Abstract
Anticoagulant therapy is one of the most important therapeutic areas. It is aimed at prevention and treatment of thrombotic and thromboembolic conditions.
Bleeding is the most feared complication of anticoagulant therapy. The use of heparins and warfarin is supported by many years of clinical experience and by the existence of specific antidote enabling reversion of anticoagulant effect.
NOACs (Non-vitamin K Oral AntiCoagulants) are advantageous in their direct anticoagulant effect without the need of monitoring, and in their low risk of treatment interactions. Their disadvantages include the unavailability of a specific antidote (with the exception of dabigatran) and more complicated assessment of the residual anticoagulant effect.
The treatment choice must reflect the indication, concomitant medication, comorbidities and overall risk of each patient.