PEPPER is a randomized study comparing the three most commonly used anticoagulants in North America in patients who have elected to undergo primary or revision hip or knee joint replacement surgery. The anticoagulants being compared are enteric coated aspirin, low intensity warfarin, and rivaroxaban.

PEPPER is a large pragmatic clinical trial to inform patient choice and balance risk tolerances of individuals who face decisions about different drugs and strategies for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) prevention after total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) replacement. Indeed, clinical equipoise exists to ethically support such a randomized trial that has great potential to change current practice. We have selected the three prophylaxis methods that represent current orthopaedic practice in North America and collectively account for more than 80% of all hip and knee replacements; a) enteric coated aspirin (regimen with lowest bleeding risk; clinical PE and all-cause mortality rates comparable to more intensive anticoagulants), b) low intensity (INR Target 2.0) warfarin (time honored and one of the most common North American regimens; low bleeding risk [1-2%]), and c) rivaroxaban, a new oral direct Factor Xa inhibitor (regimen with lowest PE and DVT rate but higher bleeding risk [3-5%]). Prophylaxis will continue for 30 days, in accordance with clinical guidelines, and pneumatic compression will be utilized in hospital in conjunction with each treatment group. Each regimen is commonly used in contemporary practice, supported by observational and clinical trial data, and endorsed by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) guidelines

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 21 years of age or older;
2. Undergoing elective primary, revision or second stage re-implantation total hip/knee replacement or uni-compartmental knee replacement or hip resurfacing arthroplasty;
3. Has necessary mental capacity to participate and is able to comply with study protocol requirements;
4. Eligible for randomization to at least two of the three study regimens;
5. Is not pregnant on the day of surgery;
6. Has signed the consent form; and
7. Is willing to be randomized and participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Undergoing bilateral hip or knee replacement;
2. Has been previously enrolled;
3. Is pregnant or breastfeeding;
4. Is on chronic anticoagulation other than antiplatelet medications;
5. Concurrently enrolled in another active interventional clinical trial testing a drug or intervention known or believed to interact with aspirin, warfarin, or rivaroxaban;
6. Has documented gastrointestinal, cerebral, or other hemorrhage within 3 months;
7. Has a known diagnosis of defective hemostasis and past history of clinical bleeding requiring transfusion and treatment;
8. Has had an operative procedure involving the eye, ear, or central nervous system within one month;
9. Has uncontrolled hypertension with systolic BP > 220mmHg or diastolic BP > 120mmHg;
10. Body weight of less than 41 kilograms at baseline visit;
11. Member of a vulnerable patient population.

The participating institutions will follow NIH guidelines concerning the sharing of research data. As outlined by the NIH and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), the participating institutions will make available to the public the results of this collaboration and any accompanying data that were supported by PCORI. There are no specimens or biological resources for sharing as a result of this planned project.

In the course of this research project, we anticipate generating ranges of estimated complications and adverse events as they relate to the use of VTE prophylaxis in the context of hip and knee replacement. Access to these data and associated recommendations generated under the project will be available for educational, research and non-profit purposes. Such access will be provided using web-based applications, as appropriate and consistent with the data distribution policies of the Medical University of South Carolina and the University of Maryland.

Spring 2024

to be determined