NVAF	Warfarin; DOAC; antiplatelet; no therapy	56,000	Phase I: NCT01428765; Phase II/III: NCT01937377, NCT01468701, NCT01671007	Characterize treatment patterns and outcomes; rates of stroke and bleeding
Dresden NOAC registry	November 2011–December 2018; Germany	Newly diagnosed NVAF or VTE	Warfarin; DOAC	3,500	NCT01588119	Characterize treatment patterns and outcomes; rates of stroke and bleeding
ORBIT-AF II	February 2013–February 2018; United States	Newly diagnosed NVAF or recent transition to DOAC	DOAC	15,000	NCT01701817	Major bleeding
RE-COVERY DVT/PE	November 2015–December 2018; multinational	Newly diagnosed DVT and/or PE	Dabigatran; warfarin	14,000	NCT02596230	Characterize DVT/PE patient population; safety and efficacy of dabigatran etexilate compared to VKA regimens
XANTUS	June 2012–March 2015; Canada, Europe, Israel	NVAF	Rivaroxaban	6,784	NCT01606995	Major bleeding; all-cause mortality; thromboembolic events; prescribing characteristics
XANTUS-EL	January 2013–June 2016; Eastern Europe, Middle East Africa	NVAF	Rivaroxaban	2,101	NCT01800006	Major bleeding; all-cause mortality; thromboembolic events; prescribing characteristics

Abbreviations: DOAC, direct oral anticoagulant; DVT, deep vein thrombosis; GARFIELD-AF, Global Anticoagulant Registry in the Field – Atrial Fibrillation; GARFIELD-VTE, Global Anticoagulant Registry in the Field – Venous Thromboembolic Events; GLORIA-AF, Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation; NOAC, novel oral anticoagulant; NVAF, nonvalvular atrial fibrillation; ORBIT-AF II, Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation II; PE, pulmonary embolism; RE-COVERY DVT/PE, Global Study on Treatment Secondary Prevention of Acute Venous Thromboembolism; SSE, stroke and systemic embolism; VKA, vitamin K antagonist; VTE, venous thromboembolism; XANTUS, Xarelto^® for Prevention of Stroke in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation; XANTUS-EL, Xarelto^® for Prevention of Stroke in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Latin America and EMEA (Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa) Region.

Benefit–risk assessment

Proper patient selection

Careful patient selection should be considered to mitigate the potential risk of bleeding when anticoagulation with a DOAC is desired. Insight from randomized data suggest that age, renal function, prior history of stroke, TIA, or hemorrhage, and use of antiplatelet or anti-inflammatory agents increase the risk of major bleeding with these agents. Certain patient populations were excluded from VTE and NVAF clinical trials, and avoiding use in patients with these characteristics is prudent to circumvent inherent risk. Further, dosing was adjusted based upon estimated CrCl and/or the presence of drug interactions, all which could affect safety and efficacy outcomes. The following conditions should be considered according to evidence-based and pharmacokinetic data to achieve full pharmacotherapeutic benefit of the DOACs while avoiding potential risks for bleeding.

Renal impairment

The most important factor when considering DOAC therapy is renal function. Whereas warfarin is not affected by renal impairment, each of the DOACs to a varying degree is eliminated by the kidney (Table 4). Moderate to severe renal impairment will increase the risk for bleeding as serum drug concentrations can accumulate, affecting dabigatran the most and apixaban in the least.^2,3

Table 4.

Pharmacologic and clinical trial comparisons between DOACs

	Dabigatran39	Rivaroxaban42	Apixaban50	Edoxaban43
Pharmacology
Mechanism of action	Direct thrombin inhibitor	Factor Xa inhibitor	Factor Xa inhibitor	Factor Xa inhibitor
Indication	VTE, NVAF	VTE, NVAF, postoperative DVT prevention	VTE, NVAF, postoperative DVT prevention	VTE, NVAF
Metabolism/elimination	Hepatic (pro-drug)/80% renal	CYP 3A4/5 and CYP 2J2/36% renal; 7% fecal	CYP 1A2, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2J2, P-gp/~25% renal	CYP 3A4/50% renal
Oral bioavailability (F%)	3–7%	~66% (increased with food)	50%	62%
Half-life (h)	12–17	5–9	~12	10–14
Volume of distribution (L)	50–70	~50	~21	107

