Abstract
The most important advantage of novel oral anticoagulant therapy when compared to warfarin, is the low rate of intracranial hemorrhage. Intracranial hemorrhage includes hemorrhagic stroke and subdural hematoma in the same population, and only the occurrence of subdural hematoma showed dose dependency. Among the Asian population, the rate of ischemic stroke was higher than that of the non-Asian population, and the rate of intracranial hemorrhage was the same, therefore, the dosage of NOAC should not be reduced in Asian patients. Another sub-analysis showed that even in the elderly population, the dosage should not be reduced if renal function remains within a normal range. Although the investigation regarding an antidote for NOACs is moving forward, we must pay special attention to the patients’ renal function not only in the initial phase but also periodically during the later phase as well.
