Choosing a safe and effective anticoagulant is complicated when patient is obese

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Choosing a safe and effective anticoagulant is complicated when patient is obese

Overweight woman
Treatment failure is a concern when using direct-acting oral anticoagulants in patients with high body weight

PHARMACOTHERAPY

It is likely you will come across obese patients requiring anticoagulation. This article summarises international studies and guidelines, to help you determine whether a direct-acting oral anticoagulant or vitamin K antagonist is the best option.

Linda Bryant and Pauline McQuoid

Key points, Warfarin is the anticoagulant of choice for obese patients. Direct-acting oral anticoagulants should be avoided in patients with high body weight (B