Prophylaxis with fondaparinux versus enoxaparin against venous thromboembolism after major orthopaedic surgery

Abstract

Fondaparinux (Arixtra®) is a new antithrombotic agent, which is indicated for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after major orthopaedic surgery. This report presents cost-effectiveness analysis of fondaparinux compared with enoxaparin, the most common prophylaxis of VTE. The cost-effectiveness of short-term duration (one week) prophylaxis as well as prolonged prophylaxis (four weeks) with fondaparinux versus enoxaparin are examined. The models used in the analyses are developed to simulate the impact of prophylaxis with fondaparinux compared with enoxaparin after major orthopaedic surgery. The analyses are based on Norwegian data, which include about 55.000 patients who underwent major orthopaedic surgery in the period from 1999 to 2001. All cost estimates in the models are based on Norwegian unit costs.