Management of Bleeding in Patients Taking a NOAC
As the companion to the previous Figure, Figure 20 shows how procedural management must be increased (from 24 to as much as 96 h) with decreasing kidney function.[14] Common sense says that if a patient is bleeding, it is going to be necessary to hold the drug while you try to figure out what the source of the bleeding is. The good news is that the vast majority of these bleeds are certainly not fatal, and in the trials to date, we have seen a clear trend toward decreased mortality with the NOACs, and certainly a decrease in intracranial bleeding overall.
References
Heidbuchel H, Verhamme P, Alings M, et al. European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of new oral anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Europace 2013;15:625-651.