Atrial FibrillationPhase 4ARTESiANCT01938248
Apixaban for the Reduction of Thrombo-Embolism in Patients With Device-Detected Sub-Clinical Atrial Fibrillation
A Phase 4 study testing Apixaban and aspirin in people with Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke, run by Population Health Research Institute at 130 sites in 13 countries.
Trial summary
This study aims to determine if treatment with apixaban, compared with aspirin, will reduce the risk of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism in patients with device-detected sub-clinical atrial fibrillation and additional risk factors for stroke. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 55 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke
- What is being tested?
- Apixaban and aspirin
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 4,012 participants
- Where
- 130 sitesin 13 countries
- Study dates
- May 2015to 3 Nov 2023
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 55 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Permanent pacemaker or defibrillator (with or without resynchronization) or insertable cardiac monitor capable of detecting SCAF
- At least one episode of SCAF ≥ 6 minutes in duration but no single episode > 24 hours in duration at any time prior to enrollment. Any atrial high rate episode with average > 175 beats/min will be considered as SCAF. No distinction will be made between atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. SCAF requires electrogram confirmation (at least one episode) unless ≥ 6 hours in duration.
- Age ≥ 55 years
- Risk Factor(s) for Stroke:
- Previous stroke, TIA or systemic arterial embolism OR Age at least 75 OR Age 65-74 with at least 2 other risk factors OR Age 55-64 with at least 3 other risk factors
- Other risk factors are:
Show all 11Show fewer
- hypertension
- CHF
- diabetes
- vascular disease (i.e. CAD, PAD or Aortic Plaque)
- female
Who cannot join
- Clinical atrial fibrillation documented by surface ECG (12 lead ECG, Telemetry, Holter) lasting ≥ 6 minutes, with or without clinical symptoms
- Mechanical valve prosthesis, deep vein thrombosis, recent pulmonary embolism or other condition requiring treatment with an anticoagulant
- Contra-indication to apixaban or aspirin:
- Allergy to aspirin or apixaban
- Severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance must be calculated in all patients; any patient with either a serum creatinine > 2.5 mg/dL [221 µmol/L] or a calculated creatinine clearance < 25 ml/min is excluded)
- Serious bleeding in the last 6 months or at high risk of bleeding (this includes, but is not limited to: prior intracranial hemorrhage, active peptic ulcer disease, platelet count < 50,000/mm3 or hemoglobin < 10 g/dL, recent stroke within past 10 days, documented hemorrhagic tendencies or blood dyscrasias)
Show all 16Show fewer
- Moderate to severe hepatic impairment
- Ongoing need for combination therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel (or other combination of two platelet inhibitors)
- Meets criteria for requiring lower dose of apixaban AND also has ongoing need for strong inhibitors of CYP 3A4 or P-glycoprotein (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir or clarithromycin)
- Ongoing need for strong dual inducers of CYP 3A4 or P-glycoprotein (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John's wort)
- Received an investigational drug in the past 30 days
- Participants considered by the investigator to be unsuitable for the study for any of the following reasons:
- Not agreeable for treatment with either aspirin or apixaban or anticipated to have poor compliance on study drug treatment
- Unwilling to attend study follow-up visits
- Life expectancy less than the expected duration of the trial2 years due to concomitant disease
- Women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or of child-bearing potential without an acceptable form of contraception in place (sterilization, hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine device, barrier methods or abstinence)
Trial locations and contacts
130 sites in 13 countries.
