Introduction: Guidelines recommend the use of direct oral anticoagulation therapy over warfarin for the treatment of venous thromboembolism and atrial fibrillation. However, there is uncertainty and a lack of data supporting the safety and efficacy of anticoagulation therapy in lung transplant recipients. Additionally, there are unique considerations for this population, such as labile renal function and drug interactions.
Project aims: The objective of this program evaluation was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of apixaban therapy for atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism in lung transplant recipients.
Design: Medical records of all adult lung transplant recipients who received apixaban for atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism treatment between January 1, 2018, and August 31, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Safety was evaluated by the incidence of bleeding. Efficacy was evaluated by the recurrence of blood clots or the incidence of stroke.
Results: A total of 134 recipients were included in the review. Thromboembolisms occurred in 14 recipients (10%), and none experienced a stroke. Bleeding occurred in 12 recipients (9%).
Conclusions: The results of this evaluation were similar to those seen in smaller studies of the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulation therapy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism in lung transplant recipients, especially in recipients taking interacting azole antifungals. Prospective, comparative studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Keywords: apixaban; atrial fibrillation; direct oral anticoagulation; lung transplant; venous thromboembolism.