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. 2018 Aug 7;12(9):247–262. doi: 10.1177/1753944718787384

Direct oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: treatment outcomes and dosing in special populations

Zachary A Stacy 1,✉, Sara K Richter 2
PMCID: PMC6116754  PMID: 30081727

Abstract

Background:

To review data from the pivotal phase III trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus warfarin for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), and to summarize the major findings with regards to patient subgroups that are at an increased risk for stroke or bleeding.

Methods:

A PubMed literature search (January 2009 to January 2017) was performed using the terms ‘dabigatran’, ‘rivaroxaban’, ‘apixaban’, ‘edoxaban’, ‘atrial fibrillation’, ‘RE-LY’, ‘ROCKET AF’, ‘ARISTOTLE’, and ‘ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48’. All primary publications and secondary analyses in special populations at increased risk of stroke or bleeding from the pivotal phase III clinical trials were evaluated.

Results:

Available secondary analyses indicate no treatment interactions with regards to stroke or systemic embolic event (SEE) prevention for any of the DOACs in the patient subgroups, including patients with advanced age, impaired renal function, diabetes, prior stroke, concomitant antiplatelet therapy, heart failure, prior stroke, history of hypertension, myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery disease, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Although higher bleeding incidence was reported with dabigatran and rivaroxaban in patients aged 75 years and over with apixaban in patients with diabetes, and with rivaroxaban in patients with previous MI or PAD, no changes in dosing are recommended.

Conclusions:

Overall, results of secondary analyses indicate that the recommended dosing strategy for each of the DOACs produces a consistent anticoagulant effect across a diverse patient population, including those at increased risk of stroke or bleeding.

Keywords: direct oral anticoagulants, dosing recommendations, nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, special populations, stroke prevention

Introduction

For more than 50 years, warfarin was the only available oral anticoagulant in the US for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolic events (SEEs) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Although warfarin therapy reduces the risk of stroke by 68%,1 it has several limitations, including a delayed onset of action, considerable pharmacokinetic (PK) variability, interactions with food and numerous drugs, a narrow therapeutic range, and require routine monitoring.2,3 In contrast to warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have a predictable PK profile and are administered at a fixed dosage without the requirement for routine monitoring.

As a class, DOACs have similar efficacy versus warfarin for the prevention of stroke and SEEs and are associated with less major bleeding than warfarin in patients with NVAF.4 However, high-risk patient populations, including patients with renal dysfunction and with concomitant use of medications that increase bleeding risk, are often prescribed an inappropriately reduced dose of DOACs.5

This review describes key findings of the pivotal international phase III trials that led to the approval of DOACs in the US. This review also critically summarizes the outcomes of these trials in relation to patient subgroups that may affect the PK profile of DOACs or that are at an elevated risk for stroke or bleeding, including patients with impaired renal function, previous heart failure or stroke, diabetes, hypertension, or vascular disease, as well as patients on concomitant therapy, elderly patients, and female patients. Finally, the impact of these findings on dosing considerations for DOACs will be briefly reviewed.

Clinical trial results

The efficacy and safety of each of the DOACs for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF), in comparison with dose-adjusted warfarin (international normalized ratio 2.0–3.0), was evaluated in international phase III trials.6–9 Details of trial designs, key baseline patient characteristics, along with the primary efficacy and safety results are provided in Table 1. The primary efficacy endpoint for all of the trials was the rate of stroke or SEE in the DOAC arm versus the warfarin arm. The primary safety endpoints were either the rate of major bleeding or the rate of major plus clinically relevant nonmajor (CRNM) bleeding. All four DOACs were at least as effective and safe as warfarin. In addition, compared with warfarin, DOACs reduced the rates of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) by up to 50%.4 However, rates of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding were increased for dabigatran 150 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban, and higher-dose edoxaban, relative to warfarin.

Table 1.

