Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Apixaban, a New Oral Anticoagulant, using Bayesian Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Specific Aims:  To determine the efficacy of apixaban when compared to LMWH (enoxaparin) when used as thromboprophylaxis for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and medically ill patients  To determine the safety of apixaban when compared to LMWH (enoxaparin) when used as thromboprophylaxis for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and medically ill patients Methods: A systematic search of the literature for randomized controlled trials of apixaban thromboprophylaxis therapy versus enoxaparin was conducted using three databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library. Data from five studies with 12,938 total patients were analyzed using Bayesian random effects meta-analysis. To evaluate efficacy, a composite of venous thromboembolism and death during follow-up was measured. To evaluate safety, major and total bleeding events were considered. Main Results: The odds ratio (OR) for the composite outcome of thromboembolism/death was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.33 to 1.29) for apixaban compared to enoxaparin, while there was a similar risk of major bleeding (OR=1.03, 95%CI: 0.36 to 3.73) and total bleeding (OR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.64 to 1.20). Conclusion: These results suggest a lack of clear superiority of apixaban relative to enoxaparin. Apixaban is an oral alternative with similar efficacy and safety to existing anticoagulant therapies.