Matthew W Sherwood, James D Douketis, Manesh R Patel, Jonathan P Piccini, Anne S Hellkamp, Yuliya Lokhnygina, Alex C Spyropoulos, Graeme J Hankey, Daniel E Singer, Christopher C Nessel, Kenneth W Mahaffey, Keith A A Fox, Robert M Califf, Richard C Becker
BACKGROUND: During long-term anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation, temporary interruptions (TIs) of therapy are common, but the relationship between patient outcomes and TIs has not been well studied. We sought to determine reasons for TI, the characteristics of patients undergoing TI, and the relationship between anticoagulant and outcomes among patients with TI. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the Rivaroxaban Once Daily, Oral, Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared With Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation (ROCKET AF), a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy study of rivaroxaban and warfarin in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, baseline characteristics, management, and outcomes, including stroke, non-central nervous system systemic embolism, death, myocardial infarction, and bleeding, were reported in participants who experienced TI (3-30 days) for any reason...
May 6, 2014: Circulation