Stay Alert for Low-Dose Rivaroxaban for Coronary or Peripheral Artery Disease

You'll see a new rivaroxaban (Xarelto) 2.5 mg dose for patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Reps will call this a "vascular" dose. It's approved for BID use WITH aspirin 81 mg/day to reduce CV events in chronic CAD or PAD patients.

But don't expect it to be popular. Most patients will stick with aspirin alone...the margin of benefit of adding rivaroxaban is small.