Strategies for urgent reversal of target-specific oral anticoagulants

Hosp Pract (1995). 2014 Dec;42(5):108-25. doi: 10.3810/hp.2014.12.1164.

Abstract

The direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran and factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban and apixaban are US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved target-specific oral anticoagulants (TSOACs) that have emerged onto the market for use in some indications similar to those for warfarin; in addition, edoxaban is seeking FDA approval. Similar indications include reducing the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation for all 3 agents, for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis that may lead to pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing hip or knee surgery for rivaroxaban and apixaban, and for the treatment and prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. As anticoagulants, they are all associated with a risk of bleeding, and, unfortunately, there are no approved antidotes for reversal of these agents. A number of small studies in human subjects and in human/animal models exposed to TSOACs have evaluated the use of activated charcoal, hemodialysis for dabigatran, or clotting factor concentrates for their ability to neutralize the anticoagulant effects or reduce drug concentrations of TSOACs. Clotting factor concentrates that have been used include prothrombin complex concentrates and recombinant factor VII. This review examines studies and case reports evaluating these strategies for expedited or emergent reversal of TSOACs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Benzimidazoles / adverse effects
  • Blood Coagulation Factors / administration & dosage*
  • Charcoal / therapeutic use*
  • Dabigatran
  • Factor VIIa
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Hemorrhage / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Morpholines / adverse effects
  • Pyrazoles / adverse effects
  • Pyridines / adverse effects
  • Pyridones / adverse effects
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Renal Dialysis / methods*
  • Rivaroxaban
  • Thiazoles / adverse effects
  • Thiophenes / adverse effects
  • beta-Alanine / adverse effects
  • beta-Alanine / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Benzimidazoles
  • Blood Coagulation Factors
  • Morpholines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyridines
  • Pyridones
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Thiazoles
  • Thiophenes
  • beta-Alanine
  • Charcoal
  • apixaban
  • Rivaroxaban
  • Factor VIIa
  • Dabigatran
  • edoxaban