The COBRRA trial is a randomized head-to-head comparative trial of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with acute venous thromboembolism. Apixaban (Eliquis) scored a victory over rivaroxaban based on safety events. The study compared these two drugs aimed at inhibiting factor Xa. The main finding shows a lower incidence of safety events with apixaban compared to rivaroxaban. The study is currently in phase 4 and still recruiting. The COBRRA pilot study (NCT02559856) preceded the main study.