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SWITCH: Apixaban vs Vitamin K in HM3

The SWITCH Trial: A Randomized Controlled Study of Apixaban Versus Vitamin K Antagonists in Patients With HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07471139
Enrollment
460
Registered
2026-03-13
Start date
2026-08-01
Completion date
2029-08-01
Last updated
2026-08-31

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

Conditions

Bleeding, Heart Failure, Heart Transplant, LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) Thrombosis, Stroke, Thrombosis; Artery

Brief summary

This study is being done to learn the safety and efficacy of a new anticoagulant therapy with apixaban as compared to warfarin to prevent thrombotic events while protecting from bleeding complications in patients with advanced heart failure who are chronically supported by a HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Device for 3 months.

Detailed description

Heart failure is a global epidemic, and Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) - particularly the HeartMate 3 (HM3) - are increasingly used due to their survival benefit over medical therapy. Despite advances, hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAEs) like thrombosis and bleeding remain significant causes of morbidity and mortality. Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) have shown superiority over warfarin in heart failure patients, with lower rates of embolic and intracranial bleeding. Reduced-dose DOACs also appear to reduce major bleeding without increasing thrombotic risk. However, data on their use in LVAD patients is limited, consisting mainly of case reports, small series, retrospective analyses, and a few small randomized clinical trials. Some reports suggest apixaban may reduce bleeding in high-risk LVAD patients, though cases of pump thrombosis and stroke have occurred. Early studies comparing DOACs to warfarin in patients with HeartMate II (HMII), HeartWare™ HVAD™ System, and The Abbott HeartMate 3 (HM3) show no significant differences in outcomes, with a trend toward less bleeding with apixaban. Two small randomized clinical trials in HM3 patients (The DOAC LVAD Study and The DOT-HM3 Study) found similar results. This prospective, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of apixaban versus vitamin K antagonists in HM3 patients more than 3 months post-implant.

Interventions

DRUGWarfarin

Warfarin dose titrated for an International Normalized Ratio (INR) \>= 1.8

DRUGApixaban

Apixaban 5 mg bid (twice a day)

Sponsors

Columbia University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Participants will have HeartMate3 LVAD implanted \> 3 months before enrollment * ≥ 18 years old * Treated with WARFARIN SODIUM * Participant must provide written informed consent prior to any clinical investigation related procedure * In female participants of childbearing capability, not currently pregnant and on appropriate contraception

Exclusion criteria

* Participation in any other clinical investigation(s) involving a Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) device, or interventional investigation(s) likely to confound study results or affect study outcome * Presence of other anatomic or comorbid conditions, or other medical, social, or psychological conditions that, in the investigator's opinion, could limit the subject's ability to participate in the clinical investigation or to comply with follow-up requirements, or impact the scientific soundness of the clinical investigation results * Known allergy to Apixaban * Bridge to transplant * Severe renal dysfunction Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) \<20 * History of major bleeding event with subsequent reduction of INR goal to \< 1.8 * Apixaban dose reduction criteria (Age ≥80 years, weight ≤60 kg, creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dL) * Aortic root thrombus

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Survival free of major hemocompatibility related adverse event12 monthsMajor Hemocompatibility Related Adverse Event: Stroke, Pump Thrombosis, major non surgical Bleeding (moderate or severe), Arterial Peripheral Thromboembolism. Rates will be compared between study groups.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Non-surgical Major Hemorrhagic Events12 monthsRates will be compared between study groups.
Non-surgical Major Thrombotic Events12 monthsRates will be compared between study groups.
Survival12 monthsRates will be compared between study groups.
Stroke Rates12 monthsRates will be compared between study groups.
Pump Thrombosis Rates12 monthsRates will be compared between study groups.
Bleeding Rates12 monthsRates will be compared between study groups.
Rates of listing for Heart Transplant12 monthsRates will be compared between study groups.

Contacts

CONTACTIlan Richter, MD
ir2498@cumc.columbia.edu3322098345
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORNir Uriel, MD

New York Presbyterian / Columbia University Medical Center

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Sep 1, 2026