Cost-effectiveness of rivaroxaban after total hip or total knee arthroplasty

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) following joint replacement surgery represents an economic as well as a clinical burden; however, the risk of thromboembolic events is greatly reduced by appropriate anticoagulation. Rivaroxaban, a Factor Xa inhibitor currently in phase III development, was compared with the low molecular weight heparin enoxaparin in 4 clinical trials, collectively called the RECORD program (REgulation of Coagulation in Orthopedic Surgery to Prevent Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism). In a pooled analysis of data from the RECORD trials, rivaroxaban was superior to enoxaparin regimens in reducing the composite end point of symptomatic venous thromboembolism and all-cause mortality in patients following elective primary total hip or total knee arthroplasty (THA or TKA), with a comparable incidence of major bleeding events. In cost-effectiveness analyses, compared with enoxaparin, rivaroxaban showed the potential to reduce costs associated with the prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic events in a post-orthopedic surgery/arthroplasty population.