Randomized On-X Anticoagulation Trial
Randomized On-X Anticoagulation Trial
The FDA approved Clinical Trial called "Randomized On-X Anticoagulation Trial", Clinical Trials Identifier NCT00291525, found at:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00291525?term=nct00291525&rank=1
Purpose: Various patient groups with the On-X Valve can be maintained safely on lower doses of blood thinner(Coumadin®) or on antiplatelet drugs (aspirin/Plavix®) only rather than the standard dose of Coumadin and aspirin presently recommended by ACC/AHA or ACCP professional societies.
Detailed Description: This is a longitudinal, randomized (randomization to occur at the 3 month follow-up) study comparing the On-X valve on low dose anticoagulation (test group) to concomitant control groups of On-X valves receiving standard Coumadin/aspirin therapy, and also to FDA objective performance criteria (OPC) for heart valve replacement. It is a multicenter study consisting of 20 centers in the United States enrolling no more than 1200 patients (200 in each of 6 groups). There are three test arms of the study: low risk aortic valve replacement, high risk aortic valve replacement and mitral valve replacement. Each arm has an equivalent control. Test therapies are: low risk aortic valve replacement - aspirin/Plavix, high risk aortic valve replacement - Coumadin at INR of 1.5 to 2.0 plus aspirin, and mitral valve replacement - Coumadin at an INR of 2.0 to 2.5 plus aspirin. Follow-up will run for 5 years in each patient.
This is also described on On-X website, and there is an Adobe (PDF) file that you can link to with a brochure on the study at:
http://www.onxlti.com/onxlti-hv-proact.html
Also more info at this website:
http://www.onxlti.com/onxlti-hvm-clinical-trial.html
They were granted approval for 40 centers, not 20 as stated on the FDA website (typo?). There are currently 29 centers showing on the Clinical Trial info on FDA website; it gets updated as more centers are added.
The Clinical Trial has come up several times before. Previously there were VR.com members that chimed in that they would not be interested in participating, but there were also members that indicated that they would be interested in participating. Also discussion about the pros and cons of Plavix, etc.
When it is said that you would not have to use Warfarin that is true, but you would still have to use Plavix/aspirin; i.e., you would not be completely free of any medication like with a biological. However, note that the amount of Warfarin that you have to take could also possibly be reduced, if you chose to stay with Warfarin.
For those persons desiring to get into the Clinical Trial it is a requirement that you get your On-X implanted at one of the study centers. Personally, I could not work that out so I could not get into the Clinical Trial (but I would have been willing to do so if I could have).