Rivaroxaban in patients with mechanical heart valves: A pilot study

Background Patients with mechanical heart valves are still not eligible for treatment with direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC). We aimed to conduct a proof-of-principle study investigating the anti-Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban as antithrombotic treatment in patients with recent mechanical aortic valve replacement. Materials and methods Low-risk patients scheduled for elective mechanical aortic valve replacement were treated with rivaroxaban 20 mg once...