Pivotal international phase III trials comparing DOACs versus warfarin in patients with AF.6–18

RE-LY ROCKET AF ARISTOTLE ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48
Patients (n) 18,113 14,264 18,201 21,105
Trial design Randomized, double-blinded dabigatran, open-label warfarin, noninferiority trial Randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, noninferiority trial Randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, noninferiority trial Randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, noninferiority trial
Dosage Dabigatran 150 or 110 mg twice daily, or dose-adjusted warfarin (INR 2.0–3.0) Rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily or dose-adjusted warfarin (INR 2.0–3.0) Apixaban 5 mg twice daily or dose-adjusted warfarin (INR 2.0–3.0) Edoxaban 60 mg (higher-dose regimen) or 30 mg once daily (lower-dose regimen), or dose-adjusted warfarin (INR 2.0–3.0)
Dose reduction None 15 mg once daily in patients with CrCL 30–49 ml/min 2.5 mg twice daily in patients with at least two of the following characteristics: age ⩾80 years, body weight ⩽60 kg, or serum creatinine ⩾1.5 mg/dl 50% reduced dose in patients with CrCL 30–50 ml/min, body weight ⩽60 kg, or receiving concomitant verapamil or quinidine
Patients receiving dose reduction, n (%) – 2950 (20.7) 428 (4.7) Higher-dose edoxaban
1784 (25.4)
Lower-dose edoxaban
1785 (25.4)
Key inclusion criteria Patients with AF and at least one of the following risk factors for stroke: prior stroke, TIA, or SEE, LVEF <40%, symptomatic HF (NYHA class II or higher) within 6 months of screening, age ⩾75 years, or an age of 65–75 years plus diabetes, hypertension, or coronary artery disease Patients with NVAF who had a previous stroke, TIA, or SEE; or at least two of the following risk factors for stroke: HF or LVEF ⩽35%, hypertension, age ⩾75 years, or diabetes Patients with AF or atrial flutter who had at least one of the following risk factors for stroke: prior stroke, TIA, or SEE, symptomatic HF within 3 months of screening or LVEF ⩽40%, hypertension, age ⩾75 years, or diabetes Patients with AF who had a prior stoke or TIA, or at least two of the following risk factors for stroke: CHF, hypertension, diabetes, age ⩾75 years, or diabetes
Key exclusion criteria Severe heart-valve disorder, stroke within 14 days, or severe stroke within 6 months of screening, systolic BP >180 mmHg or diastolic BP >100 mmHg, a condition associated with increased bleeding risk, CrCL ⩽30 ml/min, and active liver disease Stroke within 14 days or severe, disabling stroke within 3 months of randomization, TIA within 3 days of randomization, sustained systolic BP ⩾180 mmHg or diastolic BP ⩾100 mmHg, a condition associated with increased bleeding risk, CrCL <30 ml/min, significant liver disease, and use of >100 mg aspirin daily, combination of aspirin and thienopyridine, strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole or protease inhibitors), or inducers (rifampin) Clinically significant mitral stenosis, stroke within 7 days of screening, sustained systolic BP >180 mmHg or diastolic BP >100 mmHg, use of >165 mg aspirin daily or combination of aspirin and thienopyridine, severe renal insufficiency (serum creatinine >2.5 mg/dl or CrCL <25 ml/min) Moderate to severe mitral stenosis, acute MI, acute coronary syndrome, coronary revascularization, or stroke within 30 days of randomization, systolic BP >170 mmHg or diastolic BP >100 mmHg, use of thienopyridines or potent-P-gp inhibitors (ritonavir, cyclosporine, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, and clarithromycin), a condition associated with increased bleeding risk, CrCL <30 ml/min, and active liver disease
