Reply

We thank Drs. Li and Zhao for their interest in our paper (1). They are correct that indirect comparisons cannot address all the heterogeneity between trials, as well as the underlying pathogenic mechanisms that they allude to. However, it is not very likely that there would be major differences in stroke subtypes among the 3 studies. Also, the inclusion and exclusion criteria are broadly the same in the 3 trials, except for the ROCKET-AF (Rivaroxaban Once Daily Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared With Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation) trial, wherein more patients may possibly have a different stroke type than thromboembolism-related, because of the higher-risk profile.
Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research