Analysis of the projected utility of dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban and their future impact on existing Hematology and Cardiology Anticoagulation Clinics at the Johns Hopkins Hospital

The purpose of this study is to determine the percentage of patients in the Johns Hopkins Anticoagulation Clinics that are potential candidates for the new oral anticoagulants, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban. A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients managed in the Johns Hopkins Cardiology and Hematology Anticoagulation Clinics between November 1, 2009 and October 31, 2010. Data elements collected include demographics, primary indication for anticoagulation, renal function, hepatic function, and concomitant medications. These factors were considered against product labeling guidelines and inclusion/exclusion criteria from clinical studies to derive candidacy status for each oral anticoagulant for each patient. Patients who met at least one caution or contraindication criteria were deemed non-candidates; potential dosage reductions of the new oral anticoagulants were not considered. Four hundred ninety-one patients participated in the study. Among participants, 63 % would be dabigatran candidates, 62 % rivaroxaban candidates, and 70 % would be candidates for apixaban. Dabigatran use would be cautioned against in 34 %, rivaroxaban in 18 %, and apixaban in 30 %. Four percent had contraindications to dabigatran, whereas 21 % had contraindications to rivaroxaban. More than 60 % of patients in the Johns Hopkins Anticoagulation Clinics appear to be potential candidates for each of the new oral anticoagulants, assuming they are eventually approved for the same indications as warfarin. Many patients fell into the cautioned category, which demonstrates the complexity associated with selecting candidates for these new agents.