title: Review of fondaparinux sodium injection for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing surgery.
abstract: The antithrombin binding sequence of heparin, a pentasaccharide, has been synthesized as fondaparinux, an indirect, selective, and reversible factor Xa inhibitor. It can be administered subcutaneously, is well absorbed, and has a half-life of c. 17 hours permitting once-daily injection. It has been evaluated in an extensive study program in major orthopedic surgery, including hip fracture, and in major abdominal surgery with a large proportion of surgery for cancer. The effect is at least as effective as for low-molecular-weight heparins and it has also been shown effective for extended prophylaxis in hip fracture patients. Several thousands of patients have been studied and the substance is safe, although a slightly higher frequency of bleedings is found than in patients on low-molecular-weight heparins. There is no specific antidote but if necessary, recombinant activated factor VII can be used. Other side-effects are rare. Fondaparinux is cost saving and sometimes cost neutral when compared with enoxaparin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. david.bergqvist@surgsci.uu.se
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bergqvist
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D000077425:Fondaparinux; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D011134:Polysaccharides; D000077425:Fondaparinux