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Nairooz R, Sardar P, Pino M, et al. Meta-analysis of risk of stroke and thrombo-embolism with rivaroxaban versus vitamin K antagonists in ablation and cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. Int J Cardiol. 2015;187:345–353.

Study Population: Adults with atrial fibrillation undergoing a catheter ablation or cardioversion who received anticoagulation with rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or vitamin K antagonists (such as warfarin [Coumadin])

Efficacy Endpoints

Prevention of thromboembolism (stroke, transient ischemic attack, systemic embolism, or pulmonary embolism)

Harm Endpoints

Major and minor bleeding complications

Narrative

Atrial fibrillation is a common diagnosis (2.7 to 6.1 million adults in the United States1), which is typically treated with anticoagulation to prevent thromboembolism. In particular, patients undergoing catheter ablation or cardioversion are at an increased risk of complications (thromboembolism and bleeding) caused by the activation of the clotting cascade in addition to the invasive nature of the techniques used.2 The development of new anticoagulants over the past couple of years has raised questions about the optimal choice for treatment. Evaluating these new anticoagulants is complicated because the incidence of thromboembolism and bleeding is thought to be near or below 1%, requiring a large collection of data to effectively compare medications.3

A 2015 high-quality meta-analysis used data from 15 studies with a total of 8,872 patients undergoing catheter ablation or cardioversion and receiving rivaroxaban or a vitamin K antagonist. There were significantly fewer overall thromboembolic events (number needed to treat [NNT] = 629) and strokes (NNT = 433) in those receiving rivaroxaban compared with those receiving a vitamin K antagonist. Major and minor bleeding complications were noted to be statistically equivalent, occurring in 115 (4%) of those receiving rivaroxaban vs. 207 (4.9%) of those receiving a vitamin K antagonist (odds ratio = 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.66 to 1.08).3

Caveats

Despite a statistically significant advantage of rivaroxaban over vitamin K antagonists in the prevention of thromboembolism, further discussion is required to address the clinical significance of this finding given the relatively large NNT. With the incidence of major and minor bleeding complications being similar between the therapies, the concern for a higher complication rate with rivaroxaban because of a lack of a proven reversible agent is negligible. Cost is also a key factor when comparing these medications and was addressed in a recent study comparing rivaroxaban and vitamin K antagonistis for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The study found that the higher cost of rivaroxaban is offset by the increased cost of initial hospitalization and long-term use of a vitamin K antagonist.4 Other considerations include diet restrictions, increased dosing complications, and the number of clinical visits for patients receiving a vitamin K antagonist. Considering these factors, rivaroxaban appears to be a reasonable alternative, despite a marginal NNT of 433 to prevent one stroke.

Although this study addressed the key adverse effects of major and minor bleeding disorders, it did not separate or clarify severity of the event, and in particular did not address death rate secondary to these complications.

The original manuscript was published in Medicine by the Numbers, American Family Physician as part of the partnership between TheNNT.com and AFP.

Author

Matthew Kendall Hawks, MD, and Carl Bryce, MD

Published/Updated

October 1, 2016