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Warfarin Versus Aspirin in Reduced Cardiac Ejection Fraction (WARCEF) Trial
This study is currently recruiting participants.
Verified by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), September 2008
Sponsors and Collaborators: Columbia University
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Information provided by: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00041938
  Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine which of two treatments, Warfarin or aspirin, is better for preventing death and stroke in patients with poor heart function.


Condition Intervention Phase
Heart Disease
Stroke
Ischemic Heart Disease
Myocardial Infarction
Drug: aspirin
Drug: Warfarin
Phase III

Genetics Home Reference related topics: familial atrial fibrillation
MedlinePlus related topics: Blood Thinners Heart Attack Heart Diseases
Drug Information available for: Warfarin Warfarin potassium Warfarin sodium Acetylsalicylic acid
U.S. FDA Resources
Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Prevention, Randomized, Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Parallel Assignment
Official Title: Warfarin Versus Aspirin in Reduced Cardiac Ejection Fraction (WARCEF) Trial

Further study details as provided by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS):

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • Comparison of aspirin and warfarin to determine if either is superior for preventing the combined endpoint of all-cause mortality and stroke in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <35%. [ Time Frame: 1 to 6 years ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]

Estimated Enrollment: 3201
Study Start Date: October 2002
Estimated Study Completion Date: February 2012
Estimated Primary Completion Date: February 2012 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Arms Assigned Interventions
1: Active Comparator
aspirin
Drug: aspirin
325 mg per day
2: Active Comparator
warfarin
Drug: Warfarin
INR 2.5-3.0; target INR 2.75

Detailed Description:

Warfarin has proven effective in patients with ischemic heart disease, especially in the reduction of stroke, death and re-infarction following myocardial infarction, and in the reduction of stroke in atrial fibrillation. Warfarin is the most promising unstudied intervention in patients with cardiac failure. This randomized, double-blind, multi-center study will define optimal antithrombotic therapy for patients with cardiac (heart) failure and patients with low ejection fraction (EF). EF is the proportion of left ventricular volume emptied during systole. It reliably measures left ventricular systolic function.

With the rapidly increasing numbers of elderly patients with heart failure, this study has important public health implications. The study will determine which of two commonly used treatments Warfarin, an anticoagulant, or aspirin, a drug which affects platelet function is better for preventing death and stroke in patients with low ejection fraction.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years and older
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Cardiac EF <=35% by radionuclide ventriculography, left ventriculography or quantitive echocardiographic measurement or an echocardiographic Wall Motion Index of <=1.2, within three months of enrollment. The patient's clinical cardiac state at enrollment should be similar to their state at the time of the qualifying echocardiogram. The qualifying left ventricular function measurement must be obtained at least three months after an MI, coronary bypass grafting, PTCA, and at least one month after pacemaker insertion. Patients scheduled for mitral valve repair should have qualifying echo after surgery.
  • Modified Rankin score <=4.
  • Patient must be taking ACE inhibitors. If intolerant of ACE inhibitor, patient must be on angiotensin II receptor blockers or hydralazine and nitrates.
  • Patient is able to follow an outpatient protocol (requiring monthly blood tests and clinic visits every four months for the duration of the study) and is available by telephone.
  • Patient understands the purpose and requirements of the study, can make him/herself understood, and has provided informed consent.
  • Patients with recent stroke or TIA within twelve (12) months will be eligible to be included in the recent stroke (RS) subgroup.
  • Chronic CHF patients (NYHA I * IV) admitted to the hospital can be randomized prior to discharge if the patient is stable, taking oral medications for 24 hours and ambulatory at the time of discharge. Stable New York Heart Association Class IV patients will be eligible for randomization.

Exclusion Criteria

  • The presence of any of the following unequivocal cardiac sources of embolism: chronic or paroxysmal AF, mechanical valve, endocarditis, intracardiac mobile or pedunculated thrombus, and valvular vegetation.
  • Cyanotic congenital heart disease, Eisenmenger's syndrome.
  • Decompensated heart failure.
  • Cardiac surgery, angioplasty, or MI within the past 3 months prior to randomization.
  • A contraindication to the use of either warfarin or aspirin, e.g. active peptic ulcer disease, active bleeding diathesis, platelets <100,000*, hematocrit <30, INR >1.3 (if not on warfarin), clotting factor abnormality that increases the risk of bleeding, alcohol or substance abuse, severe gait instability, cerebral hemorrhage, systemic hemorrhage within the past year, severe liver impairment (AST >3x normal*, cirrhosis), any condition requiring regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, allergy to aspirin or warfarin, uncontrolled severe hypertension (systolic pressure >180 mm Hg or diastolic pressure > 110 mm Hg), positive stool guaiac not attributable to hemorrhoids, creatinine >3.0*. *on most recent test done within 30 days prior to randomization
  • Patient needs continuing therapy with intravenous heparin or low molecular weight heparin or a specific antiplatelet agent.
  • Dementia or psychiatric or physical problem that prevents the patient from following an outpatient program reliably.
  • Comorbid conditions that may limit survival to less than five years.
  • Pregnancy, or female of childbearing potential who is not sterilized or is not using a medically accepted form of contraception* (see procedure manual). *A pregnancy test is required for all women of childbearing age.
  • Enrollment in another study that would conflict with WARCEF.
  • Hospitalization for new diagnosis of onset CHF within the past one month or carotid endarterectomy or pacemaker insertion within the past one month prior to randomization .
  • Person under 18 years of age.
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00041938

Contacts
Contact: Vilma Mejia (212) 342-6058

  Show 72 Study Locations
Sponsors and Collaborators
Columbia University
Investigators
Principal Investigator: Shunichi Homma, M.D. Principal Cardiologist, Associate Chief, Division of Cardiology, and Director, Echocardiography Laboratories Professor of Medicine
Principal Investigator: Seamus Thompson, PhD Statistical PI: Clinical Professor of Biostatistics and Neurology
  More Information

Responsible Party: Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons ( Shunichi Homma, MD )
Study ID Numbers: U01NS43975-01, U01NS39143-01, R01NS39154, CRC
Study First Received: July 19, 2002
Last Updated: September 23, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00041938  
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS):
heart disease
stroke
ischemic heart disease
myocardial infarction
atrial fibrillation
low ejection fraction
cardiac failure
aspirin
Warfarin
anticoagulant

Study placed in the following topic categories:
Heart Failure
Heart Diseases
Cerebral Infarction
Myocardial Ischemia
Stroke
Vascular Diseases
Central Nervous System Diseases
Warfarin
Ischemia
Brain Diseases
Cerebrovascular Disorders
Necrosis
Aspirin
Atrial Fibrillation
Infarction
Myocardial Infarction

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Anticoagulants
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
Hematologic Agents
Nervous System Diseases
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Enzyme Inhibitors
Fibrinolytic Agents
Cardiovascular Agents
Pharmacologic Actions
Fibrin Modulating Agents
Pathologic Processes
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
Sensory System Agents
Therapeutic Uses
Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
Cardiovascular Diseases
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
Analgesics
Peripheral Nervous System Agents
Antirheumatic Agents
Central Nervous System Agents

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 16, 2009