Comparing cost-effectiveness of warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention

Patients with irregular heartbeats in the USA face a constant choice between traditional and cheaper therapies, such as warfarin, for preventing stroke, or new direct oral anticoagulants that are more effective but also more expensive. Despite the new drugs appearing to be the most sensible option a new study from the University of Michigan (MI, USA) has for the first time quantitatively analyzed the inherent cost-effectiveness of the two treatment regimens for patients. The research was published online in the American Journal of Cardiology recently. The research team, led by Geoff Barnes (University of Michigan), looked to take into account...