Towards Cancer Patient Empowerment for Optimal Use of Antithrombotic Therapy at the End of Life

Deprescribing is an important part of palliative care to prevent polypharmacy, which is associated with increased risk of adverse drug events, drug-drug and drug-disease interactions, reduced functional capacity, multiple geriatric syndromes, medication nonadherence, and higher healthcare costs. One of the most widely used cardiovascular drug classes in cancer patients in a palliative setting are antithrombotics, including anticoagulant and anti-platelet substances. Antithrombotic drugs, e.g., direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH), vitamin-K antagonists (VKA) and so-called antiplatelet agents (such as acetyl salicylic acid and P2Y12 inhibitors), are indicated in patients with prosthetic heart valves, in those with venous thromboembolism (VTE) or pulmonary embolism (PE), for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation as well as in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or peripheral artery disease). Most patients have been receiving these drugs chronically before their cancer was diagnosed, while others are prescribed them in order to treat or prevent cancer-associated thrombosis. Obviously, decisions on deprescribing antithrombotics heavily depend on the indication of the antithrombotic drug in addition to patient and healthcare professional preferences and experience, and on the estimated life expectancy of the patient. Understanding current patterns of management of antithrombotic therapy as well as the rationale and preferences behind these patterns is crucial for improving clinical practice. Since deprescribing patterns and rationale may largely differ across the European Union, relevant data at a large scale is needed to fully understand and appreciate the relevant decision processes. The insights gained in this study are a first step towards the development of a clinical decision tool supporting decisions on antithrombotic therapy in cancer patients.