The AAST prospective observational multicenter study of the initial experience with reversal of direct oral anticoagulants in trauma patients

Background Drug-specific agents for the reversal of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were recently approved. We hypothesized that the approval of these reversal agents would lead improved outcomes for trauma patients taking DOACs. Methods A multicenter, prospective (2015–2018), observational study of all adult trauma patients taking DOACs who were admitted to one of fifteen participating trauma centers was performed. The primary outcome was mortality. Results For 606 trauma patients on DOACs, those reversed were older (78 vs. 74, p = 0.007), more severely injured (ISS: 16 vs. 5, p < 0.0001), had more severe head injuries (Head AIS: 2.9 vs. 1.3, p < 0.0001), and higher mortality (11% vs. 3%, p = 0.001). Patients who received drug-specific agents (idarucizumab, andexanet alfa) had higher mortality (30% vs. 8%, p = 0.04) than those reversed with factor concentrates. However, the low usage of drug-specific reversal agents limits our ability to assess their efficacy and safety. Conclusions DOAC reversal was not independently associated with mortality. At present, the overall usage of drug-specific reversal agents is too sparing to meaningfully assess outcomes in trauma.