ANMCO Position paper: Evidence and practical indications for the use of low-dose rivaroxaban in stable coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease

Abstract

In patients with atherosclerotic disease, the occurrence of atherothrombotic events is the main determinant of morbidity and mortality. Growing evidence suggests the involvement of the coagulation pathway in the atherosclerotic process and the benefit of antithrombotic agents, such as direct oral anticoagulants, which interfere with both platelet aggregation and the coagulation cascade. The COMPASS trial has shown that in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD), low-dose rivaroxaban (2.5 mg twice daily) added to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) 100 mg reduces major vascular events and mortality, with an increase in major bleeding but not in fatal bleeding or involving a critical organ. The reduction in major cardiovascular events has been confirmed in the overall population with CAD and in both patients with and without a previous percutaneous coronary revascularization, and also in patients with previous coronary bypass surgery. In patients with PAD, the combination of rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily and ASA was found to reduce both major adverse cardiovascular events and major adverse limb events, including major limb amputations. In clinical practice, the use of rivaroxaban 2.5 mg co-administered with ASA has been approved in both patients with CAD and symptomatic PAD at high risk of ischemic events. However, in Italy, the national health system reimbursement is provided only for patients with PAD. In patients treated with rivaroxaban 2.5 mg, assessment and monitoring of bleeding risk is crucial to achieve the maximum clinical benefit.