Landmark clinical trial comparisons
VTE (year)/NVAF (year)	RE-COVER I8 (2009)	RE-LY4 (2009)	EINSTEIN-DVT/PE9–11 (2010/2012)	ROCKET-AF5 (2011)	AMPLIFY12 (2013)	ARISTOTLE6 (2011)	Hokusai-VTE13 (2013)	ENGAGE AF-TIMI 487 (2013)
Study design	DB, DD, RCT	RCT	OL, RCT	DB, RCT	DB, RCT	DB, DD, RCT	DB, DD, RCT	DB, DD, RCT
Intervention	Dabigatran vs warfarin		Rivaroxaban vs warfarin		Apixaban vs warfarin		Edoxaban vs warfarin
N	2,539	18,113	4,832/3,449	14,264	5,395	18,201	8,240	21,105
Study population
Age (mean) (years)	~55	~72	~57	~73 (median)	~57	70 (median)	~55	72 (median)
Gender (%men)	68	64	51–57	60	58	65	57	62
Cancer (%)	57–64	–	4.5–6.8	–	–	–	~9	–
CHADS2 (score/majority%)	–	Even distribution (0–6)	–	3 (43%)	–	2 (36%)	–	<3 (72%)
Interventional drug regimen	150 mg bid*	110 mg bid or 150 mg bid	15 mg bid × 3 weeks; 20 mg daily	20 mg daily	10 mg bid × 7 days; 5 mg bid	5 mg bid	60 mg daily*	60 mg daily
Dosage adjustment	CrCl ≤30: NR	CrCl 15–30: 75 mg bid¥; CrCl ≤15: NR	CrCl<30: NR	CrCl 15–50: 15 mg daily; CrCl<15: NR	CrCl<25/SCr>2.5: NR	SCr≥1.5 and age≥80 years or weight ≤60 kg: 2.5 mg bid	CrCl 30: 30 mg daily, OR<60 kg	CrCl 30–50: 30 mg daily, or <60 kg or potent P-gp inhibitor; CrCl>95: NR
Mean TTR (INR 2–3)	60%	64%	62.7%	55%	68%	62%	63.5%	68% (median)
CrCl in landmark study	105 (mean)	50–79 (majority)	>80 (majority)	67 (median)	>80 (majority)	>50 (majority)	>50 (majority)	>50 (majority)
Key exclusion criteria
Renal dysfunction	CrCl<30	CrCl<30	CrCl<30	CrCl<30	CrCl<25; SCr>2.5	CrCl<25; SCr>2.5	CrCl<30	CrCl<30
Hepatic dysfunction	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Stroke history	NS	<14 days or <6 months (severe)	NS	<14 days or <3 months (severe)	NS	<7 days	NS	<30 days
Hemodynamic instability	X	NS	SBP>180/DBP>110	SBP>180/DBP>110	SBP>180/DBP>110	SBP>180/DBP>110	SBP>170/DBP>110	SBP>170/DBP>110
Active/high risk for bleeding	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Valvular disease	NS	X	NS	X	NS	X	NS	X
AP use	Indication for long-term AP	NS	NS	ASA>100 mg	ASA>165 mg; DAPT	ASA>165 mg; DAPT	ASA>100 mg;DAPT	DAPT
Drug interaction	NS	NS	Strong CYP 3A4 inhibitors/inducers	Strong CYP 3A4 inhibitors/inducers	Strong CYP 3A4 inhibitors/inducers	NS	Strong P-gp inhibitors/inducers	Cyclosporine use
Others	Symptoms >14 days; thrombolytic use; indication for VKA; life <6 months		IE; life<3 months; indication for VKA; thrombolytic exposure to AC	IE; LV thrombus; indication for VKA; thrombolytic	LMWH indication	IE; indication for VKA	LMWH indication; indication for VKA	LV thrombus; MI or planned PCI; active cancer

Notes:

^*Patients received parental AC prior to starting oral drug therapy for VTE trials. RECOVER had an average of 9 days of parental AC and patients received 5 days of parental AC in Hokusai-VTE.

