[Reversal strategies for non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants]

Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are alternatives to vitamin K antagonists and provide consistent anticoagulation with equal or better clinical outcome and no need for routine monitoring. Bleeding is a feared complication of anticoagulants. Until recently, no specific agent has been available for reversal of NOACs. Idarucizumab binds dabigatran for rapid reversal of its activity without procoagulant effects. Andexanet alpha (expected release in 2016) and PER977 are antidotes under clinical development. This article summarizes current and potential future options to antagonize NOACs.