Heart failure brings problems associated with hypercoagulation, such as stroke and sudden death.

An international study followed some 2300 patients with heart failure (ejection fractions of 35% or less) and in stable sinus rhythm for a mean of 3.5 years, randomizing them to treatment with either warfarin or aspirin.

The two treatment groups showed about the same risks for stroke and overall mortality, but warfarin was associated with more major bleeding episodes.

Our guest is the first author on the report, released online by the New England Journal of Medicine.

Links:

NEJM article