title: New compounds in the management of venous thromboembolism after orthopedic surgery: focus on rivaroxaban.
abstract: Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) is a member of a new class of oral, direct (antithrombin-independent) factor Xa inhibitors, which restrict thrombin generation both in vitro and in vivo. After oral administration the absorption is near 100%, the bioavailability is near 80%, and the elimination half-life is 5-9 hours with mixed excretion via the renal and fecal/biliary routes. The pharmacokinetics of rivaroxaban are predictable and consistent with a rapid onset of antithrombotic action within 2 hours after administration. Phase II clinical studies have been carried out in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and a dose of 10 mg once daily for thromboprophylaxis was selected for further clinical development. The results of the phase III studies showed a significantly better antithrombotic efficacy of rivaroxaban compared with enoxaparin both in the short term (10-14 days) in TKA patients and long term (35 +/- 4 days) in THA patients with a comparable safety. Symptomatic thromboembolic events were also significantly reduced with rivaroxaban. Liver enzyme elevation was seen in patients treated with rivaroxaban, but there was no indication of an increased risk of liver toxicity compared with enoxaparin. In conclusion, rivaroxaban is a potent and safe new compound for antithrombotic prophylaxis in orthopedic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. lborr@as.aaa.dk
authors.forename: Lars Carl
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Borris
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009025:Morpholines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D000069552:Rivaroxaban; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D009025:Morpholines; D013876:Thiophenes; D000069552:Rivaroxaban