Abstract-Rivaroxaban is a direct inhibitor of factor Xa, a coagulation factor at a critical juncture in the blood coagulation pathway leading to thrombin generation and clot formation. It is selective for human factor Xa, for which it has Ͼ10 000-fold greater selectivity than for other biologically relevant serine proteases (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC 50 ], Ͼ20 mol/L). Rivaroxaban inhibits factor Xa in a concentration-dependent manner (inhibitory constant [K i ], 0.4 nmol/L) and binds rapidly (kinetic association rate constant [k on ], 1.7ϫ10 7 mol/L Ϫ1 s Ϫ1 ) and reversibly (kinetic dissociation rate constant [k off ], 5ϫ10 Ϫ3 s Ϫ1 ). By inhibiting prothrombinase complex-bound (IC 50 , 2.1 nmol/L) and clot-associated factor Xa (IC 50 , 75 nmol/L), rivaroxaban reduces the thrombin burst during the propagation phase. In animal models of venous and arterial thrombosis, rivaroxaban showed dose-dependent antithrombotic activity. In healthy individuals, rivaroxaban was found to have predictable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics across a 5-to 80-mg total daily dose range, inhibiting factor Xa activity and prolonging plasma clotting time. In phase III clinical trials, rivaroxaban regimens reduced rates of venous thromboembolism in patients after total hip or knee arthroplasty compared with enoxaparin regimens, without significant differences in rates of major bleeding, showing that rivaroxaban has a favorable benefit-to-risk profile. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2010;30:376-381.) Key Words: anticoagulants Ⅲ blood coagulation Ⅲ factor Xa Ⅲ rivaroxaban Ⅲ venous thromboembolism F actor Xa is a coagulation factor that acts at the convergence point of the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways in the blood coagulation system. 1 It catalyzes the cleavage of prothrombin and, therefore, is critical for thrombin generation (Figure 1). 1,2 Indirect factor Xa inhibitors, such as fondaparinux and biotinylated idraparinux, exert their thrombotic effect by binding to antithrombin; therefore, their efficacy depends on the circulating level of antithrombin. They are parenteral agents and cannot be administered orally. 3 Rivaroxaban is the first direct factor Xa inhibitor to be licensed (in the European Union 4 and several other countries) for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult patients after elective hip or knee arthroplasty. Studies of rivaroxaban in the treatment of VTE, prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome, prevention of stroke in those with atrial fibrillation, and prevention of VTE in hospitalized medically ill patients are ongoing (Supplementary Table I, available at http:// atvb.ahajournals.org). Other direct factor Xa inhibitors are also in advanced development; apixaban and edoxaban (DU-176b) are undergoing phase III study, whereas betrixaban and YM150 have passed clinical phase II testing. This review discusses the properties of rivaroxaban and findings from clinical trials.
See accompanying article on page 369
Pharmacological PropertiesCompound C...