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Efficacy of Short Term Dabigatran Etexilate Followed by Aspirin Monotherapy After LAA (Left Atrial Appendage) Device Closure (the DEA-LAA Study).

Efficacy of Short Term Dabigatran Etexilate Followed by Aspirin Monotherapy After LAA (Left Atrial Appendage) Device Closure (the DEA-LAA Study).

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03539055
Acronym
DEA-LAA
Enrollment
100
Registered
2018-05-29
Start date
2018-09-01
Completion date
2024-02-29
Last updated
2025-06-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Atrial Fibrillation, Device Related Thrombus, Left Atrial Appendage Thrombosis, Watchman LAA Closure Device

Keywords

DRT, Device related thrombus, Dabigatran etexilate, Aspirin, Watchman

Brief summary

Single arm, prospective unblinded study on post Watchman LAA closure device implant anti-coagulation management at a primary center (Vanderbilt Medical Center) and up to 5 additional high volume LAA implant centers. This trial will be designed to evaluate the use of dabigatran for 90 days post implantation of an LAA closure device (Watchman LAA Closure Device, Boston Scientific Inc.) to prevent device related thrombus.

Detailed description

Single arm, prospective unblinded study on post Watchman LAA closure device implant anti-coagulation management at a primary center (Vanderbilt Medical Center) and up to 5 additional high volume LAA implant centers. This trial will be designed to evaluate the use of dabigatran for 90 days post implantation of an LAA closure device (Watchman LAA Closure Device, Boston Scientific Inc.). The drug will be initiated on the morning following device implantation, taken BID per package insert dosing and until follow-up 90-day post implant TEE. Aspirin monotherapy will be utilized in conjunction at 81 mg for up to 12 months, after which the patients will be exited from the study and further treatment decisions will be made by the following physician (see Schedule of Study Procedures at end of protocol). The objective of this trial is to evaluate safety and efficacy of a 90-day period of dabigatran etexilate following LAA closure to prevent device associated thrombus, while minimizing adverse bleeding by eliminating the need for clopidogrel. This is a single arm pilot study with the option (pending collaboration with additional funding source) to expand to a full single arm non-inferiority trial design with 80% power to detect a 1.4% difference with the non-inferiority margin 1% in absolute rate of DAT (control rate 3.9%). Prospective, non-randomized single arm study. Comparison will be made to historical controls based on published one year DAT rates from PROTECT-AF, PREVAIL clinical trials, and EWOLUTION, and ACP/Amulet registries. Echocardiography (TEE) will be performed at 90 days (3 months, +/- 2-week window), and again at 1-year post implant (+/- 4 weeks). Selected images will be interpreted by echo lab at coordinating center in an anonymous fashion (patient data de-identified). Ideal imaging will incorporate 0, 45, 90 and 135 degree angled views on the device at follow up. Drug will be dispensed as part of the clinical trial supplied from the sponsor and each patient will receive a complete 90 days' supply up front. They will have a drug visit on the day of TEE with the research coordinator to hand back any remaining dabigatran, with clear instruction to stop the drug and only take ASA following confirmation of closure on TEE (no peri-device leak on Doppler of \>5mm). A decision to continue anti-coagulation post closure 90day TEE will be made by the physician discretion based on TEE findings. If thrombus is found at the 90 days TEE, anti-coagulation may be extended another 6 weeks with repeat TEE imaging to confirm clot resolution at the discretion of the investigator. In the unlikely event of embolization or Doppler leak \>5mm, decision on extending anti-coagulation, or re-implanting a device will be made by the following physician. Additional baseline data collection: Patient demographics, medical history, age, sex, and prior use of anti-coagulants or anti-platelet medications will be collected. CHADS 2 Vasc, and HAS-BLED score calculated. Main indication for LAA closure must be documented. Baseline CBC and BMP required on day of implant or up to 1 week pre-procedure (typical standard of care labs at time of implant). This will include a recent calculation of Creatinine Clearance (using Cockroft Gault and using patients actual body weight) and dosing of study drug will be made in accordance (see below). Repeat PCV or hematocrit on the morning after Watchman LAAC implantation will be per hospital standard. PCV or hematocrit value pre-implant and at the post 90-day visit will be analyzed. Calculation for dabigatran dosing: CCr={ (l40-age) x weight in kg)/(72 x SCr) } x 0.85 (if female) Implant procedure variables to collect include access site, sheath used for deployment (WAS), device size at implant and number of implant attempts. LA pressure mean if available. Presence of angiography contrast or Doppler Echo leak, thrombus, or pericardial effusion post implant will be recorded. At 90 days, TEE report findings and image review (standard of care) with drug dosing visit with research coordinator and return of any remaining study drug. 1 year TEE (standard of care) with a research exit visit with MD, physician extender, or research coordinator, with documentation of ASA tolerance, dosing, and any late bleeding episodes or hospitalizations (typically should be reported as AE/SAE when first knowledge of event is determined). TEE images will be sent to the primary study site (Vanderbilt University Medical Center) and core TEE lab will review to confirm presence or absence of DAT. In cases of CTA utilized for follow up, similarly images will be reviewed by chest radiology team at Vanderbilt. Medication administration with 90 days of dabigatran to be dispensed by pharmacy ideally one time (180 capsules).

