What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban monotherapy versus combination therapy in atrial fibrillation patients with stable coronary artery disease.

March 6, 2026Open Access

Medication Adherence and Antithrombotic Therapy Outcomes

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Rivaroxaban monotherapy has noninferior efficacy and superior safety compared with combination therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

Key Result

Rivaroxaban monotherapy showed noninferior efficacy and superior safety versus rivaroxaban plus antiplatelet therapy in atrial fibrillation with stable coronary artery disease.

Key Points

The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban monotherapy versus combination therapy in atrial fibrillation patients with stable coronary artery disease.
Utilized data from the AFIRE trial focusing on atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease.
Compared outcomes of rivaroxaban monotherapy to combination therapy (rivaroxaban plus single antiplatelet).
Analyzed efficacy and safety metrics between the two treatment groups.
Rivaroxaban monotherapy was shown to have noninferior efficacy compared to combination therapy.
Monotherapy demonstrated superior safety in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Structured PICO

Does rivaroxaban monotherapy improve efficacy and safety compared to combination therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease?

Population

Patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease

Intervention

Rivaroxaban monotherapy

Comparator

Combination therapy (rivaroxaban plus a single antiplatelet)

Outcome

Efficacy and safety

In patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease, rivaroxaban monotherapy offers noninferior efficacy and superior safety compared to combination therapy with an antiplatelet.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

The AFIRE (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease) trial demonstrated that rivaroxaban monotherapy has noninferior efficacy and superior safety compared with combination therapy (rivaroxaban plus a single antiplatelet) in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease.