Challenges in comparing the non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation-related stroke prevention

A. John Camm, Keith A.A. Fox, Eric Peterson

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

The aim of this review is to provide context for meta-analyses interpreting data from phase III stroke prevention studies of nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Differences between the four phase III NOAC stroke prevention studies in patients with NVAF (ROCKET AF, ARISTOTLE, RE-LY, and ENGAGE AF), their potential impact on outcomes, and inter-study differences were evaluated, as well as the potential role of real-world evidence in evaluating NOACs in this setting. Study design differences included blinding strategy, dose-reduction options, and transition from blinded treatment to standard of care. There were small but relevant variations in the definition of AF used (RE-LY used the least precise definition); patient risk profiles (ROCKET AF patients had the highest risk); the primary safety outcome (a composite of major bleeding and clinically relevant non-major bleeding events in ROCKET AF vs. Major bleeding in the others); and the definitions of stroke, major bleeding, and clinically relevant non-major bleeding events. In real-world studies, methodological variations and biases are amplified, making cross-study comparisons and meta-analyses problematic. Because of these methodological differences, meta-analyses of phase III studies need to be robust, and if outcomes of the reference (warfarin-treated) arms differ significantly, the basis of the meta-analysis is not strong. These key issues need to be taken into consideration for direct comparisons across studies, and for the interpretation of meta-analytic data.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalEuropace
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Apixaban
  • Dabigatran
  • Edoxaban
  • Meta-analysis
  • Network meta-analysis
  • Rivaroxaban

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)

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