130 sites in 13 countries
Canada24 sites
University of Calgary Foothills Hospital
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 2T9
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, T5H 3V9
University of Alberta Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7
Grey Nuns Hospital
Edmonton, Alberta, T6L 5X8
Health Sciences North
Greater Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 5J1
Capital District Health Authority
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Hamilton General Hospital
Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 2X2
St. Mary's General Hospital
Kitchener, Ontario, N2M 1B2
Institute Universitaire de Cardiologie and de Pneumonologie
Laval, Quebec
London Health Sciences Centre
London, Ontario
McGill University Health Centre
Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4
CHUM - Hotel Dieu
Montreal, Quebec
Hopital Sacre-Coeur de Montreal
Montreal, Quebec
Montreal Heart Institute
Montreal, Quebec
Southlake Regional Health Centre
Newmarket, Ontario
Oakville Cardiologists
Oakville, Ontario
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Ottawa, Ontario
CHUS - Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke, Quebec
St. Michael's Hospital
Toronto, Ontario
Sunnybrook Hospital
Toronto, Ontario
Ciusss McQ
Trois-Rivières, Quebec, G8Z 3R9
Heart Rhythm Research Office - St. Paul's Hospital
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 1M7
Victoria Cardiac Arrhythmia Trials, Inc.
Victoria, British Columbia, V8T 1Z4
St. Boniface Hospital
Winnepeg, Manitoba, R2H 2A6
United States23 sites
St. Peter's Health Partners Medical Association, PC
Albany, New York, 12205
Aurora Denver Cardiology Associates
Aurora, Colorado, 80012
Tufts Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02111
The Cooper Health System
Camden, New Jersey, 08103
Carolinas Healthcare System
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28203
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195
University of Missouri Health System
Columbia, Missouri, 65212
Virginia Heart
Falls Church, Virginia, 22042
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601
Pennsylvania State University
Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033
Glacier View Cardiology
Kalispell, Montana, 59901
Research Institute of LG Health / Penn Medicine
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 17602
Sparrow Clinical Research Institute
Lansing, Michigan, 48912
Cardiovascular Associates of Marin and San Francisco Medical
Larkspur, California, 94939
St. Vincent Heart Clinic
Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205
Cardiovascular Associates of Mesa, PC
Mesa, Arizona, 85206
Naples Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology
Naples, Florida, 34102
One Health Cardiology, Owensboro Health, Inc.
Owensboro, Kentucky, 42304
Langhorne Cardiology Consultants, Inc.
Pensacola, Florida, 32501
WakeMed
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27610
The Valley Hospital
Ridgewood, New Jersey, 07450
St. Louis Heart and Vascular
St Louis, Missouri, 63136
Michigan Heart
Ypsilanti, Michigan, 48197
Netherlands15 sites
BovenIJ Ziekenhuis
Amsterdam, 1034 CS
Hospital Rijnstate
Arnhem, 6815 AD
Amphia Hospital Breda
Breda, North Brabant, 4818 CK
Deventer Hospital, Cardiology Research
Deventer, 7416 SE
Hospital Gelderse Vallei
Ede, 6721 JT
Treant Hospital Department Cardiology
Emmen, 7824 AA
Admiraal de Ruyter Ziekenhuis
Goes, 4462 RA
Ziekenhuis Tjongerschans
Heerenveen, Provincie Friesland, 8441 PW
Atrium Orbis Heerlen
Heerlen, Limburg, 6419 PC
Treant Hospital - Bethseda, Hoogeveen
Hoogeveen, 7909 AA
Bravis Ziekenhuis, locatie Roosendaal
Roosendaal, 4708 AE
Ikazia Ziekenhuis
Rotterdam, South Holland, 3083 AN
(ETZ) Elisabeth Tweesteden Hospital
Tilburg, 5022 GC
Máxima Medisch Centrum
Veldhoven, 5504 DB
Gelre Ziekenhuis
Zutphen, Gelderland, 7207 AE
Spain13 sites
Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruna
A Coruña, 15006
Hospital General Universitario de Alicante
Alicante, 03010
Hospital Del Mar
Barcelona, 8003
Hospital Juan Ramon Jimenez
Huelva, 21005
Rafael Mendez Universitary Hospital
Lorca, Murcia, 30800
Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Unidad De Arritmias
Madrid, 28040
Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz
Madrid, 28040
Hospital Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda
Majadahonda, 28222
Agencia Sanitaria Costa del Sol- Hospital Costa del Sol
Marbella, 29603
Clinica Universidad de Navarra
Pamplona, 31008
Hospital Clinico Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Composte, A Coruna, 15706
Hospital Clinico Universitario de Valencia
Valencia, 46010
Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid
Valladolid, 47003
Belgium10 sites
Onze Lieve Vrouw Ziekenhuis
Aalst, 9300
Vivalia CSL St. Joseph
Arlon, 6700
Clinique Saint Jean-Brussels
Brussels, 1000
Grand Hopital de Charleroi
Gilly, 6060
AZ Groeninge
Kortrijk, 8500
University Hospitals Leuven
Leuven, 3000
CHC Saint Joseph
Liège, 4000
CHR de la Citadelle
Liège, 4000
AZ Delta
Roeselare, 8800
CHU Dinant-Godinne
Yvoir, 5530
Italy10 sites
AOU Ospedali Riuniti
Ancona, 60126
Ospedale Maggiore, Cardiologia Dept.
