Ximelagatran is effective alternative to warfarin
A new oral anti-clotting drug, ximelagatran (Exanta), is an effective alternative to warfarin for preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, researchers say.
A fixed dose of ximelagatran (36mg twice a day) was compared with dose-adjusted
warfarin in preventing stroke and systemic embolic events in 3,922
people with atrial fibrillation and at least one additional risk
factor for stroke in a study called SPORTIF V. Patients were treated
for an average of 20 months.
Dr Jonathan Halperin, professor of medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
New York, said: “In high-risk patients, ximelagatran was as effective
as warfarin in preventing events.” Events were recorded in 1.6
per cent of patients on ximelagatran and 1.2 per cent of those on warfarin.
Fewer patients in the ximelagatran group experienced major bleeding (2.4
per cent compared with 3.1 per cent for warfarin). However, one adverse
event of concern in the ximelagatran group was raised liver enzyme levels,
seen in 6 per cent of patients. Dr Halperin commented that this appears
to be a transient effect that occurs between two and six months after
the initiation of treatment and then normalises whether or not treatment
is stopped, but that monitoring liver function might be prudent.
The results were presented at the
American Heart Association conference in Orlando, Florida, in November. |
