Fu L, et al. - In this meta-analysis of phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), researchers examined the effectiveness and safety of using non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Using a random-effect model, the effect measurement estimates (hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals) were pooled. Data were obtained from 3 RCTs with 39,492 enrolled IHD patients. Findings showed that NOACs, when given to patients with IHD, provided protection against thrombosis-related complications, but at the price of an increased major bleeding hazard. Data also suggested that an appropriate choice for patients with IHD could be NOACs plus a single antiplatelet drug.