title: Factor Xa inhibition in the prevention of venous thromboembolism and treatment of patients with venous thromboembolism.
abstract: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a life-threatening complication following orthopedic surgery. Selective factor Xa inhibition is a new antithrombotic approach designed to avoid difficulties associated with heparins and other current anticoagulants. Several antifactor Xa compounds are in early investigation, but fondaparinux (Arixtra; NV Organon, Oss, The Netherlands; Sanofi-Synthelabo, Paris, France) is the first and most advanced compound in the development of a new class of synthetic antithrombotic agents--the selective factor Xa inhibitors. Fondaparinux has a highly favorable pharmacokinetic profile; four large phase 3 trials comparing subcutaneous fondaparinux 2.5 mg once daily with the low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) enoxaparin in doses approved by regulatory bodies showed that fondaparinux reduced the overall risk of VTE in major orthopedic surgery by > 50% without increasing clinically relevant bleeding. Fondaparinux also appears to be a very promising candidate for the treatment of patients with existing VTE.
authors.affiliation: VA Boston Healthcare System and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Kbauer@caregroup.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Bengt I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lassen
authors.forename: Alexander G G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Turpie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D000077425:Fondaparinux; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D017984:Enoxaparin; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D011134:Polysaccharides; D000077425:Fondaparinux