Elderly patients, n (%) ⩾75 years: 7258 (40.1) ⩾75 years: 6229 (43.7) 65 to <75 years: 7052 (38.7)
⩾75 years: 5678 (31.2)		 65 to 74 years: 7134 (33.8)
⩾75 years: 8474 (40.2)
Baseline CrCL stratification based on Cockcroft-Gault equation (ml/min), n (%) ⩾80: 5844 (32.6)*
50 to <80: 8553 (47.6)*
<50: 3554 (19.8)* 		30–49: 2950 (20.7)
⩾50: 11,277 (79.1)		 >80: 7518 (41.5)
>50 to 80: 7587 (41.9)
⩽50: 3017 (16.6)		 Higher-dose edoxaban
30–50: 2740 (19.5)
>50: 11,331 (81.5)
⩽50: 2740 (19.5)
>50 to 95: 8208 (58.3)
>95: 3123 (22.2)
Mean baseline CHADS2 score 2.1 3.5 2.1 2.8
Median follow-up period (years) 2.0 1.9 1.8 2.8
Stroke or SEE (primary efficacy endpoint for all trials)
%/year versus warfarin; HR (95% CI); p value 		Dabigatran 150 mg:
1.11; 0.66 (0.53–0.82); <0.001		 1.7 versus 2.2; 0.79 (0.66–0.96)$; <0.001 1.27 versus 1.60; 0.79 (0.66–0.95); 0.01 Higher-dose edoxaban‡: 1.18 versus 1.50; 0.79 (0.63–0.99)§; <0.001
1.53; Dabigatran 110 mg:
0.91 (0.74–1.11); 0.30		 Lower-dose edoxaban‡ 1.61 versus 1.50; 1.07 (0.87–1.31)§; 0.005
Major bleeding (primary safety endpoint for RE-LY, ARISTOTLE, and ENGAGE-AF TIMI 48)
%/year versus warfarin; HR (95% CI); p value		 Dabigatran 150 mg:
3.11 versus 3.36; 0.93 (0.81–1.07); 0.31		 3.6 versus 3.4; 1.04 (0.90–1.20); 0.58 2.13 versus 3.09; 0.69 (0.60–0.80); <0.001 Higher-dose edoxaban: 2.75 versus 3.43; 0.80 (0.71–0.91); <0.001
Dabigatran 110 mg:
2.71 versus 3.36; 0.80 (0.69–0.93); 0.003		 Lower-dose edoxaban: 1.61 versus 3.43; 0.47 (0.41–0.55); <0.001
Major and CRNM bleeding (primary safety endpoint for ROCKET AF)
%/year versus warfarin; HR (95% CI); p value		 Dabigatran 150 mg:
16.42 versus 18.15; 0.91 (0.86–0.97); 0.002		 14.9 versus 14.5; 1.03 (0.96–1.11); 0.44 4.07 versus 6.01; 0.68 (0.61–0.75); <0.001 Higher-dose edoxaban: 11.10 versus 13.02; 0.86 (0.80–0.92); <0.001
Dabigatran 110 mg:
14.62 versus 18.15; 0.78 (0.74–0.83); <0.001		 Lower-dose edoxaban: 7.97 versus 13.02; 0.62 (0.57–0.67); <0.001
Intracranial hemorrhage
%/year versus warfarin; HR (95% CI); p value		 Dabigatran 150 mg:
0.30 versus 0.74; 0.40 (0.27–0.60); <0.001		 0.5 versus 0.7; 0.67 (0.47–0.93); 0.02 0.33 versus 0.80; 0.42 (0.30–0.58); <0.001 Higher-dose edoxaban: 0.39 versus 0.85; 0.47 (0.34–0.63); <0.001
Dabigatran 110 mg:
0.23 versus 0.74; 0.31 (0.20–0.47); <0.001		 Lower-dose edoxaban: 0.26 versus 0.85; 0.30 (0.21–0.43); <0.001
Gastrointestinal bleeding
%/year versus warfarin; HR (95% CI); p value		 Dabigatran 150 mg:
1.51 versus 1.02; 1.50 (1.19–1.89); <0.001		 NA; <0.001 0.76 versus 0.86; 0.89 (0.70–1.15); 0.37 Higher-dose edoxaban: 1.51 versus 1.23; 1.23 (1.02–1.50); 0.03
Dabigatran 110 mg:
1.12 versus 1.02; 1.10 (0.86–1.41); 0.43		 Lower-dose edoxaban:
0.82 versus 1.23; 0.67 (0.53–0.83); <0.001
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*

