The Safety and Effectiveness of Warfarin Vs Apixaban in Patients with NVAF/ VTE and ESKD on Dialysis

This is a retrospective study of End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) patients on dialysis receiving apixaban or warfarin at Tawam Hospital \[a tertiary care hospital in Al Ain, UAE\]. The study aims to assess the appropriateness of prescribing apixaban and warfarin in this population and evaluate their safety and effectiveness.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), including apixaban, are used for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and for venous thromboembolism (VTE) management. Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on dialysis face elevated risks of thromboembolic events and bleeding. While apixaban is FDA-approved for use in this population, its safety and efficacy compared to warfarin are not well established in this vulnerable population. This retrospective observational study aims to assess the prescribing appropriateness of apixaban compared to warfarin and evaluate their safety and effectiveness in a cohort of ESKD patients undergoing dialysis. This study will include ESKD patients on dialysis receiving apixaban or warfarin at Tawam Hospital from May 1, 2018, to January 31, 2024. Data on demographics, anticoagulant dosing, therapy duration, bleeding events, CHA2DS2-VASc score, HAS-BLED score, and thromboembolic events will be collected. Safety will be assessed by bleeding incidents, and effectiveness will be measured by VTE and stroke events. Dose appropriateness was evaluated according to FDA guidelines for apixaban and INR targets for warfarin. Data will be collected for eligible patients through electronic medical records (EMR).