Anticoagulants for the treatment of isolated lower limb superficial vein thrombosis a Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

• Published in: Thrombosis research Vol. 241; p. 109101
• Main Authors: Bontinis, Alkis, Pouliopoulou, Ioanna, Bontinis, Vangelis, Liakopoulos, Vassilios, Giannopoulos, Argirios, Chatzimpalasi, Theodora, Ktenidis, Kiriakos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2024
• Subjects: Anticoagulants - therapeutic use; Bayes Theorem; Fondaparinux; Fondaparinux - therapeutic use; Humans; Low molecular weight heparin; Lower Extremity - blood supply; Network Meta-Analysis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rivaroxaban; Rivaroxaban - therapeutic use; Superficial thrombophlebitis; Superficial vein thrombosis; Venous Thrombosis - drug therapy; Rivaroxaban; Low molecular weight heparin; Superficial vein thrombosis; Superficial thrombophlebitis; Fondaparinux
• ISSN: 0049-3848; 1879-2472; 1879-2472
• DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2024.109101

Assess the safety and efficacy of anticoagulants in treating isolated superficial vein thrombosis (iSVT).
A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating anticoagulants in the treatment of iSVT. The primary endpoint of thrombotic complications encompassed any incident of iSVT progression/recurrence and the development of new-onset (deep vein thrombosis) DVT or (pulmonary embolism) PE.
Eight RCT's and 4721 patients treated once daily with either fondaparinux 2.5 mg, rivaroxaban 10 mg, therapeutic, intermediate, and prophylactic low molecular weight heparin (LMW) were included. While all anticoagulants displayed a statistically significant risk reduction compared to placebo in terms of thrombotic complications and iSVT progression/recurrence, only fondaparinux reduced the risk for DVT/PE. Additionally, fondaparinux exhibited enhanced efficacy in decreasing DVT/PE events relative to prophylactic and therapeutic LMWH. Furthermore, rivaroxaban and fondaparinux demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of preventing thrombotic complications compared to all three dosing regimens of LMWH without significant differences between the two, risk ratio RR 1.00(95%CI:0.51–1.92). SUCRA identified fondaparinux as the most effective treatment regarding thrombotic complications, (SUCRA,91.6) and DVT/PE, (SUCRA,96) and rivaroxaban in terms of iSVT progression/recurrence (SUCRA,94.68). Ultimately and despite certain model limitations, meta-regression analysis suggested a possible trend towards improved outcomes with longer treatment durations for thrombotic complications β = −0.34(95%CI:-16.39to12.23).
Despite inherent limitations such as variations in treatment durations and follow-up periods, this review displayed the efficacy of fondaparinux, rivaroxaban and LMWH in treating iSVT. The improved efficacy of fondaparinux over therapeutic LMWH in terms of DVT/PE outcomes necessitates cautious interpretation underscoring the need for further investigation through adequately powered RCTs.
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•Fondaparinux, rivaroxaban, and LMWH mitigate thrombotic complications, especially iSVT progression/recurrence, vs. placebo•Fondaparinux and rivaroxaban reduced iSVT progression/recurrence vs. LMWH, with no significant differences between the two.•Fondaparinux was the only treatment showing a statistically significant risk reduction for DVT and PE compared to placebo.