Use of direct oral anticoagulants and low molecular weight heparin in venous thromboembolism associated with cancer: real-world evidence in Argentina

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) and major bleeding (MB) are common in cancer patients. Reduced-doses of antithrombotics as secondary prophylaxis have limited data. This work aims to describe and to compare treatments and outcomes for cancer-associated VTE. Research design and methods Retrospective study. Adults with cancer-associated VTE were included. After 3–6 months of full-doses of anticoagulants, three strategies were considered: A) lowering the doses; B) maintaining full-doses; C) stopping treatment. The strategy and medication used were shown in a descriptive analysis and the rate of bleeding and VTE-recurrence between those in a comparative analysis. Results A total of 420 patients were included, 56.2% received DOACs, 43.8% enoxaparin. Strategy was defined in 257 patients: A (50.2%), B (46.3%), and C (3.5%). Forty-one (9.8%) had VTE-recurrence and 15 (3.6%) had MB or clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB). According to strategy, recurrent-VTE was 8.5% (A), 4.2% (B), and 11.1 (C) (p = 0.22), MB or CRNMB was 0.8% (A), 1.7% (B), and 0% (C) (p = 0.64). Conclusions DOACs and strategy A were the most frequently used agent and strategy, respectively. There were no differences between medications or strategies used. The results must be interpreted with caution, and it is a retrospective single-center study, probably with information and selection bias.