Patients prescribed non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for non-valvular AF have significantly better renal outcomes than those on warfarin, according to the largest meta-analysis to date.

Although NOACs have been shown to have a more favourable bleed-risk profile, previous meta-analyses on renal benefit have had contradictory results, the researchers say.

Their large systematic review and meta-analysis confirms that using NOACs in non-valvular AF yields better short- and long-term renal results, including reduced risks of both acute kidney injury and end-stage renal disease than warfarin, they say.

Clinicians from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, reviewed the data from 285,000 patients (mean age 70) across 11 randomised clinical trials and seven observational studies to compare the effects of the anticoagulants on kidney health.