Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a significant cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality despite the availability of prophylactic medications. There has been a debate about which thromboprophylaxis medication, Fondaparinux or low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH), is better after hip and knee arthroplasty. We have compared these two treatment regimens in our study. Electronic databases like PubMed, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect were searched from inception to August 2024. The weighted mean difference (WMD) for continuous outcomes and risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes were pooled using the Review Manager software version 5.4.1, and a random effects model was employed. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (ROB 2.0) were used to assess the quality of the included studies. Publication bias was evaluated visually through funnel plots and statistically through Egger's regression. GRADE assessment was used to analyze the certainty of evidence. A total of 17 studies, 9 Cohorts, and 8 Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) pooling a total of 74 499 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Fondaparinux showed a statistically significant reduction in the risk of VTE [0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI): [0.48, 0.71]; P  < 0.00001; I2  = 36%] and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (RR = 0.75, 95% CI: [0.56, 1.00]; P  = 0.05; I2  = 68%) compared to LMWH. Major bleeding (RR = 2.06, 95% CI: [1.19, 3.57]; P  = 0.01; I2  = 43%), surgical site bleeding (RR = 1.67, 95% CI: [1.04, 2.66]; P  = 0.03; I2  = 9%), and postoperative transfusions (RR = 1.07, 95% CI: [1.02, 1.12]; P  = 0.004; I2  = 0%) were significantly higher in the Fondaparinux group. Symptomatic VTE, pulmonary embolism, mortality, and operating time showed no significant difference between the two groups. In conclusion, Fondaparinux is superior to LMWH in VTE and DVT prophylaxis. However, it is associated with an increased risk of major bleeding, surgical site bleeding, and postoperative transfusions.

Introduction Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a critical condition that includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), both of which can lead to severe complications, including death, if not adequately managed. Objective This study aimed to evaluate adherence to prophylactic measures and identify factors influencing compliance. Methodology This study was done in Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, from October 2023 to October 2024. Baseline assessments were conducted to gather demographic and clinical data, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and cardiac risk factors such as atrial fibrillation or coronary artery disease. Details of the surgical procedures, including type, duration, and anesthesia used, were also recorded. Compliance with VTE prophylaxis was monitored through patient interviews, direct observation, and medical record reviews. Pharmacological prophylaxis compliance involved evaluating the administration of anticoagulants regarding dosage, timing, and frequency. Mechanical prophylaxis adherence was assessed by monitoring the use of compression stockings and pneumatic devices. Compliance was measured as the percentage of patients who adhered to the prescribed prophylaxis protocols. Primary outcomes included the incidence of VTE events, such as DVT or PE, within 30 days post-surgery. Follow-ups were conducted through in-person visits or telephonic interactions to monitor compliance and postoperative outcomes. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Continuous variables, such as age and BMI, were summarized using means and standard deviations, while categorical variables, like compliance rates, were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify variations in compliance rates based on demographic and clinical factors using t-tests. Results The study included 90 patients, with a mean age of 58.9±8.4 years and a nearly equal gender distribution (54% male and 46% female). The mean BMI of the participants was 28.5±3.2 kg/m². Hypertension was the most common cardiac risk factor, affecting 67% (n=60) of patients, followed by atrial fibrillation (22%; n=20) and heart failure (11%; n=10). Among the surgeries, 65% (n=58) were elective, while 35% (n=32) were emergency procedures. VTE incidence was 6.7% (n=6), with 4.4% (n=4) developing DVT and 2.2% (n=2) experiencing PE. Bleeding complications occurred in 8.9% (n=8) of patients, with 6.7% (n=6) experiencing minor bleeding and 2.2% (n=2) reporting major bleeding. Patients undergoing elective surgeries exhibited higher pharmacological compliance at 78% (n=45) and mechanical compliance at 88% (n=51), resulting in an overall compliance rate of 84% (n=49). In contrast, patients undergoing emergency surgeries had lower compliance rates, with 63% (n=20) for pharmacological prophylaxis and 69% (n=22) for mechanical prophylaxis, leading to an overall compliance rate of 63% (n=20). Conclusion It is concluded that compliance with VTE prophylaxis plays a pivotal role in reducing the risk of thromboembolic events in orthopedic patients with cardiac risk factors.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication following orthopedic shoulder surgery; however, research is limited involving the break-even cost-effectiveness of VTE prophylaxis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the cost of aspirin and enoxaparin would break even for VTE prevention in patients following shoulder surgery.

