Bleeding with oral anticoagulant dabigatran is highly associated with occult cancers in atrial fibrillation patients. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koike, Hideki; Fujino, Tadashi; Koike, Makiko; Yao, Shintaro; Akitsu, Katsuya; Shinohara, Masaya; Yuzawa, Hitomi; Suzuki, Takeya; Ikeda, Takanori
• Is Part Of: Future cardiology. Volume 14:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 36
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: atrial fibrillation -- bleeding -- dabigatran -- direct oral anticoagulant -- gastrointestinal cancers; Cardiology -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.12005
• DOI: 10.2217/fca-2017-0063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6678

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine cancer and bleeding in atrial fibrillation patients administered with dabigatran.Materials & methods: This study enrolled 509 consecutive nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients who received dabigatran. The mean administration period was 14.8 ± 15.7 months. We investigated the prevalence and new development of cancers. Further, the relation between cancer and adverse events was evaluated.Results: In the 509 patients, major bleeding occurred in 2.6% and dyspepsia in 8.4%. Further, 16.9% patients had a history of cancer and 3.9% developed new cancers. These adverse events developed in 45% patients who developed new cancers. The cancer (hazard ratio: 6.30; p = 0.003) was a significant predictor of major bleeding.Conclusion: Bleeding was associated with the presence of cancer.