Studies of the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) drug Arixtra (fondaparinux sodium) have found it to be effective. Artemis (Arixtra for Thromboembolism prevention in a Medical Indications Study) found the treatment reduced the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by 46.7 per cent.

Dr Alexander Cohen, of King's College Hospital London and chairman of the Artemis steering committee, said: "VTE presents a significant risk to this patient population, however we have had limited understanding of the effectiveness of clot prevention to address VTE in this group. "These results show that Arixtra is an effective and well tolerated treatment that can reduce the risk of VTE for these patients, further helping us to define the role of anti-thrombotics in this setting." Dr Lawson Macartney, of GSK, added: "GSK is excited about these results that support Arixtra in the treatment of this population, and may help to expand the application of Arixtra in clinical practice."

Arixtra was also found not to increase the risk of major bleeding in patients. It is currently approved for use in the European Union for the prevention of VTE in patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture, knee replacement, hip replacement and those at high risk of thromboembolic complications. It also indicated for the treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis and the treatment of acute pulmonary embolism.