All randomized patients with available creatinine at baseline.

$

Per-protocol population.

‡

Modified intent to treat population.

§

97.5% confidence interval.

AF, atrial fibrillation; BP, blood pressure; CHF, congestive heart failure; CI, confidence interval; CrCL, creatinine clearance; CRNM, clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding; CYP, cytochrome P450; DOAC, nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant; HR, hazard ratio; INR, international normalized ratio; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; MI, myocardial infarction; NA, not available; NVAF, nonvalvular atrial fibrillation; NYHA, New York Heart Association; SEE, systemic embolism; TIA, transient ischemic attack.

DOAC efficacy and safety in patients with AF and impaired renal function

Among patients with AF, impaired renal function is associated with an increase in thromboembolic and bleeding risk.19–21 Additionally, all DOACs are subject to renal clearance to varying degrees. Subgroup analyses of the four pivotal trials were conducted to determine whether renal function affected the efficacy and safety of DOACs, relative to warfarin in patients with AF.10–13

A relative reduction in stroke or SEE risk with dabigatran 150 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban daily, or apixaban twice daily versus warfarin was observed regardless of renal function subgroup (Figure 1).10–12 Similarly, a relative decrease in stroke or SEE rates was observed for higher-dose edoxaban versus warfarin in patients with creatinine clearance (CrCL) 30–50 ml/min or over 50 ml/min. In an exploratory analysis, there was a nonsignificant trend toward decreased relative benefit in the higher-dose edoxaban group compared with the warfarin group in those with CrCL over 95ml/min for the rate of stroke or SEE (pinteraction = 0.08), ischemic stroke (pinteraction = 0.21), all-cause death (pinteraction = 0.11), and cardiovascular death (pinteraction = 0.07).13 This observation may reflect the low absolute stroke or SEE rates in patients with CrCL over 95 ml/min [1.1%/year (n = 49) for higher-dose edoxaban and 0.8%/year (n = 35) for warfarin)] Additionally, the ENGAGE-AF study reported the highest mean time in therapeutic range relative to other DOAC trials, which may contribute to the low event rates in the warfarin group. Nevertheless, the Cardiorenal Division of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 study data and recommended that edoxaban not be used in patients with a CrCL over 95 ml/min for stroke prevention in AF.22 In a statistical analysis of the pivotal phase III clinical trials by the US FDA, the HR versus warfarin for stroke/SEE for patients with a CrCL of at least 80 ml/min was 0.71 for dabigatran, 0.89 for rivaroxaban, and 0.88 for apixaban, and 1.41 for higher-dose edoxaban.6

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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Treatment outcomes in special populations. (a) Dabigatran 150 mg versus warfarin, (b) rivaroxaban versus warfarin, (c) apixaban versus warfarin, and (d) higher-dose edoxaban versus warfarin.

ASA, aspirin; Biv, biventricular; CAD, coronary artery disease; CI, confidence interval; CrCL, creatinine clearance; CRNM, clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; HF, heart failure; HR, hazard ratio; ICD, implantable cardioverter defibrillator; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; LVSD, left ventricular systolic dysfunction; MI, myocardial infarction; NYHA, New York Heart Association; PAD, peripheral artery disease; PEF, preserved ejection fraction; SEE, systemic embolism; TIA, transient ischemic attack.

With regard to the primary safety outcome, there was no interaction between treatment and renal function for dabigatran 150 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban daily, or higher-dose edoxaban daily in either the prespecified or the exploratory analysis. Across renal function subgroups, major bleeding incidence was lower with apixaban versus warfarin, although a greater relative reduction was observed in patients with eGFR 50 ml/min or less (pinteraction = 0.03). Relative to warfarin, higher-dose edoxaban was associated with higher GI bleeding risk in patients with CrCL 30–50 ml/min and over 50 to 95 ml/min, and lower risk in patients with CrCL over 95 ml/min (pinteraction = 0.02). It must be noted that patients with end-stage renal disease were excluded from the pivotal phase III studies.6–9 Results from single-dose studies of rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban, performed in a handful of hemodialysis patients, suggest that these DOACs may be well tolerated in this patient population.23–25

DOAC efficacy and safety in patients with AF on concomitant amiodarone or antiplatelet therapy

