title: Comparative effectiveness of new oral anticoagulants and standard thromboprophylaxis in patients having total hip or knee replacement: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis reduces the risk for venous thromboembolism after total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR). New oral anticoagulants (NOACs), including direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors, are emerging options for thromboprophylaxis after these procedures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the benefits and risks of NOACs versus standard thromboprophylaxis for adults having THR or TKR.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from January 2009 through March 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  English-language systematic reviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two independent reviewers abstracted data and rated study quality and strength of evidence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six good-quality systematic reviews compared NOACs with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for thromboprophylaxis after THR or TKR. Risk for symptomatic deep venous thrombosis, but not risk for death or nonfatal pulmonary embolism, was reduced with factor Xa inhibitors compared with LMWH (4 fewer events per 1000 patients). Conversely, the risk for major bleeding increased (2 more events per 1000 patients). Outcomes of dabigatran did not significantly differ from those of LMWH. Indirect evaluation of NOACs by common comparison with LMWH showed nonsignificantly reduced risks for venous thromboembolism with rivaroxaban compared with dabigatran (risk ratio [RR], 0.68 [95% CI, 0.21 to 2.23]) and apixaban (RR, 0.59 [CI, 0.26 to 1.33]) but increased major bleeding. New oral anticoagulants have not been compared with warfarin, aspirin, or unfractionated heparin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Head-to-head comparisons among NOACs were not available. Efficacy is uncertain in routine clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New oral anticoagulants are effective for thromboprophylaxis after THR and TKR. Their clinical benefits over LMWH are marginal and offset by increased risk for major bleeding.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
authors.forename: Soheir S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: McDuffie
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Lachiewicz
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Ortel
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D000069604:Dabigatran; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D015091:beta-Alanine; D000069604:Dabigatran