Bologna, 40133
S.Orsola-Malpighi
Bologna, 40138
Bolzano Regional Hospital, Dept of Cardiology
Bolzano, 39100
Azienda Ospedaliero-Univeritaria Di Modena-Policlinico
Modena, 41124
Hospital Santa Maria Della Pieta
Nola, Napoli, 80035
Ospedale G.B. Grassi
Rome, 00122
Ospedale Sant'Anna
San Fermo Della Batt, Como, 22020
University and Hospital of Trieste
Trieste, 34129
Cardiologia-A.O. Desio e Vimercate - Presisio di Vimercat
Vimercate, Monza Brianza MB, 20871
United Kingdom9 sites
Hampshire Hospitals (NHS Foundation Trust)
Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 9NA
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Blackpool, FY3 8NR
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Dorchester, Dorset, DT12JY
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Glasgow, G51 4TF
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital
Liverpool, L14 3PE
Freeman Hospital
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Paisley, Renfrewshire, PA29PN
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 3LY
Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS
Shropshire, West Midlands, TF1 6TF
Germany8 sites
MVZ am Kuchwald GmbH
Chemnitz, Saxony, 09113
Zentrum fur klinische Prufungen in der Facharztzentrum Dresd
Dresden, Saxony, 01099
Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, 60590
University Medicine Gottingen
Göttingen, 37075
Asklepios Klinik Barmbek
Hamburg, 22291
Universitatsklinikum des Saarlandes
Homburg/Saar, Saarland, 66421
Katholisches Klinikum Mainz
Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, 55131
Universitaetsklinikum Tuebingen, Kardiologie
Tübingen, 72076
Denmark7 sites
Sygehus Sonderjylland
Aabenraa, 6200
Aalborg University Hospital, Dept of Cardiology
Aalborg, 9000
Aarhus Unniversity Hospital, Skejby
Aarhus, DK-8200
Gentofte Hospital
Hellerup, 2900
Hilleroed Hospital
Hilleroed, North Zealand, 3400
Odense University Hospital
Odense, 5000
Hjertemedicinsk Forskning, RH Viborg, HEM
Viborg, 8800
Switzerland5 sites
University Hospital Basel
Basel, Canton of Basel-City, 4031
Hopital Fribourgeois, site de Fribourg
Fribourg, 1708
University Hospital of Geneva
Geneva, 1211
CHUV
Lausanne, Canton of Vaud, 1011
Kantonsspital St Gallen
Sankt Gallen, Canton of St. Gallen, 9007
Hungary3 sites
Allami Szivkorhaz Balatonfured
Balatonfüred, Veszprém megye, 8230
Magyar Honvedseg Egeszsegugyi Kozpont
Budapest, 1134
Semmelweis University
Budapest, H-1122
Norway2 sites
Barum Hospital, Vestre Viken
Drammen, Buskerud, 3004
Oslo University Hospital - Ulleval
Oslo, 0450
Czechia1 site
IKEM Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine
Prague, 14021
About this study
This study aims to determine if treatment with apixaban, compared with aspirin, will reduce the risk of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism in patients with device-detected sub-clinical atrial fibrillation and additional risk factors for stroke.
Read the detailed description
Device-detected sub-clinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF) is a new disorder that has been recognized since the availability of implantable devices capable of long term continuous heart rhythm monitoring. It is characterized by one or more runs of rapid atrial arrhythmia detected by the device without symptoms and without any clinical atrial fibrillation (AF) detected by the usual methods, (i.e. electrocardiogram, Holter monitor, etc.). In the ASSERT trial, SCAF was detected by a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in nearly 40% of patients during 2 and a half years of follow up. The presence of SCAF increased stroke risk by 2.5-fold (1). The risk of stroke or systemic embolism among patients with SCAF and a CHADS2 score ≥ 4 was 2.75% per year. Oral anticoagulation is effective and safe for stroke prevention in patients with clinical atrial fibrillation, but it is unknown if the same risk benefit ratio exists for anticoagulation therapy in patients with SCAF (2;3). SCAF differs from clinical AF in being of shorter duration, being asymptomatic, and often have a more regular rhythm in the right atrium where it is typically detected. Data ASSERT suggest that the increase in stroke risk with SCAF may be less than the increase with clinical AF. Therefore opinion leaders have written that the role of oral anticoagulation for the treatment of SCAF is uncertain and that randomized trials of anticoagulation are needed (4;5). Recent surveys of pacemaker clinic practice indicate that only 25% of patients with SCAF are treated with oral anticoagulation (6;7). Thus there is clinical equipoise for a trial of oral anticoagulation compared to aspirin in higher risk patients with SCAF.
Apixaban is a Factor Xa inhibitor that is an effective and safe anticoagulant. It has been shown to have an excellent risk benefit profile for stroke prevention in clinical AF (14, 15). It is highly suitable to test if oral anticoagulation therapy will reduce the risk of stroke or systemic embolism in SCAF.
Patients will be randomized double-blind to receive apixaban or aspirin. Apixaban dose will be 5 mg twice daily (2.5 mg twice daily if 2 or more of: age > 80, weight ≤ 60 kg or serum creatinine ≥ 133 mmol/L). Those assigned to aspirin will receive a dose of 81 mg daily. The study will be event driven and will continue until 248 patients have experienced a primary outcome event.
- Conditions
- Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke
- Keywords
- Pacemaker, Artificial, Defibrillators, Implantable, Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke Risk
- Medical subject headings
- Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ApixabanDrug
Also called Eliquis
apixaban at a dose of 5 mg twice daily (2.5 mg twice daily if 2 or more of: age > 80, weight ≤ 60 kg or serum creatinine ≥ 133 mmol/L)
aspirinDrug
Also called ASA, acetylsalicylic acid
aspirin 81 mg once daily
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Active comparator | Aspirin 81 mg once daily Receives: Drug: aspirin |
| Intervention | Experimental | Apixaban, 5 mg twice daily (or 2.5 mg twice daily if 2 or more of: age > 80, weight ≤ 60 kg or serum creatinine ≥ 133 mmol/L) Receives: Drug: Apixaban |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Composite of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism
Definition of stroke:
- Rapid onset* of a focal/global neurological deficit
- Duration of a focal/global neurological deficit ≥ 24 hours OR the neurological deficit results in death OR the neurological deficit is supported by clear evidence of cerebral infarction on diffusion-weighted MRI imaging.
