ABSTRACT

Since the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been introduced to clinical practice, there is a conflict on coagulation tests, which have been used to monitor the anticoagulation effect of vitamin K antag- onists (VKAs) and unfractionated heparin (UFH). NOACs have alternative modes of action. They react differently than VKAs and UFH and therefore conventional coagulation tests are not suitable to monitor their anticoagulant effect. The interactions between NOACs and routine coagulation tests are discussed in this review.

Keywords: NOAC PT aPT