Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Obesity: An Updated Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: To review literature on the use of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with high body weight (BW) and/or high body mass index (BMI) and to make recommendations regarding use in this patient population. DATA SOURCES: A search using PubMed was conducted (inception to April 13, 2020) using the term DOAC AND the terms obesity OR body weight. A separate search was also conducted with individual DOACs (dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban) and the aforementioned terms. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Studies included examined the effect of BW and/or BMI on DOAC pharmacokinetics, efficacy, or safety. Included studies had DOAC indications of prevention of stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, or treatment or long-term prevention of venous thromboembolism. DATA SYNTHESIS: The efficacy and safety of DOACs in patients with high BW/BMI has not yet been elucidated by randomized trials; however, 2016 international guidelines suggest avoiding their use in patients with a BW >120 kg or BMI >40 kg/m2. Since 2016, several studies have been published examining use of DOACs in this patient population. RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: This review thoroughly discusses the literature on DOACs in patients with a BW >120 kg or BMI >40 kg/m2 pre-2016 and post-2016 guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence indicates that each DOAC may have differences in outcomes when used in patients with a high BW/BMI. Currently, low-quality data are available that support avoiding dabigatran and considering apixaban or rivaroxaban; lack of sufficient data preclude a recommendation for edoxaban use in this patient population.

Resumen tomado de PubMed (NCBI) para el registro citado, en el idioma original. La versión de referencia es la de la publicación original.

El resumen se deja sin traducir para conservar la redacción original de los autores.

This literature review on direct oral anticoagulants in patients weighing over 120 kg or with BMI over 40 kg/m² finds low-quality evidence supporting avoidance of dabigatran and consideration of apixaban or rivaroxaban, with insufficient data for edoxaban.

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