A drug retail database was used to obtain the lowest price for a course of aspirin (81 mg) and enoxaparin (40 mg) to perform a break-even cost analysis. Our institutional purchasing records were then searched to estimate the cost of treating a symptomatic VTE. The TriNetX national database was queried to establish a rate of VTE after shoulder surgery. A break-even cost analysis was performed by determining the absolute risk reduction (ARR). This value was used to calculate the number of patients who are treated to prevent a single VTE while breaking even on cost. Sensitivity analyses were performed for drugs that did not break even at the database-derived VTE rates.

Full medication courses of aspirin and enoxaparin were found to cost $1.18 and $125.37, respectively. The cost of treating a symptomatic VTE was determined to be $9407.00. Data from the TriNetX database showed rates of symptomatic VTE following shoulder arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of 1.60%, 1.50%, and 0.68%, respectively. Aspirin broke even on cost for all procedures if the initial rate decreased by an ARR of 0.01% (number needed to treat, 7972). Similarly, enoxaparin broke even for shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty if the initial rate of VTE decreased by an ARR of 1.33% (number needed to treat, 75). Enoxaparin did not break even at the initial VTE rate for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair; however, sensitivity analysis found enoxaparin would break even if the drug could be obtained at a cost of ≤$60.00. Enoxaparin broke even if the cost of treating a symptomatic VTE was ≥$20,000.00.

The cost of a 3-week course of twice-daily aspirin or once-daily enoxaparin breaks even for VTE prophylaxis following shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty if these drugs reduce the VTE rate by a calculated ARR. Given the lower rate of VTE observed for patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, only the 3-week course of aspirin broke even under these conditions. Once-daily enoxaparin did not break even at current market rate. Further research is needed to help determine optimal VTE prophylaxis after shoulder surgery.

This study aims to evaluate the cost-utility of intraoperative tranexamic acid (TXA) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients undergoing long posterior (≥ 5 vertebral levels) spinal fusion.

A decision-analysis model was built for a hypothetical 60-year-old adult patient with spinal deformity undergoing long posterior spinal fusion. A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to obtain event probabilities, costs and health utilities at each node. Health utilities were utilized to calculate Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). A base-case analysis was carried out to obtain the incremental cost and effectiveness of intraoperative TXA. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate uncertainty in our model and obtain mean incremental costs, effectiveness, and net monetary benefits. One-way sensitivity analyses were also performed to identify the variables with the most impact on our model.

Use of intraoperative TXA was the favored strategy in 88% of the iterations. The mean incremental utility ratio for using intraoperative TXA demonstrated higher benefit and lower cost while being lower than the willingness-to-pay threshold set at $50,000 per quality adjusted life years. Use of intraoperative TXA was associated with a mean incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) of $3743 (95% CI 3492-3995). One-way sensitivity analysis reported cost of blood transfusions due to post-operative anemia to be a major driver of cost-utility analysis.

