XARELTO (rivaroxaban) - Evenements thromboemboliques veineux (ETEV) pédiatrique

Key points

Favourable opinion for reimbursement in the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and prevention of VTE recurrence in the paediatric population after at least 5 days of initial parenteral anticoagulation treatment. (for more details, see MA).

What therapeutic improvement?

No clinical added value in the therapeutic strategy.

Role in the care pathway?

The objective of paediatric VTE management is to:

• treat venous thromboembolism and prevent early and late recurrence,
• prevent the progression of the thrombotic event (such as pulmonary embolism), complications (such as post-thrombotic syndrome) and mortality,
• and preserve the central venous capital of children with chronic illnesses.

In haemodynamically stable children, initial treatment with a parenteral anticoagulant is recommended, with rapid initiation. This treatment is based on low molecular weight heparin (LMWH by the SC route) and/or unfractionated heparin (UFH by the SC or IV route). Fondaparinux (SC route) is administered in some countries, but it is not widely used internationally.

Anticoagulant treatment can then be continued using LMWH or vitamin K antagonist therapy (oral VKA therapy), with a treatment duration defined on a case-by-case basis depending on the clinical situation, the patient’s age, and following assessment of the benefit compared to the bleeding risk.

The recommended treatment durations are 3 months in the event of provoked thrombosis if the transient risk factor is resolved; otherwise, anticoagulant therapy should be continued for as long as the risk factor persists. In the event of unprovoked thrombosis, the treatment duration is 6 to 12 months. The period is indefinite in the event of recurrent unprovoked thrombosis.

In children with catheter-related VTE, the guidelines suggest leaving central venous access devices or umbilical catheters in place if they are clinically necessary or functional, and initiating anticoagulant therapy. If they are no longer functional or clinically necessary, it is recommended that they be removed after 3 to 5 days of anticoagulant therapy. Initial anticoagulant therapy is based on LMWH or UFH followed by LMWH, with a total treatment duration of between 6 weeks and 3 months.

The parenteral anticoagulant therapies currently available are not authorised in France for paediatric use. In addition, the use of the recommended treatments is not entirely suitable for the paediatric population, since they require repeated injections and/or regular laboratory monitoring, particularly with VKAs (numerous interactions with other medicinal products and foods, intercurrent infections, leading to variations in INR). Only the proprietary medicinal product WARFARIN 1 mg/mL oral suspension is available in a delivery form appropriate for young children via a named-patient compassionate use programme (ATU). Heparins and VKAs now have a reversal agent.

Two DOACs have an MA in VTE in the paediatric population: XARELTO (rivaroxaban) since January 2021, which is the subject of the current assessment, and PRADAXA (dabigatran) since January 2021. It should be noted that the pharmaceutical company marketing PRADAXA (dabigatran) has not applied for reimbursement in this indication, for either the tablet form or the oral solution form.

DOACs do not require routine monitoring of anticoagulation or laboratory testing. Although they are less numerous than with VKAs, interactions with other medicinal products are possible and are liable to increase or reduce plasma concentrations (see SPC for XARELTO (rivaroxaban)). No methods are currently available to measure the level of anticoagulation they induce in routine practice. Current routine haemostasis tests do not indicate the level of anticoagulation.

Role of the medicinal product in the care pathway:

In the treatment of venous thromboembolism in the paediatric population, XARELTO (rivaroxaban) proprietary medicinal products can be used following heparin therapy for at least 5 days.

The Committee highlights the utility of having access to this first DOAC in oral solution form, along with the practical benefits of this formulation for paediatric use.

It reiterates that the fact that there is no need to routinely measure the level of anticoagulation under DOACs must not lead to reduced clinical monitoring of these patients.

A reversal agent for rivaroxaban, andexanet alfa, has been authorised since April 2019 for patients presenting potentially fatal or uncontrolled bleeding. On the date of the present opinion, this medicinal product is not available in France and no assessment has been conducted by the Committee.

Special recommendations

Given the bleeding risk and the need for close clinical monitoring of children with venous thromboembolic disease (adjustment of doses and administration frequency based on weight, treatment compliance, reversal in the event of severe bleeding), the Committee recommends initial hospital prescription of XARELTO (rivaroxaban) for the paediatric population, with specific therapeutic patient education delivered by a multidisciplinary team. In addition, in view of the complexity of administration with the oral formulation, the Committee recommends the implementation of a communication plan aimed at healthcare professionals liable to treat these patients, via the formalisation of a prescribing and dispensing guide, for example.