How to manage patients on rivaroxaban in the emergency department: a statement of the Italian society of emergency medicine advisory board

Rivaroxaban, a new oral anticoagulant, has been approved in many countries and its everyday use in clinical practice is increasing. Thus, the chances for an emergency physician to encounter rivaroxaban-treated patients in emergency situations have increased. Here, the authors address the main issues in terms of the prescription of rivaroxaban and the management of these patients in cases of minor or major bleeding, urgent surgery, atrial fibrillation requiring cardioversion, acute ischemic stroke, ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and new onset of atrial fibrillation in recent ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The recommendations reached are based on a literature review and a panel discussion of the advisory board of SIMEU, the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine.