Direct oral anticoagulant use in valvular heart disease

Abstract

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are indicated by the European Medicines Agency and US Food and Drug Administration for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The role of DOACs in patients with AF and concomitant valvular heart disease (VHD) is less clear. Recent subanalyses of randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have evaluated the role of DOACs in patients with AF and VHD. Patients with native aortic valve disease, tricuspid valve disease, or mitral regurgitation will be the primary focus as these represent the majority of VHD represented in the DOAC AF trials. Limited data exist on the role in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, mechanical heart valves, and mitral valve repair. This review provides the current clinical and scientific data pertaining to the safety and efficacy of DOAC use in patients with VHD.