Role of Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Therapy in Peripheral Artery Disease and Coronary Artery Disease

Dr. Deepak Bhatt dives into the results of the COMPASS Trial at NATF’s 2017 Thrombosis Summit.

The COMPASS trial examined the use of rivaroxaban to prevent cardiovascular events, such as stroke and heart attack, in patients with CAD or PAD. CAD and PAD are both serious conditions that develop when the body’s arteries begin to narrow, making it difficult for blood to flow. This narrowing is due to a buildup of plaque along the artery walls, a condition known as atherosclerosis.

The original trial wasn’t scheduled to end until March 2018, but concluded in January 2017 because the primary endpoint was met ahead of schedule. In the trial, 27,402 patients were randomized to receive rivaroxaban at 2.5 mg twice daily, combined with aspirin at 100 mg per day, rivaroxaban at 5 mg twice a day with no aspirin, or just 100 mg of aspirin a day, with no rivaroxaban.