Use of intraoperative TXAs is a cost-effective strategy to reduce overall perioperative costs related to post-operative blood transfusions. Administration of intraoperative TXA should be considered for long fusions in ASD population when not explicitly contra-indicated due to patient factors.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), comprising pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), poses a significant risk during and after hospitalization, particularly for surgical patients. Among various patient groups, those undergoing major orthopedic surgeries are considered to have a higher susceptibility to PE and DVT. Major lower-extremity orthopedic procedures carry a higher risk of symptomatic VTE compared to most other surgeries, with an estimated incidence of ~4%. The greatest risk period occurs within the first 7-14 days following surgery. Major bleeding is also more prevalent in these surgeries compared to others, with rates estimated between 2% and 4%. For patients undergoing major lower-extremity orthopedic surgery who have a low bleeding risk, it is recommended to use pharmacological thromboprophylaxis with or without mechanical devices. The choice of the initial agent depends on the specific surgery and patient comorbidities. First-line options include low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs), direct oral anticoagulants, and aspirin. Second-line options consist of unfractionated heparin (UFH), fondaparinux, and warfarin. For most patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty, the initial agents recommended for the early perioperative period are LMWHs (enoxaparin or dalteparin) or direct oral anticoagulants (rivaroxaban or apixaban). In the case of hip fracture surgery, LMWH is recommended as the preferred agent for the entire duration of prophylaxis. However, emerging factor XI(a) inhibitors, as revealed by a recent meta-analysis, have shown a substantial decrease in the occurrence of VTE and bleeding events among patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. This discovery poses a challenge to the existing paradigm of anticoagulant therapy in this specific patient population and indicates that factor XI(a) inhibitors hold great promise as a potential strategy to be taken into serious consideration.

Severely injured patients are at particularly high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Although thromboprophylaxis (PPX) is employed during the inpatient period, patients may continue to be at high risk after discharge. Comparative evidence from surgical subspecialities (eg oncology) reveals benefits of postdischarge (ie extended) PPX. We hypothesized that an extended, postinjury oral thromboprophylaxis regimen would be cost-effective.

A cost-utility model compared no PPX with a 30-day course of apixaban, dabigatran, enoxaparin, fondaparinux, or rivaroxaban in trauma patients. Immediate events including deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, or bleeding within 30 days of injury were modeled in a decision tree with patients entering a Markov process to account for sequelae of VTE, including postthrombotic syndrome and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Effectiveness was measured in quality-adjusted life years. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to identify conditions under which the preferred PPX strategy changed.

Rivaroxaban was the dominant strategy (ie less costly and more effective) compared with no PPX or alternative regimens, delivering 30.21 quality-adjusted life years for $404,546.38. One-way sensitivity analyses demonstrated robust preference for rivaroxaban. When examining only patients with moderate-high or high VTE Risk Assessment Profile scores, rivaroxaban remained the preferred strategy. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated a preference for rivaroxaban in 100% of cases at a standard willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/quality-adjusted life year.

A 30-day course of rivaroxaban is a cost-effective extended thromboprophylaxis strategy in trauma patients in this theoretical study. Prospective studies of postdischarge thromboprophylaxis to prevent postinjury VTE are warranted.

The main purpose of prescribing oral anticoagulants in patients undergoing total knee and total hip replacement surgery is to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). The present study aimed to summarize evidence from economic evaluations regarding new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) used in VTE prophylaxis after joint replacement surgery.

To obtain relevant literature on economic evaluations of NOACs used in the prevention of VTE following joint replacement surgery, we searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus, as well as specialized economic evaluation databases, for articles published from January 2008 to December 2019. Next, 2 reviewers screened the titles and abstracts of studies, extracted data from the full-text articles, and assessed the quality of the methodologies using the Quality of Health Economic Studies checklist.

Twenty-eight studies of economic evaluations met the inclusion criteria of the research. The quality assessment showed that 20 articles had scores within the range of 75 to 100 (high quality), and 9 studies had scores within the range of 50 to 74 (moderate quality). All of the identified studies had been carried out based on modelling, and 23 studies used decision trees to model acute events after surgery. In addition, 20 studies utilized a Markov model to capture long-term complications of VTE. The results showed that rivaroxaban was more cost-effective than apixaban and dabigatran from a perspective of the health care system in the prevention of VTE after total knee and total hip replacement surgery. In addition, apixaban was associated with a lower risk for bleeding events than other NOACs, making it the most cost-effective NOAC from the perspective of the payer.

