RESUMEN
Many patients with cancer require palliative care at some stage and the vast majority of people followed in palliative care are cancer patients. Patients with cancer are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), and this is particularly true during the advanced palliative phase when mobility is limited or absent. Patients with cancer in palliative care are at higher bleeding risk compared to non-cancer patients. Decisions to treat VTE or withhold anticoagulation for these patients have proven to be difficult and depend largely on an individual clinician's judgment. For this reason, we have developed a consensus proposal for appropriate management of cancer-associated thromboembolism (CAT) in patients in palliative care, which is presented in this article. The proposal was informed by the recent scientific literature retrieved through a systematic literature review. In cancer patients in advanced palliative care, the benefit/risk ratio of anticoagulation seems unfavourable with a higher haemorrhagic risk than the benefit associated with prevention of CAT recurrence and, above all, in the absence of any benefit on quality of life. For this reason, we recommend that patients should be prescribed anticoagulants on a case-by-case basis. The choice of whether to treat, and with which type of treatment, should take into account anticipated life expectancy and patient preferences, as well as clinical factors such as the estimated bleeding risk, the type of VTE experienced and the time since the VTE event.
RESUMEN
Patients with cancer are at significantly increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), due both to the impact of malignant disease itself and to the impact of certain anticancer drugs on haemostasis. This is true both for first episode venous thromboembolism and recurrence. The diagnosis and management of VTE recurrence in patients with cancer poses particular challenges, and these are reviewed in the present article, based on a systematic review of the relevant scientific literature published over the last decade. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether diagnostic algorithms for venous thromboembolism, validated principally in untreated non-cancer patients, are also valid in anticoagulated cancer patients: the available data suggests that clinical decision rules and D-dimer testing perform less well in this clinical setting. In patients with cancer, computed tomography pulmonary angiography and venous ultrasound appear to be the most reliable diagnostic tools for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis respectively. Options for treatment of venous thromboembolism include low molecular weight heparins (at a therapeutic dose or an increased dose), fondaparinux or oral direct factor Xa inhibitors. The choice of treatment should take into account the nature (pulmonary embolism or VTE) and severity of the recurrent event, the associated bleeding risk, the current anticoagulant treatment (type, dose, adherence and possible drug-drug interactions) and cancer progression.
Asunto(s)
Anticoagulantes , Neoplasias , Recurrencia , Tromboembolia Venosa , Humanos , Tromboembolia Venosa/diagnóstico , Tromboembolia Venosa/etiología , Tromboembolia Venosa/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Anticoagulantes/uso terapéutico , Anticoagulantes/efectos adversos , Anticoagulantes/administración & dosificación , Francia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Although all patients with cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) have a high morbidity and mortality risk, certain groups of patients are particularly vulnerable. This may expose the patient to an increased risk of thrombotic recurrence or bleeding (or both), as the benefit-risk ratio of anticoagulant treatment may be modified. Treatment thus needs to be chosen with care. Such vulnerable groups include older patients, patients with renal impairment or thrombocytopenia, and underweight and obese patients. However, these patient groups are poorly represented in clinical trials, limiting the available data on which treatment decisions can be based. Meta-analysis of data from randomised clinical trials suggests that the relative treatment effect of direct oral factor Xa inhibitors (DXIs) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) with respect to major bleeding could be affected by advanced age. No evidence was obtained for a change in the relative risk-benefit profile of DXIs compared to LMWH in patients with renal impairment or of low body weight. The available, albeit limited, data do not support restricting the use of DXIs in patients with TAC on the basis of renal impairment or low body weight. In older patients, age is not itself a critical factor for choice of treatment, but frailty is such a factor. Patients over 70 years of age with CAT should undergo a systematic frailty evaluation before choosing treatment and modifiable bleeding risk factors should be addressed. In patients with renal impairment, creatine clearance should be assessed and monitored regularly thereafter. In patients with an eGFR less than 30mL/min/1.72m2, the anticoagulant treatment may need to be adapted. Similarly, platelet count should be assessed prior to treatment and monitored regularly. In patients with grade 3-4, thrombocytopenia (less than 50,000platelets/µL) treatment with a LMWH at a reduced dose should be considered. For patients with CAT and low body weight, standard anticoagulant treatment recommendations are appropriate, whereas in obese patients, apixaban may be preferred.
