Anticoagulation therapy in Iran

Thromboembolic disorders are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Iran. Anticoagulation therapy of affected patients is achieved using a variety of agents, including vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), heparin, and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Although DOACs have a growing role in the management of thromboembolic complications, warfarin has remained the most widely prescribed anticoagulant in Iran. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are other common anticoagulants prescribed in Iran. LMWH, particularly enoxaparin, is more commonly used than UFH. Among, DOACs, rivaroxaban is the most commonly used anticoagulant in Iran. Dabigatran, as a direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI), is another commonly used DOAC. It seems that in Iran, similar to most other parts of the world, with the advent of the new anticoagulants, the overall pattern of anticoagulation therapy is shifting toward DOACs.