Physicians' Academy for Cardiovascular Education

Longer DOAC treatment reduces risk of recurrent VTE with no increased bleeding risk

Rivaroxaban treatment for six weeks versus three months in patients with symptomatic isolated distal deep vein thrombosis: randomised controlled trial

Literature - Ageno W, Bertù L, Bucherini B, et al. - BMJ. 2022 Nov 23;379:e072623. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2022-072623

Introduction and methods

Background

In case of isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (DVT), international guidelines recommend anticoagulation only for patients presenting with severe symptoms or those at increased risk of thrombus extension and surveillance ultrasonography for the remaining patients [1,2]. However, recent large observational studies have reported similar treatment strategies for the acute phase management in both patients with proximal and isolated distal DVT, although the treatment duration was shorter in the latter group [3,4]. Consequently, although most patients with isolated distal DVT are treated, the optimal treatment duration is still up for debate.

Aim of the study

The authors compared the efficacy and safety of two durations of rivaroxaban treatment in patients with symptomatic isolated distal DVT.

Methods

The RIDTS (Rivaroxaban for the treatment of symptomatic Isolated Distal deep vein ThrombosiS) study was a double blind, placebo controlled RCT conducted at 28 outpatient thrombosis clinics in Italy. In this study, 402 patients with an objective diagnosis of symptomatic isolated distal DVT of the legs first received a standard dose of rivaroxaban for 6 weeks (15 mg twice daily for 3 weeks, followed by rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily for 3 weeks). Thereafter, they were randomized to rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily or placebo for an additional 6 weeks. Exclusion criteria included active cancer, concomitant proximal DVT, or symptomatic pulmonary embolism. At baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 24 months, all patients underwent compression ultrasonography.

Outcomes

The primary efficacy endpoint was the occurrence of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) after randomization, defined as the composite outcome of progression of isolated distal DVT, recurrent isolated distal DVT, proximal DVT, symptomatic pulmonary embolism, or fatal pulmonary embolism. The primary safety endpoint was the incidence of major bleeding—defined according to the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria—after randomization until 2 days from the last dose of rivaroxaban or placebo.

Main results

Conclusion

In patients with objectively diagnosed isolated distal DVT who had an uneventful 6-week treatment course of rivaroxaban, administration of rivaroxaban for an additional 6 weeks reduced the risk of recurrent VTE during 2-year follow-up compared with placebo. This was mainly due to a reduction in the occurrence of recurrent isolated distal DVT. The extended rivaroxaban treatment was not associated with an increased bleeding risk.

References

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Find this article online at BMJ.

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