Episode 079: Heme Consult Series: When anticoagulation fails, Part 1
Nov 1, 2023
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This podcast discusses the workup for anticoagulation failure, focusing on DOAC failure. They explore challenges and considerations, including verifying blood thinner levels, assessing patient adherence, and exploring anatomic reasons for clot formation. They also discuss alternative anticoagulants like warfarin.
Determining the reason for anticoagulation failure is crucial for developing an appropriate treatment plan.
When a patient experiences DOAC failure, switching to more potent medications like warfarin or injectable anticoagulants may be necessary.
Deep dives
Determining Reasons for Anticoagulation Failure
When a patient reports anticoagulation failure, it is important to prove that it is indeed a failure. Verify the presence of the drug in the patient's bloodstream using an anti-10A level test. Monitor the patient's medication adherence history and consider any issues that may have affected absorption. Discuss the patient's medication organization and refill habits, as well as potential factors like side effects or expense that may have impacted adherence. Additionally, evaluate for any anatomic reasons that may have led to clot formation, such as compression or tumor invasion. If anatomic causes are identified, consult with surgical or interventional services for possible correction. Overall, determining the reason for anticoagulation failure is crucial for developing an appropriate treatment plan.
Considerations for Switching to Warfarin or Heparin
If a patient experiences anticoagulation failure with a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC), switching to other medications such as warfarin or heparin may be necessary. Warfarin is considered more powerful due to its broader range of clotting factor inhibition and the stability of its effect compared to DOACs. Monitoring an INR level helps determine if the patient is therapeutically anticoagulated. Heparin and related medications offer irreversibility and long-lasting effects, making them an alternative option. The ability to measure drug levels in these medications is beneficial for dose adjustment. However, specific indications still exist for using warfarin, such as antiphospholipid antibody syndrome with arterial manifestations or left ventricular thrombus. The choice of medication should be tailored to the patient's needs and clinical circumstance.
Managing DOEAC Failure and Switching Medications
When a patient experiences DOEAC failure and alternative anticoagulants are required, a thorough assessment is crucial. Proving the failure by checking the presence of the medication in the bloodstream is the starting point. Determine if there are anatomic reasons for the clot formation, such as compression or tumor invasion. If anatomic causes are absent, switching to more potent medications like warfarin or injectable anticoagulants may be necessary. Warfarin offers a more consistent and monitorable anticoagulant effect, while injectables provide a stronger inhibition. Consider patient preferences for oral or injectable options. Monitor and adjust drug levels as necessary, and address any issues affecting adherence to ensure successful management of DOEAC failure.
It’s time for another Heme Consult series, this time focusing on another common question we see in the hospital and in clinic: “is this anticoagulation failure?”
In this two-part series, we break down how we approach the workup to determine exactly this. In this episode, we discuss "DOAC failure".
Content:
- How to approach a "DOAC failure" situation
- When to consider warfarin
** Want to review the show notes for this episode and others? Check out our website: https://www.thefellowoncall.com/our-episodes
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