Cost analysis of fondaparinux versus enoxaparin as venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hip fracture surgery.

Hip fracture patients are at high risk of developing venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) postoperatively. Efficacy and safety data from a clinical trial comparing fondaparinux and enoxaparin as VTE prophylaxis were used to perform a cost assessment of these 2 agents. Incremental cost calculations demonstrate that enoxaparin offers advantages over fondaparinux when dosed for 7 days postoperatively in this patient population. Sensitivity analyses support this finding at the lower extreme; however, fondaparinux provides cost savings at the upper extreme. Cost per death averted and cost per life year gained are similar for these 2 agents in these patients.