Is it necessary to alter anticoagulation therapy for tooth extraction in patients taking direct oral anticoagulants?

PubMedID: 29053656Background: The number of patients using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) instead of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) is increasing and there is limited data on the safety of tooth extractions in patients taking DOACs. The aim of this study was to compare the amount of bleeding (AOB) and postoperative complications after tooth extractions between patients taking VKAs and patients taking DOACs without altering the anticoaguation therapy. Material and Methods: The study consisted of four groups: Direct thrombin inhibitor group, factor Xa inhibitor group, warfarin group and a control group. A single tooth was extracted in each patient and routine coagulation test values were recorded prior to extraction. AOB was measured for 20 minutes after tooth extraction. The patients were evaluated on 2nd and 7th days after extraction for bleeding. Status of bleeding was classified as no bleeding, mild bleeding controlled by gauze pads, moderate bleeding controlled by hemostatic agents and severe bleeding required hospitalization. Analysis of variance, chi square test and correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis of data. Results: A total of 84 patients (48 male, 36 female) were included in this study. The mean age of patients was 57 (38-87) years. Mean AOB was 1388.6±913.0, 1909.29±1063.1, 3673±1415.4, 1593.33±672.5 mg for direct thrombin inhibitor, factor Xa inhibitor, warfarin and control groups respectively. Mean AOB was significantly higher for warfarin group, compared to other groups (p