Compares two blood thinners, apixaban and rivaroxaban, in veterans with atrial fibrillation
Compares two blood thinners in veterans with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Apixaban and Rivaroxaban
Key facts
- Where
- Boston, Cleveland, Miami, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Portland, Salt Lake City, and West Los Angeles, United StatesSee the 9 sites
- Phase
- Phase 4
Where in United States
- Boston VA CSP Coordinating CenterBoston, United StatesTaking people
- VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus, Jamaica Plain, MABoston, United StatesNot yet recruiting
- Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OHCleveland, United StatesNo longer taking part
- Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FLMiami, United StatesTaking people
- MinneapolisMinneapolis, United StatesTaking people
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, United StatesNo longer taking part
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, ORPortland, United StatesTaking people
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UTSalt Lake City, United StatesTaking people
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CAWest Los Angeles, United StatesNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- VA Office of Research and Development
- Trial code
- NCT06953726
- Record updated
- 23 September 2026
- Original description
* The trial will compare two anticoagulants ("blood thinners") that are currently used in the VA and are considered standard care to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation. The two most commonly-used anticoagulants will be compared: apixaban (Eliquis) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto). They are considered by many doctors to have similar benefits and risks, but no one knows for sure. * The trial only enrolls patients with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation ("A Fib") or atrial flutter. Most participants will be age 65 or older, and should already be taking apixaban or rivaroxaban. * The investigators will measure, in about 10,000 VA patients nationally, whether the rates of stroke, major bleeding, or death differ between these two drugs. * The trial will last about 7 years, but after the first prescription, all information will be collected from electronic medical records.Read full original descriptionShow less
CSP #2037T - Veterans Affairs Learning Health System Initiative to Assess Novel Screening vs. Usual Care and Treatment With Apixaban vs. Rivaroxaban in Veterans With Atrial Fibrillation (VALIANT-AF-T) Trial
* The trial will compare two anticoagulants ("blood thinners") that are currently used in the VA and are considered standard care to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation. The two most commonly-used anticoagulants will be compared: apixaban (Eliquis) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto). They are considered by many doctors to have similar benefits and risks, but no one knows for sure. * The trial only enrolls patients with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation ("A Fib") or atrial flutter. Most participants will be age 65 or older, and should already be taking apixaban or rivaroxaban. * The investigators will measure, in about 10,000 VA patients nationally, whether the rates of stroke, major bleeding, or death differ between these two drugs. * The trial will last about 7 years, but after the first prescription, all information will be collected from electronic medical records.
Inclusion: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:; Male or female Veteran; Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) and currently taking either apixaban or rivaroxaban; CHA2DS2-Vasc of 3 or more; Ability to take oral medication and self-reported willingness to adhere to the prespecified apixaban or rivaroxaban regimen.
Exclusion: An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study; notably use of antiplatelet agents or prior OAC use will not be an exclusion criterion:; Current use of oral or injectable anticoagulation, without ability to switch to the assigned study medication; Known bleeding diathesis; Known allergic reactions or intolerance to apixaban or rivaroxaban; Known mechanical heart valve; Known history of left atrial occlusion, excision, or ligation; Cardiac or thoracic surgery in the past 3 months; Most recent estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is < 30 mL/minute/1.73m2. An eGFR result must have been obtained within 18 months before randomization; Another indication for anticoagulation, such as pulmonary embolism; Contraindication to oral anticoagulation; Documented current pregnancy or lactation in the EHR or self-reported current pregnancy or lactation; Known moderate-severe mitral stenosis; Current or planned use of systemic ritonavir, itraconazole, or ketoconazole (topical use of ketoconazole only is allowed).