Surgery>>>>>Hemostasis, Surgical Bleeding, and Transfusion
Question 8#

What is the best laboratory test for determine degree of anticoagulation with dabigatran and rivaroxaban? 

A. Prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PTIINR)
B. partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
C. Bleeding time
D. None of the above

Correct Answer is D

Comment:

Newer anticoagulants, such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban, have no readily available method of detection of the degree of anticoagulation. More concerning is the absence of any available reversal agent. Unlike warfarin, the nonreversible coagulopathy associated with dabigatran and rivaroxaban is of great concern to those providing emergent care to these patients.