^¥Dosage adjustment as recommended in package insert, not studied in RE-LY. X, characteristic outlined in exclusion criteria.

Abbreviations: AC, anticoagulation; AP, antiplatelet; ASA, aspirin; CrCl, creatinine clearance (mL/min); DAPT, dual antiplatelet therapy; DB, double blind; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; DD, double dummy; DOACs, direct oral anticoagulants; DVT, deep vein thrombosis; IE, infectious endocarditis; INR, international normalized ratio; LMWH, low molecular weight heparin; NR, not recommended; LV thrombus, left ventricular thrombus; NS, not specified (in exclusion criteria); NVAF, nonvalvular atrial fibrillation; OL, open label; OR, odds ratio; P-gp, P-glycoprotein; RA, recommend against; RCT, randomized controlled trial; SBP, systolic blood pressure; TTR, time in therapeutic range; VKA, vitamin K antagonist; VTE, venous thromboembolism.

FDA package labeling has provided dosing recommendations based on estimated CrCl. However, some ambiguity exists with how to renally adjust dosing, since all pivotal VTE clinical trials excluded patients with a CrCl of <25–30 mL/min.^8–10,12,13 Trials in NVAF also excluded patients with CrCl <30 mL/min, with the exception of apixaban where renal function was considered in addition to older age and low body weight to be of concern.^4–7 Dabigatran is 80% renally eliminated via glomerular filtration; RE-LY and RECOVER clinical trials excluded patients with an estimated CrCl of <30 mL/min. The FDA includes renal adjustment of dabigatran in its package labeling to 75 mg twice daily in patients with a CrCl of 15–30 mL/min; however, importantly this dosing was not studied in either RE-LY or RECOVER.^4,8,39 The rationale for this dosing recommendation is largely derived from pharmacokinetic simulation and modeling.^40,41 Since there is a lack of in vivo trials using 75 mg twice daily in patients with a CrCl of 15–30 mL/min, caution should be used when considering dabigatran for patients with this criteria.

Rivaroxaban and edoxaban are approximately 36–50% renally eliminated.^42,43 The majority of patients enrolled in the EINSTEIN trials had a CrCl >80 mL/min and the median CrCl was 67 mL/min in the ROCKET AF trial.^5,9,10 In the ROCKET AF trial, the rivaroxaban dose was preemptively reduced from 20 mg daily to 15 mg daily in patients with an estimated CrCl of 30–49 mL/min, yet package insert labeling for NVAF recommends this dose down to a CrCl of 15 mL/min.^5,42 The majority of patients enrolled in ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 and Hokusai-VTE had a CrCl of >50 mL/min.^7,13 FDA labeling for edoxaban includes a 50% dose reduction to 30 mg daily for patients with CrCl of 15–50 mL/min for either VTE or NVAF indication.⁴³

Apixaban is the DOAC that is affected the least by renal impairment (~25% of the active drug is cleared by the kidney). The VTE study, AMPLIFY, required no dose adjustment of apixaban in renal impairment but excluded patients with either an serum creatinine (SCr) >2.5 mg/dL or CrCl <25 mL/min. However, a dosage reduction from 5 mg to 2.5 mg twice daily was recommended in ARISTOTLE if patients had SCr≥1.5 mg/dL along with at least one other increased risk factor for bleeding, specifically age ≥80 years or weight ≤60 kg. The majority of patients enrolled in ARISTOTLE and AMPLIFY had CrCl >50 mL/min and 80 mL/min, respectively.^6,12

While renal function can reduce the clearance of the oral anticoagulants and therefore increase the risk for bleeding, it should also be noted that enhanced renal function may also expedite clearance, as in the case of edoxaban. This agent is not recommended in patients with atrial fibrillation and an estimated CrCl of >95 mL/min because of decreased efficacy concerns.^7,43

Laboratory measurement of serum creatinine and estimation of CrCl should be established upon initiation of a DOAC prescription and periodically thereafter, especially at times of suspected change in renal function.^2,3 Careful consideration should be given in situations when renal function falls outside of the average population studied within each individual trial. Atrial fibrillation guidelines in the United States currently recommend warfarin as the agent of choice in patients with severe renal dysfunction or end-stage renal disease.³

