Comparison of the Effectiveness of Rivaroxaban Versus Vitamin K Antagonist in Patients with Lower Limbs Deep Vein Thrombosis

Abstract

OBJECTIVES To compare the effectiveness of rivaroxaban and vitamin K antagonists in patients with lower limbs deep vein thrombosis. METHODOLOGY This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine in Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar for six months with a sample size of sixty. Thirty patients were given Rivaroxaban (Group A) and the other thirty patients were given Vitamin K antagonist (Group B). In the Rivaroxaban group, patients had received 15mg twice daily for the first 3 weeks, 20 mg once daily from 3 weeks to 3 months, and followed by 10 mg once daily. In the Vitamin K antagonist group, patients had received a dose of warfarin of 2.5-5mg once daily, with a goal INR between 2-3. Patients were followed up for 3 months, every month and the effectiveness of both drugs was recorded. RESULTSOur study shows that in group A (Rivaroxaban), the mean age was 34 years with SD ± 10.77 and in group B (Vitamin K antagonist), the mean age was 36 years with SD ± 11.09. In Group A, 12(40%) patients were males and 18(60%) were females. In Group B, 11(37%) patients were males and 19(63%) were females. Moreover, group A was effective in 27(90%) patients while group B was effective in 25(83%). CONCLUSION Rivaroxaban is more effective than vitamin K antagonist in the treatment of lower limbs deep vein thrombosis.