Evaluación de la anticoagulación con rivaroxaban, en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular de reciente diagnóstico / Evaluation of oral anticoagulation with rivaroxaban, in patients with new onset non valvular atrial fibrillation

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) generates a hypercoagulable state with an increased thrombin generation and raised levels of thrombin-antithrombin complexes, which results in a high risk of stroke and thromboembolism. Aim: To evaluate the anticoagulant effect of rivaroxaban by anti-Xa factor activity and its correlation with thrombin-antithrombin complexes, thrombin generation and prothrombin time in patients newly diagnosed with non-valvular AF. Patients and Methods: Prospective study in patients with indication of anticoagulation. Demographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors, CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were recorded. Blood samples were taken at baseline, at 3 and 24 hours after the administration of the drug and at 30 days. Rivaroxaban levels, anti-Xa activity, prothrombin time, thrombin generation and plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin complexes were determined. Results: We studied 20 patients aged 76.3 ± 8.0 years (60% female) with a CHA2DS2-VASc score > 2 points. The anti-Xa factor activity correlated with rivaroxaban plasma levels at 3 hours (r = 0.61, p < 0.01), at 24 hours (r = 0.85, p < 0.01) and at 30 days (r = 0.99, p < 0.01), with prothrombin time at 3 hours (r = -0.86, p = 0.019) and at 30 days (r = -0.63, p = 0.02) and with a sustained decrease in thrombin generation at 30 days of follow-up (r = -0.74, p < 0.01). There was no correlation with thrombin-antithrombin complexes (r = -0.02, p = 0.83). Conclusions: Rivaroxaban consistently inhibited the mild pro-coagulant state found in newly diagnosed non-valvular AF patients through the first 24 hours and this effect was maintained at 30 days. Plasma levels of the drug correlated with anti-Xa factor activity, thrombin generation and prothrombin time

Nuevos anticoagulantes y anestesia regional / New anticoagulants and regional anesthesia

En los últimos años se ha producido un incremento de la práctica de la anestesia regional en pacientes que reciben fármacos que afectan el sistema fisiológico de la coagulación. La posibilidad de producirse un hematoma espinal, luego de una punción neuroaxial, en este tipo de pacientes, intranquiliza al médico anestesista. Por lo tanto, es indispensable que el médico anestesista conozca los mecanismos de acción de los diferentes anticoagulantes, sus propiedades farmacológicas y farmacocinéticas para poder así definir el intervalo entre la administración de los fármacos anticoagulantes y el bloqueo neuroaxial, la retirada del catéter y el reinicio de la anticoagulación permitiendo asociar la anestesia regional y la anticoagulación de forma segura para el paciente¹. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo principal realizar una revisión de los nuevos fármacos anticoagulantes y analizar las recomendaciones existentes como para poder hacer un uso racional y seguro en nuestra práctica diaria.

New anticoagulants and regional anesthesia In recent years there has been an increase in the practice of regional anesthesia in patients receiving drugs affecting the physiological coagulation system. The possibility of a spinal hematoma occurs after neuraxial puncture in these patients, uneasy the anesthesiologist. Therefore, it is essential that the anesthesiologist know the mechanism of action of different anticoagulants, their pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties to well define the interval between administration of anticoagulants and neuraxial blockade, catheter removal and resetting anticoagulation allowing associate regional anesthesia and anticoagulation safely for patient1. This work has as main objective to carry out a review of the new anticoagulant drugs and analyze existing recommendations as to make rational and safe use in our daily practice.

Analysis of Novel Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation – Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacological Considerations.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia. AF is a major risk factor for stoke. Warfarin has been available for more than 60 years and until recently it was the only oral anticoagulant used for the prevention of stroke. Despite the extensive studies and proven efficacy, its utility is limited by multiple factors. Warfarin interacts with a multitude of drugs and foods, has a delayed onset of action, has a narrow therapeutic range, requires routine lab monitoring and exhibits variable responses in patients. The novel agents dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban have the potential to have some of the limitations of warfarin. This article will discuss the pharmacokinetic and pharmacological considerations and different characteristics of the novel anticoagulants when used for the prevention of AF.