Persistence of oral anticoagulant treatment for atrial fibrillation in the Netherlands: A surveillance study

Abstract Background In contrast to vitamin K antagonists (VKA), direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC's) are not strictly monitored and dose titrated by anticoagulation clinics in the Netherlands. This may affect drug persistence of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, whom often require lifelong treatment. Objectives To assess persistence of DOACs and of VKAs in patients with AF. Methods Dispensing data from the Dutch Foundation of Pharmaceutical Statistics were used to monitor persistence of AF patients to DOAC from 1 January 2012‐1 April 2016. In addition, we estimated the persistence of AF patien... Mehr ...