Summary
Four non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have now been evaluated
in clinical trials, providing new therapeutic options for the treatment of venous
thromboembolism (VTE). Recent position statements call for a move towards tailored
recommendations for the treatment of VTE, to better define in whom and under what
conditions a particular anticoagulant may improve clinical outcomes. Here we review
the phase III data on NOAC trials for the treatment of VTE, assessing the favourability
of agents for particular patient subgroups and aetiologies. Where the data permit,
individualised risks of recurrent VTE events and bleeding are presented.
Keywords
Deep-vein thrombosis - pulmonary embolism - venous thrombosis - clinical trials -
oral anticoagulants