PACeS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Anticoagulation for New-Onset Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation after CABG (PACeS)
IRAS ID
1005469
Contact name
Enoch Akowuah
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Research summary
A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a surgical procedure used to treat coronary heart disease. It involves taking a blood vessel from another part of the body (usually chest, leg or arm) and attaching it to the coronary artery to improve blood flow to the heart.
Some patients will develop an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation (AF)) after CABG surgery. Patients who have AF are at higher risk of developing blood clots that can lead to conditions like stroke and result in death.
To prevent blood clots there are two classes of drugs: anti-platelets (like aspirin) and anti-coagulants (blood thinners).
Anti-platelets work by preventing clots from forming and growing by stopping blood cell fragments, called platelets, from clumping together. Patients undergoing CABG surgery will normally receive these drugs anyway to help stop clots forming in the grafts and keep them working.
Anti-coagulants work differently. They affect the reaction of the clotting proteins in the blood, so that the blood is “thinner” and less likely to form a clot. These drugs can increase the risk of bleeding, which can have serious consequences.
Both anti-platelet and anti-coagulant drugs are well-used in current practice, but guidelines from different international bodies are based on weak evidence. This study aims to determine whether the addition of blood thinners to anti-platelet drugs improves treatment outcomes in patients who develop AF after CABG surgery.
The study has already started in the US, and will also take place in Canada, Germany, Brazil as well as in the UK. Overall, the study aims to involve 3200 patients over a five year period, 400 in the UK until the end of 2024. Participants will be assigned on a random basis to either receiving anti-platelet drugs only or anti-platelet drugs plus blood thinners and followed-up for 6 months.REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
22/WS/0128
Date of REC Opinion
14 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion