Merkler AE, Pearce LA, Kasner SE, et al. - Findings demonstrate the superiority of rivaroxaban over aspirin in decreasing the risk of recurrent stroke or systemic embolism among NAVIGATE ESUS [New Approach Rivaroxaban Inhibition of Factor Xa in a Global Trial vs Aspirin to Prevent Embolism in ESUS (embolic strokes of undetermined source)] participants with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.

• This post hoc exploratory analysis of a randomized, phase 3 clinical trial (NAVIGATE ESUS trial) included 7,213 patients with recent ESUS and LV dysfunction (n=502; 7.1%).

• Patients were randomized to receive either 15 mg of rivaroxaban or 100 mg of aspirin once daily.

• Lower risk of recurrent stroke or systemic embolism was observed with rivaroxaban vs aspirin in patients with LV dysfunction (hazard ratio, 0.36), relative to those without LV dysfunction (hazard ratio, 1.16).