About this trial
* The trial will compare two anticoagulants ("blood thinners") that are currently used in the VA and are considered standard care to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation. The two most commonly-used anticoagulants will be compared: apixaban (Eliquis) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto). They are considered by many doctors to have similar benefits and risks, but no one knows for sure. * The trial only enrolls patients with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation ("A Fib") or atrial flutter. Most participants will be age 65 or older, and should already be taking apixaban or rivaroxaban. * The investigators will measure, in about 10,000 VA patients nationally, whether the rates of stroke, major bleeding, or death differ between these two drugs. * The trial will last about 7 years, but after the first prescription, all information will be collected from electronic medical records.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Male or female Veteran, aged 22 years or older
Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) and currently taking either apixaban or rivaroxaban.
CHA2DS2-Vasc of 3 or more
Ability to take oral medication and self-reported willingness to adhere to the prespecified apixaban or rivaroxaban regimen
Disqualifiers
Current use of oral or injectable anticoagulation, without ability to switch to the assigned study medication
Another indication for anticoagulation, such as pulmonary embolism
Contraindication to oral anticoagulation
Known bleeding diathesis
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Apixaban
- Rivaroxaban
Treatment groups
Sponsors and collaborators
VA Office of Research and Development
Lead sponsor
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Collaborator