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The use of prothrombin complex concentrates and the role of plasma concentration of anticoagulants in the management of bleeding in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants are still debated. Our aim was to describe management strategies and outcomes of severe bleeding events in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants.We performed a prospective cohort study of 732 patients treated with dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban hospitalized for severe bleeding, included prospectively in the registry from June 2013 to November 2015.Bleeding was gastrointestinal or intracranial in 37% (212 of 732) and 24% (141 of 732) of the cases, respectively. Creatinine clearance was lower than 60 ml/min in 61% (449 of 732) of the cases. The plasma concentration of direct oral anticoagulants was determined in 62% (452 of 732) of the cases and was lower than 50 ng/ml or higher than 400 ng/ml in 9.2% (41 of 452) and in 6.6% (30 of 452) of the cases, respectively. Activated or nonactivated prothrombin complex concentrates were administered in 38% of the cases (281 of 732). Mortality by day 30 was 14% (95% CI, 11 to 16).Management of severe bleeding in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants appears to be complex. The use of prothrombin complex concentrates differs depending on bleeding sites and direct oral anticoagulant plasma concentrations. Mortality differs according to bleeding sites and was similar to previous estimates.

Background As a potent anticoagulant agent, rivaroxaban exposes a risk of bleeding. An effective way to reverse its effects is needed. Objectives were to study efficacy and safety of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) to reverse the anticoagulant effect of an overdose of rivaroxaban in a rabbit model of bleeding and thrombosis. Methods First, a dose-ranging study assessed the minimal rivaroxaban dose that increased bleeding. Then, 48 anesthetized and ventilated rabbits were randomized into four groups: control (saline), rivaroxaban (rivaroxaban and saline), rFVIIa (rivaroxaban and rFVIIa), and PCC (rivaroxaban and PCC). The Folts model was applied: a stenosis and an injury were carried out on the carotid artery, inducing thrombosis, detected as cyclic flow reductions, which were recorded over 20 min. Then the following were measured: ear immersion bleeding time, clotting times, anti-Xa activity, thrombelastometric parameters, and thrombin generation test. Ultimately, a hepatosplenic section was performed and the total amount of blood loss after 15 min was evaluated as primary endpoint. Results Rivaroxaban increased blood loss (17 g [8-32] vs. 7 g [5-18] for control (median [range]), P = 0.0004), ear bleeding time, clotting times, thrombelastographic clotting time, and decreased thrombin generation. In contrast, rFVIIa decreased ear bleeding time (92 s [65-115] vs. 140 s [75-190], P < 0.02), but without efficacy on blood loss. PCC and rFVIIa decreased activated partial thromboplastin time as well as thrombelastographic clotting time. Regarding safety, neither rFVIIa nor PCC increased cyclic flow reductions. Conclusion rFVIIa and PCC partially improved laboratory parameters, but did not reverse rivaroxaban induced-bleeding.