Direct oral anticoagulants and timing of hip fracture surgery

Abstract

Timely surgical intervention in hip fracture has been linked to improved outcomes. Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) are an emerging class of anticoagulants without evidence-based guidelines on surgical timing. This study aims to investigate how DOACs affect surgical timing and hence perioperative outcomes. A retrospective database/registry review was conducted for geriatric hip fracture patients aged 65 and over between 2011 and 2018. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included serious adverse events (SAE), transfusion and postoperative day (POD) 1 haemoglobin (Hb) levels. From a cohort of 3264 patients, 112 admitted subjects were taking DOACs; the annual proportion on DOACs increased over time. Mean time to surgery from last dose (Ts) was 2.2 (±1.0 SD) days. The primary outcome, 30-day mortality, occurred in 16 (14%) patients with secondary outcomes of SAEs in 25 (22%) patients and transfusion in 30 (27%) patients. Ts (days) did not significantly affect 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR): 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80–2.33; p = 0.248), SAE (hazard ratio (HR): 1.03, 95% CI: 0.70–1.52; p = 0.885), transfusion (OR: 0.72 95% CI: 0.45 to 1.16; p = 0.177) or POD 1 Hb (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: −0.59 to 4.57; p = 0.129). Timing of surgery does not influence common surgical outcomes such as 30-day mortality, SAE, transfusion, and POD1 Hb in patients taking DOACs on admission.