New Agent Prevents Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation, Duke Clinical Research Institute Study Suggests

In the primary result from the largest double-blind study ever completed to assess a drug's effect in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm abnormality, rivaroxaban, an anti-clotting drug, was shown to be an attractive alternative to warfarin, the current standard for treatment of atrial fibrillation. The full intention-to-treat analysis, which includes patients who discontinued study drug, showed that rivaroxaban was noninferior to warfarin for the prevention of stroke or blood clots. Importantly, rivaroxaban use led to less intra-cranial and fatal bleeding.