Patient/caregiver was instructed upon indications for xarelto use as follows
- Individuals with history of cardiac arrhythmias, such as, atrial or ventricular fibrillation, are at increased risk for clot formation. The clots so formed in the heart have potential to be pumped by the heart into the blood stream and get deposited in vital organs, such as, brain or heart. This can result in obstruction of blood supply to the vital organs, thus leading to stroke or episode of chest pain and myocardial infarction.
- Skeletal muscle contraction is the main force helping to squeeze the column of blood along the limb and thereby, maintaining the blood flow along the limb Limited ROM in the limb with reduced mobilization compromises the contraction of the skeletal muscles in the limb, thus compromising the movement of the blood column in the limb, making it more stagnant. Prolonged stagnant blood in the limb is a significant risk factor for clot formation and development of deep venous thrombosis. Xarelto is widely used for clot prevention, in individuals who recently underwent hip and knee surgeries and other procedures that involve prolonged period of reduced mobilization and limited range of motion in the surgical limb.
- Blood clots formed in bilateral lower extremities have the potential to travel up along the veins into the right heart and then, get pumped into the lungs, where they deposit, thus becoming pulmonary emboli. Xarelto use, by reducing risk for deep venous thrombosis in bilateral lower extremities, can contribute to preventing episodes of pulmonary embolism.