Interventions

Oral use of Dabigatran etexilate for 90 days BID per product labeling for dosage to reduce incidence of device related thrombus after implantation of a Watchman LAA device.

Sponsors

Boehringer Ingelheim
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Prospective single arm intervention of dabigatran etexilate with aspirin for 90 days following Watchman LAA device closure to prevent device related thrombus (DRT)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Male or female sex, age \>18 years. 2. CHADS2 Vascular score of 3-9 and HAS BLED score 2 or higher meeting CMS coverage criteria for Watchman LAA closure device implantation. 3. Able to give informed consent. 4. Life expectancy of \> 1year in the judgment of the implanting physician and shared decision-making physician.

Exclusion criteria

1. Unable to give informed consent 2. History of confirmed allergy to dabigatran etexilate 3. Active cerebral bleeding, or active non-cerebral bleeding requiring blood transfusions (any absolute contra-indications to anti-coagulation). 4. History of intraocular, spinal, retroperitoneal or a traumatic intra-articular bleeding unless the causative factor has been permanently eliminated or repaired (e.g. by surgery) 5. Gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage within one month prior to screening, unless, in the opinion of the Investigator, the cause has been permanently eliminated (e.g. by surgery) 6. Major bleeding episode (reduction in the haemoglobin level of at least 2g/dL, transfusion of at least two units of blood, or symptomatic bleeding in a critical area or organ) including life-threatening bleeding episode (symptomatic intracranial bleeding, bleeding with a decrease in the haemoglobin level of at least 5g/dL or bleeding requiring transfusion of at least 4 units of blood or inotropic agents or necessitating surgery) in one month prior to screening visit 7. Intolerance to dabigatran, if medication naïve, or other contra-indications as per the USPI, including ESRD on hemodialysis or GFR \< 15ml/min, or concomitant use of rifampin. 8. History of non-compliance, inability to follow-up. 9. Pre-menopausal women (last menstruation ≤ 1 year prior to screening) who are not surgically sterile. 10. Ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke within 90 days of LAA placement. 11. Anatomy unsuitable for LAA closure (incomplete surgical LAA ligation without suitable anatomy for Watchman placement. LAA ostial measurements \>31mm, or \<17mm in all views). 12. Requires long-term oral anticoagulation therapy for a condition other than atrial fibrillation. 13. ASA allergy, or confirmed allergy to nickel. 14. Prior PFO or ASD closure device or prosthetic or mechanical heart valve. 15. Acute MI within 90 days. 16. Platelets \<50,000 at time of Watchman LAAC implantation. 17. Active endocarditis. 18. Planning for endocardial catheter AF or left atrial ablation within 90 days of Watchman implantation.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Device Related Thrombus (DRT) at 90 DaysBaseline to 90 daysTransesophageal echocardiogram or CT angiography determined presence of DRT at 90 days
Device Related Thrombus (DRT) at 1 Year90 days to 1 yearTransesophageal echocardiogram or CT angiography determined presence of DRT at 1 year post implant

