Design, findings and implications of the RECORD study program

Rivaroxaban is a direct factor Xa inhibitor that can be administered orally for thromboprophylaxis in orthopedic patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty. The new drug is well tolerated with a relatively short half-life and a high bioavailability. Rivaroxaban has undergone an extensive clinical evaluation program in elective orthopedic surgery compared with one of the most commonly used antithrombotic drugs on the market – enoxaparin, which is a low-molecular-weight heparin. The results of the Phase III Regulation of Coagulation in Major Orthopaedic Surgery Reducing the Risk of DVT and PE (RECORD) studies was that rivaroxaban was more effective and equally safe relative to enoxaparin. This article is dedicated to these findings and the clinical implications.