Elderly

Age-related changes such as low body mass index (BMI), reduced muscle mass, and changes in glomerular filtration rate have the potential to alter pharmacokinetic response of anticoagulants, leading to an increased risk for bleeding.⁴⁴ In addition, the elderly more commonly have comorbid conditions that require concomitant medication use and drug interactions can influence risk.⁴⁵

Underuse of anticoagulants in NVAF is commonly due to the concern for bleeding potential.⁴⁵ Rates of major hemorrhage in elderly patients with NVAF initiated on warfarin for the prevention of stroke are higher in those aged ≥80 years and are highest within the first 90 days of therapy initiation.⁴⁶ Therefore, patients who were at the highest risk of thromboembolism (i.e., advanced age) also experience most of the bleeding events, which complicates the decision to start anticoagulation therapy in elderly patients.^1–3 This is also seen with DOACs: 40% (n=7,258) of patients enrolled in the RE-LY trial were over the age of 70 years. Subgroup comparisons between the younger (<75 years old) and older (≥75 years old) patient groups showed higher event and bleeding rates in the older cohort.⁴⁵ Interestingly, comparing dabigatran and warfarin, the point estimates for the HRs for bleeding were higher for both doses of dabigatran than for warfarin, indicating that the incidence of bleeding with dabigatran may be of higher concern than warfarin in those aged >70 years.⁴⁵ Similarly, in a prespecified analysis of 6,299 elderly patients enrolled in ROCKET AF, higher events and bleeding rates occurred in the elderly compared to younger patients; however, importantly, there was no increase in major bleeding among those aged 75 years or older receiving rivaroxaban compared to warfarin (4.86% vs 4.4%; 95% CI 0.92–1.35), thereby indicating that rivaroxaban may pose no greater risk when used in the elderly.⁴⁷

Most patients enrolled in the DOAC pivotal trials for NVAF were 70–73 years old, and 55–58 years old in the VTE treatment trials; therefore, safety data on DOAC use in those aged ≥75 years are limited.^4–10,12,13 A meta-analysis including 10 randomized control trials representing 25,031 elderly adults (≥75 years) compared dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban to warfarin for the prevention of SSE in patients with NVAF and treatment of VTE.⁴⁸ Use of these agents in the elderly did not increase clinically relevant bleeding compared to conventional therapy (6.4% bleeding with DOAC vs 6.3% with warfarin; OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.73–1.43). The risk for bleeding of the individual agents was also evaluated, noting no increase in elderly patients receiving rivaroxaban (4.5% vs 4.5%; OR 1.18; 95% CI 0.64–2.19) or apixaban (5.1 vs 7.3%; OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.43–1.51). The authors noted that safety data were limited with dabigatran due to the lack of reported bleeding outcomes in the elderly subgroup, yet reported similar major or CRNM bleeding between dabigatran and warfarin (9.3% vs 8.7%; OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.90–1.28).⁴⁸ Efficacy outcomes were better in those elderly patients receiving DOACs compared to warfarin in both indications.

