Actively Recruiting

Phase 4
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
ID03862859

The Danish Warfarin-Dialysis Study: Safety and Efficacy of Warfarin in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation on Dialysis - A Nationwide Parallel-group Open Randomized Clinical Trial

Led by Nicholas Carlson · Updated on 2026-05-19

718

Participants Needed

13

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

On this page

Sponsors

N

Nicholas Carlson

Lead Sponsor

D

Danish Heart Foundation

Collaborating Sponsor

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate whether starting oral anticoagulation with Warfarin reduces stroke risk safely and effectively in patients with end-stage renal disease who are on dialysis and have atrial fibrillation. The study addresses the lack of clear evidence on the benefits and risks of anticoagulation in this population, as they are often excluded from trials. It is a nationwide, open-label, randomized trial designed to provide conclusive data on the use of Warfarin for stroke prevention in these patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving Warfarin with dosing adjusted to maintain an international normalized ratio (INR) of 2 to 3, and the other receiving no treatment. The trial plans to enroll 718 dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation, following them for at least one year with ongoing monitoring. The randomization is stratified by gender, age, and center, and the study will last up to four years to observe outcomes. During the study, participants will be regularly monitored for safety and effectiveness outcomes, including ischemic or unspecified strokes, transient ischemic attacks, major bleeding events, and death. The primary outcomes focus on the number of participants experiencing stroke or major bleeding from the time of randomization up to four years. Secondary outcomes include various stroke subtypes and mortality rates. The study includes ongoing assessments to track safety and tolerability throughout the observation period.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

The Danish Warfarin-Dialysis Study - Safety and Efficacy of Warfarin in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation on Dialysis

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Patients 18 years or older on chronic dialysis due to end-stage renal disease
  • Diagnosed with non-valvular paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent atrial fibrillation, or untreated atrial fibrillation for more than 2 months confirmed by ECG or monitoring devices
  • Able to understand the study rationale and provide written informed consent
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • CHA2DS2-VASc Score of 1 or less
  • Other reasons for oral anticoagulation treatment such as recent pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, or mechanical heart valve
  • Ongoing dual antiplatelet treatment
  • Recent or ongoing malignancy within the past year, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer
  • Gastrointestinal ulcer within the past month
  • Esophageal varices
  • Autoimmune or genetic coagulation disorders
  • Congenital alactasia, Lapp Lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption
  • Pending spinal tap
  • Cerebrovascular malformations
  • Arterial aneurysms
  • Ulcers or wounds with Wagner grade above 1
  • Bacterial endocarditis within the past 3 months
  • Active bleeding that prevents anticoagulation
  • Non-elective or non-ambulatory surgery within the past 7 days
  • Cerebral hemorrhage within the past 4 weeks
  • Thrombocytopenia with platelet count below 100 x 10^9/L within 30 days
  • Severe liver insufficiency with spontaneous INR above 1.5 within 30 days
  • Known intolerance to Warfarin
  • Use of St. John's Wort
  • Uncontrolled hypertension with blood pressure over 180/110 mmHg within 30 days
  • Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism with TSH below 0.1 microIU/mL within 30 days
  • Pregnancy or lactation
  • Participation in other intervention trials that could affect study outcomes

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Duration - At least 1 year following randomization

Participants are randomized to either start warfarin treatment with dose adjustments to maintain target blood levels or receive no treatment, and are followed for stroke risk reduction and safety.

Regular visits for dose monitoring and safety assessments throughout treatment

Follow-up

Duration - Up to 4 years from randomization

Participants continue to be monitored for efficacy and safety outcomes including stroke, bleeding events, and mortality up to 4 years from randomization.

Periodic visits as scheduled for ongoing assessment

Trial Site Locations

Total: 13 locations

1

Department of Nephrology, Herlev Hospital

Herlev, Herlev, Denmark, 2730

Actively Recruiting

2

Department of nephrology, Nordsjaellands Hospital

Hillerød, Hillerød, Denmark, 3400

Actively Recruiting

3

Aalborg University Hosptial

Aalborg, Denmark, 9100

Actively Recruiting

4

Aarhus University Hospital

Aarhus, Denmark, 8200

Actively Recruiting

5

Department of Nephrology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet

Copenhagen, Denmark, 2100

Actively Recruiting

6

Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital

Esbjerg, Denmark, 6700

Actively Recruiting

7

Holbaek Hospital

Holbæk, Denmark, 4300

Actively Recruiting

8

Holstebro Hospital

Holstebro, Denmark, 7500

Actively Recruiting

9

Lillebælt Hospital

Kolding, Denmark

Actively Recruiting

10

Zealand University Hospital

Roskilde, Denmark, 4000

Actively Recruiting

11

Bornholms Hospital

Rønne, Denmark, 3700

Actively Recruiting

12

Hospital Sønderjylland

Sønderborg, Denmark, 6400

Actively Recruiting

13

Viborg Regional Hospital

Viborg, Denmark, 8800

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

N

Nicholas Carlson, MD PhD Ass. Prof

E

Ellen LF Ballegaard, MD PhD

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Model

PARALLEL

Primary Purpose

PREVENTION

Number of Arms

2

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Published Research Related To This Trial

Protocol for a randomised controlled trial comparing warfarin with no oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation on chronic dialysis: the Danish Warfarin-Dialysis (DANWARD) trial.

Ellen Linnea Freese Ballegaard, Kristine Lindhard, Morten Lindhardt...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38413147