Direct oral anticoagulants vs. vitamin K antagonists for left ventricular thrombus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#administration-oral #anticoagulants #fibrinolytic-agents #humans #thrombosis

Direct oral anticoagulants vs. vitamin K antagonists for left ventricular thrombus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Trongtorsak et al., 2021 | Acta Cardiol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Trongtorsak Angkawipa, Thangjui Sittinun, ... Estrada Alfonso Q. Direct oral anticoagulants vs. vitamin K antagonists for left ventricular thrombus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Cardiol. 2021-Nov;76(9):933-942. doi:10.1080/00015385.2020.1858538

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) to reduce the risk of systemic thromboembolic (STE) events in patients with left ventricular (LV) thrombus. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are an emerging alternative to VKAs; however, data supporting DOAC use in LV thrombus are still lacking. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety between DOACs and VKAs in this population. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception to October 2020 to identify studies that compared clinical outcomes of interest, including stroke or any STE, LV thrombus resolution, and bleeding, between patients who used DOACs and VKAs for LV thrombus. Data from each study were combined using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Eight cohort studies with a total of 1771 patients (426 in DOAC group, 1345 in VKA group) were included. There were no statistically significant differences between VKA group and DOAC group on rates of STE events (pooled RR = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91-1.39, p = .286), LV thrombus resolution (pooled RR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.94-1.27, p = .242), or bleeding events (pooled RR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.59-1.51, p = .808). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis found no significant differences in rates of STE events, LV thrombus resolution, or bleeding events between the use of DOACs and VKAs in LV thrombus. Further randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm our findingsHighlightsThere is limited evidence comparing the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in left ventricular (LV) thrombus.Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that DOACs are not inferior to VKAs in the incidence of systemic thromboembolism (STE), the rate of LV thrombus resolution, and the risk of bleeding.Current evidence is based on observational studies only. Further randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm the findings.

Key Findings

Eight cohort studies with a total of 1771 patients (426 in DOAC group, 1345 in VKA group) were included. There were no statistically significant differences between VKA group and DOAC group on rates of STE events (pooled RR = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91-1.39, p = .286), LV thrombus resolution (pooled RR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.94-1.27, p = .242), or bleeding events (pooled RR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.59-1.51, p = .808).

Outcomes Measured

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Population

Field Value
Population left ventricular
Sample Size 1771
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Anticoagulants
  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Humans
  • Thrombosis
  • Vitamin K

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-k

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09