Apixaban (tradename: Eliquis) is a novel anticoagulant for the prevention of stroke and other thromboembolic events that is awaiting FDA approval.

FORBES: Why Is Pharma Out-Licensing Its Compounds?

The question is whether one can find a dose that prevents thromboembolic strokes with the new generation anticoagulants at an acceptable level of bleeding.

FORBES: Pradaxa To Be Contraindicated In Patients With Mechanical Heart Valves

Especially in these patients, the tradeoff between thromboembolic complications due to the valve implant and bleeding events as adverse effects from anticoagulation therapy must be balanced.

FORBES: Longer Warfarin Therapy After Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement May Be Beneficial

Overall, 361 patients (8.9 percent) experienced a stroke, 615 (15.1 percent) had a thromboembolic event, and 364 (8.9 percent) encountered a bleeding incident after the date of surgery.

FORBES: Longer Warfarin Therapy After Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement May Be Beneficial

The researchers determined the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of strokes, thromboembolic events, cardiovascular deaths, and bleeding incidents by discontinuing warfarin as opposed to continued treatment at 30 to 89 days, 90 to 179 days, 180 to 364 days, 365 to 729 days, and at least 730 days after surgery.

FORBES: Longer Warfarin Therapy After Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement May Be Beneficial

The PC T rial (Clinical Trial Comparing Percutaneous Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale Using the Amplatzer PFO Occluder with Medical Treatment in Patients with Cryptogenic Embolism) randomized 414 patients with PFO who had had an ischemic stroke, TIA, or a peripheral thromboembolic event to either medical therapy or PFO closure with the Amplatzer PFO Occluder.

FORBES: Controversial PFO Closure Trials Published In NEJM