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Includes Ischemic Stroke, Peripheral Thrombo-embolic Events and Major Bleeding EventsBaseline to 90 daysIschemic stroke, peripheral thrombo-embolic events and major bleeding events on dabigatran etexilate at 90 days

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Treatment Arm
Dabigatran 75 or 150mg BID x 90 days plus ASA 81mg daily. Single arm, prospective unblinded study on post Watchman LAA closure device implant anti-coagulation management at a primary center (Vanderbilt Medical Center) and up to 5 additional high volume LAA implant centers. This trial will be designed to evaluate the use of dabigatran for 90 days post implantation of an LAA closure device (Watchman LAA Closure Device, Boston Scientific Inc.) Dabigatran Etexilate Oral Capsule: Oral use of Dabigatran etexilate for 90 days BID per product labeling for dosage to reduce incidence of device related thrombus after implantation of a Watchman LAA device.
100
Total100

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyDeath4
Overall StudyDrug Intolerance2
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up1
Overall StudyScreen Fail7
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject2

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTreatment Arm
Age, Continuous73.41 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.8
CHADS2 Vascular Score4.3 percentage
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.3
HAS-BLED Score3.5 percentage
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.1
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
6 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
94 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Sex
Female
37 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Sex
Male
63 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
4 / 88
other
Total, other adverse events
11 / 88
serious
Total, serious adverse events
8 / 88

Outcome results

Primary

Device Related Thrombus (DRT) at 1 Year

Transesophageal echocardiogram or CT angiography determined presence of DRT at 1 year post implant

Time frame: 90 days to 1 year

Population: • Withdrawal from study (90days to 1 year )~1. Covid delay for 12 month TEE (n=5)~2. Patient death between 90 days and 1 year TEE (n=2\_~3. Health decline with inability to get TEE (n=1)

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Treatment ArmDevice Related Thrombus (DRT) at 1 Year0 Participants
Primary

Device Related Thrombus (DRT) at 90 Days

Transesophageal echocardiogram or CT angiography determined presence of DRT at 90 days

Time frame: Baseline to 90 days

Population: • Withdrawal from study (up to 90 days)~1. Failed to meet inclusion/exclusion criteria (n=5)~2. Withdrew consent (n=2)~3. Unable to complete and initiate 90 days or dabigatran (n=2)~4. Death prior to 90-day TEE follow-up (n=1)~5. Coud not get 90 day TEE (n=2)

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Treatment ArmDevice Related Thrombus (DRT) at 90 Days1 Participants
Secondary

Includes Ischemic Stroke, Peripheral Thrombo-embolic Events and Major Bleeding Events

Ischemic stroke, peripheral thrombo-embolic events and major bleeding events on dabigatran etexilate at 90 days

Time frame: Baseline to 90 days

Population: • Withdrawal from study (up to 90 days)~1. Failed to meet inclusion/exclusion criteria (n=5)~2. Withdrew consent (n=2)~3. Unable to complete and initiate 90 days or dabigatran (n=2)~4. Death prior to 90-day TEE follow-up (n=1)~5. Coud not get 90 day TEE (n=2)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Treatment ArmIncludes Ischemic Stroke, Peripheral Thrombo-embolic Events and Major Bleeding EventsPeripheral thrombo-embolic events0 Participants
Treatment ArmIncludes Ischemic Stroke, Peripheral Thrombo-embolic Events and Major Bleeding EventsIschemic Stroke0 Participants
Treatment ArmIncludes Ischemic Stroke, Peripheral Thrombo-embolic Events and Major Bleeding EventsMajor Bleeds requiring intervention3 Participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026