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Anticoagulantes , Neoplasias , Tromboembolia , Poblaciones Vulnerables , Humanos , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Neoplasias/epidemiología , Poblaciones Vulnerables/estadística & datos numéricos , Tromboembolia/epidemiología , Tromboembolia/etiología , Anticoagulantes/uso terapéutico , Anticoagulantes/administración & dosificación , Francia/epidemiología , Anciano , Factores de Riesgo , Lenguaje , Heparina de Bajo-Peso-Molecular/uso terapéutico , Heparina de Bajo-Peso-Molecular/administración & dosificación , Hemorragia/etiología , Hemorragia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent and potentially fatal complication in patients with cancer. During the initial period after the thromboembolic event, a patient receiving anticoagulant treatment is exposed both to a risk of VTE recurrence and also to an elevated bleeding risk conferred by the treatment. For this reason, the choice of anticoagulant is critical. The choice should take into account patient-related factors (such as functional status, age, body mass index, platelet count and renal function), VTE-related factors (such as severity or site), cancer-related factors (such as activity and progression) and treatment related factors (such as drug-drug interactions), which all potentially influence bleeding risk, and patient preference. These should be evaluated carefully for each patient during a multidisciplinary team meeting. For most patients, apixaban or a low molecular-weight heparin is the most appropriate initial choice for anticoagulant treatment. Such treatment should be offered to all patients with active cancer for at least 6months. The patient and treatment should be re-evaluated regularly, and anticoagulant treatment changed when necessary. Continued anticoagulant treatment beyond 6months is justified if the cancer remains active or if the patient experienced recurrence of VTE in the first 6months. In other cases, the interest of continued anticoagulant treatment may be considered on an individual patient basis in collaboration with oncologists.
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BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) and cancer are strongly associated. In France, evidence on patients with pancreatic, upper GI [gastrointestinal], lower GI, lung, or breast cancer-associated VTE and their hospital management is limited. The aims of this study were to provide data on the number of hospitalized VTE events among cancer patients, the patients' characteristics, and their hospital management to estimate the burden of disease and the hospital burden of cancer-related VTE and to provide guidance on research. METHODS: This longitudinal, observational, and retrospective study was based on the comprehensive hospital discharge database (PMSI). Adult patients (≥ 18 years old) hospitalized with a cancer of interest in 2016 and hospitalized (within 2 years with VTE (captured a as a principal, related, or significant associated diagnosis) were included in the study. RESULTS: We identified 340,946 cancer patients, of which 7.2% (24,433 patients) were hospitalized with VTE. The proportions of hospitalized VTE were 14.6% (3,237) for patients with pancreatic cancer, 11.2% (8,339) for lung cancer, 9.9% (2,232) for upper GI cancer, 6.7% (7,011) for lower GI cancer, and 3.1% (3,614) for breast cancer. Around two thirds of cancer patients with a hospitalized VTE had active cancer (with metastases and/or receiving chemotherapy during the six months prior to the index date): from 62% of patients with pancreatic cancer to 72% with breast cancer. Around a third of patients were admitted to the hospital through the emergency room, up to 3% of patients stayed in an intensive care unit. The average length of stay ranged from 10 (breast cancer) to 15 days (upper GI cancer). Nine (lower GI cancer) to 18% (pancreatic cancer) of patients died during the VTE hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of cancer-associated VTE is substantial, both in terms of the number of patients affected and in the hospital use. These findings offer guidance on future research on VTE prophylaxis in a very high-risk population, particularly in patients with active cancer.