The primary safety outcome of major bleeding in 31,418 patients ≥75 years was evaluated in another meta-analysis including 19 randomized trials (102,479 patients total) utilizing all four DOACs.⁴⁹ Bleeding patterns were distinct in the elderly and varied based upon bleed definition and location. Overall, significant reductions in the primary safety outcome of major bleeding in those ≥75 years were seen if the anticoagulant was apixaban (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.51–0.77; P<0.0001) or edoxaban (both 30 mg [OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.38–0.57; P<0.0001] and 60 mg [OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.67–0.98; P=0.003] doses) compared to warfarin. A nonsignificant higher risk of major bleeding in the elderly was seen with dabigatran 150 mg twice daily (OR 1.18; 95% CI 0.97–1.44; P=0.10) compared to warfarin. This was in contrast to evaluation of the total population (all ages) where major bleeding was similar with dabigatran 150 mg than VKA and significantly lower with the 110 mg dose. No significant difference in bleeding rates was seen in the elderly when comparing rivaroxaban and warfarin.⁴⁹ Secondary bleeding outcomes also included differences in clinically relevant, GI, intracranial, and fatal bleeding but should be interpreted with caution given the limited numbers of event rates in this older population. In the total population, all DOACs except rivaroxaban and dabigatran 110 mg demonstrated superior reductions in clinically relevant bleeding outcomes, whereas, in the elderly population, only apixaban showed superiority to VKA (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.54–0.76; P<0.0001). GI bleeding was higher than VKA with dabigatran 150 mg, rivaroxaban, and edoxaban 60 mg in the total population; but significantly higher with only both doses of dabigatran in the elderly (150 mg: OR 1.78; 95% CI 1.35–2.35; P<0.0001; 110 mg: OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.04–1.90; P=0.03). Data on GI bleeding in the elderly for the other DOACs were not reported. Intra-cranial hemorrhage was lower with all DOACs compared to VKA in the total population, but only significantly lower in the elderly with both doses of dabigatran (150 mg: OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.26–0.72; P=0.001; 110 mg: OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.22–0.61; P=0.0001) and apixaban (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.24–0.59; P<0.0001). Rivaroxaban was associated with a nonsignificant reduction in intracranial hemorrhage in the elderly, whereas data on edoxaban in patients aged 75 years or older were not available. Finally, fatal bleeding was significantly reduced compared to VKA with dabigatran 110 mg, rivaroxaban, and both 30 mg and 60 mg doses of edoxaban in the total population; only rivaroxaban showed superiority in the elderly for this secondary outcome (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.30–0.93; P=0.03); however, low numbers of fatal bleeding events in the elderly were reported in the studies.⁴⁹

Caution should be exercised when any anticoagulant, DOAC or VKA, is given to an elderly patient. This age group represents the highest at risk for stroke and highest at risk for bleeding complications.^1–3 Clinical trial evidence suggests greater efficacy with DOACs than VKA in the elderly population without an overt increased risk for major or CRNM bleeding; however, meta-analyses have shown distinct differences in bleeding outcomes among the elderly population.^45,47–49 Dose adjustment may be considered on an individual basis to improve the risk profile. When used in NVAF, for example, apixaban should be limited in those aged ≥80 years who also have an additional comorbidity such as renal impairment (SCr≥1.5 mg/dL) or frail or low body weight (≤ 60 kg). While the FDA makes no recommendation for dose reduction of dabigatran in elderly patients, the European Union suggests using 110 mg dabigatran twice daily for individuals aged 80 years and older.⁴⁸ Finally, frailty should be considered when administering edoxaban for the indication of VTE treatment; a reduced dose of 30 mg daily is recommended by the FDA in those weighing (≤60 kg) regardless of age.⁴³

Drug interactions

Although DOACs have fewer drug interactions than conventional VKA, drug interactions with the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and CYP450 3A4 enzymes become important considerations with these agents. All DOAC metabolism is affected by P-gp such to the extent that they are not recommended to be given with P-gp inducers, rifampin being the most potent interaction cited due to its ability to decrease anticoagulant efficacy.^39,42,43,50 However, inhibitors of P-gp can increase systemic exposure from DOACs and thereby increase bleeding risk. Dabigatran and edoxaban are mainly metabolized by P-gp, and dose reductions are recommended based on indication (NVAF or VTE) when renal function is impaired (an additional risk for bleeding). Rivaroxaban and apixaban are also metabolized through the liver and require dose adjustment to avoid bleeding risk when combined with strong CYP450 3A4 and P-gp inhibitors. Table 4 includes FDA-recommended dose adjustments to avoid increased risk for bleeding.

