Background: Although direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) carry a lower bleeding risk compared with warfarin, gastrointestinal bleeds (GIB) are a known complication. There are limited data observing outcomes associated with resuming DOACs following a GIB.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate practice patterns and clinical outcomes of patients admitted with an index GIB while receiving DOAC therapy.
Methods: This retrospective, single-system study included adult patients receiving DOAC therapy prior to admission and hospitalized with an index GIB between January 1, 2013, and October 31, 2018. Patient exclusion criteria were a history of immune thrombocytopenia purpura or inflammatory bowel disease; discharge to hospice; leaving against medical advice; or death during hospitalization. The primary objective was 90-day readmission for a recurrent GIB.
Results: There were 57 patients included for analysis; 37 patients had DOAC therapy held >7 days, 18 patients resumed DOAC therapy within 7 days, and 2 patients switched to warfarin. The majority of patients received rivaroxaban (59.6%) prior to admission for atrial fibrillation (71.9%), were admitted with a major GIB (66.7%), and required a blood transfusion (61.4%). The rates of recurrent GIB were 2.5% (n = 1) and 5.6% (n = 1) for those who had their DOAC held and resumed, respectively (P = 0.83). Mortality within 12 months of discharge occurred in 4 patients (10.8%) who had their DOAC held and 4 patients (22.2%) who resumed DOAC therapy (P = 0.28).
Conclusion and relevance: Resuming anticoagulation within 7 days of admission for an index GIB was not associated with a recurrent GIB within 90 days of discharge.
Keywords: DOAC; anticoagulants; anticoagulation; clinical practice; gastroenterology; gastrointestinal bleed; outcomes research/analysis.