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Neoplasias de la Mama , Neoplasias Gastrointestinales , Neoplasias Pancreáticas , Tromboembolia Venosa , Humanos , Adulto , Adolescente , Femenino , Tromboembolia Venosa/epidemiología , Tromboembolia Venosa/etiología , Tromboembolia Venosa/prevención & control , Alta del Paciente , Estudios Retrospectivos , Hospitales , Neoplasias Gastrointestinales/complicaciones , Neoplasias Gastrointestinales/epidemiología , Neoplasias de la Mama/complicaciones , Neoplasias de la Mama/epidemiología , Pulmón , Factores de Riesgo , Neoplasias PancreáticasRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Even though antithrombotic therapy has probably little or even negative effects on the well-being of people with cancer during their last year of life, deprescribing antithrombotic therapy at the end of life is rare in practice. It is often continued until death, possibly resulting in excess bleeding, an increased disease burden and higher healthcare costs. METHODS: The SERENITY consortium comprises researchers and clinicians from eight European countries with specialties in different clinical fields, epidemiology and psychology. SERENITY will use a comprehensive approach combining a realist review, flash mob research, epidemiological studies, and qualitative interviews. The results of these studies will be used in a Delphi process to reach a consensus on the optimal design of the shared decision support tool. Next, the shared decision support tool will be tested in a randomised controlled trial. A targeted implementation and dissemination plan will be developed to enable the use of the SERENITY tool across Europe, as well as its incorporation in clinical guidelines and policies. The entire project is funded by Horizon Europe. RESULTS: SERENITY will develop an information-driven shared decision support tool that will facilitate treatment decisions regarding the appropriate use of antithrombotic therapy in people with cancer at the end of life. CONCLUSIONS: We aim to develop an intervention that guides the appropriate use of antithrombotic therapy, prevents bleeding complications, and saves healthcare costs. Hopefully, usage of the tool leads to enhanced empowerment and improved quality of life and treatment satisfaction of people with advanced cancer and their care givers.
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Fibrinolíticos , Neoplasias , Humanos , Fibrinolíticos/uso terapéutico , Calidad de Vida , Neoplasias/tratamiento farmacológico , Cuidados Paliativos , Muerte , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como AsuntoRESUMEN
Preliminary data and clinical experience have suggested an increased risk of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in women of reproductive age treated with anticoagulants, but solid data are lacking. The TEAM-VTE study was an international multicenter prospective cohort study in women aged 18 to 50 years diagnosed with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE). Menstrual blood loss was measured by pictorial blood loss assessment charts at baseline for the last menstrual cycle before VTE diagnosis and prospectively for each cycle during 3 to 6 months of follow-up. AUB was defined as an increased score on the pictorial blood loss assessment chart (>100 or >150) or self-reported AUB. AUB-related quality of life (QoL) was assessed at baseline and the end of follow-up using the Menstrual Bleeding Questionnaire. The study was terminated early because of slow recruitment attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 98 women, 65 (66%) met at least one of the 3 definitions of AUB during follow-up (95% confidence interval [CI], 57%-75%). AUB occurred in 60% of women (36 of 60) without AUB before VTE diagnosis (new-onset AUB; 95% CI, 47%-71%). Overall, QoL decreased over time, with a mean Menstrual Bleeding Questionnaire score increase of 5.1 points (95% CI, 2.2-7.9), but this decrease in QoL was observed only among women with new-onset AUB. To conclude, 2 of every 3 women who start anticoagulation for acute VTE experience AUB, with a considerable negative impact on QoL. These findings should be a call to action to increase awareness and provide evidence-based strategies to prevent and treat AUB in this setting. This was an academic study registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT04748393; no funding was received.
