New Type of Anticoagulants: Laboratory Signs of Minor Bleeding of Patients Treated with Rivaroxaban and Apixaban

Abstract

New types of anticoagulants widely used in clinical practice help patients prevent and treat atrial fibrillation. The most dangerous side effect of these drugs is major bleeding, but the occurrence of occult bleed-ing is also common, the main danger of which is that it is not so obvious. The authors aimed to find out whether blood count and iron balance parameter deviations indicating occult bleeding are more frequent in patients treated with rivaroxaban or apixaban, respectively. In the retrospective study, it was found a weak significant deviation in transferrin values in favor of patients treated with rivaroxaban (t-value: 2,054; df 57; p = 0,045). There was no significant deviation in transferrin saturation between the two groups (t-value: - 1,406; df: 32; p= 0,169). No significant deviations were found in blood count and other iron balance parameters. These results suggest that in the case of apixaban and rivaroxaban, the frequency of minor bleeding leading to iron deficiency does not differ in the two patient groups. In connection with direct oral anticoagulants, the fact that there is no need for monitoring is often stated as an advantage. In fact, regular check-ups can help detect occult bleeding in time, thereby creating an opportunity for timely intervention.