Since the majority of atrial fib patients are over 70 and therefore are at risk for renal dysfunction, Eliquis will have an advantage as it has lower renal excretion percentage than both Pradaxa and Xarelto.
Based upon my memory (as we all now know - fallible) of a quick read of the Eliquis data I would agree that the age factor is significantly less than it is for Pradaxa. Which makes it a much better drug than Pradaxa for this indication (which, as you note, is primarily in an older population). But I would still like to see:
1) the data (perhaps it exists and I missed it) comparing patients with a high ability to control INR vs Eliquis.
2) the data about benefit and risks vs warfarin after start up.
That said, if Eliquis avoids the age problem (which I think it does) and is enough better than warfarin overall (which I also think it is - if memory is not flawed) then Eliquis may be a slam dunk despite being irreversible at this point in time.
PS Regarding renal function. As I noted in my long post earlier today - the FDA analysis of the Pradaxa data indicates with some moderately high confidence that the increased bleeding that happens with Pradaxa as patients get older is largely independent of renal function.
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