Treatment appropriateness of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation for stroke prevention: A real-world prospective study

Inappropriate use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is common, affecting up to 30% of atrial fibrillation (AF) population receiving treatment for stroke prevention. This study assessed appropriateness of anticoagulation in anticoagulation-naive AF patients treated with DOACs during a 12-month prospective follow-up.

This prospective cohort study included all anticoagulation-naive AF patients referred for anticoagulation for stroke prevention at a tertiary cardiovascular center. Participants were prospectively followed through phone call interviews by a dedicated nurse at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after enrollment.

Of 403 anticoagulation-naive AF patients, rivaroxaban was prescribed for 325 patients (80.7%) and apixaban for 78 (19.3%). Inappropriate therapy was observed in 23% (76/325) and 46% (36/78) of patients treated with rivaroxaban and apixaban, respectively. Undertreatment was predominant scenario for both drugs, detected in 78.5% (78/112) of patients treated inappropriately, and was more frequently observed with apixaban versus rivaroxaban (44.8% vs 16.3%). During 12 months, inappropriate treatment was corrected in only 13% of all patients. The multivariate regression model identified creatinine clearance ≤ 49 mL/min (odds ratio [OR], 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 4.21), female sex (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.11 to 2.97), and age ≥ 80 years (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.83) as independent covariates associated with inappropriate dosing.

Inappropriate therapy with DOACs for stroke prevention in patients with AF is common, and the dosage were corrected in few patients during the 12-month follow-up. Our findings highlight the persistent lack of knowledge regarding appropriate DOAC dosage and need for continuous education.