Direct oral anticoagulants : therapeutic breakthroughs over the past decade.

Abstract

In the past decade atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) treatment have been revolutionized by direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Compared to vitamin K antagonists, DOACs have interesting advantages : standardized dosages (no need for monitoring), fast action, short half-life, (no food interaction and lower risk of intracranial bleeding). In addition to VTE and AF, DOACs have specific indications : prevention of postorthopedic surgery VTE and more recently, prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronaropathy and/or peripheral artery disease. Nevertheless, DOACs must be handled with care according to dosage regimens, contra-indications, drug-drug interactions. Other anticoagulants are in the pipeline. What will their indications be ? Future will tell us