Search
What are you looking for?
Start main content

Press Releases

Press Releases

https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cuhk-new-research-reveals-better-efficacy-of-new-oral-anticoagulant-for-stroke-prevention-in-asian-patients-with-atrial-fibrillation
https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/press-releases/cuhk-new-research-reveals-better-efficacy-of-new-oral-anticoagulant-for-stroke-prevention-in-asian-patients-with-atrial-fibrillation

CUHK New Research Reveals Better Efficacy of New Oral Anticoagulant for Stroke Prevention in Asian Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

A recent research led by Prof. Lawrence K.S. WONG, Mok Hing Yiu Professor of Medicine and Chief of Neurology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) reveals that the new oral anticoagulant, Rivaroxaban, is more effective than the traditional Warfarin in stroke prevention among Asian patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and is more effective in Asian patients than in non-Asian patients.

 

AF is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia.  Irregular contraction of the patient’s heart may lead to poor blood flow, causing formation of clots in the left atrium.  If a blood clot travels to the brain, a stroke will occur.  An AF patient is five times more likely to have a stroke than a normal person, and therefore they should be prescribed anticoagulants to prevent clot formation.

 

According to a recent study by the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics of CUHK, AF has become one of the leading causes of stroke in Hong Kong, accounting for about one-fourth of all strokes.  Yet, only 13% of AF patients suffering from stroke were treated with anticoagulants before the incidence, possibly because these patients have little knowledge about AF and its complications, and underestimate the risk of strokes they face.  In addition, the limitations of the conventional anticoagulant Warfarin that the patients must avoid certain food and regularly receive blood tests for dose adjustment may have contributed to the underuse of anticoagulant.

 

Prof. Lawrence Wong studied the data of 932 Asian patients participating in the international large-scale study, ROCKET AF, which involved a total of 14,262 AF patients from 45 countries worldwide.  After comparing the data of the 932 patients from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, with that of non-Asian patients (mainly from Western countries), it is found that stroke incidence among Asian patients is 11% higher than that of non-Asians.   In Professor Wong’s study, half of the patients were treated with the new oral anticoagulant Rivaroxaban, and the rest was prescribed the conventional Warfarin.  Results showed that Warfarin is relatively less effective in Asian patients, with only 47% of patients treated with Warfarin staying within the targeted therapeutic range compared with 55% for non-Asians.  In addition, Asian patients taking Warfarin were found to have higher rate of stroke and bleeding complication.

 

The study also revealed that Rivaroxaban could reduce the risk of stroke by 32% among Asian AF patients but only 11% in non-Asians.  Rivaroxaban is also safer for Asians as the rate of intracranial hemorrhage is 73% lower than Warfarin (0.6% in the Rivaroxaban group and 2.5% in the Warfarin group).

 

Professor Wong concluded that novel oral anticoagulants are more convenient to use, safer and probably more effective than Warfarin, especially among Asian patients.  These new drugs should become the first line treatment for AF patients with high risk of stroke.

 

Prof. K.S. Wong, Chief of Neurology, CUHK, and Dr. Yannie Soo, Assistant Professor

Prof. K.S. Wong (left), Chief of Neurology, CUHK, and Dr. Yannie Soo, Assistant Professor (Honorary), Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, CUHK, share the findings of the latest research on the new oral anticoagulant.

Comparison between the new oral anticoagulant Rivaroxaban and the traditional Warfarin.

Comparison between the new oral anticoagulant Rivaroxaban and the traditional Warfarin.

 

More Press Releases

CUHK Sees Atrial Fibrillation-related Stroke Cases 3 Times Higher Over 15 Years

CUHK Sees Atrial Fibrillation-related Stroke Cases 3 Times Higher Over 15 Years

Research
CUHK Sees Early Evaluation of TIA Patients Reduce Rate of Stroke by 70% in a Global Study of 21 Countries

CUHK Sees Early Evaluation of TIA Patients Reduce Rate of Stroke by 70% in a Global Study of 21 Countries

Research
CUHK Professor Receives World Honour For Stroke Services Pioneering an Innovative 3-in-1 Multi-Target Therapy to Repair Damaged Brain After Stroke and Enhance Functional Recovery

CUHK Professor Receives World Honour For Stroke Services Pioneering an Innovative 3-in-1 Multi-Target Therapy to Repair Damaged Brain After Stroke and Enhance Functional Recovery

