Journal of cardiovascular medicine
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Dec 2014
Review Meta AnalysisRelative efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation by network meta-analysis.
Much direct evidence has proved that the novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are noninferior or superior to warfarin for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, and lead to a relevant decrease in bleeding profiles. However, no study has compared NOACs with each other head-to-head. The current study is a network meta-analysis aiming to assess the efficacy and safety of NOACs. ⋯ NOACs are promising candidates for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation due to a favorable risk-benefit profile. All NOACs other than edoxaban 30 mg had parallel efficacies with respect to stroke prevention. Apixaban had an advantage over the other NOACs in safety.