Randomised comparative effectiveness trial of Pulmonary Embolism Prevention after hiP and kneE Replacement (PEPPER): the PEPPER trial protocol

Vincent D. Pellegrini*, John William Eikelboom, C. Mc Collister Evarts, Patricia D. Franklin, Kevin L. Garvin, Samuel Z. Goldhaber, Richard Iorio, Carol Ann Lambourne, Jay Magaziner, Laurence Magder

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction More than 1 million elective total hip and knee replacements are performed annually in the USA with 2% risk of clinical pulmonary embolism (PE), 0.1%-0.5% fatal PE, and over 1000 deaths. Antithrombotic prophylaxis is standard of care but evidence is limited and conflicting. We will compare effectiveness of three commonly used chemoprophylaxis agents to prevent all-cause mortality (ACM) and clinical venous thromboembolism (VTE) while avoiding bleeding complications. Methods and analysis Pulmonary Embolism Prevention after HiP and KneE Replacement is a large randomised pragmatic comparative effectiveness trial with non-inferiority design and target enrolment of 20 000 patients comparing aspirin (81 mg two times a day), low-intensity warfarin (INR (International Normalized Ratio) target 1.7-2.2) and rivaroxaban (10 mg/day). The primary effectiveness outcome is aggregate of VTE and ACM, primary safety outcome is clinical bleeding complications, and patient-reported outcomes are determined at 1, 3 and 6 months. Primary data analysis is per protocol, as preferred for non-inferiority trials, with secondary analyses adherent to intention-to-treat principles. All non-fatal outcomes are captured from patient and clinical reports with independent blinded adjudication. Study design and oversight are by a multidisciplinary stakeholder team including a 10-patient advisory board. Ethics and dissemination The Institutional Review Board of the Medical University of South Carolina provides central regulatory oversight. Patients aged 21 or older undergoing primary or revision hip or knee replacement are block randomised by site and procedure; those on chronic anticoagulation are excluded. Recruitment commenced at 30 North American centres in December 2016. Enrolment currently exceeds 13 500 patients, representing 33% of those eligible at participating sites, and is projected to conclude in July 2024; COVID-19 may force an extension. Results will inform antithrombotic choice by patients and other stakeholders for various risk cohorts, and will be disseminated through academic publications, meeting presentations and communications to advocacy groups and patient participants. Trial registration NCT02810704.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere060000
JournalBMJ open
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 8 2022

Funding

The institutional review board (IRB) for human subjects research at the Medical University of South Carolina approved the study protocol and consent forms on 19 April 2016 (Pro00053742) and serves as the central IRB (cIRB). Of the 31 approved sites in North America, 27 relied on the cIRB; 2 USA and 2 Canadian sites are governed by local IRBs with guidance from the cIRB. Annual cIRB review was completed on 16 February 2021. Study documents and protocol modifications are available at PEPPERstudy.com. The study is funded by PCORI, and this report (Protocol version May 28, 2020) follows Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials guidelines.

Keywords

  • adult orthopaedics
  • anaesthesia in orthopaedics
  • anticoagulation
  • hip
  • knee
  • thromboembolism

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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