Rivaroxaban Versus Warfarin in Acute Ischemic Stroke With Atrial Fibrillation

Phase 2

Completed

Conditions: Ischemic Stroke
Transient Ischemic Attack

Interventions: Drug: Warfarin
Drug: Rivaroxaban

Registration Number: NCT02042534

Lead Sponsor: Asan Medical Center

Brief 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.

Detailed Description: Primary endpoint: Composite of MRI-defined intracranial bleeding and recurrent ischemic lesion within 1 month after randomization (rivaroxaban vs conventional warfarin)

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 195

Inclusion Criteria

All of below

Acute ischemic stroke or TIA presumed to be cardioembolic origin (within 5 days from stroke onset) with mild severity: infarct size on DWI less than 1/3 of MCA territory, 1/2 of ACA territory, 1/2 of PCA territory, and 1/2 of one cerebellar hemisphere
Atrial fibrillation including paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: atrial fibrillation must be documented by ECG evidence (e.g., 12-lead ECG, rhythm strip, Holter, pacemaker interrogation) within 30 days before randomization. This could be obtained from a notation in the subject's record (e.g., medical chart, hospital discharge summary).
Age ≥19 years
Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Any of below

Chronic renal failure (GFR less than 30ml/min) or severe hepatic impairment
Significant hemorrhagic transformation (parenchymal hematoma type I or II by the ECASS definition)
Stroke mechanism of presumed small vessel occlusion: single small subcortical infarct in the perforating artery territory
Large hemispheric or cerebellar infarction; larger than 1/3 of MCA territory, 1/2 of ACA territory, 1/2 of PCA territory, and 1/2 of one cerebellar hemisphere
Mechanical valve requiring warfarin therapy
Active internal bleeding
Prior history of symptomatic intracranial bleeding

: patients with asymptomatic bleedings or microbleedings on MRI are eligible for inclusion
Major surgery or major trauma within 30 days that might be associated with increased bleeding risk
Clinically significant gastrointestinal bleeding within 6 months
Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator use or mechanical embolectomy within 48 hours plus 'significant hemorrhagic transformation as described above (exclusion criteria 2)' or 'large hemispheric infarction or cerebellar infarction as described above (exclusion criteria 4)'

: patients achieving successful reperfusion without hemorrhage nor large infarction are eligible for enrollment
Severe anemia: hemoglobin <10 g/dL
Bleeding diathesis; thrombocytopenia (<90,000/µL, prolonged PT (INR>1.7)
Sustained uncontrolled hypertension: SBP >180 mmHg or DBP >100 mmHg
Severe devastating illness, such terminal cancer, hepatic failure; therefore, the participants have a life expectancy less than 6 months.
Planned invasive procedure with potential for uncontrolled bleeding, including major surgery

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Warfarin	Warfarin	Patients allocated to warfarin receive warfarin plus aspirin 100mg until INR value exceed 1.7 followed by warfarin monotherapy with target INR value of 2.5 \[2.0 - 3.0\].
Rivaroxaban	Rivaroxaban	Rivaroxaban group for 1 month : initial 5 days after randomization rivaroxaban 10mg QD will be administered. Rivaroxaban 20mg QD, but 15mg in case of Cr CL will be administered for remaining 25 days.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants With Intracranial Bleeding and/or Recurrent Ischemic Lesion as Confirmed by MRI Imaging	1 month after randomization	Intracranial bleeding: symptomatic hemorrhage confirmed by CT or MRI or asymptomatic hemorrhage on follow-up GRE or SWI imaging at 1 month Recurrent ischemic lesion: symptomatic ischemic stroke confirmed by relevant neuroimagings or asymptomatic recurrent ischemic lesion on follow-up or FLAIR imaging at 1 month

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Number of Patients With Intracranial Bleeding	at 1 month	Intracranial bleeding confirmed by relevant neuroimagings
Number of Participants With Modified Rankin Score of 0 or 1 at Week 4	at 1 month	modified Rankin Score 0 : No symptoms at all 1. : No significant disability despite symptoms; able to carry out all usual duties and activities 2. : Slight disability; unable to carry out all previous activities, but able to look after own affairs without assistance 3. : Moderate disability; requiring some help, but able to walk without assistance 4. : Moderately severe disability; unable to walk without assistance and unable to attend to own bodily needs without assistance 5. : Severe disability; bedridden, incontinent and requiring constant nursing care and attention 6. : Dead
Length of Hospitalization	at 1month	Time to event will be calculated
The Number of Patients With Recurrent Ischemic Lesion	at 1 month	Recurrent ischemic lesion confirmed by relevant neuroimagings