Bleeding risk calculators

An informed approach to bleeding assessment is necessary whenever oral anticoagulation is initiated. Several tools have been developed and validated to estimate rates of bleeding within the NVAF population: HEMORR₂ HAGES (Hepatic or Renal Disease, Ethanol Abuse, Malignancy, Older Age, Reduced Platelet Count or Function, Re-Bleeding, Hypertension, Anemia, Genetic Factors, Excessive Fall Risk and Stroke), HAS-BLED, and ATRIA (Anticoagulation Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation) scores; however, no tool is specific for the DOACs as these scoring systems have mainly been validated in patients receiving VKA.^51–53 With these calculators, risk assessment points are allocated when a particular condition or risk factor is present; however, because risk factors for bleeding and stroke often overlap, patients at highest risk for stroke also have the highest bleeding risk scores. Score totals that indicate a high risk for bleeding with the HEMORR₂ HAGES, HAS-BLED, and ATRIA tools are ≥4, ≥3, and ≥5, respectively. The HAS-BLED score has similar overall accuracy to HEMORR₂ HAGES and has demonstrated similar accuracy in the ability to predict major bleeding.⁵² The HAS-BLED score has been shown to have the best predictive performance for major and CRNM bleeding compared to the HEMORR₂ HAGES and ATRIA scoring tools.⁵⁴ Furthermore, a HAS-BLED score of >2 correlated with a 85% increased risk in clinically relevant bleeding, 2.4-fold risk of major bleeding and 2.9-fold risk of death.⁵⁴ An ATRIA score of >3 was not associated with clinically significant bleeding, but was associated with high all-cause mortality and major bleeding.⁵⁴ While these tools may attempt to estimate risk for major and potentially fatal bleeding events, they offer poor differentiation between severity or type of bleed to anticipate. It is important to consider that a high bleeding risk score should not be considered a contraindication or reason to discontinue anticoagulation; in most cases, the benefit from anticoagulation outweighs the risk for bleeding. Rather, modified risks should be identified and corrected as appropriate to minimize bleeding risk. While American guidelines state lack of clinical utility, the use of a bleeding risk tool is recommended (class IIa, level of evidence B) by the European Society of Cardiology to determine modifiable bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation.^2,3 Despite comparisons between the risk calculators, no specific scale is recommended over another per European atrial fibrillation guidelines, but rather a combined risk identification utilizing several risk tools is offered.²

Risk estimations for bleeding from anticoagulation in those treated for VTE are limited (Table 5). Patient characteristics predictive of major bleeding have been identified through the RIETE (Registro Informatizado de Enfermedad TromboEmbólica) registry during the first 3 months of anti-coagulation therapy for the treatment of VTE.⁵⁵ The American College of Chest Physicians recommends stratifying bleeding risk into low (0 risk factors), moderate (1 risk factor), and high (≥2 risk factors). Each category is associated with 1.6%, 3.2%, and 12.8% average major bleeding in the first 3 months of therapy with parental anticoagulation followed by warfarin for low-, moderate-, and high-risk categories, respectively. As in NVAF, a high bleeding risk score is not a reason to avoid anticoagulation. Rather, extended duration of anticoagulation for first unprovoked VTE may be avoided in those with highest bleeding risk.¹

Table 5.

Bleeding risk assessment tools

Atrial fibrillation			VTE
HEMORR2 HAGES51 (assigned points)	HAS-BLED52 (one point each)	ATRIA53 (assigned points)	RIETE55 (assigned points)	CHEST1 (one point each)
Liver/renal disease (1); age >75 years (1)	Abnormal liver or renal function; elderly	Severe renal disease/dialysis (3); age >75 years (2)	SCr>1.2 mL/dL (1.5); age >75 years (1)	Renal failure; age >65 years; age >75 years
Anemia (1); low platelets (1); history of bleeding (2); risk of re-bleeding (1)	History or risk of bleeding	Anemia (3); prior bleeding (1)	Anemia (1.5); recent bleeding (<15 days) (2)	Anemia; previous bleeding
Alcohol abuse (1)	Drug/alcohol use			Alcohol abuse Antiplatelet therapy; NSAID use
	Labile INR			Poor anticoagulant control
Uncontrolled hypertension (1)	Uncontrolled hypertension	Hypertension (1)
Risk of falls or stroke (1)	History of stroke			Previous stroke Frequent falls
Genetic factors (1)			Cancer (1); PE at baseline (1)	Cancer; metastatic cancer Diabetes Comorbidity and reduced functional capacity Recent surgery
Low risk: 0–1; intermediate risk: 2–3; high risk: ≥4	Low risk: <3; high risk: ≥3	Low risk: 0–3; intermediate risk: 4; high risk: ≥5	Low risk: 0; intermediate risk: 1–4; high risk: >4	Low risk: 0; intermediate: 1; high risk ≥2

Abbreviations: INR, international normalized ratio; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; VTE, venous thromboembolism.

