Factor Xa Inhibitors Versus Vitamin K Antagonists in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease on Dialysis: A Meta-Analysis

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is prevalent among patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing dialysis, and both conditions are associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular diseases. Anticoagulation is essential for preventing thromboembolic complications in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of factor Xa inhibitors compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for AF patients on dialysis. Methods A comprehensive search of PubMed and Embase databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to June 2024. Eligible studies compared factor Xa inhibitors (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban) with VKAs in AF patients on dialysis, with primary outcomes of stroke or systemic embolism(SSE) and major bleeding. Results A total of 7 studies (3 randomized controlled trials and 4 observational cohorts) were included. For the RCTs, the use of factor Xa inhibitors was associated with a reduced risk of SSE compared to VKAs (odds ratio [OR] = 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.15–0.93). There was no significant difference in the risk of major bleeding events between the two groups (OR = 0.65, 95%CI:0.32–1.33). Observational cohort studies yielded similar results with a decreased risk of SSE (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.74, 95%CI:0.57–0.96) and no significant difference in major bleeding (HR = 0.87, 95%CI:0.62–1.22). No differences in treatment effect between apixaban and rivaroxaban were observed for efficacy (p-interaction = 0.44) and safety (p-interaction = 0.21) outcomes. Conclusion Factor Xa inhibitors, particularly apixaban and rivaroxaban, were associated with a lower risk of SEE without an increase in major bleeding, which might be convenient alternatives to VKAs in managing AF in patients with ESKD on dialysis.