Amiodarone, a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitor, is an antiarrhythmic agent frequently used in patients with AF. In ROCKET AF, 1144 (8.0%) patients received amiodarone at baseline.26 Of the 17907 (98.4%) patients for whom baseline amiodarone use was known in ARISTOTLE, 2051 (11.3%) received amiodarone.27 In ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48, 2492 (11.8%) patients received concomitant amiodarone at randomization.28 With regard to stroke or SEE incidence, or the primary safety outcome, there was no interaction between treatment and concomitant amiodarone use with rivaroxaban, apixaban, or higher-dose edoxaban versus warfarin. The relative safety benefit of higher-dose edoxaban was not observed in patients receiving amiodarone with regard to CRNM bleeding (pinteraction = 0.012).

Many patients with AF receive antiplatelet therapy for coronary artery disease (CAD) or other comorbid conditions. Relative to anticoagulation alone, concurrent administration of warfarin and antiplatelet agents is associated with increased bleeding risk in patients with AF.29 In RE-LY, 6952 (38.4%) patients received concomitant antiplatelet therapy with aspirin or clopidogrel at some point during the study.30 ROCKET AF included 5205 (36.5%) patients who reported receiving aspirin on a daily basis at baseline.31 A total of 4434 (24.4%) patients received concomitant aspirin on day 1 of the ARISTOTLE trial.32 An analysis of patients in the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial by their use of single antiplatelet therapy 3 months after the start of treatment included a total of 19,909 patients, of whom 4912 (24.7%) received concomitant single antiplatelet therapy.22 The relative decrease in stroke or SEE rate with dabigatran 150 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban daily, apixaban twice daily, or higher-dose edoxaban daily versus warfarin was similar in patients with and without concomitant antiplatelet use. For the primary safety outcome, there was no interaction between treatment and antiplatelet use for each of the DOACs versus warfarin.

DOAC efficacy and safety in patients with AF and previous heart failure or stroke

RE-LY included 4904 (27.1%) patients with previous heart failure (HF), defined as the occurrence of HF symptoms [⩾New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II] in the 6 months prior to screening in patients with a history of prior admission for congestive heart failure (CHF).33 In ROCKET AF, 9033 (63.7%) patients with HF [a history of HF or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%] were included.34 In ARISTOTLE, HF status and left ventricular function were documented for 14,671 (80.6%) patients, of whom 5072 (34.6%) had HF (a history of symptomatic CHF or the presence of CHF within 3 months of screening) and 2736 (18.6%) had left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD; LVEF ⩽40% or documented moderate or severe left ventricular dysfunction).35 Of note, although ROCKET AF classified patients with LVEF up to 35% as having HF, in the subsequent subanalysis the LVEF was changed to 40% or less.35 ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 enrolled 8145 (38.6%) patients with HF, defined as a history or ongoing HF stage C or D as specified by American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association criteria.36

The relative decrease in stroke or SEE risk with dabigatran 150 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban daily, apixaban twice daily, or higher-dose edoxaban daily versus warfarin was observed in patients regardless of HF status.33–36 With regard to the primary safety outcome, no interactions were detected between treatment and HF status for any of the four DOACs.33–36 There was a nonsignificant trend toward higher major or CRNM bleeding with rivaroxaban in patients with HF and LVEF less than 40% (pinteraction = 0.05).34 Rivaroxaban was associated with greater bleeding than warfarin in patients with HF and implantable cardioverter defibrillators or biventricular-implantable cardioverter defibrillators (pinteraction = 0.0015).34 GI bleeding was lower with apixaban versus warfarin in patients with LVSD or without LVSD/HF, but higher in patients with HF and preserved ejection fraction (pinteraction = 0.04).35

A history of stroke is associated with an elevated risk for stroke among patients with AF, and with increased bleeding risk among those receiving anticoagulation. RE-LY included 3623 (20.0%) patients with AF who had a prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) with neurological symptoms lasting less than 24 h.37 ROCKET AF enrolled 7468 (52.4%) patients with a history of stroke or TIA.38 In ARISTOTLE, previous stroke or TIA was reported in 3436 (18.9%) patients. The ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial included 5973 (28.3%) patients with previous stroke or TIA.39 Relative to warfarin, each of the DOACs was similar for the primary efficacy and safety outcome in patients with or without prior stroke or TIA.37–39

