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Published on: February 28, 2012
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for acute coronary syndrome
Insights
Adding low-dose rivaroxaban to antiplatelet therapy after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) reduces cardiovascular events. This strategy did not increase fatal bleeding, offering a new treatment option for ACS patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Standard acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treatment involves dual antiplatelet therapy plus anticoagulation during hospitalization, followed by antiplatelet monotherapy.
- Adding warfarin to dual antiplatelet therapy is generally avoided due to bleeding risks and variable anticoagulant effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding low-dose rivaroxaban to antiplatelet therapy in ACS patients post-discharge.
Main Methods:
- A clinical trial investigated the addition of low-dose rivaroxaban to standard antiplatelet therapy in patients after ACS.
Main Results:
- The addition of rivaroxaban significantly reduced major cardiovascular events.
- No increase in fatal bleeding was observed with the addition of rivaroxaban.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose rivaroxaban combined with antiplatelet therapy is a promising strategy for reducing cardiovascular events in ACS patients.
- This regimen offers a potential improvement over standard therapy by enhancing efficacy without a prohibitive increase in fatal bleeding risk.
Abstract:
The standard antithrombotic therapy for treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) or another thienopyridine, plus a parenteral anticoagulant while the patient is hospitalized, followed by antiplatelet therapy alone after discharge. The addition of the oral anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin, and others) to dual antiplatelet therapy is generally not recommended for this indication because of fluctuations in its anticoagulant effect and the risk of bleeding. A recently published trial found that addition of a low dose of the oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban (Xarelto) to antiplatelet therapy after discharge reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events without increasing the incidence of fatal bleeding.
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