Investigation of Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulants and the Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Weighing ≥120 kg Compared to Patients Weighing

Abstract

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) present a favorable alternative to warfarin based on the decreased burden of monitoring and fewer drug and food interactions. Although studied in the general population, limited clinical data justifying efficacy in patients weighing ≥120 kg present concern for using DOACs in this specific population. Objective: The purpose was to identify if a difference exists in incidence of recurrent thromboembolic events in patients receiving a DOAC for the indication of venous thromboembolism (VTE) weighing ≥120 kg compared to patients weighing <120 kg. Methods: A retrospective database analysis was conducted with patients on apixaban, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban for treatment of VTE from the Veterans Integrated Service Network 8 between January 2012 and June 2017. The primary outcome was incidence of recurrent VTEs while on anticoagulation. Fisher’s exact tests were used to evaluate difference in VTEs between the groups. Results: There were 133 patients weighing ≥120 kg and 1063 patients weighing <120 kg identified within the 5-year time frame that met inclusion criteria. Although no statistically significant difference was found in incidence of recurrent VTEs between study groups (0.8% vs 1.1%; odds ratio: 0.66; 95% confidence interval: 0.09-5.14; P = .69) few events occurred limiting the power to be able to detect a difference. Conclusion: This study found no difference in VTE recurrence in patients weighing ≥120 kg compared to patients <120 kg with few events in either group. Although promising, additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.