A systematic review and adjusted indirect comparison of oral anticoagulants

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES As a result of reading this article, physicians should be able to: 1. Recognize the high risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. 2. Distinguish the different pharmacological mechanisms of VTE prophylaxis drugs. 3. Delineate the advantages and disadvantages of each VTE prophylaxis drug. 4. Recognize that rivaroxaban is as efficacious as apixaban but can increase the risk of hemorrhage. Patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery are at high risk for developing postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE). The authors analyzed the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of dabigatran, apixaban, and rivaroxaban vs low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) as VTE prophylaxis in major orthopedic surgery. Outcomes evaluated included total VTE, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), death, and major bleeding. Rivaroxaban and apixaban are more efficacious than dabigatran and are as safe as dabigatran. Rivaroxaban is as efficacious as apixaban but can increase the risk of hemorrhage.