Comparing Safety and Efficacy of Dabigatran and Factor Xa Inhibitors for Stroke Prevention in Hemophiliacs with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation

摘要

Background: Atrial fibrillation, a progressively rising global health problem is also rising in Hemophiliacs due to an increase in life expectancy in them. While treating Hemophiliacs with AF, deciding eligibility, choosing the anticoagulant based on risk-benefit ratio are tough clinical decisions. This review paper aims to explore and compare existing studies, reviews and consensus papers to assess the safety of different Novel Oral Anticoagulants (NOACS) in this population. Methods: Thorough literature search was conducted on Pubmed using Atrial Fibrillation, Hemophilia a, Oral anticoagulants, stroke prevention, Dabigatran, factor Xa inhibitors as keywords separately and in combinations. Papers in English from the past 5 years were selected for review. After removing duplicate results 80 papers were selected and after applying different exclusion criteria and according to relevance 35 papers were finalized for review. Results: The keywords AF, Stroke prevention, oral anticoagulants, Hemophilia a, Factor Xa inhibitors and Dabigatran gave 24899, 13619, 8964, 3503, 2850, 2799 papers respectively. Combination keywords also showed some papers and out of short-listed 80 relevant papers 35 were finalized. Reviewing and analyzing these papers revealed no clinical trials in hemophiliacs with AF in the past 5 years and 5 clinical trials comparing NOACs with Warfarin in general population. Rests were systematic reviews, reviews, consensus papers and meta-analyses on management in this group. A few compared these drugs for AF in the general population but not specifically in Hemophiliacs and others, consensus papers developed suggestions for management and showed that NOACs are superior to Warfarin but need individual evaluation in Hemophiliacs with AF.??? ????? Conclusion:? Patients with Hemophilia can also have thrombo-embolism despite their bleeding tendency and NOACs are a better option in them because of less need for monitoring, no food interactions and fewer drug interactions. This comparative review emphasizes the need for more work to develop proper guidelines for thrombo-prophylaxis management in this specific group.