Awards and honors
CUHK Jointly Discovers New Therapeutic Solution for Minor Stroke in Global Study with over 30 Countries

CUHK Jointly Discovers New Therapeutic Solution for Minor Stroke in Global Study with over 30 Countries

Research
CUHK Screening Reveals 1 in 3 Older Adults in Community Suffer Brain Small Vessel Disease, Early Prevention Recommended

CUHK Screening Reveals 1 in 3 Older Adults in Community Suffer Brain Small Vessel Disease, Early Prevention Recommended

Clinical service
CUHK Advocates Stringent Control of Cardiovascular Risks for Reopening of Narrowed Brain Arteries - A New Paradigm to Prevent Recurrent Stroke (Available in Chinese only)

CUHK Advocates Stringent Control of Cardiovascular Risks for Reopening of Narrowed Brain Arteries - A New Paradigm to Prevent Recurrent Stroke (Available in Chinese only)

Research
CUHK Advocates Atrial Fibrillation Screening and Drug Education to Reduce Risk of Stroke among Elderly

CUHK Advocates Atrial Fibrillation Screening and Drug Education to Reduce Risk of Stroke among Elderly

Clinical service
CUHK Announces Latest Medical Treatment for Minor Stroke

CUHK Announces Latest Medical Treatment for Minor Stroke

Research
CUHK Proves External Counterpulsation Helps Augment Cerebral Blood Flow among Ischemic Stroke Patients

CUHK Proves External Counterpulsation Helps Augment Cerebral Blood Flow among Ischemic Stroke Patients

Research
CUHK study reveals an elevated stroke risk with switching oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation patients who developed breakthrough strokes during anticoagulation therapy

CUHK study reveals an elevated stroke risk with switching oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation patients who developed breakthrough strokes during anticoagulation therapy

Research
Two CUHK Research Projects Receive State Science and Technology Awards

Two CUHK Research Projects Receive State Science and Technology Awards

Awards and honors
Radiotherapy to Head and Neck Raises Risk for Stroke CUHK Proved Effectiveness of Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting

Radiotherapy to Head and Neck Raises Risk for Stroke CUHK Proved Effectiveness of Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting

Research
CUHK Research Reveals that Stroke Triggers Alzheimer’s Dementia Risk of Alzheimer’s Dementia Can be Reduced by Enhancing Vascular Health

CUHK Research Reveals that Stroke Triggers Alzheimer’s Dementia Risk of Alzheimer’s Dementia Can be Reduced by Enhancing Vascular Health

Research
Dr. Lui Che Woo Distinguished Professor Public Lecture by Prof. Steven C. Cramer on Brain Repair after Stroke

Dr. Lui Che Woo Distinguished Professor Public Lecture by Prof. Steven C. Cramer on Brain Repair after Stroke

Education
CUHK and PolyU Jointly Introduce TeleStroke for 24-hour Thrombolysis Service at Prince of Wales Hospital

CUHK and PolyU Jointly Introduce TeleStroke for 24-hour Thrombolysis Service at Prince of Wales Hospital

Clinical service
CUHK Develops an Automatic Retinal Image Analysis System to Help Diabetes Patients and Elderly Prevent Stroke

CUHK Develops an Automatic Retinal Image Analysis System to Help Diabetes Patients and Elderly Prevent Stroke

Research
Good News for Asian Patients First Local Clinical Study Shows High Success Rate and Effectiveness of Stenting for Intracranial Stenosis in Preventing Ischaemic Stroke

Good News for Asian Patients First Local Clinical Study Shows High Success Rate and Effectiveness of Stenting for Intracranial Stenosis in Preventing Ischaemic Stroke

Research
CUHK Proves the Potent Efficacy of Stenting for Carotid Artery Narrowing and Cardiac Contractility Modulation for Heart Failure

CUHK Proves the Potent Efficacy of Stenting for Carotid Artery Narrowing and Cardiac Contractility Modulation for Heart Failure

Research
Three CUHK Scholars Named Croucher Senior Research Fellow 2011-12

Three CUHK Scholars Named Croucher Senior Research Fellow 2011-12

Awards and honors

Our Expert List

Many experts under the Faculty of Medicine are available for media interview.
Please click here for the expert list or contact us.