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As the novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are increasingly used over warfarin (Coumadin), the anticoagulation clinics that manage the older drug's use could be repurposed as broader medication safety clinics, one group proposed.
These reimagined clinics could be used to select anticoagulant and dose, help manage use to minimize bleeding risk around surgery, encourage adherence, and be expanded to other higher risk cardiovascular medications, such as spironolactone and amiodarone, according to in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
In this video, , chief of cardiology at Johns Hopkins University and a past president of the American Heart Association, discusses the potential feasibility and cost-effectiveness of such a strategy.
Disclosures
Barnes disclosed supported from a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute grant; research funding from BMS/Pfizer and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; and serving as a consultant for Portola.
Primary Source
Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes
Barnes GD, et al "Reimagining anticoagulation clinics in the era of direct oral anticoagulants" Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2016; DOI: 10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.115.002366.