Major bleeding with old and novel oral anticoagulants: How to manage it. Focus on general measures

Abstract

In the last decade, the introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in clinical practice has changed the therapeutic landscape in the prevention of thromboembolic events. Although NOACs compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have demonstrated a similar or slightly lower rate of major bleeding and a lower rate of intracranial or fatal bleeding, hemorrhaging still represents the main adverse effect of anticoagulant treatment. This review reports data on the rates of major bleeding with old and new oral anticoagulants. It analyses laboratory tests that can be used to assess the intensity of anticoagulation in patients treated with oral anticoagulants and discusses general measures to implement in managing major bleeding.

Keywords: Major bleeding; Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants; Vitamin-K antagonists; Warfarin.