The purpose of this article is to review the available evidence regarding how to safely manage direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy in patients requiring dental procedures with low-to-moderate risk of bleeding. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE and PubMed. Each author performed an independent search to ensure all pertinent articles were identified. The reference sections of each article were also reviewed. Pertinent articles were evaluated by each author for inclusion. Articles were eligible for inclusion if the participants were taking DOAC therapy surrounding a dental procedure known to have low-to-moderate risk of bleeding. Studies could be prospective or retrospective and included case reports, case series, and clinical trials. Articles were excluded if they assessed dental procedures known to carry a high risk of bleeding or were review articles. Twenty-five articles were identified, 5 of which met inclusion criteria including 2 case series, 1 retrospective study, and 2 prospective trials. Variation in the management of DOAC therapy surrounding these procedures was found. Among patients undergoing low-to-moderate risk dental procedures while receiving DOAC therapy, bleeding rates were low regardless of whether the DOAC was held or continued surrounding the procedure. Documented bleeding was mild and easily controlled by local hemostatic measures. Patients can safely continue DOAC therapy surrounding these dental procedures.
Keywords: anticoagulation; cardiology; direct-acting oral anticoagulant; medication safety.