OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy and safety of 3 rivaroxaban regimen in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE).

METHODSThis is a retrospective study. Thirty three inpatients with VTE received rivaroxaban were divided into 3 groups, in which 16 patients were treated with 15 mg rivaroxaban twice daily for 21 days then followed by 20 mg once per day till 3 months (group 1), 9 patients were treated with 20 mg rivaroxaban once daily for 3 months (group 2), 8 patients were treated with 10 mg rivaroxaban once daily for 3 months. The reduction rate of D-Dimer on the third therapy day, the duration of D-Dimer normalization and hospital stay as well as symptom remission, the imaging assessment results after three months treatment, rate of recurrent VTE, bleeding, liver and kidney function were compared among the 3 groups.

RESULTSThe reduction rates of D-Dimer on the third therapy day were significantly higher ((46.12 ± 15.42) % vs. (26.59 ± 8.11) % and (25.55 ± 14.00) %, P = 0.02, P = 0.01), and the duration of D-Dimer normalization was significantly shorter ((17.9 ± 7.7) days vs. (24.1 ± 5.1) days and (26.3 ± 6.2) d, P = 0.03, P < 0.01) in group 1 than in group 2 and 3. There was one recurrent deep-vein thrombosis in group 3, one non-major bleeding in group 1 and group 3. Major bleeding or liver and kidney dysfunction were not observed in these patients.

CONCLUSIONSVenous thromboembolism can be safely and effectively treated by rivaroxaban, and does of 15 mg twice daily for 21 days followed by 20 mg once daily for 3 months are superior to the other 2 tested therapy regimen in this patient cohort.