- No other readily identifiable non-stroke cause for the clinical presentation
- Confirmation of the diagnosis by specialist evaluation or brain imaging procedure
Definition of Systemic Embolism:
Clinical signs and symptoms consistent with embolic arterial occlusion plus at least one of the following objective findings of arterial embolism:
- Surgical report indicating evidence of arterial embolism
- Pathological specimens related to embolism removal
- Imaging evidence consistent with arterial embolism
- Autopsy reports
Measured: event driven, duration of follow-up - mean follow-up time anticipated: 3 years
Major Bleed
The main safety outcome will be the occurrence of clinically overt major bleeding as defined by the ISTH criteria:
- Fatal bleeding, and/or
- Symptomatic bleeding in a critical area or organ, such as intracranial, intraspinal, intraocular, retroperitoneal, intra-articular or pericardial, or intramuscular with compartment syndrome, and/or
- Bleeding causing a fall in hemoglobin level of 2 g/dL or more, or leading to transfusion of two or more units of whole blood or red cells.
Measured: duration of follow-up
Secondary outcomes (6)
Ischemic Stroke
Measured: Duration of Follow-up
Myocardial Infarction
MI definition:
- Typical rise and gradual fall (troponin) or more rapid rise and fall (CKMB) of biochemical markers of myocardial necrosis with at least one of: a) ischemic symptoms; b) development of pathological Q-waves on the ECG; c) ECG changes indicative of ischemia; d) Coronary artery intervention OR
- Pathological findings of an acute myocardial infarction
Measured: Duration of follow-up
Cardiovascular Death
Measured: Duration of follow-up
All-cause Death
Measured: Duration of follow-up
Composite of stroke, MI, SE and death
Composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, systemic embolism and all-cause death
Measured: Duration of follow-up
Composite of stroke, MI, SE, death and major bleeding
Composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, systemic embolism, all-cause death and major bleeding
Measured: Duration of follow-up
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Sep 2013 (estimated)
- Study startMay 2015
- Primary completion27 Oct 2023
- Study completion3 Nov 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Atrial FibrillationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 4,012 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Population Health Research Institute
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Medtronic, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jeff Healey, Population Health Research Institute
- Investigators
- Jeff Healey, M.D., Principal investigator, Population Health Research InstituteStuart Connolly, M.D., Study chair, Population Health Research InstituteMarco Alings, M.D., Principal investigator, Working Group Cardiovascular Research NetherlandsRenato Lopes, M.D., Principal investigator, Duke Clinical Research Institute
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01938248
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ARTESiA
- Other IDs
- 2014-001397-33, 2014
- Acronym
- ARTESiA
- Status last verified
- Nov 2023
- First submitted
- 4 Sep 2013
- Last updated
- 15 Nov 2023
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
Siegal DM, Sticherling C, Healey JS, McIntyre WF, Christensen LS, Parkash R, Vanassche T, Conen D, Gold M, Granger CB, Nielsen JC, Carrier M, Wojdyla DM, Erath JW, Rivard L, Kutyifa V, Wright DJ, Lopes RD. Major Bleeding With Apixaban vs Aspirin: A Subanalysis of the ARTESiA Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol. 2025 Dec 1;10(12):1305-1314. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2025.4151.
PubMed 41222953Shoamanesh A, Field TS, Coutts SB, Sharma M, Gladstone D, Hart RG, Boriani G, Wright DJ, Sticherling C, Birnie DH, Gold MR, Erath JW, Kutyifa V, Mian R, Benz AP, Granger CB, McIntyre WF, Connolly SJ, Nielsen JC, Alings M, Rivard L, Lopes RD, Healey JS; ARTESiA study investigators. Apixaban versus aspirin for stroke prevention in people with subclinical atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack: subgroup analysis of the ARTESiA randomised controlled trial. Lancet Neurol. 2025 Feb;24(2):140-151. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(24)00475-7.
PubMed 39862882McIntyre WF, Benz AP, Healey JS, Connolly SJ, Yang M, Lee SF, Field TS, Alings M, Benezet-Mazuecos J, Boriani G, Nielsen JC, Gold MR, Pergolini F, Glotzer TV, Granger CB, Lopes RD. Risk of Stroke or Systemic Embolism According to Baseline Frequency and Duration of Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation: Insights From the ARTESiA Trial. Circulation. 2024 Nov 26;150(22):1747-1755. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.069903. Epub 2024 Sep 4.
PubMed 39229707Lopes RD, Granger CB, Wojdyla DM, McIntyre WF, Alings M, Mani T, Ramasundarahettige C, Rivard L, Atar D, Birnie DH, Boriani G, Amit G, Leong-Sit P, Rinne C, Duray GZ, Gold MR, Hohnloser SH, Kutyifa V, Benezet-Mazuecos J, Cosedis Nielsen J, Sticherling C, Benz AP, Linde C, Kautzner J, Mabo P, Mairesse GH, Connolly SJ, Healey JS. Apixaban vs Aspirin According to CHA2DS2-VASc Score in Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation: Insights From ARTESiA. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024 Jul 23;84(4):354-364. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.05.002. Epub 2024 May 19.
PubMed 39019530Healey JS, Lopes RD, Granger CB, Alings M, Rivard L, McIntyre WF, Atar D, Birnie DH, Boriani G, Camm AJ, Conen D, Erath JW, Gold MR, Hohnloser SH, Ip J, Kautzner J, Kutyifa V, Linde C, Mabo P, Mairesse G, Benezet Mazuecos J, Cosedis Nielsen J, Philippon F, Proietti M, Sticherling C, Wong JA, Wright DJ, Zarraga IG, Coutts SB, Kaplan A, Pombo M, Ayala-Paredes F, Xu L, Simek K, Nevills S, Mian R, Connolly SJ; ARTESIA Investigators. Apixaban for Stroke Prevention in Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2024 Jan 11;390(2):107-117. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2310234. Epub 2023 Nov 12.
PubMed 37952132
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Nov 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Apixaban for the Reduction of Thrombo-Embolism in Patients With Device-Detected Sub-Clinical Atrial Fibrillation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01938248
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ARTESiA / ARTESiA
- Conditions
- Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke
- Keywords
- Pacemaker, Artificial, Defibrillators, Implantable, Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke Risk
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 4,012 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Population Health Research InstituteUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Medtronic, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
- Study start
- May 2015 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 27 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 3 Nov 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Sep 2013 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to determine if treatment with apixaban, compared with aspirin, will reduce the risk of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism in patients with device-detected sub-clinical atrial fibrillation and additional risk factors for stroke.
Detailed description
Device-detected sub-clinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF) is a new disorder that has been recognized since the availability of implantable devices capable of long term continuous heart rhythm monitoring. It is characterized by one or more runs of rapid atrial arrhythmia detected by the device without symptoms and without any clinical atrial fibrillation (AF) detected by the usual methods, (i.e. electrocardiogram, Holter monitor, etc.). In the ASSERT trial, SCAF was detected by a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in nearly 40% of patients during 2 and a half years of follow up. The presence of SCAF increased stroke risk by 2.5-fold (1). The risk of stroke or systemic embolism among patients with SCAF and a CHADS2 score ≥ 4 was 2.75% per year. Oral anticoagulation is effective and safe for stroke prevention in patients with clinical atrial fibrillation, but it is unknown if the same risk benefit ratio exists for anticoagulation therapy in patients with SCAF (2;3). SCAF differs from clinical AF in being of shorter duration, being asymptomatic, and often have a more regular rhythm in the right atrium where it is typically detected. Data ASSERT suggest that the increase in stroke risk with SCAF may be less than the increase with clinical AF. Therefore opinion leaders have written that the role of oral anticoagulation for the treatment of SCAF is uncertain and that randomized trials of anticoagulation are needed (4;5). Recent surveys of pacemaker clinic practice indicate that only 25% of patients with SCAF are treated with oral anticoagulation (6;7). Thus there is clinical equipoise for a trial of oral anticoagulation compared to aspirin in higher risk patients with SCAF.
Apixaban is a Factor Xa inhibitor that is an effective and safe anticoagulant. It has been shown to have an excellent risk benefit profile for stroke prevention in clinical AF (14, 15). It is highly suitable to test if oral anticoagulation therapy will reduce the risk of stroke or systemic embolism in SCAF.
