Evaluating Medication Adherence to Novel Oral Anticoagulants With Anticoagulant Activity Monitoring in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

The novel oral anticoagulants such as rivaroxaban, apixaban and dabigatran, specifically target either thrombin or factor Xa/IIa. These new agents are included as an option for prevention of thromboembolic disease or recurrent stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in guidelines.

Although the benefits and risks of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy have been fully assessed, and reasonable anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapies have been formulated, the therapeutic effect still largely depends on the quality control during the treatment. Many patients discontinue anticoagulant therapy after discharge or after a period of treatment, and the risk of thrombosis increases. Because non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) does not need routine monitoring, patients tend to ignore the regular medication, thus affecting drug compliance. Because of the short half-life of NOACs, if patients do not take it regularly, not only can not achieve the effectiveness of anticoagulation, but also reduce the safety of medication. More and more researchers have realized that medication adherence plays a key role in medical management. In order to improve the efficacy and safety of NOACs and the compliance of patients with NOACs, the guidelines emphasize that supplementary measures can be taken, such as pharmacists participating in the network pharmacy database, attaching importance to the medication education of patients and their families, formulating a strict follow-up plan and professional outpatient follow-up.