Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a common adverse event associated with conventional anticoagulants, such as vitamin K antagonist (VKA) (e.g. warfarin) [1]. Most such bleeding events are reported to occur within the first year of therapy. Based on clinical trials results, the incidence of GI bleeding is reported to be higher with the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), in particular with Rivaroxaban and Dabigatran, when compared with warfarin. As with warfarin-related GI bleeding, DOACs-related GI bleeding could reflect an underlying structural pathology until proven otherwise, and warrants careful and complete investigation [2].
