Anti-Thrombotic Strategy After Trans-Aortic Valve Implantation for Aortic Stenosis

Guidelines on antithrombotic therapy after TAVI are scarce and no randomized evaluation has been performed to demonstrate what the optimal antithrombotic strategy is. The rates of major stroke and of major bleeding on DAPT, the standard of care in TAVI (Class IIb LOE C), are respectively as high as 3% and 10% within the first 30 days excluding the perioperative period. In addition, the rate of MACCE is estimated to be of 15% on DAPT. However, more than half of senior patients display high on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity, less than 1/3 undergo coronary stent implantation prior to valve replacement and more than 1/3 display transient atrial fibrillation (AF) during hospital stay. Anticoagulation appears therefore to be underused in this high stroke risk population and has never been evaluated in post-TAVI procedures. Non-vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants (NOAC) have shown superiority or non-inferiority versus VKA to prevent cardio-embolic events with a consistent reduction in intracranial bleeds in patients with non-valvular AF. Apixaban, a direct anti-Xa inhibitor, is the only NOAC which has demonstrated a mortality benefit associated with significant reductions in embolism and major bleeding versus VKA. In addition, apixaban is the only NOAC which has demonstrated superiority over aspirin to prevent cardio-embolic events with a similar safety profile in non-valvular AF patients with a contraindication to VKA. The investigators therefore formulate the hypothesis that apixaban is superior to SOC to prevent cardiovascular events in post-TAVI procedures.

The main purpose is to demonstrate superiority of a strategy of anticoagulation with apixaban 5mg bid (Anti-Xa Group) with dose adjustment as compared to the current standard of care (SOC Group = VKA or Antiplatelet therapy) as measured by the time from randomization to the first occurrence of any event of the composite endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, stroke/TIA/systemic embolism, intracardiac or bioprosthesis thrombus, episode of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, life-threatening or disabling or major bleeding at one year follow-up defined according to VARC2.

Patients who underwent a clinically successful TAVI procedure. Non-inclusion criteria include any recent acute cardiovascular event, mechanical heart valve, necessary use of prasugrel or ticagrelor (new P2Y12 inhibitors), concomitant medical illness associated with reduced survival, end stage renal failure defined as a creatinine clearance < 15mL/min.

Inclusion criteria

• All patients after clinically successful TAVI procedures irrespective of prior antithrombotic treatment are eligible for randomization.
• Ability to understand and to comply with the study protocol.
• Written informed consent.
• Men and women ≥18 years of age.

Non-inclusion Criteria:

• Creatinine Clearance < 15mL/min (Cockcroft formula) or patient undergoing dialysis.
• Mechanical valves.
• Known severe mitral valve stenosis requiring an intervention.
• Unsuccessful TAVI requiring re-intervention.
• Ongoing major bleeding or vascular complication (patients may become candidate to the study once stabilized).
• Prior history of intracranial haemorrhage.
• Recent cerebro-vascular event (CVE) or transient ischemic attack on anticoagulant therapy (<6 weeks).
• Cardiogenic shock manifested by low cardiac output, vasopressor or respiratory dependence, or mechanical hemodynamic support.
• Planned major surgery during follow-up defined as high-bleeding risk according to ESC/EHRA and requiring interruption of the study drug with bridging
• Concomitant medical illness (terminal malignancy) that is associated with expected survival less than one year.
• Concomitant use of prasugrel or ticagrelor.
• Following concomitant treatments that are potent inhibitors of CYP3A4: azole antifungals (itracozanole and ketoconazole), macrolide antibiotics (clarithromycine and telithromycin), and protease inhibitors (ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir and aquinavir) and nefazadone.
• Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP)*.
• Men who are sexually active with WOCBP* partners.

*Any female who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone surgical sterilization (hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy) or is not postmenopausal. Menopause is defined clinically as 12 months of amenorrhea in a woman over age 45 in the absence of other biological or physiological causes

• Pregnancy and breast feeding.
• Currently participating in an investigational drug or another device trial within the previous 30 days.
• Known Liver affection associated with coagulopathy and medical significant risk of bleeding.
• Uncontrolled cancer with life expectancy of less than one year.
• Inability to give informed consent or high likelihood of being unavailable for follow-up.