Dos and don’ts developed for direct oral anticoagulants

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are a common treatment for patients with a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions. DOACs are the preferred treatment over vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for many patients with atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism since the latter would have a higher risk of intracranial bleeding and a more complex dosing routine. However, new research suggests that DOACs should not be the first line of treatment for every patient who needs to treat or prevent blood clots.