title: Safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban for thromboprophylaxis following lower limb surgery: an update.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thromboprophylaxis in orthopedic surgery remains a controversial issue despite recent changes to NICE guidelines, particularly with the addition of oral factor Xa inhibitors. The healthcare burden of venous thromboembolism is substantial and needs frequent academic and clinical appraisal.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors review the available relevant literature on the use of rivaroxaban in orthopedic surgery, identified using an EMBASE (1980 - 2010) and Ovid MEDLINE (1950 - 2010) search of published articles up to August 2010. This includes clinical studies, case reports and experimental studies where applicable. Search terms include: 'rivaroxaban', 'safety', 'efficacy', 'bleeding', 'toxicity', 'tolerability' and 'complication'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rivaroxaban is a safe and effective choice of thromboprophylactic agent following lower limb arthroplasty surgery. More research is required to expand the application of this novel agent to other areas of orthopedic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Academic Unit, Clarendon Wing, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Great George Street, West Yorkshire, Leeds, LS1 3EX, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Goff
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kontakis
authors.forename: Peter V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Giannoudis
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000601:surgery*; D009025:Morpholines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000069552:Rivaroxaban; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D009025:Morpholines; D013876:Thiophenes; D000069552:Rivaroxaban