Implications of edoxaban in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic complications in clinical practice

Abstract

Edoxaban is a once-daily oral inhibitor of factor Xa, currently indicated to reduce the risk of stroke or systemic embolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients and for the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism (EMA, FDA and Japan). The ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 and the Hokusai-VTE trials demonstrated that edoxaban was at least as effective as warfarin for the prevention of stroke or systemic embolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, as well as for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism, but with a lesser risk of bleeding in both cases. In addition, it seems a cost-effective strategy for the management of this population. In this review, the implications of the most recent available evidence about edoxaban in clinical practice will be updated.