Thromboprophylaxis in total hip-replacement surgery in Europe: acenocoumarol, fondaparinux, dabigatran and rivaroxban.
This paper reviews the clinical and pharmacoeconomic studies that have been conducted within Europe for patients undergoing elective hip-replacement surgery. Additionally, we offer a perspective on the possible future clinical use of new agents in orthopedic surgery, such as dabigatran and BAY 59-7939 (rivaroxban). Low-molecular weight heparins are standard therapy for patients requiring thromboprophylaxis and, therefore, we compare these with the other agents: vitamin K antagonists, fondaparinux and the direct oral inhibitors (thrombin or factor Xa inhibitors). The most evidence on the cost-effectiveness and efficacy is available for the low-molecular weight heparins and fondaparinux. Their major limitation is that they require parenteral administration. Only fondaparinux has undergone an extensive pharmacoeconomic evaluation. The direct thrombin inhibitors and direct factor Xa inhibitors are possibly the drugs of the future, but it must be borne in mind that they are still in Phase III clinical trials and, therefore,their safety and efficacy profile is not completely understood, neither are the pharmacoeconomic aspects.
Ivanovic
Natasa
N
Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hraddec Kralove, Czech Republic; Department of Social Pharmacy, Pharmacopidemiolgy and pharmacotherapy, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands. conatuss@hotmail.com.
Beinema
Maarten
M
Brouwers
Jacobus Rbj
JR
Naunton
Mark
M
Postma
Maarten J
MJ