Apixaban-PK Trial: Preventing Portal Hypertension Complications in Cirrhosis

Официальное название

Apixaban Plus Carvedilol to Prevent Portal Hypertension Complications in Cirrhosis: A Randomized Single-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial at AIMS, Hyderabad, Pakistan

Обзор

The APIXABAN-PK trial is a prospective, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of apixaban in combination with carvedilol versus placebo with carvedilol in preventing portal hypertension-related complications in patients with cirrhosis. Conducted at the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department and Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) of Asian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan, the trial will enroll eligible cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Participants will be followed for 12 months to monitor hepatic decompensation events, variceal bleeding, portal vein thrombosis, and mortality, while safety and tolerability of apixaban will be closely assessed. This study aims to provide local evidence for apixaban use in cirrhosis management in Pakistan.

Подробное описание

The APIXABAN-PK trial is a prospective, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) Hospital in Hyderabad, Pakistan. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of apixaban, a direct factor Xa inhibitor, in combination with carvedilol compared to carvedilol alone (with placebo) for preventing portal hypertension-related complications in patients with cirrhosis.

Patients with confirmed cirrhosis and evidence of portal hypertension (Child-Pugh B 7-10) are eligible. Participants undergo screening, including esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) within six months prior to enrollment. Those with high-risk varices receive endoscopic variceal band ligation to obliteration before randomization to ensure baseline safety.

Eligible participants are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of two groups:

Intervention Group: Apixaban 2.5 mg orally twice daily plus carvedilol (titrated according to a protocol-defined schedule).

Control Group: Placebo (matching apixaban) orally twice daily plus carvedilol (titrated according to the same schedule).

Carvedilol is initiated at 6.25 mg once daily and titrated every 2-4 weeks based on heart rate and blood pressure, aiming for a maintenance dose of 12.5 mg twice daily, as tolerated. Dose adjustments are made for hypotension or bradycardia.

All participants are followed for 12 months. Study visits occur at baseline, 2 weeks (safety telephone call), and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Assessments include vital signs, laboratory tests (complete blood count, liver and renal function, international normalized ratio), and imaging (abdominal ultrasound with Doppler and transient elastography at specified intervals). Adherence is monitored via pill counts and patient diaries.

The primary outcome is the first occurrence of portal hypertension-related complications (variceal bleeding, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, portal vein thrombosis, or liver-related death) within 12 months. Secondary outcomes include bleeding events (major and minor), time to first decompensation or hospitalization, all-cause and liver-related mortality, and changes in non-invasive markers of portal hypertension (e.g., liver stiffness, platelet count).

Safety is closely monitored through routine assessments and an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). The DSMB reviews unblinded safety data after 50% of participants have completed 6 months of follow-up, with predefined stopping rules for excessive bleeding or mortality. Adverse events are graded using CTCAE v6.0 criteria.

Statistical analysis will be performed on an intention-to-treat basis. The primary endpoint (time to first complication) will be analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards regression. The study aims to enroll 220 participants to account for anticipated dropout, with 100 participants per arm required to detect a 50% relative risk reduction in the primary outcome (two-sided α = 0.05, power = 80%). Enrollment is planned over 12 months, with a total study duration of 24 months.

This investigator-initiated trial is sponsored by the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences and is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. Results will be submitted for publication within 12 months of study completion, regardless of outcome, in accordance with ICMJE guidelines.

Вмешательства

• Препарат Apixaban
  Apixaban 2.5 mg oral tablet taken twice daily for 12 months. Apixaban is a direct factor Xa inhibitor that blocks thrombin generation and clot formation through inhibition of the coagulation cascade. Dose adjustment: continue 2.5 mg twice daily if eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m²; if eGFR 15-29 mL/min/1.73 m², continue with close monitoring; if eGFR \<15 mL/min/1.73 m², discontinue. Withheld in case of major bleeding or severe hepatic decompensation.
• Препарат Carvedilol
  Carvedilol oral tablet titrated according to protocol-defined schedule. Initiated at 6.25 mg once daily at baseline. Titrated every 2-4 weeks based on heart rate and blood pressure: 6.25 mg twice daily at week 2, 12.5 mg twice daily at week 4, with target maintenance dose of 12.5 mg twice daily. Dose may be reduced or withheld if heart rate \<55 bpm, systolic blood pressure \<90 mmHg, or symptomatic hypotension develops.
• Препарат Placebo
  Placebo oral tablet matching apixaban in appearance, taken twice daily for 12 months. No active ingredient.

