Introduction: Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) may be prescribed warfarin or a non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC). There is increasing evidence that NOACs are superior to warfarin in terms of renal function preservation. This study aimed to compare renal outcomes in Chinese patients with NVAF between patients receiving NOACs and patients receiving warfarin.
Methods: In total, 600 Chinese patients with NVAF receiving oral anticoagulant therapy were retrospectively identified from an administrative database. The renal outcomes (≥30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], doubling of serum creatinine, and kidney failure) were compared among four propensity-weighted treatment cohorts (warfarin, n=200; rivaroxaban, n=200; dabigatran, n=100; and apixaban, n=100).
Results: The mean follow-up period across all groups was 1000 ± 436 days. Compared with warfarin, the three NOACs (pooled for consideration as a single unit) had significantly lower risks of ≥30% decline in eGFR (hazard ratio [HR]=0.339; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.276-0.417) and doubling of serum creatinine (HR=0.550; 95% CI=0.387-0.782). Dabigatran and rivaroxaban users both had lower risks of ≥30% decline in eGFR (both P<0.001) and doubling of serum creatinine (both P<0.05). Apixaban was only significantly associated with a lower risk of ≥30% decline in eGFR (P<0.001).
Conclusions: Compared with warfarin, NOACs may be associated with a significantly lower risk of decline in renal function among Chinese patients with NVAF.
Keywords: Anticoagulants; Atrial fibrillation; Glomerular filtration rate; Renal insufficiency; Warfarin.