Direct Oral Anticoagulants in the Treatment of Venous Thromboembolic Disease.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulation is the treatment of choice in the management of venous thromboembolic disease. This approach is applied to reduce mortality and the risk of recurrences and associated complications. Standard therapy for non-oncologic patients has traditionally been based on parenteral anticoagulation followed by vitamin K antagonists. However, this approach has many limitations.

METHODS: The aim of this manuscript was to critically review current evidence on the use of direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of venous thromboembolic disease by analyzing the specific characteristics of each drug.

RESULTS: Direct oral anticoagulants have many advantages over standard therapy. While they are equally effective as standard therapy for reducing the possibility of recurrence of venous thromboembolic disease, they carry a lower risk of major bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS: Direct oral anticoagulants are an attractive alternative to standard therapy for the treatment of venous thromboembolism.