DOAC efficacy and safety in patients with AF and hypertension

Among patients with AF, hypertension is not only a risk factor for stroke, but is also associated with increased bleeding risk among those receiving anticoagulation.20,40,41 Overall, 14,283 patients had hypertension [systolic blood pressure (BP) 120 to ⩽180 mmHg and diastolic BP 80 to ⩽100 mmHg] during RE-LY.42 In ROCKET AF, baseline hypertension status and screening systolic BP were known for 14,256 patients, of whom 12,902 (90.5%) had hypertension; hypertension was controlled (screening systolic BP <140 mmHg) in 7963 (61.7%) patients, and uncontrolled (screening systolic BP ⩾140 mmHg) in 4939 (38.3%).43 ARISTOTLE included 15,916 (87.4%) patients with a history of hypertension that required treatment. The relative decrease in stroke or SEE risk with dabigatran 150 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban daily, or apixaban twice daily versus warfarin was similar regardless of hypertension status. Relative to warfarin, apixaban was associated with a lower incidence of myocardial infarctions (MIs) in patients with a history of hypertension, but a higher incidence in those without hypertension. With regard to the primary safety outcome, no interaction occurred between treatment and hypertension status for dabigatran 150 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban daily, or apixaban twice daily versus warfarin.

DOAC efficacy and safety in elderly patients with AF

Elderly patients with AF are at an increased risk for stroke, as well as elevated bleeding risk when receiving anticoagulation.20,41 Approximately, 30–40% of patients included in the pivotal phase III trials were at least 75 years of age (Table 1).14–17

With regard to stroke or SEE incidence, there was no interaction between treatment and age groups with dabigatran 150 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban daily, apixaban twice daily, or higher-dose edoxaban daily versus warfarin. For major bleeding, no interaction was observed between treatment and age groups with apixaban or higher-dose edoxaban versus warfarin. However, relative to warfarin, major bleeding risk was lower with dabigatran 150 mg twice daily in patients under 75 years of age, but higher in those aged 75 years and over (pinteraction <0.001). Similarly, extracranial bleeding incidence was lower with dabigatran versus warfarin treatment in those aged under 75 years and higher in those aged 75 years and over (pinteraction <0.001). Major or CRNM bleeding incidence was higher with rivaroxaban versus warfarin in patients aged 75 years and over, while the two treatments were comparable in those aged under 75 years (pinteraction = 0.009).

DOAC efficacy and safety in patients with AF and diabetes

Diabetes is a risk factor for stroke among patients with AF.40,41 The RE-LY, ROCKET AF, and ARISTOTLE trials included 4221 (23.3%), 5695 (39.9%), and 4547 (25.0%) patients with diabetes mellitus, respectively.31,44,45 The relative reduction in stroke or SEE risk with dabigatran 150 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban daily, and apixaban twice daily versus warfarin was similar in patients with and without diabetes.44–46 Fewer vascular deaths were observed with rivaroxaban than with warfarin among patients with diabetes, but the two treatments were comparable among those without diabetes (pinteraction = 0.04).31 Regardless of diabetes status, the incidence of the primary safety outcome was similar for dabigatran 150 mg twice daily, or rivaroxaban daily versus warfarin.31,44 Major bleeding rates were lower with apixaban than warfarin among patients without diabetes, but were comparable for the two treatments in patients with diabetes (pinteraction = 0.003).45

