Introduction: Several comparative real-world effectiveness studies on direct oral
anticoagulants (DOACs) have been conducted, but an overview of the available evidence
remains to be developed, which could provide a better understanding of the value of DOACs
relative to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Areas covered: A systematic literature review was
conducted on the available real-world evidence (RWE) of three DOACs (rivaroxaban,
dabigatran, and apixaban) compared with VKAs (eg warfarin), in patients with nonvalvular …

Research (31 August 2018 [Epub ahead of print]). We welcome the useful synthesis of the
increasing literature on real-world clinical evidence, especially given the debate and
discussion on how 'realworld'evidence compares to clinical trial cohorts, which have been
described as the 'unreal world'given the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria of trial
cohorts [1]. This is particularly relevant given the central role of stroke prevention in the
management of atrial fibrillation [2]. Nevertheless, we have observed some major errors in …