The Rivaroxaban Program and the Management of Unmet Needs in Thromboembolic Disease.

Rivaroxaban is a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant that acts as a direct factor Xa inhibitor, and is widely used for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders. As further knowledge gaps are identified in thrombosis management, the rivaroxaban research program has expanded in an attempt to elucidate the wider benefits of rivaroxaban. An increased understanding of the interactions taking place within the coagulation cascade may support a broader role for rivaroxaban (2.5 mg twice daily [bid] or 5 mg bid) in the setting of vascular protection, either alone or in combination with an antiplatelet agent. The aim of this article is to describe the potential role of rivaroxaban in the context of vascular protection and provide an overview of recently completed and ongoing randomized controlled trials of rivaroxaban in the areas of stroke prevention, venous protection and vascular protection.