Program Title: The Role of the Health Systems Pharmacists in Safely and Effectively Treating Direct Oral Anticoagulant Bleeding with Novel Reversal Agents

With 1 hour of live C.E. for pharmacists only

June 20, 2019    Arrival 6pm    program start 6:30pm

Steinhilber’s Restaurant, Thalia Road, Virginia Beach, VA

Speaker:

Kristen Bova Campbell, PharmD

Clinical Pharmacist, Electrophysiology

Duke University Hospital

Durham, North Carolina

Learning Objectives:

• Examine the incidence of major bleeding associated with the use of DOACs and the need for availability of reversal agents to prevent complications.
• Identify the risk factors and patient populations at high risk for bleeding complications due to use of DOACs.
• Analyze the mechanisms of action, safety and efficacy and adverse effects associated with the use of current and emerging DOAC reversal agents for FXa inhibitors.
• Explore the role of the health-systems pharmacist in improving patient outcomes via clinical recommendations regarding the proper use of DOAC reversal agents and in anticoagulation monitoring protocols.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly being used in practice for the treatment of venous thromboembolism and prevention of stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. A major adverse effect related to use of DOACs is major bleeding that is life threatening or potentially fatal. It is important to understand the risk factors and definition of major bleeding as well as assessment and management strategies for patients who present with bleeding. The goal of this activity is to review the efficacy and safety of various available reversal agents as well as dosing, preparation, and administration. We will discuss the role of the pharmacist in helping to facilitate the appropriate use of these reversal agents through creation of hospital-specific protocols for DOAC reversal.