Indirect treatment comparison and economic evaluation of novel oral anticoagulants for the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation in the Netherlands

Objectives: Management with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) has been an effective and cost-effective strategy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) but is associated with shortcomings. Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were developed with the aims of no monitoring requirement and improved effectiveness and safety profiles. Economic evaluations require the comparison of all relevant options. However, there are no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) directly comparing these agents. In such cases, indirect treatment comparison (ITC) can be used to synthesize indirect comparative evidence... Mehr ...