Clinical therapeutics
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Venous thrombosis is usually triggered by a low-flow state, as in prolonged periods of bed rest after hip or knee surgery. Antithrombotic agents are the drugs of choice in such circumstances. The new factor Xa inhibitor fondaparinux has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery, hip replacement surgery, or knee replacement surgery. ⋯ Fondaparinux has shown efficacy in the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery. Large-scale clinical trials of its potential efficacy in deep vein thrombosis and acute coronary syndromes are ongoing. Use of fondaparinux may be associated with an increased bleeding risk, and patients should be assessed individually to ensure that the possible benefits outweigh the risks. Routine use of fondaparinux as a replacement for low-molecular-weight heparin is not recommended at this time.