The results suggest that NOACs are cost-effective alternatives to low-molecular-weight heparins. Rivaroxaban and dabigatran were assessed as the most and least cost-effective prophylaxis options, respectively, after joint replacement surgery for the prevention of VTE. It is recommended that future research be conducted on economic evaluations of edoxaban.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication of orthopedic surgery. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has been the standard of care for thromboprophylaxis in this population. However, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly being used as alternatives.

To assess the efficacy and safety of DOACs versus LMWH for thromboprophylaxis in orthopedic surgery.

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Collaboration Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception until April 2020, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DOACs with LMWH for thromboprophylaxis in orthopedic surgery.

Twenty-five RCTs met inclusion criteria, including 40,438 patients, with a mean age of 68 years and 50% were males. Compared to LMWH, DOACs were associated with a significant reduction of major VTE; defined as the composite events of proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and VTE-related mortality (RR 0.33; 95% CI: 0.20-0.53; P<0.01), and total DVT (RR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.48-0.73; P<0.01), but not PE (RR 0.81; 95% CI: 0.49-1.34; P=0.42). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups on the incidence of major bleeding (RR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.77-1.27; P=0.92), clinically relevant non-major bleeding (RR 1.04; 95% CI: 0.92-1.17; P=0.52), all-cause mortality (RR 1.06; 95% CI: 0.64-1.76; P=0.83), VTE-related mortality (RR 0.84; 95% CI: 0.40-1.74; P=0.64) and bleeding-related mortality (RR 1.24; 95% CI: 0.30-5.18; P=0.77).

For patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, thromboprophylaxis with DOACs is associated with a significant reduction of major VTE and DVT, compared to LMWH. Safety outcomes were not significantly different between both treatment groups.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a major cardiovascular risk factor for increased risk of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction (MI). DM is also associated with a poorer clinical outcome in MI.

The nationwide German inpatient population treated between 2005 and 2016 was used for statistical analyses. Hospitalized MI patients were stratified by the presence of DM and investigated for the impact of DM on in-hospital events.

In total, 3,307,703 hospitalizations for acute MI (37.6% female patients, 56.8% aged ≥ 70 years) treated in Germany during 2005-2016 were included in this analysis. Of these patients, 410,737 (12.4%) died while in hospital. Overall, 1,007,326 (30.5%) MI cases were coded for DM. While the rate of MI patients with DM increased slightly over time, from 29.8% in 2005 to 30.7% in 2016 (β = 7.04, 95% CI: 4.13-9.94; P <  0.001), their in-hospital mortality decreased from 15.2% to 11.5% (β = -0.36, 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.34; P <  0.001). Rates of in-hospital death (13.2% vs 12.1%; P <  0.001) and recurrent MI (0.8% vs 0.6%; P <  0.001) were higher in MI patients with vs without DM. Also, in MI patients with DM, significantly lower use of coronary artery angiography (51.5% vs 56.8%; P <  0.001) and interventional revascularization (37.6% vs 43.9%; P <  0.001) was noted.

Although in-hospital mortality of patients with MI decreased in both diabetes and non-diabetes patients, in-hospital deaths were still higher in diabetes patients, thereby revealing the impact of this metabolic disorder on cardiovascular outcomes.

To evaluate the efficacy of the combined intravenous and intra-articular administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) to control the collateral effects and complications of rivaroxaban (RIV) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to compare thromboprophylaxis schemes with and without TXA, RIV and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH).

We prospectively studied 158 TKA patients from 2014 to 2018. The patients were randomly assigned into three groups. Group A (46 patients) was administered intravenous and intra-articular TXA and RIV postoperatively; group B (58 patients) was administered TXA as in group A and LMWH postoperatively; and group C (54 patients) was administered saline as in group A and RIV postoperatively. We evaluated blood loss, transfusion requirements and hemorrhagic complications.

