The effect of off-label use of reduced-dose direct oral anticoagulants therapy in the treatment of pulmonary embolism comparable to standard-dose therapy

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been shown to be effective and safe in preventing pulmonary embolism recurrence. In this single-center retrospective observational study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of reduced-dose DOACs in 86 consecutive patients with acute pulmonary embolism. Patients were divided into standard-dose and reduced-dose DOACs groups. Initial clot volume did not significantly differ between the two groups (standard-dose DOACs vs. reduced-dose DOACs, 18.8 [Q1–Q3 7.3–30.8] mL vs. 10.0 [Q1–Q3 3.2–27.9] mL, p = 0.1). Follow-up computed tomography (CT) within 30 days showed a higher rate of clot volume reduction or disappearance in the standard-dose group compared to the reduced-dose group (standard-dose DOACs vs. reduced-dose DOACs, 81.6% vs. 53.9%, p = 0.02). However, at the final follow-up CT, there was no significant difference in clot volume change between the two groups (standard-dose DOACs vs. reduced-dose DOACs, 91.5% vs. 82.0%, p = 0.19). Major bleeding occurred in two patients in the standard-dose group (4.3%) and three patients in the reduced-dose DOACs group (7.7%) (p = 0.5). In conclusion, while standard-dose DOACs demonstrated superior efficacy in early clot reduction, reduced doses of apixaban and edoxaban showed comparable efficacy and safety profiles in long-term treatment of acute pulmonary embolism in certain patients.