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COVID-19 , Tromboembolia Venosa , Humanos , Femenino , Tromboembolia Venosa/tratamiento farmacológico , Tromboembolia Venosa/epidemiología , Tromboembolia Venosa/complicaciones , Calidad de Vida , Incidencia , Estudios Prospectivos , Pandemias , Hemorragia Uterina/inducido químicamente , Hemorragia Uterina/epidemiología , COVID-19/complicaciones , Anticoagulantes/efectos adversosRESUMEN
AIM: The direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) have similar half-lives, but the dosing regimen varies between once daily (QD) or twice daily (BID). For some prescribers, the QD regimen improves compliance. Others prefer BID regimens to promote better stability of plasma concentrations, particularly in the event of missed doses. Limited level of evidence provides guidance about the best treatment strategy. The purpose of this study was to compare the treatment effect of QD vs. BID administration of DOACs in major orthopedic surgery (MOS), non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), venous thromboembolism (VTE), and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: We conducted a systematic review up to April 2020. We included phase II clinical trials comparing DOAC QD vs BID with same daily dose. We extracted data for the occurrence of major thrombosis (proximal deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke) and major hemorrhage (ISTH criteria and recommendations of the European Medicines Agency for surgical patients). Relative risks (RR) were combined using a fixed and random effects weighted meta-analysis. RESULTS: Twelve randomized, controlled, phase II trials were included (10,716 patients), representing 24 dosing regimen comparisons of apixaban, darexaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, letaxaban, and dabigatran. There was no difference for major thrombotic event (RRBID/QD = 1.06, 95%IC 0.86-1.30) nor for major bleeding (RRBID/QD = 1.02, 95%IC 0.84-1.23) between the BID vs QD regimens, without heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: Our study does not support a global difference in term of efficacy and safety of the BID and QD regimens of DOAC in MOS, NVAF, VTE and ACS.
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Fibrilación Atrial , Accidente Cerebrovascular , Administración Oral , Anticoagulantes/efectos adversos , Fibrilación Atrial/tratamiento farmacológico , Dabigatrán/uso terapéutico , Hemorragia/inducido químicamente , Hemorragia/tratamiento farmacológico , Humanos , Piridonas/uso terapéutico , Rivaroxabán/efectos adversos , Accidente Cerebrovascular/tratamiento farmacológico , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Direct oral anticoagulants' (DOAC) pharmacokinetics are affected by obesity. Their efficacy and safety in obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2) and morbid obesity (BMI≥40 kg/m2) are still unclear in the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy/safety of DOAC versus vitamin K antagonist (VKA)/low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for the treatment of VTE in patients with obesity and morbid obesity. The primary efficacy/safety outcomes were VTE recurrence and major bleeding (MB). Clinically relevant non-MB and mortality were also evaluated. METHODS: A systematic literature search (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science) identified studies evaluating DOAC in the treatment of VTE in patients with obesity and reporting one of the outcomes. Relative risks (RR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using the Mantel-Haenszel method. RESULTS: We included 21 studies (50,360pts) of which 16,150 patients had a BMI≥30 kg/m2 and 6443 patients had a BMI≥40 kg/m2. VTE recurrence was similar with DOAC compared to VKA/LMWH in patients with obesity (RR 1.03;95 %CI 0.93-1.15;p = 0.55) and morbid obesity (RR 1.06;95 %CI 0.94-1.19;p = 0.35). DOAC were also associated with a reduction in MB (RR 0.57;95 %CI 0.34-0.94;p = 0.03 and RR 0.71;95 %CI 0.50-1.00;p = 0.05 in patients with obesity and morbid obesity, respectively). Subgroup analyses comparing randomized controlled trials to observational studies showed consistent results. No difference was observed in regards of clinically relevant non-MB and mortality. CONCLUSION: There is no signal for differences in VTE recurrence in patients with obesity and morbid obesity treated with DOAC compared to VKA/LMWH, while DOAC likely reduce the risk of MB compared to VKA/LMWH.
