Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants has been studied in 13 papers since 2017: 10 observational studies in people, 3 reviews; 1 in the past year. It has not reached trials in people. The newest paper, Oct 13, 2026: “Factors associated with mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses”.

InterventionPreclinical

13 papers study it20 findingsUpdated Oct 13, 2026

1 new paper in 30 daysSee all 13 papers on non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants

At a glance

Independent labs found the same change in people. 4 independent labs in 7 countries.

“Compared to no OAC, participants receiving a NOAC had a lower risk of incident dementia (hazHR 0.68, 95% CI 0.65-0.71), all-cause mortality (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.48-0.50)”

Oral anticoagulants and outcomes in adults ≥80 years with atrial fibrillation: A global federated health network analysisJournal of the American Geriatrics Society2022doi:10.1111/jgs.17884

2 of its findings point the other way.

4 independent labs in 7 countries
2 findings against

Funders: Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre and 4 more
5 of 19 findings with company ties

Humans10

What did studies of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants find?

Studies of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants measured 2 outcomes; the most studied are mortality (1 study) and net clinical benefit (1).

Mortality

downin humans1OR 0.42

1 study

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are linked with lower mortality in humans (compared with non-anticoagulated patients) (5.3% vs. 9.7%; OR 0.42; 95% CI: 0.26-0.70).
“all-cause death (5.3% vs. 9.7%; p = 0.007) were seen in the low-dose group (ORs 0.50; 95% CI: 0.32-0.78, and 0.42; 95% CI: 0.26-0.70, respectively).”
Humanscompared with non-anticoagulated patientsone-year follow-up
Are low doses of non-vitamin K antagonists effective in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation? A report from the Optimal Thromboprophylaxis in Elderly Chinese Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (ChiOTEAF) registry
International journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke SocietyOct 18, 2021

Net clinical benefit

upin humans1

1 study

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants improve net clinical benefit in humans (compared with VKAs in high-risk patients with non-valvular AF).
“NOACs may offer a greater net clinical benefit compared with VKAs, particularly in these high-risk patients.”
Reviewcompared with VKAs in high-risk patients with non-valvular AF
Non-Vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention in Special Populations with Atrial Fibrillation
Advances in therapyMay 10, 2017

What is non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants linked with?

Studies link non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants with 14 measures, most often mortality (3 studies), major bleeding (1) and composite outcome (1).

Mortality

downin humans3HR 0.49–0.79

3 studies

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are linked with a lower risk of mortality in humans (atrial fibrillation) (HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.65-0.97).
“Compared with VKA, NOAC use in patients ≥80 years was associated with lower risks of all-cause death”
Humansatrial fibrillation3 years
Long-term clinical outcomes of oral anticoagulation in the older patients with atrial fibrillation aged ≥80 years: a report from the GLORIA-AF registry phase III
Age and ageingMay 31, 2025
Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are linked with a lower risk of mortality in patients with AF and frailty compared with VKAs (aHR 0.88, 95% CI (0.84-0.92)).
“all-cause mortality [aHR 0.88, 95%CI (0.84-0.92)]”
Humansin patients with AF and frailty compared with VKAsn = 71,638
Impact of frailty on the effectiveness and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation: a nationwide cohort study
European heart journal. Quality of care & clinical outcomesMar 21, 2023
Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are linked with a lower risk of mortality in humans (compared to no OAC) (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.48-0.50).
“Compared to no OAC, participants receiving a NOAC had a lower risk of incident dementia (hazHR 0.68, 95% CI 0.65-0.71), all-cause mortality (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.48-0.50)”
Humanscompared to no OAC
Oral anticoagulants and outcomes in adults ≥80 years with atrial fibrillation: A global federated health network analysis
Journal of the American Geriatrics SocietyMay 19, 2022

Major bleeding

downin humans1upin humans1HR 0.88–1.08

1 study

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are linked with a lower risk of major bleeding in humans (compared to warfarin) (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.85-0.90).
“ischaemic stroke (HR 0.86, 95% CI: 0.82-0.90) and major bleeding (HR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.85-0.90).”
Humanscompared to warfarin
Oral anticoagulants and outcomes in adults ≥80 years with atrial fibrillation: A global federated health network analysis
Journal of the American Geriatrics SocietyMay 19, 2022
Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are linked with a higher risk of major bleeding in humans (compared to no OAC) (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05-1.11).
“and a higher risk of major bleeding (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05-1.11).”
Humanscompared to no OAC
Oral anticoagulants and outcomes in adults ≥80 years with atrial fibrillation: A global federated health network analysis
Journal of the American Geriatrics SocietyMay 19, 2022