DOAC + Aspirin Common Without Clear Indication, Tied to More Bleeding
By Amy Orciari Herman
Edited by
– David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and
– Jaye Elizabeth Hefner, MD
Concomitant use of a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) plus aspirin is common in some cardiovascular patients without a clear indication for aspirin — and is associated with increased bleeding risks — suggests an observational study in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Researchers studied the medical records of some 3300 patients in Michigan who received a DOAC to treat nonvalvular atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism; one third also received aspirin. (Patients with a recent myocardial infarction or a history of heart valve replacement were excluded.)
Roughly 1000 patients who received a DOAC plus aspirin were matched to 1000 who received a DOAC alone. During a median follow-up of 12 months, patients on combination therapy were more likely than those on a DOAC alone to experience bleeding events (32 vs. 26 per 100 patient-years) — a difference driven by significantly more nonmajor bleeding. Hospitalization for bleeding was also more common with a DOAC plus aspirin (8 vs. 5 per 100). Thrombotic events, meanwhile, did not differ between the groups.
The researchers conclude: “Efforts should be made to help clinicians identify and deprescribe [aspirin] for patients taking a DOAC without an indication for [aspirin].”
Link(s):
JAMA Internal Medicine article (Free abstract) http://response.jwatch.org/t?ctl=9F3C5:AA579CC6C4DC3B7A57E6A80BC6CB444AD2B71D9A95FA21D3&
Related content: NEJM Journal Watch coverage of rivaroxaban, aspirin, or both in stable coronary disease (Your NEJM Journal Watch subscription required) http://response.jwatch.org/t?ctl=9F3C6:AA579CC6C4DC3B7A57E6A80BC6CB444AD2B71D9A95FA21D3&
