[Management of bleeding complications associated with NOAC]

New oral anticoagulant drugs (NOAC) represent a promising alternative to the classical anticoagulant therapy with vitamin K antagonists like phenprocoumon or warfarin. Meanwhile, these substances are well implemented in the management of several indications with elevated thromboembolic risk, e.g. atrial fibrillation. Nevertheless, it is not easy to use these substances and even in the phase III studies side effects of significant bleeding occurred. Thus, patients should be closely monitored for signs of bleeding or anaemia. In the clinical setting, the therapists meet the challenge to primarily ensure a sufficient anticoagulation but to concomitantly avoid any occurrence of a serious bleeding complication. However, this optimum is not reached in many cases: Patients frequently present with relevant bleeding or a serious bleeding occurs in surgery. This article presents a short overview of possible actions to manage such a bleeding complication.