Rivaroxaban is as efficient and safe as bemiparin as thromboprophylaxis in knee arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare effectiveness and safety profile of rivaroxaban with bemiparin in 3-week extended prophylaxis after knee arthroscopy.

METHODS

Four hundred and sixty-seven patients were included in this review divided in two groups. One followed prophylaxis with rivaroxaban and the other one with bemiparin. All patients were interviewed and explored at 1 and 3 months postoperatively, looking for symptomatic signs of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). In case of suspicion, diagnostic tests were performed. Collected data were age, sex, gender, diagnosis, time with ischemia, body mass index, concomitant diseases, concomitant therapy, DVT signs, treatment satisfaction, minor and major complications, treatment adherence and tolerability.

RESULTS

No thromboembolic events were observed in any of the groups. In one case treated with rivaroxaban, the drug had to be withdrawn due to epistaxis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that extended prophylaxis with 10 mg of rivaroxaban once daily for 3 weeks resulted as effective as bemiparin in knee arthroscopy thromboprophylaxis.