Cost-effectiveness of apixaban for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Apixaban, an oral anticoagulant for stroke and systemic embolism prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), was superior to warfarin in prevention of stroke and systemic embolism, bleeding outcomes and mortality (ARISTOTLE trial), and substantially reduced stroke risk, with no significant increase in major or intracranial bleeding risk versus aspirin (AVERROES trial).

Objective: Estimate cost-effectiveness of apixaban versus other anticoagulants for NVAF treatment in Saudi Arabia.

Design: Lifetime Markov model.