Usefulness of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Adult Congenital Heart Disease

As thromboembolic events (TEE) are common in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD), adequate oral anticoagulation for prophylaxis or treatment of TEE is important. Until now, mainly vitamin K antagonists have been used in these patients. The purpose of this study was to provide first data on the use of direct oral anticoagulants in ACHD. This prospective, observational, and longitudinal study included 102 consecutive ACHD, of whom 75 (37 women and 38 men; mean age 50 ± 13 years) could be analyzed. Most common CHD were pre-tricuspid shunts (n = 31; 41%), complex CHD (n = 16; 21%), left heart/aortic valve anomalies (n = 5; 6%), right-sided cardiac/pulmonary artery anomalies (n = 9; 13%), post-tricuspid shunts (n = 3; 4%), and others (n = 11; 15%). Five patients had cyanosis and 3 patients a Fontan circulation. Mean follow-up was 12 ± 11 months. Rivaroxaban was administered in 55 patients, apixaban in 13 and dabigatran in 7 patients for TEE prophylaxis in atrial arrhythmias (n = 57), stroke/transient ischemic attacks (n = 11), deep vein thrombosis (n = 4), pulmonary embolism (n = 1) and atrial thrombi (n = 3). Some patients had >1 indication for adequate oral anticoagulation. CHA₂-DS₂-VASc score was ≥2 in 23 (31%), and 9 (12%) had a HAS-BLED score ≥2. There were neither thrombotic or major bleeding events nor major side effects. In conclusion, direct oral anticoagulants appear to be safe and effective in ACHD. Long-term follow-up is needed to substantiate these findings.