INVestIgation of rheumatiC AF Treatment Using Vitamin K Antagonists, Rivaroxaban or Aspirin Studies, Non-Inferiority

Inclusion Criteria:

1. RVHD diagnosed by echocardiography at any time prior to enrollment
2. Age ≥18
3. Increased risk of stroke by any of the following

• CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2 OR
• Moderate/Severe mitral stenosis with valve area ≤2.0 cm2 OR
• Left atrial spontaneous echo contrast OR
• Left atrial thrombus

4. Heart Rhythm *AF or Flutter should be documented on baseline 12-lead ECG, or on aprevious 12-lead ECG, Holter monitor, in-hospital ECG rhythm strip or Pacemaker or ICDelectrogram.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Refusal to give informed consent
2. Actively involved in any study that would compromise the protocol of INVICTUS Trial
3. Severe co-morbid condition with life expectancy < 1 year
4. Other serious condition(s) or logistic factors likely to interfere with studyparticipation or with the ability to complete the trial, as appropriate to country orregion.
5. Likely to have valve replacement surgery within 6 months
6. Mechanical valve prosthesis or other condition requiring treatment with VKAs. Patientswith deep vein thrombosis or recent pulmonary embolism can be enrolled where both VKAsand rivaroxaban are approved.
7. Contraindication to the study medication of the trial

• Allergy to rivaroxaban
• Allergy to VKAs ( non-inferiority trial)
• Allergy to aspirin ( superiority trial)

8. Severe renal insufficiency with an calculated creatinine clearance (Cockcroft-Gault) <15 ml/min
9. Serious bleeding in the past six months or at high risk for bleeding
10. Moderate to severe hepatic impairment
11. Ongoing need for dual antiplatelet therapy (patients with on-going aspirin therapy ≤100 mg per day are not excluded)
12. Ongoing need for dual strong inhibitors of CYP-3a4 or p-glycoprotein inhibitor.
13. Received an investigational drug in the past 30 days
14. Patients considered unsuitable for trial inclusion because of unwillingness to attendfollow up visits
15. Women who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding
16. Women of child bearing age who do not use an effective form of birth control.