Hct and Hb values significantly decreased in group C compared to groups A and B, without any difference between groups A and B. Suction drain blood volume output was significantly higher in group C compared to group A and B, without any difference between group A and B. Hemorrhagic complications were more common in group C. No patient experienced clinical findings of VTE.

Combined intravenous and intra-articular administration of TXA is safe and effective in TKA, with fewer hemorrhagic complications compared to placebo. Thromboprophylaxis with RIV and LMWH is similar.

Warfarin is effective for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF), but anticoagulation is underused in clinical care. The risk of venous thromboembolic disease during hospitalisation can be reduced by low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH): warfarin is the most frequently prescribed anticoagulant for treatment and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Warfarin-related bleeding is a major reason for hospitalisation for adverse drug effects. Warfarin is cheap but therapeutic monitoring increases treatment costs. Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have more rapid onset and offset of action than warfarin, and more predictable dosing requirements.

To determine the best oral anticoagulant/s for prevention of stroke in AF and for primary prevention, treatment and secondary prevention of VTE.

Four systematic reviews, network meta-analyses (NMAs) and cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) of randomised controlled trials.

Hospital (VTE primary prevention and acute treatment) and primary care/anticoagulation clinics (AF and VTE secondary prevention).

Patients eligible for anticoagulation with warfarin (stroke prevention in AF, acute treatment or secondary prevention of VTE) or LMWH (primary prevention of VTE).

NOACs, warfarin and LMWH, together with other interventions (antiplatelet therapy, placebo) evaluated in the evidence network.

Efficacy Stroke, symptomatic VTE, symptomatic deep-vein thrombosis and symptomatic pulmonary embolism. Safety Major bleeding, clinically relevant bleeding and intracranial haemorrhage. We also considered myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality and evaluated cost-effectiveness.

MEDLINE and PREMEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library, reference lists of published NMAs and trial registries. We searched MEDLINE and PREMEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library. The stroke prevention in AF review search was run on the 12 March 2014 and updated on 15 September 2014, and covered the period 2010 to September 2014. The search for the three reviews in VTE was run on the 19 March 2014, updated on 15 September 2014, and covered the period 2008 to September 2014.

Two reviewers screened search results, extracted and checked data, and assessed risk of bias. For each outcome we conducted standard meta-analysis and NMA. We evaluated cost-effectiveness using discrete-time Markov models.

Apixaban (Eliquis^®, Bristol-Myers Squibb, USA; Pfizer, USA) [5 mg bd (twice daily)] was ranked as among the best interventions for stroke prevention in AF, and had the highest expected net benefit. Edoxaban (Lixiana^®, Daiichi Sankyo, Japan) [60 mg od (once daily)] was ranked second for major bleeding and all-cause mortality. Neither the clinical effectiveness analysis nor the CEA provided strong evidence that NOACs should replace postoperative LMWH in primary prevention of VTE. For acute treatment and secondary prevention of VTE, we found little evidence that NOACs offer an efficacy advantage over warfarin, but the risk of bleeding complications was lower for some NOACs than for warfarin. For a willingness-to-pay threshold of > £5000, apixaban (5 mg bd) had the highest expected net benefit for acute treatment of VTE. Aspirin or no pharmacotherapy were likely to be the most cost-effective interventions for secondary prevention of VTE: our results suggest that it is not cost-effective to prescribe NOACs or warfarin for this indication.

NOACs have advantages over warfarin in patients with AF, but we found no strong evidence that they should replace warfarin or LMWH in primary prevention, treatment or secondary prevention of VTE.

These relate mainly to shortfalls in the primary data: in particular, there were no head-to-head comparisons between different NOAC drugs.

