Apixaban and Rivaroxaban Assays

Haematology are now offering assays to measure the new oral anticoagulant drugs Apixaban and Rivaroxaban. Both drugs are direct factor Xa inhibitors. Apixaban is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and at least one of the following risk factors: prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, age 75 years or older, diabetes mellitus, or symptomatic heart failure. Apixaban and other newer anticoagulants (dabigatran and rivaroxaban) appear equally effective as warfarin in preventing non-hemorrhagic stroke in people with atrial fibrillation and are associated with lower risk of intracranial bleeding. For further information please contact the laboratory on 0121 424 0908 (internal ext 40908) or for clinical advice please contact the On Call Haematologist via switchboard.