Direct-acting oral anticoagulant drug level monitoring in clinical patient management

Amihai Rottenstreich, Netanel Zacks, Geffen Kleinstern, Bruria Hirsh Raccah, Batia Roth, Nael Da’as, Yosef Kalish

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The role of drug-level monitoring among patients using direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) is unclear. We aimed to investigate its ‘real-life’ utilization and effect on clinical management. A review of records of patients who underwent DOAC level testing during 2013–2017. Overall, 212 patients (median age 77 years) underwent 292 DOAC measurements [apixaban (n = 147), rivaroxaban (n = 102), dabigatran (n = 43)]. Monitoring volume increased by 460% during study period. DOAC level testing was performed during routine follow-up in 51 (17.5%) cases, whereas the remaining 241 (82.5%) measurements were performed due to selected clinical circumstances, most commonly: bleeding (n = 60), perioperative status (n = 45), breakthrough thrombosis (n = 37) and renal failure (n = 35). Drug levels were within the expected range in 210 (71.9%), above the expected range in 62 (21.2%) and lower than expected range in 20 (6.8%). In multivariate analysis, older age (P = 0.005), lower glomerular filtration rate (P = 0.001) and lower body mass index (P = 0.006) were associated with DOAC levels above the expected range. Clinical decisions were affected by DOAC monitoring following most (140/241, 58.1%) measurements for which we identified an indication for testing; yet only rarely when monitoring was performed during routine follow-up (7.8%, 4/51) (P < 0.0001). While no benefit of routine DOAC monitoring was observed, drug level measurement has an important role in the management of patients in selected circumstances. Age, body weight and creatinine clearance were found to be significant predictors of drug levels. Future studies are warranted to establish associations between drug levels and outcomes, and better delineate the role of DOAC monitoring.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)543-549
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis
Volume45
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2018
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Keywords

  • Direct-acting oral anticoagulants
  • Drug levels
  • Management
  • Monitoring
  • Real life

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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