Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulants and Anticoagulation Prescription Rates in Atrial Fibrillation

Oral anticoagulation is indicated for most patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and elevated stroke risk, but prior studies have documented relatively low treatment rates. In this analysis of the PINNACLE registry (an outpatient cardiac quality improvement registry administered by the American College of Cardiology), investigators assessed how availability of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs), such as apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto), have affected prescription of oral anticoagulants. During 6.5 years, 655,000 patients with nonvalvular AF and CHA2DS2-VASc scores ≥1 were enrolled in PINNACLE.

Between 2008 and 2014, oral anticoagulant use increased significantly, from 52% to 61% among eligible AF pa…