Abstract
Over the last years, fundamental research has been ongoing in the field of new antithrombotic agents that can be administered orally. These agents are either direct factor Xa inhibitors (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, betrixaban) or direct thrombin inhibitors (dabigatran).
The first drug that was registered for the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation in the European Union as well, based on the results of the RE-LY study, is dabigatran etexilate. This study demonstrated non-inferiority of the effect of dabigatran doses of 110 mg versus warfarin on the primary study endpoint -the rates of strokes and systemic embolic events - and was associated with lower occurrence of major bleeding.
Dabigatran in the dose of 150 mg was more effective than warfarin and was associated with equal risk of induction of major bleeding