Myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation: different impact of anti-IIa vs anti-Xa new oral anticoagulants: a meta-analysis of the interventional trials.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis, in patients with atrial fibrillation, to evaluate the impact of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) anti-IIa and anti-Xa vs warfarin on myocardial infarction incidence. METHODS: A meta-analysis of double blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed. RESULTS: Four RCT studies including 84,439 patients were selected. Compared with warfarin, no significant reduction of myocardial infarction was observed with anti-Xa drugs; conversely, myocardial infarction was significantly increased with anti-IIa NOAC (1.45% vs 1.04% respectively; RR: 1.38; 95% CI, 1.1-1.7; p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that in patients with atrial fibrillation, compared to standard therapy with warfarin, treatment with anti-IIa NOAC is associated with a higher incidence of myocardial infarction.