Use of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Traditional Therapies for Acute Venous Thromboembolism After Direct Discharge From the Emergency Department or After Hospitalization: An Audit of 16 Canadian Hospitals.

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Use of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Traditional Therapies for Acute Venous Thromboembolism After Direct Discharge From the Emergency Department or After Hospitalization: An Audit of 16 Canadian Hospitals.

Clin Ther. 2020 Apr 10;:

Authors: Bungard TJ, Ritchie B, Bolt J, Thomson P, Semchuk WM

Abstract
PURPOSE: This study compares and describes the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus traditional therapies (parenteral anticoagulant with or without warfarin) for acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) between individuals discharged directly from the emergency department (ED) versus those hospitalized. This study also reports patterns based on discharge from an academic, community, or rural-based site.
METHODS: This retrospective medical records study included patients discharged with acute VTE (2015-2016) from 16 institutions across 4 provinces. Patients with atypical clots, other indications for anticoagulants, or an anticipated lifespan <3 months or those who were pregnant or breastfeeding were excluded.
FINDINGS: Overall, 590 individuals (30.0%) discharged from the ED and 809 (53.8%) discharged after hospitalization were studied. Hospitalized patients were significantly older, had more comorbidities (cancer, pulmonary disease, and heart failure), and were more likely to have pulmonary embolism than deep vein thrombosis. DOAC use was significantly higher in the ED cohort versus the hospitalized cohort (51.4% vs 44.3%; P < 0.004) and more common for those having lower risk of pulmonary embolisms (simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index score of 0 compared with ≥1) in the ED (58.0% and 26.5%; P < 0.0001) and hospitalized cohorts (57.1% and 35.7%; P < 0.0001). Use of DOACs was lowest in academic settings (46.2%) and highest in rural sites (56.7%). Follow-up patterns were different, with specialists and VTE clinics being most common in academic sites and family physicians being most common in rural practices.
IMPLICATIONS: DOACs were used in less than half of all patients, with more use in EDs and rural sites. Follow-up patterns (VTE clinic or specialist vs family physician) varied and likely contributed to therapy selection. Over time, use of DOACs is likely to increase, and patient factors (eg, those younger with fewer comorbidities) and health care contact (eg, place of discharge or availability of an ambulatory VTE clinic) will likely continue to influence practice patterns.

PMID: 32284189 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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