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Anticoagulantes/uso terapéutico , Obesidad/tratamiento farmacológico , Tromboembolia Venosa/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedad Aguda , Administración Oral , Humanos , Estudios Observacionales como Asunto , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como AsuntoRESUMEN
AIMS: To evaluate the implementation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines concerning the diagnostic management of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in emergency departments (ED); and to estimate the additional financial cost and the increase in the time spent in the ED if the guidelines are not followed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, bi-centric study including all patients directly admitted or referred to the ED for a suspected isolated DVT, between April 1, 2019, and July 30, 2019. The diagnostic management was compared to the 2017 ESC's guidelines. RESULTS: 107 patients were included, 13 had DVT (12%) and three had superficial venous thrombosis (3%). A total of 26 patients (24%) had a diagnostic management according to guidelines. In 72 patients (67%), no assessment of clinical probability score was found. Among the 35 patients in whom a clinical probability score was calculated, 5 patients had an unnecessary D-dimer assay and 2 patients had unjustified imaging. The median time spent in the ED was 185minutes when the recommendations were followed, and 250minutes when they were not (P=0.317). The total estimated additional cost was 232.20. CONCLUSION: The rate of adherence to the guidelines is low, mainly due to the absence of calculation of a clinical probability. This leads, in addition to the risk of diagnostic error, to an increase in the time spent in the EDs and inappropriate use of the technical platform, resulting in additional costs of care.
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Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital/normas , Adhesión a Directriz/normas , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto/normas , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/normas , Trombosis de la Vena/terapia , Anciano , Ahorro de Costo , Análisis Costo-Beneficio , Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital/economía , Femenino , Francia , Costos de Hospital , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/economía , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Procedimientos Innecesarios/economía , Trombosis de la Vena/diagnóstico , Trombosis de la Vena/economíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The phenotype of patients seen for a suspicion of pulmonary hypertension has changed, with an increasing age and frequency of comorbidities. Selection of elderly patients, in whom a classical work-up is mandatory, is challenging. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has modified the management of elderly patients with cancer. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) shares with cancer a functional impact and may evolve rapidly, depending on the group of PH. We assessed the impact of a systematic CGA in patients over 70 years old referred for a suspicion of PH. METHODS: A standardised CGA was performed on every patient older than 70 years old, referred for a PH suspicion, before considering invasive tests for diagnosis and treatment, between July 2014 and May 2019. Our primary aim was to describe the impact of CGA on the decision to stop or pursue the recommended diagnostic work-up for PH. RESULTS: Among the thirty-one patients evaluated [mean age 81,5 (72-91) years], a negative CGA leads to stop the diagnostic work-up in eleven patients. Among the nineteen remaining patients, sixteen had confirmed PH, with half being chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that comprehensive geriatric assessment could be an excellent first screen for elderly patients referred for a PH suspicion. Involving a geriatric physician stopped the investigations in one third of patients. In patients with a favourable CGA, PH was confirmed in most of the cases, with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension being the first cause of PH.
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Evaluación Geriátrica/métodos , Hipertensión Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Edad de Inicio , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Cardiovascular/normas , Femenino , Francia/epidemiología , Humanos , Hipertensión Pulmonar/epidemiología , Hipertensión Pulmonar/terapia , Ciencia de la Implementación , Masculino , Estándares de Referencia , Medición de RiesgoAsunto(s)
Betacoronavirus , Infecciones por Coronavirus/complicaciones , Neumonía Viral/complicaciones , Tromboembolia Venosa/etiología , Anticoagulantes/uso terapéutico , COVID-19 , Infecciones por Coronavirus/sangre , Infecciones por Coronavirus/diagnóstico por imagen , Productos de Degradación de Fibrina-Fibrinógeno/análisis , Heparina de Bajo-Peso-Molecular/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Pandemias , Neumonía Viral/sangre , Neumonía Viral/diagnóstico por imagen , SARS-CoV-2 , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Tromboembolia Venosa/epidemiología , Tromboembolia Venosa/prevención & controlRESUMEN
The ratio of the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and for nitric oxide (DLNO) measured simultaneously is modified in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH). The potential impact of targeted therapy on the DLCO/DLNO ratio is unknown. Simultaneous measurements of DLNO and DLCO were performed at baseline, 3-4 month follow-up (first evaluation) and 12-month follow-up (second evaluation) after initiation of targeted PH therapies in incident cases of precapillary PH. The main outcome was the change in DLNO/DLCO ratio under treatment between baseline and the first evaluation. Twenty-nine patients were included (mean age: 66.8 years, 62.1% female). No significant change in the DLNO/DLCO ratio was found between baseline and the first evaluation. Similarly, no significant differences were noted with regard to changes in Dm or Vc, the DLNO/DLCO ratio in different patient subgroups, or in the 20 patients evaluated at the second follow-up. Within the limitations of this study, the DLNO/DLCO ratio is not useful in monitoring the response to treatment in PH.