Key exclusions from clinical trials

Exclusion of patients with poor renal function, as previously discussed, is an important consideration for all of these clinical trials (Table 4). Patients with CrCl <25–30 mL/min were excluded from VTE studies while CrCl <30 mL/min was the cutoff for inclusion in NVAF trials. Patients with any history of intracranial bleeding were excluded from DOAC trials in NVAF.^4–7 While all trials defined “high risk” for bleeding differently, history of previous stroke, TIA, or hemorrhage can increase the risk for subsequent events. In addition, time limits for some of these factors were incorporated into the exclusion criteria, such as stroke within 14 days or severe stroke within 6 months as implemented in the RE-LY trial to minimize bleeding risk. In addition, most trials excluded patients exhibiting hemodynamic instability, often defined by systolic and diastolic blood pressure thresholds, for example, systolic blood pressure >180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >110 mmHg.^5–10,12,13

Patients with active liver disease were excluded from all DOAC trials. Hepatic function should be assessed prior to therapy initiation and periodically thereafter. All DOACs are hepatically metabolized; however, dabigatran etexilate must undergo hydrolysis in the liver to be converted into its active compound.³⁹ Use of rivaroxaban and edoxaban should be avoided in patients with moderate to severe hepatic disease; apixaban should be avoided in patients with severe hepatic disease.^39,42,43,50

Finally, concomitant administration of antiplatelet and NSAID agents will increase the risk for bleeding via a synergistic response when given with DOACs and should be avoided or minimized when possible.^17,18,20 ROCKET AF and Hokusai-VTE excluded patients receiving aspirin doses of >100 mg/day; both ARISTOTLE and AMPLIFY excluded those patients on >165 mg of aspirin daily or on dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT). Use of aspirin was as high as 40% depending upon the study, and both aspirin and NSAID agents were noted to be independent risks for a bleeding event.^17,18,20 Given the higher likelihood for GI bleeding with most DOACs, alternative analgesic medications should be considered when coadministration is necessary. Dabigatran is formulated with tartaric acid to increase oral bioavailability, which may have contributed to the increased risk of GI bleeding in RE-LY.^4,39

Management of bleeding events

Bleeding events from VKA use occurred in controlled trial settings in approximately 2.1 per 100 patient-years (range 0.90–3.4) and 2.0 per 100 patient-years (range 0.2–7.6) in observational studies.⁵⁶ As previously reviewed, GI bleeding may be more problematic with these agents, but overall bleeding is less likely to occur with DOACs. While bleeding events are rare, if they occur they are likely to be less severe and less likely to require extensive treatment intervention including transfusions.^17–24 Laboratory measurement of blood or anticoagulant levels is not recommended during a bleeding event associated with DOACs as the reliability or value for any simple coagulation test in defining anticoagulation status has not been proven. Based on the DOAC half-lives and rapid clearance, supportive measures are typically sufficient while waiting for the anticoagulant effect to diminish, usually within 18–24 hours in patients with normal renal clearance. In life-threatening situations, or if surgical intervention is required emergently, the availability of a reversal agent is appealing. To date, three reversal agents have been studied and are in various stages of the approval process. The first specific antidote to be approved by the FDA and European Medicines Agency is idarucizumab and may be administered in a 5 g dose to reverse the effects of the direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran.⁵⁷ Antidotes for the factor Xa inhibitors, among other anticoagulants, are in development and are summarized in Table 6.

Table 6.