DOAC efficacy and safety in patients with AF and vascular disease

Vascular disease, comprising MI, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or aortic plaque, is a risk factor for stroke in AF. In RE-LY, 5650 (31.2%) patients with a history of CAD or prior MI were enrolled (dabigatran 110 mg, n = 1886; dabigatran 150 mg, n = 1913; warfarin, n = 1849).46 ROCKET AF included 2468 (17.3%) patients with prior MI at baseline (apixaban, n = 1182; warfarin, n = 1286).47 In ARISTOTLE, 6639 (36.5%) patients had a history of CAD, defined as documented CAD, prior MI, or previous percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery at randomization.48 Among these patients, 2585 (38.9%) had prior MI, 1651 (24.9%) had prior percutaneous coronary intervention, and 1206 (18.2%) had prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery. In ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48, 4447 (21.1%) patients with known CAD were enrolled, defined as prior MI, coronary revascularization, or coronary stenosis greater than 50%.49

For stroke or SEE prevention, the relative benefits of anticoagulation with dabigatran 150 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban daily, or apixaban twice daily versus warfarin were similar in patients with and without a history of CAD.46–48 In ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48, the reduction in stroke or SEE with higher-dose edoxaban versus warfarin was numerically greater in patients with CAD compared with no CAD (pinteraction = 0.06).49 A relative decrease in all-cause mortality was observed with rivaroxaban compared with warfarin in patients without prior MI, but not in those with prior MI (pinteraction = 0.03). With regard to major bleeding, no interaction was observed between treatment and CAD status for dabigatran 150 mg, edoxaban 60 mg, or apixaban versus warfarin.46,48,49 However, the incidence of major or CRNM bleeding was higher with rivaroxaban than with warfarin in patients with previous MI, but was comparable for the two groups in patients without previous MI (pinteraction = 0.04).47 However, these results should be interpreted in light of the fact that the clinical trials were not powered to assess differences in outcomes in patients with AF and CAD or prior MI.

A total of 839 (5.9%) patients with PAD were enrolled in ROCKET AF,50 and 841 (4.0%) in ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48.51 Regardless of PAD status, stroke or SEE incidence was comparable for patients receiving rivaroxaban or higher-dose edoxaban versus warfarin. The incidence of major or CRNM bleeding was higher for patients with PAD who were treated with rivaroxaban than with warfarin, but comparable for both treatments in those without PAD (pinteraction = 0.04). Among patients receiving higher-dose edoxaban or warfarin, there was no interaction between treatment and PAD status with regard to major bleeding.

DOAC efficacy and safety in female patients with AF

The risk for stroke is greater in women than in men with AF.41 For stroke or SEE incidence, the relative benefit of rivaroxaban, apixaban, or higher-dose edoxaban versus warfarin was similar in women and men.52–54 For hemorrhagic stroke, the relative benefit of higher-dose edoxaban versus warfarin was greater in women than in men (pinteraction = 0.037). The relative reduction in the risk for major bleeding with apixaban or higher-dose edoxaban versus warfarin was similar in women and men. The relative safety benefits of higher-dose edoxaban versus warfarin were more pronounced in women for major or CRNM bleeding (pinteraction = 0.011), ICH (pinteraction = 0.003), and life-threatening bleeds (pinteraction <0.001). To date, there have been no published subanalyses from RE-LY comparing the relative efficacy of dabigatran by sex.

Dosing considerations for renal function

Dosing recommendation for stroke and SEE prevention in NVAF are provided in Table 2. In general, the FDA-approved dosing regimens for dabigatran (150 mg), rivaroxaban, and apixaban55–57 are consistent with the dosing strategies employed in the RE-LY, ROCKET AF, and ARISTOTLE trials,6,7,9 and with the findings of secondary analyses, which demonstrated that the relative benefit of these DOACs versus warfarin was maintained regardless of renal function.10–12

Table 2.

