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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Thromb Haemost 2020; 120(06): 899-911
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1710314
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism in Special Populations with Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Roisin Bavalia
1   Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Saskia Middeldorp
1   Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Gerhard Weisser
2   Section of Angiology, Center of Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
,
Christine Espinola-Klein
2   Section of Angiology, Center of Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

18 December 2019

25 March 2020

Publication Date:
03 June 2020 (online)

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Abstract

As a result of the successful completion of their respective phase III studies compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), four direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been approved for the treatment and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). These DOACs—apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban—have subsequently seen a steady uptake among clinicians since their approval. Despite the suitability of DOACs for a broad range of patients, they are not appropriate in certain situations, whereas in others they require additional considerations such as dose reductions. Subanalyses of phase III trials and studies on specific VTE patient populations have been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the DOACs in a broad range of settings, such as patients with renal impairment, patients with cancer, patients of childbearing potential, patients with multiple comorbidities and pediatric patients. Furthermore, many recent guidance documents from important hematological societies and other specialists have incorporated several of these developments. These documents also identify the patients for whom DOACs are not suitable and where traditional anticoagulation options such as heparins or VKAs should be considered instead. This review provides an overview of key VTE patient subgroups, the clinical evidence supporting the use of anticoagulation in these patients, and a discussion of the most appropriate approaches to their management, including considerations such as dosing, acute and extended treatment durations, and DOAC selection.

Keywords

comorbidities - direct oral anticoagulants - special populations - venous thromboembolism