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Semin Thromb Hemost 2019; 45(02): 205-214
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1661386
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Atrial Fibrillation and Malignancy: The Clinical Performance of Non–Vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants—A Systematic Review

Vincenzo Russo
1   Division of Cardiology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
,
Roberta Bottino
1   Division of Cardiology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
,
Anna Rago
1   Division of Cardiology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
,
Pierpaolo Di Micco
2   Division of Internal Medicine, Buonconisglio Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Naples, Italy
,
Antonio D' Onofrio
3   Departmental Unit of Electrophysiology, Evaluation and Treatment of Arrhythmias, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
,
Biagio Liccardo
1   Division of Cardiology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
,
Paolo Golino
1   Division of Cardiology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
,
Gerardo Nigro
1   Division of Cardiology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 August 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly diagnosed in the setting of active cancer. Because of an increased risk of either thromboembolic events or bleeding, the decision to initiate therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with active cancer can be challenging. Moreover, little is still known about the optimal anticoagulation therapy in the setting of AF and cancer, and no guidelines are as yet available. Considering that nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are recommended as alternatives to vitamin K antagonists for stroke prevention in AF patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2, the authors performed a systematic review of the current literature to describe the efficacy and safety of NOACs in AF patients with malignancy.

Keywords

atrial fibrillation - cancer - NOACs - dabigatran - apixaban - rivaroxaban - edoxaban - bleeding - stroke - embolism
 

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