Reversal agents for the DOACs⁵⁷

Agent	Idarucizumab	Andexanet alfa	Ciraparantag
Target	Dabigatran	Factor Xa inhibitors:	UFH
		Rivaroxaban	Enoxaparin
		Apixaban	Fondaparinux
		Edoxaban	Dabigatran
		Enoxaparin	Rivaroxaban
		Fondaparinux	Apixaban
			Edoxaban
Mechanism	Humanized antibody fragment; binds dabigatran with 350 times the affinity of thrombin	Recombinant modified human factor Xa decoy protein; directly binds target and restores activity of factor Xa	Small synthetic molecule; directly binds drug target to block binding to target site
Onset	<10 minutes	2–5 minutes	5–20 minutes
Approval status	FDA 2015 EMA 2015	Currently delayed by FDA until more data with edoxaban and enoxaparin	FDA granted fast track review in April 2015; currently in Phase III studies
Administration	Two consecutive IV infusions	Dose based on specific target anticoagulant; IV bolus with or without infusion	IV bolus; future studies may include infusion

Abbreviations: DOACs, direct oral anticoagulants; EMA, European Medicines Agency; FDA, US Food and Drug Administration; IV, intravenous; UFH, unfractionated heparin.

Cost-effectiveness

In addition to proper patient selection and utilization of appropriate DOAC dosing, there are other factors to consider for enhanced patient care: quality of life, affordability, and patient preference. Quality and cost-effectiveness analysis have attempted to put perspective on DOAC use as compared to VKA.

While separate cost analyses have varied in the type of cohort studies included and in sources used to obtain drug acquisition costs, several have been similar in recognizing apixaban as the most cost-effective agent for the prevention of stroke in NVAF.^58–62 Using a Markov model to determine the quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $50,000, apixaban 5 mg twice daily was the most cost-effective therapy (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio [ICER] $15,026/QALY), followed by dabigatran 150 mg twice daily (ICER $11,150/QALY) and rivaroxaban 20 mg daily (ICER $3,190/QALY).⁵⁸ Another study utilizing a WTP threshold of $100,000 had found that apixaban had an ICER of $93,063/QALY, while rivaroxaban and dabigatran had an ICER/QALY of $111,465 and $140,557, respectively.⁶² It should be noted that TTR was not incorporated in either model.^58,62

One cost-effective analysis in patients with NVAF accounted for patients with good and poor INR control, as defined by TTR>75% and TTR<60%, respectively, and suggested that warfarin is a more cost-effective strategy if TTR is >75%. Using a WTP threshold of $50,000 per QALY, the use of the DOACs was more cost-effective (ICER $35,804) than warfarin with a low TTR (<60%). However, the cost-effectiveness of the three DOACs studied (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban) exceeded the $50,000 WTP threshold when the TTR=70% and there was no additional cost or 1.5-fold increase in cost to maintain the INR at that target. In addition, if warfarin was maintained at an INR between 2–3 at least 75% of the time, warfarin was a more cost-effective therapy even if the cost of the anticoagulation service was threefold higher.⁵⁹

Later analyses including edoxaban continue to suggest better outcomes with the DOACs over VKA. In patients with an estimated CrCl >95 mL/min at risk for bleeding events, apixaban has been identified as the superior cost-effective choice.⁶¹ However, when edoxaban was included (dosed appropriately for patients with CrCl<95 mL/min), the ICER was $77,565/QALY and apixaban exceeded the $100,000 WTP threshold.⁶¹ Multiple analyses have identified rivaroxaban as being the least cost-effective therapy.^58,60,61

Conclusion

DOACs offer comparable and in some cases better efficacy and safety than traditional VKA therapy for multiple indications. While bleeding is generally reduced with DOAC use compared to warfarin, events can still occur. Location and severity of bleeding can vary based upon the anticoagulant chosen. Proper patient selection, including careful DOAC dose selection as guided by patient age, renal function, weight, and presence of drug interactions is prudent to minimize adverse events. Use of bleeding scoring systems can help to identify risks that should be modified while the patient is receiving anticoagulation. If bleeding occurs, severity and extent of treatment are generally less than that of those patients on VKA therapy and supportive measures can be utilized while therapeutic effect diminishes in most patients. Antidotes are reserved for life-threatening bleeding events or when emergent surgical intervention is required. Analyses indicate that DOACs, specifically apixaban and edoxaban (when appropriately dosed per renal function), are the most cost-effective options, particularly when TTR for INR control is low.