Dosing recommendations.55–58

Dabigatran Rivaroxaban Apixaban Edoxaban
Dosing regimen 150 mg twice daily for patients with CrCL >30 ml/min
75 mg twice daily for patients with CrCL 15–30 ml/min		 20 mg once daily for patients with CrCL >50 ml/min with the evening meal
15 mg once daily for patients with CrCL 15–30 ml/min with the evening meal		 5 mg twice daily
2.5 mg twice daily for patients with at least two of the following:
Age ⩾80 years
Body weight ⩽60 kg
Serum creatinine ⩾1.5 mg/dl		 60 mg once daily in patients with CrCL >50 to ⩽95 ml/min
30 mg once daily for patients with CrCL 15–30 m/min
Dose adjustments based on concomitant medications 75 mg twice daily for patients with CrCL 30–50 ml/min and receiving concomitant P-gp inhibitors dronedarone or systemic ketoconazole NA 50% dose reduction for patients on the 5 mg twice daily dose and receiving concomitant P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, and clarithromycin NA
Contraindications Avoid concomitant administration of P-gp inhibitors in patients with CrCL <30 ml/min, and in patients receiving the P-gp inducer rifampin Avoid concomitant administration of combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, lopinavir/ritonavir, and conivaptan; or combined P-gp and strong CYP3A4 inducers, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, and St John’s wort Avoid concomitant administration of P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitors in those receiving the 2.5 mg twice daily dose; or combined P-gp and CYP3A4 inducers, such as rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and St John’s wort, regardless of apixaban dose Avoid concomitant administration of the P-gp inducer rifampin

CrCL, creatinine clearance; CYP, cytochrome p450; NA, not applicable; P-gp, P-glycoprotein.
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For edoxaban, secondary analysis by renal function suggested a nonsignificant trend toward lower relative efficacy for the higher-dose edoxaban regimen versus warfarin in patients with CrCL over 95 ml/min.13 As such, the US FDA approved edoxaban 60 mg once daily for the reduction of stroke and SEE risk in patients with NVAF and CrCL over 50 and up to 95 ml/min.58 A 50% dose reduction is required for patients with CrCL 15–50 ml/min.

The US FDA recommends a dose reduction for patients to 75 mg twice daily for patients with CrCL 30–50 ml/min and receiving concomitant P-gp inhibitors based on pharmacokinetics despite the fact that RE-LY did not include a dose reduction.6,55 ROCKET AF did not enroll patients with CrCL 15–30 ml/min, but the US FDA suggests that 15 mg rivaroxaban once daily in these patients will result in serum concentrations of rivaroxaban similar to those in patients with normal renal function.56 Similarly, ARISTOTLE and ROCKET AF did not enroll patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis. However, based on the results of pharmacodynamics studies, the US FDA recommends the administration of 5 mg apixaban twice daily or 15 mg rivaroxaban once daily in patients with intermittent hemodialysis.56,57 All four DOACs are substrates of P-gp, while rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban undergo CYP3A4 metabolism. Secondary analysis of ROCKET AF and ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 demonstrated that the concomitant P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitor amiodarone did not affect the relative primary efficacy and safety outcomes for rivaroxaban or edoxaban versus warfarin in patients with AF. Dose adjustments based on the use of other concomitant medications are listed in Table 2. The concomitant use of medications that impair hemostasis may increase the risk of bleeding with DOACs, including antiplatelets, other antithrombotics, fibrinolytic therapy, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.55–58

Conclusion

DOACs have been approved for the reduction of stroke and SEE risk in patients with NVAF based on the findings of the pivotal phase III randomized control trials. Available secondary analyses indicate no treatment interactions for any of the DOACs in patient subgroups at an increased risk for stroke, with regard to stroke or SEE prevention. Overall, results of secondary analyses indicate that the recommended dosing strategy for each of the DOACs produces a consistent anticoagulant effect across a diverse patient population. However, as the phase III clinical trials were not designed to specifically assess the efficacy and safety of DOACs in these high-risk population subgroups, the findings of the exploratory analyses should be considered hypothesis generating.

Footnotes

Funding: Medical writing support was provided by Sameera Kongara, PhD, of AlphaBioCom, LLC, King of Prussia, PA, and funded by Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

Conflict of interest statement: Dr Stacy is a speaker and a consultant for Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Dr Richter reports no conflicts of interest.

Contributor Information

Zachary A. Stacy, Division of Acute Care Pharmacy, Pharmacy Practice Department, St Louis College of Pharmacy, 4588 Parkview Place, St Louis, MO 63110-1088, USA.

Sara K. Richter, Division of Acute Care Pharmacy, Pharmacy Practice Department, St Louis College of Pharmacy, St Louis, MO, USA

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