| Related Articles |
Major Bleeding with Apixaban in Atrial Fibrillation: Patient Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes.
Hosp Pract (1995). 2018 Jul 30;:
Authors: Eisho S, Salem NM, Hoffman JL, Koerber JM, Smythe MA
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To identify patient characteristics, bleed management, and bleed outcomes in patients experiencing an apixaban major bleeding event and to identify opportunities to improve the safe use of apixaban.
METHODS: This retrospective single health-system study identified apixaban patients experiencing a major bleeding event between January 2013 and May 2016 through electronic medical record review. Patient characteristics, bleed management, and outcomes were extracted in those with a confirmed major bleed assessed by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria.
RESULTS: Fifty major bleeding events occurred in forty-nine patients (79 ± 9.8 years). Patient characteristics included history of hypertension (94%), anemia (68%), and concomitant antiplatelet use (68%). Gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 72% of patients and intracranial hemorrhage in 14% of patients. Packed red blood cells were utilized in 82% of patients and reversal agents were administered to 6% of patients. Mortality during the hospital admission for the bleed was 0%. Anticoagulation was held at discharge in 64% of patients and remained held at 30 days in the majority of patients. Of those on concurrent aspirin therapy, an appropriate indication was not found in 64.7% of patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with major bleeding were elderly and frequently on inappropriate concomitant antiplatelet therapy. The majority of patients were managed with packed red blood cell transfusion. More than half of patients had anticoagulation therapy held at discharge. Concerns with prescribing and patient management were identified leading to recommendations for improving the safe use of apixaban therapy.
PMID: 30058431 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]