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Renal function in atrial fibrillation patients switched from warfarin to a direct oral anticoagulant

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Abstract

All available direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are at least partially eliminated by the kidneys. These agents are increasingly being used as alternatives to warfarin for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to identify changes in renal function and associated DOAC dosing implications in a multicenter cohort of atrial fibrillation patients switched from warfarin to DOAC treatment. We included all patients in the Michigan Anticoagulation Quality Improvement Initiative cohort who switched from warfarin to a DOAC with atrial fibrillation as their anticoagulant indication between 2009 and 2014, and who had at least two creatinine values. Compliance with FDA-recommended dosing based on renal function was assessed. Of the 189 patients switched from warfarin to a DOAC, 34 (18.0 %) had a baseline creatinine clearance <50 mL/min and 23 (12.2 %) experienced important fluctuations in renal function. Of these 23 patients, 6 (26.1 %) should have impacted the DOAC dosing, but only 1 patient actually received an appropriate dose adjustment. Additionally, 15 (7.9 %) of patients on DOACs had a dose change performed, but only one patient demonstrated a change in renal function to justify the dose adjustment. Most atrial fibrillation patients who switched from warfarin to a DOAC had stable renal function. However, the majority of patients who had a change in renal function did not receive the indicated dose change. As the use of DOACs expands, monitoring of renal function and appropriate dose adjustments are critical.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2F208 UH , 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., SPC 5052, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5052, USA

    Anum S. Minhas

  2. Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Qingmei Jiang, Xiaokui Gu, Brian Haymart, Eva Kline-Rogers, James B. Froehlich & Geoffrey D. Barnes

  3. Oakland University/Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA

    Steve Almany

  4. Huron Valley Sinai Hospital, Commerce Township, MI, USA

    Jay Kozlowski

  5. Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    Gregory D. Krol

  6. Hurley Medical Center, Flint, MI, USA

    Scott Kaatz

  7. Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    James B. Froehlich & Geoffrey D. Barnes

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  1. Anum S. Minhas
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  2. Qingmei Jiang
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  3. Xiaokui Gu
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  6. Steve Almany
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  7. Jay Kozlowski
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  8. Gregory D. Krol
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  9. Scott Kaatz
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  10. James B. Froehlich
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  11. Geoffrey D. Barnes
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Correspondence to Anum S. Minhas.

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Minhas, A.S., Jiang, Q., Gu, X. et al. Renal function in atrial fibrillation patients switched from warfarin to a direct oral anticoagulant. J Thromb Thrombolysis 42, 566–572 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-016-1377-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-016-1377-9

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