Assessment of the efficiency and safety of anticoagulation therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis and atrial fibrillation

Aim of the study:
Currently, there are insufficient scientific data regarding the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared to warfarin in patients with both liver cirrhosis (LC) and atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of the study was to analyze the frequency and risk factors for the development of thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications in patients with LC and AF after DOAC treatment compared to warfarin.

Material and methods:
A randomized clinical trial was conducted including 56 patients with both LC and AF treated with dabigatran (n = 30) and warfarin (n = 26). The frequency and risk factors of hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications were evaluated after 3 months of observation.

Results:
The overall frequency of bleeding was significantly higher after treatment with warfarin (p = 0.038). The frequency of major and minor bleeding events did not differ statistically significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). Factors which significantly increased the risk of bleeding were: glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m² (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) = 0.82, CI: 0.69-0.96, p = 0.02), constant of thrombin activity (CTA) < 25 units of low-frequency piezoelectric thromboelastography (AHR = 0.66, CI: 0.46-0.92, p = 0.017) and prior history of bleeding (AHR = 108, CI: 8.78-134, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:
The use of dabigatran in patients with Child-Pugh class A and B of LC and AF has advantages over warfarin, as it is clinically associated with a lower incidence of bleeding. An increased risk of bleeding is observed in patients with LC classes A and B according to the Child-Pugh scale and AF, who have a reduced GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m², CTA < 25 units and a prior history of bleeding.