Bleeding associated with new oral anticoagulants: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background: Stroke and systemic embolic occurrences have been significantly reduced by novel oral anticoagulants, though theoretically a side effect of this anticoagulant treatment is hemorrhagic stroke. Objectives: to determine bleeding associated with new oral anticoagulants in King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC), Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A retrospective study was done at King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC), Makkah, Saudi Arabia on patients who used NOAC between January 2013 to June 2019. Data about patients’ demographics, comorbidities, clinical data, NOAC used and subsequent bleeding complications, and antiplatelets use, were collected. Results: This study found that atrial fibrillation (AF) was the most common reason NOACs like Edoxaban and Rivaroxaban were administered. About 71% of patients received antiplatelet therapy, with aspirin and stains being the most popular options. 1.2% of the patients with GIT bleeding, 1.2% with UGIB, and 2.4% with LGIB experienced cerebral haemorrhage following NOAC treatment. However, patients who experienced GIT haemorrhage after taking a NOAC were much more likely to have a history of UGIB or LCIB and to have taken Edoxaban as a NOAC. Conclusion: To demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of NOACs, future multi-center studies with a larger sample size should be conducted. Keywords: bleeding, associated, NOACs, retrospective, KAMC