A Review of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Stage 5 or End-Stage Kidney Disease

To evaluate the role of oral anticoagulation in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).

A literature search of PubMed (January 2000 to July 1, 2021), the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases (through April 1, 2021) was performed with keywords DOAC (direct-acting oral anticoagulant) OR NOAC or dabigatran OR rivaroxaban OR apixaban OR edoxaban AND end-stage kidney disease combined with atrial fibrillation (AF) or venous thromboembolism (VTE) OR pulmonary embolism OR deep-vein thrombosis.

Case-control, cohort, and randomized controlled trials comparing DOACs to an active control for AF or VTE in patients with CKD-5 or ESKD and reporting outcomes of stroke, recurrent thromboembolism, or major bleeding were included.

Nine studies were included. Efficacy data supporting routine use of warfarin or DOACs in CKD-5 or ESKD are limited. Rivaroxaban and apixaban may provide enhanced safety compared to warfarin in patients with AF. Data for VTE are limited to 1 retrospective study.

Because of the paucity of rigorous, prospective studies in CKD-5 or ESKD, OACs should not be broadly used in this population. It is clear that data regarding efficacy of DOACs cannot be reliably and safely extrapolated from the non-ESKD population. Therefore, use of OACs in this population should be individualized.

If OACs for stroke prevention with AF are deemed necessary, apixaban or rivaroxaban can be considered. DOACs cannot currently be recommended over warfarin in patients with CKD-5 or ESKD and VTE.