Первичные конечные точки

• First Occurrence of Portal Hypertension-Related Complications [Срок оценки: 12 months]

Вторичные конечные точки (1)

• Major and Minor Bleeding Events [Срок оценки: 12 months]

Критерии участия

Критерии включения

• Adults aged ≥18 years with diagnosed cirrhosis (any etiology), confirmed by histology, transient elastography (≥12.5 kPa), or consistent clinical/imaging findings.
• Evidence of portal hypertension, defined by:

Clinical: presence of varices on endoscopy, ascites, or splenomegaly with thrombocytopenia.

• Compensated or early decompensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B 7-10), with stable liver function defined as no change in Child-Pugh score >1 point in the preceding 3 months.
• Screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) performed within 6 months prior to enrollment. Patients with high-risk varices (large varices, red wale signs, or history of variceal bleeding) must undergo endoscopic variceal band ligation to obliteration before randomization.
• Able to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures.

Критерии исключения

• Active gastrointestinal bleeding within 6 weeks prior to enrollment.
• High bleeding risk:

• Platelet count <50,000/µL at baseline
• INR >1.8 (or >2.0 if secondary to cirrhosis without additional coagulopathy)
• Active peptic ulcer disease
• History of intracranial hemorrhage or hemorrhagic stroke
• Known bleeding diathesis
• Severe renal impairment (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m²) or on dialysis.
• Child-Pugh class C or Child-Pugh score ≥10.
• History of hypersensitivity to apixaban or carvedilol.
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or unwillingness to use effective contraception during the study period.
• Concurrent anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy (including aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, or other DOACs) that cannot be safely discontinued. A washout period of at least 5 half-lives is required before randomization.
• Use of NSAIDs, SSRIs, or other medications that significantly increase bleeding risk, unless approved by the PI with clear risk-benefit justification.
• Active hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) outside Milan criteria or with vascular invasion.
• Current or planned liver transplantation.

Критерии приведены из реестра в оригинале (на английском). Окончательную оценку соответствия проводит исследовательский центр.

Здоровые добровольцы: Нет

Дизайн исследования

Распределение

Рандомизированное

Модель

Параллельные группы

Маскирование

Простое слепое

Основная цель

Профилактика

Центры проведения

Пакистан · 1 центр

• Asian Institute of Medical Sciences — Hyderābād

Публикации

• Simon TG, Singer DE, Zhang Y, Mastrorilli JM, Cervone A, DiCesare E, Lin KJ. Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, and Warfarin in Patients With Cirrhosis and Atrial Fibrillation : A Nationwide Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med. 2024 Aug;177(8):1028-1038. doi: 10.7326/M23-3067. Epub 2024 Jul 9. PMID 38976880
• Xu PS, Wang MC, Chen JJ, Wang HY. [Non-invasive evaluation and prediction of portal hypertension: focusing on disease progression and outcome]. Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi. 2025 Oct 20;33(10):928-933. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn501113-20250726-00295. Chinese. PMID 41167763
• Brown RS Jr, Brown KA, Flamm S, Bejarano RE, Rahimi RS, Singal AK, Rockey DC. Screening and management of portal hypertension and varices in cirrhosis: Expert perspectives. Hepatol Commun. 2025 Apr 3;9(4):e0682. doi: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000682. eCollection 2025 Apr 1. PMID 40178492
• Nulan Y, Felli E, Selicean SE, Prampolini M, Berzigotti A, Gracia-Sancho J, Bosch J. Carvedilol decreases hepatic vascular resistance by reducing fibrogenesis and reversing endothelial dysfunction in cirrhotic rats. JHEP Rep. 2025 Nov 20;8(3):101681. doi: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2025.101681. eCollection 2026 Mar. PMID 41659769
• Mullarkey MJ, Ogola GO, Asrani SK, Volk ML. Carvedilol is associated with lower mortality than other nonselective beta-blockers in patients with cirrhosis. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2025 Apr 25;38(4):412-418. doi: 10.1080/08998280.2025.2491220. eCollection 2025. PMID 40557192
• Suffert LC, de Faria Moraes B, Cancado GGL. Preventing First and Further Decompensation in Advanced Chronic Liver Disease. Liver Int. 2026 Apr;46(4):e70568. doi: 10.1111/liv.70568. PMID 41773498
• Joshi A, Raja HAA, Roy P, Latif F, Reji RG, Deb N, Mui RK, Shady A. Comparison of Carvedilol to Propranolol in Reduction of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient in Liver Cirrhosis: A Meta-Analysis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2025 Jun;40(6):1409-1418. doi: 10.1111/jgh.16999. Epub 2025 May 19. PMID 40387434

Идентификаторы

NCT: NCT07521332 · AIMS/ERC/9853/26

Первоисточники (государственные реестры)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (NIH, США)

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