Efficacy and Safety of New Oral Anticoagulants in the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism after Orthopaedic Surgery

Abstract

Relevance. Despite of a specific prophylaxis, the thromboembolic complications occur in 20-25% of patients after orthopedic surgeries. In those who do not receive the prophylaxis the complications rate is even higher taking up to 45-70% thereby putting the complications into second place after infection complications.
 Objective. To compare the efficacy and safety of dabigatran etaxilate and rivaroxaban in prophylaxis and treatment of the venous thromboembolism after hip and knee arthroplasty.
 Materials and methods. An analysis of prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism in 104 patients who had had hip and knee arthroplasty has been accomplished. All patients were randomized into two groups. 51 patients were enrolled into the first (control) group where 220 mg per day dabigatran etexilat therapy was used. The second (investigated) group included 53 patients who received 10 mg per day rivaroxabane therapy. A year after surgery the quality of life of patients was assessed using CIVIQ-20 and SF-36 questioners.
 Results and their discussion. Venous thromboembolic complications had occurred in 18 (17,3%) of patients equally in the first and second group. Isolated common femoral vein thrombosis was found in 8 (7,7%), and in 3 (2,9%) patients it was associated with pulmonary embolism. Popliteal and tibial vein thrombosis was detected in 7 (6,7%) patients. Internal bleeding complications were found in 9 (8,6%) patients with venous thrombosis. The complications were more common in a second group (higher by 1,7%). In 7 (6,7%) cases the complications had no clinical significance. Only in 2 (1,9%) patients (one case in each group) were documented severe hemorrhages, that needed hemostatic therapy. A year after surgery the quality of life of patients was assessed using specifically oriented CIVIQ-20 and SF-36 international questioners for chronic venous insufficiency. The evidence based differences between two groups were not discovered.
 Conclusion. Dabigatran etexilate as well as rivaroxaban can be used for prophylaxis of the venous thromboembolism after orthopedic surgeries.