Calculating the expected value of sample information to clarify whether or not it would be justifiable to fund one or more head-to-head trials.

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42013005324, CRD42013005331 and CRD42013005330.

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

To date, there have been few economic evaluations, from a Canadian perspective, of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with acute unprovoked VTE. As a result, there is a lack of consensus about which treatment strategy should be adopted in the clinical setting.

To assess the cost-effectiveness of currently approved anti-coagulant options, in terms of cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, for the prevention of recurrent VTE in patients with unprovoked events managed on an outpatient basis.

Microsoft Excel was used to develop a Markov model. Model parameters were determined using published literature, local hospital data, expert opinion, and chart review. The analysis considered the costs associated with pharmaceuticals, laboratory testing, hematologist fees, and treatment of recurrent VTE and major bleeding events. Effectiveness was measured in terms of QALYs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated.

For treatment lasting 3 months, apixaban represented the most cost-effective DOAC relative to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) + vitamin K antagonist, with an ICER of $7379.66. For 6 months of treatment, apixaban again represented the most cost-effective treatment, with an ICER of $84.08 per QALY gained, and this drug dominated all the other strategies at 12 months. For lifetime treatment, DOACs were unlikely to be cost-effective, given a maximum willingness to pay of $50 000 to $100 000 per QALY. In a probabilistic sensitivity analysis at 6 months, 46.4% of iterations resulted in apixaban having lower costs and better outcomes than LMWH + vitamin K antagonist, and 78.6% of iterations resulted in an ICER below $100 000.

The findings of this study suggest that apixaban is likely cost-effective for treatment durations of 3, 6, and 12 months. However, for indefinite treatment, DOACs were unlikely to be cost-effective.

New oral anticoagulant agents, such as apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, or endoxaban, have recently become for patients an alternative option to conventional treatment in the therapy of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Thus, we aimed to review the available information on adverse events (AEs) of apixaban compared to conventional therapy (heparin or vitamin K antagonists) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on patients treated for VTE, with a particular attention to sex subgroups.

An electronic search in MEDLINE and Embase was performed by using the keywords "apixaban" and "venous thromboembolism". All RCTs focused on apixaban in the treatment and prevention of VTE were evaluated for the presence of AEs. AEs were classified as serious, bleeding, and cause of discontinuation. Moreover, we also searched by using the keywords "gender" and "venous thromboembolism" and "anticoagulants".

Considering all subjects enrolled in the eleven RCTs as a whole to investigate the occurrence of AEs, we extrapolated an events/subjects rate of 57.8% for AEs (6,445/11,144), 7.7% for serious AEs (975/12,647), 9.1% for bleeding events (1,229/13,454), and 3.2% for discontinuation of apixaban (421/13,039). The percentage of AEs was lower in subjects treated with apixaban than in those treated with conventional VTE therapy (53% vs 56.3%, respectively). However, only one study provided data on separate analysis by sex of either efficacy or safety of apixaban.

Under the patient's perspective, apixaban could represent a good choice in the treatment of VTE, due to its pharmacological, economical, and safety profile. These positive aspects are certainly present in both sexes, since the available studies include a correct percentage of women, but data with separate analyses by sex are extremely limited. Future clinical trials should include in their results on clinical impact and outcomes a stratification by sex, and studies aimed to evaluate possible sex-related differences for these drugs should be strongly encouraged.

