Potential of Direct Oral Anticoagulant in Bleeding After Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

An increasing number of patients are undergoing gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) with active prescriptions of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Only a few reports have described the effects of DOAC intake on postoperative bleeding. We aimed to investigate the bleeding risk associated with DOACs after gastric ESD.

Clinical studies published up to April 2022 showing bleeding rates after gastric ESD in patients taking DOACs were identified using electronic searches. The primary outcome was the rate of bleeding after gastric ESD in patients receiving DOACs compared to those not receiving antithrombotic therapy. In this meta-analysis, odds ratios (ORs) were calculated and pooled using a random effects model. The secondary outcome was the difference in the bleeding rate between patients treated with DOACs and those treated with warfarin and antiplatelet drugs.

Seven studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that DOACs had a higher bleeding rate than non-thrombotic therapy (17.0% vs. 3.4%; OR 5.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.33–7.54; I² = 0%). The bleeding risk associated with DOAC administration was similar to that associated with warfarin (17.0% vs. 20.0%; OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.59–1.18; I² = 0%), whereas it was higher than that associated with antiplatelet administration (16.9% vs. 11.0%; OR 1.63; 95% CI 1.14–2.34; I² = 8%).

This meta-analysis reveals that the bleeding risk of DOACs is higher than that of non-antithrombotics and antiplatelets, whereas it is comparable to that of warfarin. Gastric ESD in patients on anticoagulants requires careful postoperative management.