Rivaroxaban Versus Warfarin in Acute Ischemic Stroke With Atrial Fibrillation

Summary

Rationale Acute ischemic stroke due to atrial fibrillation (AF) carries a high risk for early recurrence. In acute stage, guidelines recommend aspirin, but do not recommend anticoagulation due to the increased risk of intracranial bleeding. Since, aspirin has a limited efficacy of preventing recurrent stroke in AF, expert consensus suggests early anticoagulation in non-severe stroke with AF. The current practice for acute ischemic stroke patients with AF is delayed warfarin administration with aspirin use for non-minor stroke or immediate warfarin administration (sometimes with heparin bridging) for minor stroke. However, conventional anticoagulation with warfarin in acute ischemic stroke with AF has the following limitations: 1) risk of intracranial bleeding particularly in acute stage, 2) delayed action and transient paradoxical thrombogenic tendency due to the inhibition of protein C, resulting in the risk of early recurrent embolic stroke, and 3) prolongation of hospitalization waiting for full anticoagulation. In contrast, as compared to warfarin, rivaroxaban is advantageous for reduced risk of intracranial bleeding and immediate anticoagulation efficacy. Goal The current trial will examine whether early initiation (within 5 days from stroke onset) of rivaroxaban as compared to conventional warfarin would reduce intracranial bleeding, recurrent embolic stroke, and hospital stay in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to AF.

Timeline

Start

2014-01

Primary completion

2015-12

Completion

2015-12

Publications

• Hong KS, Kwon SU, Lee SH, Lee JS, Kim YJ, Song TJ, Kim YD, Park MS, Kim EG, Cha JK, Sung SM, Yoon BW, Bang OY, Seo WK, Hwang YH, Ahn SH, Kang DW, Kang HG, Yu KH; Phase 2 Exploratory Clinical Study to Assess the Effects of Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) Versus Warfarin on Ischemia, Bleeding, and Hospital Stay in Acute Cerebral Infarction Patients With Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation (Triple AXEL) Study Group. Rivaroxaban vs Warfarin Sodium in the Ultra-Early Period After Atrial Fibrillation-Related Mild Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol. 2017 Oct 1;74(10):1206-1215. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2017.2161.
• Hong KS, Choi YJ, Kwon SU; Triple AXEL Investigators. Rationale and design of Triple AXEL: trial for early anticoagulation in acute ischemic stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Int J Stroke. 2015 Jan;10(1):128-33. doi: 10.1111/ijs.12386. Epub 2014 Oct 26.

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