Xarelto (rivaroxaban) in cardioversion for atrial fibrillation: X-VeRT study

Abstract:

Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are the traditional standard therapy for thromboprophylactic anticoagulation of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) undergoing cardioversion. X-VeRT was the first prospective randomized trial of a new anticoagulant in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing elective cardioversion. Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) was compared to dose-adjusted VKA for thromboprophylaxis, in patients with NVAF, scheduled to undergo cardioversion. Rivaroxaban is a safe and effective alternative to VKAs for thromboprophylaxis in patients with NVAF undergoing elective cardioversion and significantly reduces the time until cardioversion. 

Key words:
atrial fibrillation; cardioversion; oral anticoagulants; rivaroxaban; warfarin