Amish Raval, MD, associate professor, Cardiovascular Medicine, provided his perspective in an article about a new generation of blood thinners called non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs). 

These drugs are an alternative to warfarin, which can be difficult for patients and doctors to manage due to interaction of warfarin with foods and other drugs, requiring frequent blood tests and dose adjustments. 

NOACs were approved within the past decade and, like warfarin, are used to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism and stroke. However, only one NOAC, dabigatran, has a reversing agent, which means that providers need to be informed if a patient is taking a NOAC in the event of traumatic injury. 

“I usually recommend to my patients that they have a medical alert bracelet or necklace that indicate that they are on one of these drugs,” said Dr. Raval, who emphasized that he thinks patients should take some comfort in knowing that the new class of drugs is safe. 

Resources:

• "New blood thinners require preparation to manage bleeding risk," American Heart Association News, April 19, 2017