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Fondaparinux

Use in Thromboprophylaxis of Acute Medical Patients

Drugs & Aging volume 25, pages 81–88 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

  • ▲ Fondaparinux is a synthetic pentasaccharide that inhibits thrombin formation and thrombus development via selective antithrombin mediated inhibition of factor Xa. The complete bioavailability (100%) and elimination half-life of ≈17 hours allows once-daily administration of fondaparinux.

  • ▲ In a well designed trial (ARTEMIS) in acute medical patients aged ≥60 years, fondaparinux was significantly more effective than placebo in terms of reducing the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) up to day 15.

  • ▲ The beneficial effect of fondaparinux therapy was observed in all subgroups of patients irrespective of underlying illness (e.g. acute heart failure or acute respiratory disease) in a predefined subgroup analysis of the ARTEMIS trial.

  • ▲ Similarly, in a retrospective analysis of the trial, age and renal function did not appear to affect the incidence of VTE in fondaparinux and placebo recipients.

  • ▲ Fondaparinux was generally well tolerated in this clinical trial. In patients receiving fondaparinux, the incidence of major bleeding was similar to that in patients receiving placebo and the incidence of minor bleeding was <3%.

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Notes

  1. The use of trade names is for product identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

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Acknowledgements and Disclosures

The manuscript was reviewed by: M.M. Samama, Hospital Hôtel Dieu de Paris, Département d’Hématologie Biologique, Paris, France; A.G.G. Turpie, Hamilton Health Sciences General Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding. During the peer review process, the manufacturer of the agent under review was also offered an opportunity to comment on this article. Changes resulting from comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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Affiliations

  1. Wolters Kluwer Health | Adis, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, North Shore 0754, Auckland, New Zealand

    Sohita Dhillon & Greg L. Plosker

  2. Editorial office of Wolters Kluwer Health, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA

    Sohita Dhillon & Greg L. Plosker

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  1. Sohita Dhillon
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  2. Greg L. Plosker
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Correspondence to Sohita Dhillon.

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Dhillon, S., Plosker, G.L. Fondaparinux. Drugs Aging 25, 81–88 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-200825010-00009

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-200825010-00009

Keywords

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis
  • Placebo Recipient
  • Major Bleeding
  • Fondaparinux
  • Moderate Renal Impairment