DOACs may prevent symptomatic VTE better than heparin after noncardiac surgery

For prevention of venous thromboembolism after noncardiac surgery, direct oral anticoagulants may be preferred over low-molecular-weight heparin, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), low-dose low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and high-dose LMWH all reduced risk for symptomatic VTE and increased risk for major bleeding compared with no treatment, but DOACs reduced symptomatic VTE without increasing bleeding compared with low-dose LMWH, the researchers wrote in The BMJ.
Maura Marcucci, MD, MSc, assistant professor in the departments of medicine

For prevention of venous thromboembolism after noncardiac surgery, direct oral anticoagulants may be preferred over low-molecular-weight heparin, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), low-dose low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and high-dose LMWH all reduced risk for symptomatic VTE and increased risk for major bleeding compared with no treatment, but DOACs reduced symptomatic VTE without increasing bleeding compared with low-dose LMWH, the researchers wrote in The BMJ.
Maura Marcucci, MD, MSc, assistant professor in the departments of medicine