In this Cochrane meta-analysis, researchers analyzed the overall efficacy and safety of direct thrombin inhibitors, compared to warfarin or LMWH, in preventing VTE after orthopedic surgeries (hip and knee arthroplasty). In14 studies involving over 20,000 participants, they found no difference in efficacy between direct thrombin inhibitors, warfarin, or LMWH, but did find higher mortality and bleeding in the thrombin group compared to LMWH (but no difference between the thrombin group and warfarin) (abstract). The timing of the thrombin inhibitors also matters, as pre-operative dosing results in fewer VTE’s but likely higher bleeding. Dabigatran is the oral direct thrombin inhibitor that is currently approved in Canada and throughout Europe, but US FDA approval is pending.
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