Biostatistics

Can low-cost aspirin be as effective as Warfarin in the prevention of stroke and death amongst heart failure patients? The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is asking just that question. To investigate the issue, the Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) for Clinical Trials, under the leadership of Seamus Thompson, PhD, clinical professor of Biostatistics, has recruited over 1800 patients in over 200 sites in nine countries to participate in the WARCEF trial.

The enormous undertaking is nothing new for Dr. Thompson who has managed a series of NIH-funded trials including WARSS (the Warfarin versus Aspirin for Recurrent Stroke Study, which employed a double-blinding algorithm developed by Dr. Thompson); TNK-S2B, comparing two interventions for acute stroke; and QALS, for the neurodegenerative disorder ALS. By providing all needed statistical and data management resources and web-based trial management capabilities, the SAC has been able to efficiently apply advanced trial designs to these studies.

And as for the Warfarin versus aspirin debate? Stay tuned for the trials’ results.