The risk of a recurrent venous thromboembolic event was significantly lower in patients with venous thromboembolism who took rivaroxaban, compared with those who took aspirin, according to a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study involving nearly 3,400 individuals.

Participants—all of whom had venous thromboembolism and completed 6 to 12 months of anticoagulation therapy—received either rivaroxaban 10 or 20 mg once daily, or 100 mg of aspirin for up to a year. Investigators looked at incidence of venous thromboembolism, as well as major bleeding. Among the results:

• Venous thromboembolism occurred in less than 2% of patients receiving either dose of rivaroxaban, vs ~4% of those who took aspirin.
• Major bleeding rates in the 20 and 10 mg groups were 0.5% and 0.4%, respectively; it was 0.3% in the aspirin contingent.
• Nonmajor bleeding rates were 2.7%, 2.0%, and 1.8%, respectively.
• Adverse events were similar in all groups.