Patients will be randomized double-blind to receive apixaban or aspirin. Apixaban dose will be 5 mg twice daily (2.5 mg twice daily if 2 or more of: age > 80, weight ≤ 60 kg or serum creatinine ≥ 133 mmol/L). Those assigned to aspirin will receive a dose of 81 mg daily. The study will be event driven and will continue until 248 patients have experienced a primary outcome event.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Active comparator | Drug: aspirinAspirin 81 mg once daily |
| Intervention | Experimental | Drug: ApixabanApixaban, 5 mg twice daily (or 2.5 mg twice daily if 2 or more of: age > 80, weight ≤ 60 kg or serum creatinine ≥ 133 mmol/L) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 55 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Permanent pacemaker or defibrillator (with or without resynchronization) or insertable cardiac monitor capable of detecting SCAF
- At least one episode of SCAF ≥ 6 minutes in duration but no single episode > 24 hours in duration at any time prior to enrollment. Any atrial high rate episode with average > 175 beats/min will be considered as SCAF. No distinction will be made between atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. SCAF requires electrogram confirmation (at least one episode) unless ≥ 6 hours in duration.
- Age ≥ 55 years
- Risk Factor(s) for Stroke:
- Previous stroke, TIA or systemic arterial embolism OR Age at least 75 OR Age 65-74 with at least 2 other risk factors OR Age 55-64 with at least 3 other risk factors
Key exclusion criteria (16 listed)
- Clinical atrial fibrillation documented by surface ECG (12 lead ECG, Telemetry, Holter) lasting ≥ 6 minutes, with or without clinical symptoms
- Mechanical valve prosthesis, deep vein thrombosis, recent pulmonary embolism or other condition requiring treatment with an anticoagulant
- Contra-indication to apixaban or aspirin:
- Received an investigational drug in the past 30 days
- Participants considered by the investigator to be unsuitable for the study for any of the following reasons:
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| ApixabanAlso: Eliquisapixaban at a dose of 5 mg twice daily (2.5 mg twice daily if 2 or more of: age > 80, weight ≤ 60 kg or serum creatinine ≥ 133 mmol/L) | Drug | Intervention |
| aspirinAlso: ASA, acetylsalicylic acidaspirin 81 mg once daily | Drug | Control |
Primary outcome
Composite of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism
Time frame: event driven, duration of follow-up - mean follow-up time anticipated: 3 years
Definition of stroke: 1. Rapid onset* of a focal/global neurological deficit 2. Duration of a focal/global neurological deficit ≥ 24 hours OR the neurological deficit results in death OR the neurological deficit is supported by clear evidence of cerebral infarction on diffusion-weighted MRI imaging. 3. No other readily identifiable non-stroke cause for the clinical presentation 4. Confirmation of the diagnosis by specialist evaluation or brain imaging procedure Definition of Systemic Embolism: Clinical signs and symptoms consistent with embolic arterial occlusion plus at least one of the following objective findings of arterial embolism: * Surgical report indicating evidence of arterial embolism * Pathological specimens related to embolism removal * Imaging evidence consistent with arterial embolism * Autopsy reports
Major Bleed
Time frame: duration of follow-up
The main safety outcome will be the occurrence of clinically overt major bleeding as defined by the ISTH criteria: 1. Fatal bleeding, and/or 2. Symptomatic bleeding in a critical area or organ, such as intracranial, intraspinal, intraocular, retroperitoneal, intra-articular or pericardial, or intramuscular with compartment syndrome, and/or 3. Bleeding causing a fall in hemoglobin level of 2 g/dL or more, or leading to transfusion of two or more units of whole blood or red cells.
