Apixaban, Dabigatran, Edoxaban, Rivaroxaban
NB: Due to the complexity of DOAC management in the perioperative period and recent publication of new evidence, this monograph is under continual review and will be updated accordingly |
Issues for Surgery |
Risk of cerebrovascular event (CVA) if omitted. Risk of bleeding and / or complications of bleeding if continued. |
Advice in the Perioperative period |
Assessment of Renal Function DOACs have stable pharmacokinetics and a predictable elimination half-life. If the decision is made to interrupt DOAC therapy, the patient’s current renal function should be used to guide when to stop DOAC therapy. The Cockcroft-Gault creatinine clearance (also see calculation below) should be used to accurately calculate renal function. The eGFR may overestimate renal function, particularly in elderly or underweight patients and must not be used. Use of DOAC therapy is contra-indicated if creatinine clearance (CrCl) < 15 ml/min (< 30ml/min for dabigatran) and any patient found to have a CrCl that contra-indicates the use of the DOAC should be immediately referred to a Haematologist. If there is any doubt as to the safe management of DOAC therapy in patients with reduced renal function (particularly CrCl < 30 ml/min), the advice of a Haematologist should be sought. Minor Bleeding Risk Surgery / Procedures For examples of minor bleeding risk surgery / procedures – see Anticoagulants (Oral)– A General Overview. General Surgical Procedures (High / Low Risk Bleeding) Follow the advice in figure 1 below. Figure 1: Number of doses of DOAC to be omitted prior to general surgical procedures2 * Low dose Rivaroxaban (2.5mg Twice Daily) is licensed for use in conjunction with aspirin +/- clopidogrel3. Refer to individual monographs for the perioperative management of aspirin and clopidogrel and discuss arterial thrombotic risk with a cardiologist or vascular surgeon (depending on indication for therapy). Pre-operative cessation of low-dose rivaroxaban has not been studied and patients should be managed on a case-by-case basis. Endoscopy / Interventional Procedures Bridging Therapy Prophylactic dose LMWH may be considered in the post-operative period prior to DOAC resumption (see under Post-operative Advice below). Emergency Surgery / Procedures
Prohaemostatic Agents
Perioperative Considerations Neuraxial (Spinal / Epidural) Anaesthesia or Lumbar Punctures Continuation of DOACs in patients who receive neuraxial anaesthesia is not recommended due to the risk of spinal haematoma13. Indwelling Catheter Removal Advice Figure 3: Advice on timings of DOAC doses in relation to removal of an indwelling catheter13. *It is recommended that in the event of traumatic puncture, the administration of rivaroxaban should be delayed for 24 hours3. Although not recommended by other DOAC manufacturers, consideration should be given to delaying administration of all DOACs by 24 hours in the event of traumatic puncture. Post-operative Advice Minor / Low Risk Procedures High Risk Procedures / Increased Bleeding Risk Consider prophylactic LMWH, commenced 6-12 hours post-op based on patient’s thromboembolic risk and bleeding risk. LMWH should be discontinued immediately upon recommencing DOAC. Patients Who Have Received Idarucizumab If necessary, alternative antithrombotic therapy (e.g. LMWH) can be started at any time, if the patient is clinically stable and adequate haemostasis has been achieved8. Alternative antithrombotic therapy should be immediately discontinued upon recommencing dabigatran. Patients Who Have Received Andexanet Alfa |
Interaction(s) with Common Anaesthetic Agents |
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Interaction(s) with other Common Medicines used in the Perioperative Period |
Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LWMH) / Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) Antimicrobials Erythromycin and clarithromycin may increase the exposure to apixaban and dabigatran7, 11, 17. The patient should be monitored for excessive bleeding if either erythromycin or clarithromycin are co-administered with a DOAC17. It is recommended to monitor the patient for signs of excessive bleeding if co-administration of erythromycin or clarithromycin with a DOAC is necessary17. Whilst single surgical prophylactic doses should not pose a problem for most antimicrobials, continued post-operative treatment may require close monitoring. Consult current product literature. |
Further Information |
Information for Patients |
References |
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