Methods for Detection of Direct Oral Anticoagulants and their Role in Clinical Practice

Katrina Pukite, Ketija Apsite,

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia that increases by age, doubles for every decade after age of 50 years and reaches about 10% patients ≥ 80 years. Despite direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs’) predictable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, the laboratory tests are necessary for effective and safe medical treatment, also for prediction and detection of thrombotic and bleeding events, as well as in situations when temporary discontinuation could be desirable. Aim: of this study was to identify and analyze the need of coagulation tests for AF patients with high cardiovascular risk in clinical practice.