The efficacy and safety of physiotherapeutic prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in critically ill patients with heparin contraindication remains unclear. In the present study it was hypothesized that physiotherapy prophylaxis with intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) would be safe and effective for patients unable to receive low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). In addition, this study investigated whether a combined therapy of IPC with LMWH would be more effective for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in critical patients. A total of 500 patients were divided into four groups according to the prophylaxis of DVT. The IPC group consisted of 95 patients with heparin contraindication that received IPC treatment; the LMWH group consisted of 185 patients that received an LMWH injection; the LMWH + IPC group consisted of 75 patients that received IPC treatment and LMWH injection; and the control group consisted of 145 patients that received no IPC treatment or injection of LMWH. Each patient was evaluated clinically for development of DVT and the diagnosis was confirmed by Doppler study. Venous thromboembolism was a common complication among the trauma patients with severe injuries. Patients responded positively to the treatment used in the intervention groups. Patients exhibited an improved response to LMWH + ICP compared with IPC or LMWH alone, while no significant difference was detected between the IPC and LMWH groups. These results were applicable to patients that had a Wells score of ≥3; however, no significant differences in DVT incidence were observed among the patients who had a Wells score of <3. In this observational study, LMWH + ICP appeared to be more effective than either treatment alone in treating critically ill trauma patients with severe injuries that are at high risk for VTE and bleeding simultaneously.

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and heparins have been utilized for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolism (arterial and venous) for decades. Targeting and inhibiting specific coagulation factors have led to new discoveries in the pharmacotherapy of thromboembolism management. These targeted anticoagulants are known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Two pharmacologically distinct classes of targeted agents are dabigatran etexilate (Direct Thrombin Inhibitor (DTI)) and rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban (direct oral factor Xa inhibitors (OFXaIs)). Emerging evidence from the clinical trials has shown that DOACs are noninferior to VKA or low-molecular-weight heparins in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolism. This review examines the role of edoxaban, a recently approved OFXaI, in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolism based on the available published literature. The management of edoxaban in the perioperative setting, reversibility in bleeding cases, its role in cancer patients, the relevance of drug-drug interactions, patient satisfaction, financial impacts, and patient education will be discussed.

Deep-vein thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary embolism are major complications in total joint arthroplasty of the lower limbs. New oral anticoagulants are increasingly prescribed as thromboprophylaxis due to their simple administration and encouraging phase III marketing studies.

In this observational study, we compared the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban with nadroparin in 1302 unselected patients receiving hip or knee arthroplasty.

Venous thrombembolism occurred in 3.3% (2.3%; 4.7%, 95% CI, n = 838) of patients receiving rivaroxaban and in 4.3% (2.7%; 6.7%, 95% CI, n = 464) of patients receiving nadroparin resulting in an absolute risk reduction (ARR) of 1.0% (-1.4%; 3.3%, 95% CI).

With an odds ratio of 0.6 (0.4; 1.0, 95% CI), rivaroxaban was associated with a decreased perioperative drop in haemoglobin exhibiting an improved thromboprophylactic profile when compared to high dose nadroparin. Furthermore, transfusion rates were 8.8% (-2.7%; 19.9%, 95% CI) lower in patients receiving rivaroxaban. However, as previous studies have shown, low preoperative haemoglobin remains the most predictive factor for postoperative transfusions (OR: 2.4 [1.3; 4.4, 95% CI]).

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after total joint arthroplasty is considered best practice. However, over the past 5 years, there has been considerable debate about the ideal prophylactic regimen or modality. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Chest Physicians published their most recent clinical practice guidelines about VTE prophylaxis in 2011 and 2012, respectively. In addition, the Surgical Care Improvement Project published their latest recommendations in 2014. In this review, commonly used VTE prophylaxis options and the latest clinical guidelines will be discussed.

Although recent guidelines suggest aspirin for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in low risk patients following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), there are no cost-effectiveness studies comparing aspirin and warfarin. In a Markov cohort cost-effectiveness analysis, we found that aspirin cost less and saved more quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) than warfarin in all age groups. Cost per QALY gained by aspirin was $24,506.20 at age of 55 and $47,148.10 at the age of 85 following THA and $15,117.20 and $24,458.10 after TKA, which were greater than warfarin. In patients undergoing THA/TKA without prior VTE, aspirin is more cost-effective prophylactic agent than warfarin. Warfarin might be a better prophylaxis in TKA patients with high probability of VTE and very low probability of bleeding.