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Antihipertensivos/uso terapéutico , Antagonistas de los Receptores de Endotelina/uso terapéutico , Epoprostenol/uso terapéutico , Hipertensión Pulmonar/tratamiento farmacológico , Inhibidores de Fosfodiesterasa 5/uso terapéutico , Capacidad de Difusión Pulmonar/fisiología , Anciano , Monóxido de Carbono , Femenino , Guanilato Ciclasa , Humanos , Hipertensión Pulmonar/clasificación , Hipertensión Pulmonar/metabolismo , Hipertensión Pulmonar/fisiopatología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Óxido Nítrico , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: We recently proposed a scale for assessment of patient-relevant functional limitations following an episode of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Further development of this post-VTE functional status (PVFS) scale is still needed. METHODS: Guided by the input of VTE experts and patients, we refined the PVFS scale and its accompanying manual, and attempted to acquire broad consensus on its use. RESULTS: A Delphi analysis was performed involving 53 international VTE experts with diverse scientific and clinical backgrounds. In this process, the number of scale grades of the originally proposed PVFS scale was reduced and descriptions of the grades were improved. After these changes, a consensus was reached on the number/definitions of the grades, and method/timing of the scale assessment. The relevance and potential impact of the scale was confirmed in three focus groups totaling 18 VTE patients, who suggested additional changes to the manual, but not to the scale itself. Using the improved manual, the κ-statistics between PVFS scale self-reporting and its assessment via the structured interview was 0.75 (95%CI 0.58-1.0), and 1.0 (95%CI 0.83-1.0) between independent raters of the recorded interview of 16 focus groups members. CONCLUSION: We improved the PVFS scale and demonstrated broad consensus on its relevance, optimal grades, and methods of assessing among international VTE experts and patients. The interobserver agreement of scale grade assignment was shown to be good-to-excellent. The PVFS scale may become an important outcome measure of functional impairment for quality of patient care and in future VTE trials.
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Embolia Pulmonar , Tromboembolia Venosa , Trombosis de la Vena , Anticoagulantes , Estado Funcional , Humanos , Factores de Riesgo , Tromboembolia Venosa/diagnósticoRESUMEN
Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) are the standard of care for the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (CA-VTE). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effects of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) versus LMWH for the treatment of CA-VTE. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes were VTE recurrence and major bleeding (MB). The secondary outcomes were clinically relevant non-MB (CRNMB), all-cause mortality and the net clinical benefit. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and Web of Science (inception-December 2019) and abstracts of relevant conferences (2000-2019) to identify randomized controlled trials comparing DOAC and LMWH for the treatment of CA-VTE. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated (Mantel-Haenszel method, random-effects models). A non-inferiority analysis with a margin of 1.3 for the upper boundary of the RR was conducted for the primary outcomes. From 637 references, we included four publications which encompass three trials (1756 patients). Compared to LMWH, DOAC were associated with a trend for decreased VTE recurrence (RR 0.51; 95%CI 0.25-1.03; p = 0.06; I2 = 51%), whereas MB (RR 1.64; 95%CI 1.00-2.69; p = 0.05; I2 = 0%) and CRNMB (RR 1.83; 95%CI 1.04-3.20; p = 0.03; I2 = 50%) were significantly more frequent with DOAC. Conversely, all-cause mortality (RR 1.06; 95%CI 0.83-1.35; p = 0.64; I2 = 36%) and net clinical benefit (RR 0.74; 95%CI 0.38-1.42; p = 0.36; I2 = 65%) were comparable. DOAC were non-inferior to LMWH in preventing CA-VTE recurrence, but were associated with an increased risk of MB and CRNMB. Further studies are required to confirm these results and inform on the risk/benefit ratio for specific populations.