6 secondary outcomes
Ischemic Stroke
Time frame: Duration of Follow-up
Myocardial Infarction
Time frame: Duration of follow-up
Cardiovascular Death
Time frame: Duration of follow-up
All-cause Death
Time frame: Duration of follow-up
Composite of stroke, MI, SE and death
Time frame: Duration of follow-up
Composite of stroke, MI, SE, death and major bleeding
Time frame: Duration of follow-up
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Nov 2023.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41222953Siegal DM, Sticherling C, Healey JS, McIntyre WF, Christensen LS, Parkash R, Vanassche T, Conen D, Gold M, Granger CB, Nielsen JC, Carrier M, Wojdyla DM, Erath JW, Rivard L, Kutyifa V, Wright DJ, Lopes RD. Major Bleeding With Apixaban vs Aspirin: A Subanalysis of the ARTESiA Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol. 2025 Dec 1;10(12):1305-1314. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2025.4151.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39862882Shoamanesh A, Field TS, Coutts SB, Sharma M, Gladstone D, Hart RG, Boriani G, Wright DJ, Sticherling C, Birnie DH, Gold MR, Erath JW, Kutyifa V, Mian R, Benz AP, Granger CB, McIntyre WF, Connolly SJ, Nielsen JC, Alings M, Rivard L, Lopes RD, Healey JS; ARTESiA study investigators. Apixaban versus aspirin for stroke prevention in people with subclinical atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack: subgroup analysis of the ARTESiA randomised controlled trial. Lancet Neurol. 2025 Feb;24(2):140-151. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(24)00475-7.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39229707McIntyre WF, Benz AP, Healey JS, Connolly SJ, Yang M, Lee SF, Field TS, Alings M, Benezet-Mazuecos J, Boriani G, Nielsen JC, Gold MR, Pergolini F, Glotzer TV, Granger CB, Lopes RD. Risk of Stroke or Systemic Embolism According to Baseline Frequency and Duration of Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation: Insights From the ARTESiA Trial. Circulation. 2024 Nov 26;150(22):1747-1755. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.069903. Epub 2024 Sep 4.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39019530Lopes RD, Granger CB, Wojdyla DM, McIntyre WF, Alings M, Mani T, Ramasundarahettige C, Rivard L, Atar D, Birnie DH, Boriani G, Amit G, Leong-Sit P, Rinne C, Duray GZ, Gold MR, Hohnloser SH, Kutyifa V, Benezet-Mazuecos J, Cosedis Nielsen J, Sticherling C, Benz AP, Linde C, Kautzner J, Mabo P, Mairesse GH, Connolly SJ, Healey JS. Apixaban vs Aspirin According to CHA2DS2-VASc Score in Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation: Insights From ARTESiA. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024 Jul 23;84(4):354-364. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.05.002. Epub 2024 May 19.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 37952132Healey JS, Lopes RD, Granger CB, Alings M, Rivard L, McIntyre WF, Atar D, Birnie DH, Boriani G, Camm AJ, Conen D, Erath JW, Gold MR, Hohnloser SH, Ip J, Kautzner J, Kutyifa V, Linde C, Mabo P, Mairesse G, Benezet Mazuecos J, Cosedis Nielsen J, Philippon F, Proietti M, Sticherling C, Wong JA, Wright DJ, Zarraga IG, Coutts SB, Kaplan A, Pombo M, Ayala-Paredes F, Xu L, Simek K, Nevills S, Mian R, Connolly SJ; ARTESIA Investigators. Apixaban for Stroke Prevention in Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2024 Jan 11;390(2):107-117. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2310234. Epub 2023 Nov 12.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Jeff Healey, M.D. principal investigator
Population Health Research Institute
Stuart Connolly, M.D. study chair
Population Health Research Institute
Marco Alings, M.D. principal investigator
Working Group Cardiovascular Research Netherlands
130 sites in 13 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 4 study testing Apixaban and aspirin in people with Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke, run by Population Health Research Institute at 130 sites in 13 countries.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 11 inclusion and 16 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Nov 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 130 sites in Canada, United States, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and 8 more countries. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Composite of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism (time frame: event driven, duration of follow-up - mean follow-up time anticipated: 3 years). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01938248, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Nov 2023.