Since 2008, when the first direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were introduced in the Netherlands, there has been a steep rise in the number of patients using these new anticoagulants. Consequently, in critical care we will encounter these patients more frequently. Knowledge of the specialised management strategies, especially of DOAC-related bleeding, is essential.
In this article we will review the complications of the use of DOACs and strategies to antagonise their effect in case of major haemorrhage or acute emergency interventions.