Introduction: There are few data on direct of comparison of dabigatran with acenocumarol which is a widely used vitamin K antagonist (VKA) in some geographical areas.
Methods: to describe and compare the characteristics and 18-months outcome of NVAF patients treated with dabigatran or acenocumarol in a Romanian cardiology department.
Results: we enrolled 75 patients with NVAF treated with dabigatran 150 or 110 mg twice daily and 82 patients treated with acenocumarol. The mean age was 64.5 years in the dabigatran group and 67,9 years in the acenocumarol group (p=NS). There was a higher proportion of female patients in the dabigatran group ( 48.2% vs 36.8). TTR was 64.6 and the number of comorbidities and deaths was similar in both groups with less bleedings in the dabigatran patients (9,2% vs 15%, p < 0,1). Of the VKA patients 15 % switched to dabigatran vs 6% (p < 0,1). Mean number of visits was 4.2 in dabigatran patients vs. 9.1, including INR visits (p < 0,1).
Conclusions: despite a higher market cost the use of dabigatran was associated with better outcome and satisfaction than acenocumarol