WARCEF Clinical Trial

Warfarin vs. Aspirin in Reduced Cardiac Ejection Fraction (WARCEF)

Purpose:

To determine whether Warfarin (an anticoagulant) or aspirin (reduced platelet function) is better for preventing death and stroke in patients with poor heart function.

Principal Investigator:

Alex Adler MD,
Cardiologist/Heart Failure Specialist
Methodist Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute

Co-Investigators:

Igor Singer MD, FRACP, FACP, FACC, FACA
William Novak, MD
Breno Pessanha, MD
Omar Ali, MD
Methodist Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute
Howard Liu, MD, PhD
Methodist Medical Group Neurology

For More Information Contact:

Tracy Rennie, MPH, RN
(309) 672-4808
tlrennie@mmci.org

Summary:

Patients will be divided into 2 groups at random (like a flip of a coin). One group will receive warfarin (4mg) and a placebo (sugar pill). The other group will get aspirin (325mg) and a placebo. The study doctor and nurse will not know which treatment you have been assigned. The study will last five years. Patients will get a phone call from the nurse every month and have a cardiac exam by the doctor every four months. Patients will also see a neurologist every year. For the first two weeks of the study, patients will have blood drawn about twice a week to check the clotting level. Patients will be scheduled to visit the clinic every month for a blood draw to check medication levels and an interview with the study nurse. Other requirements include an echocardiogram, a six-minute walk test and a Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Patients in this study will receive a medic alert bracelet and a wallet card.