The use of reduced DOAC doses in atrial fibrillation patients does not always lead to good anticoagulation levels and avoid adverse events

Background

The MAS study (Blood Advances 2024) showed that a high proportion of Italian AF patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) receive reduced doses. This sub-analysis of MAS data aimed to analyze the effects of reduced (appropriate or not)- or standard-dose use on DOAC activity assessed at baseline and the occurrence of thrombotic or bleeding complications during follow-up.

Methods

The MAS study design, the methods for DOAC measurement, the results, and the adverse events during follow-up, are described in detail elsewhere.

Results

Seven hundred AF patients (42 % of the total 1657) received a reduced dose (considered inappropriate in 140 [20 %]). They were older, more frequently women, with lower body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin levels, and creatinine clearance. They more often had cerebral or cardiovascular diseases, were taking more medications, with higher scores for thrombotic or bleeding risk. Despite the use of low doses, 133 (19.0 %) patients had high standardized C-trough DOAC levels and experienced a high proportion of bleeding events (8.3 % per year). Conversely, some patients (4.7 %) had very low levels, resulting in a high incidence of thrombotic events (6.7 % per year). No difference was detected if the reduced dose was appropriate or not.

Conclusion

The unpredictable, highly variable inter-individual anticoagulant effect of DOACs may lead to either too low or too high anticoagulant levels, increasing the risk of thrombotic or bleeding events. This is particularly relevant for patients with high-risk conditions, such as those chosen for reduced-dose treatment. Further studies are needed to investigate this important clinical issue.