Abstract
Novel (direct) oral anticoagulants have been approved for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after hip and knee replacement; for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in the patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation; for the treatment and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism. The studies have confirmed their noninferior efficacy and comparable or even better safety, compared to conventional therapy.
Their advantages are more favorable pharmacologic properties and fixed dosing without a need for laboratory monitoring. However, regular clinical controls should be performed in the patients on oral anticoagulants, including laboratory tests of renal functions and, if needed, special quantitative tests for the assessment of anticoagulation effect.
In some specific groups of patients the data about efficacy and safety of novel oral anticoagulants are scarce and they should be used with caution.