A variety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOA) targeting specific coagulation parameters have already entered the market. Moreover, new indications for the already available drugs will be released each year over the next few years. The benefit of DOA has succeeded in overcoming the limitations of conventional anticoagulants. However, the long-term safety of DOA is not as well known as the treatment with heparins or coumarin derivates. There is also a lack of knowledge about serious drug interactions with DOA. The risk of bleeding in special patient cohorts has not been sufficiently examined. At present, there is no antidote for DOA available for human use. Due to the heterogeneous mode of action and pharmacokinetic profile, each DOA will vary in its effects on laboratory assays, and to avoid mismanagement clinicians are placed in a difficult position.

Knowledge and understanding of these conditions have led to a huge number of investigations to provide a better handling with DOA. We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts in the development of strategies and technologies to improve the treatment with DOA. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Development of test methods for monitoring the novel anticoagulants
• Elucidating the role of risk factors in the development of adverse effects under DOA treatment
• Development of strategies to treat adverse effects and to reverse anticoagulant effects
• Management of DOA in the peri- and postoperative setting
• Development of new modalities for clinical characterization of treatment with DOA
• Advances in molecular genetics and diagnostics to give new insights into the mechanism of DOA using animal and human models
• Identification of new targets for DOA
• Identifying new biomarkers/correlates for the outcome measurement of DOA

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