Routine coagulation test abnormalities caused by rivaroxaban

RATIONALE: Rivaroxaban is a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant. Current recommendations state that coagulation monitoring is not required, and neither the dose nor dosing interval requires adjustment in response to changes in coagulation parameters when rivaroxaban is used for approved indications. Guidelines mainly discuss the indications for rivaroxaban and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in general; they offer less guidance regarding how to use these medications in specific clinical situations to bridge the gulf between guidelines and clinical practice. PATIENT CONCERNS: An 88-year-old man with a long history of atrial fibrillation presented to the hospital with worsening dyspnea and chest pain. Significantly, he had an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 46.7 mL/min. He was prescribed oral rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily. After 7 days, the patient complained of maroon colored stools. DIAGNOSIS: Laboratory investigations revealed that the patient's prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were elevated. Rivaroxaban induced gastrointestinal bleeding was suspected. INTERVENTIONS: Rivaroxaban was discontinued and routine coagulation tests were monitored daily. OUTCOMES: Two days following the discontinuation of the drug, the bleeding was controlled and hemoglobin was normal, but the PT and aPTT remained abnormal. On the third day after discontinuing rivaroxaban, the patient experienced sudden syncope and pulselessness and expired. LESSONS: This case indicates that in real-world situations, a small number of patients may develop changes in both PT and aPTT during rivaroxaban therapy. Therefore, coagulation monitoring should be considered in patients with risk factors for bleeding, such as elderly patients with renal insufficiency.